Exploring Arlington, Texas: Sports, Entertainment and Dining

River Legacy Park is a magnificent lush and green urban oasis along the banks of the Trinity River in Arlington. It is a 1031-acre forest park where animals live with little disruption from those who come for bird watching, jogging, biking, or picnicking. The park has over 10 miles of biking and hiking trails that go through the hardwood forest, which is home to 28 kinds of trees, 400 species of animals, and 193 species of native birds.

A huge playground for kids features a life-size skeleton of the T-Rex dinosaur. River Legacy Living Science Center boasts an aquarium and terrariums with native animals, nature trails, an exhibit hall, and several exploration stations. If you are wondering what to do in Arlington, Texas today, the park organizes a range of events and activities for the public.

703 N.W. Green Oaks Blvd. (at Cooper Street), Arlington, TX, Phone: 817-860-6752

It all started in 1975 when physics Professor Ulrich Herrmann suggested that a quirky little round building close to the Library should be converted into the first Planetarium at the University of Texas at Arlington. Today, with its 60-foot diameter dome and the latest Digistar 5 DLP Projection system, The Planetarium is one of the biggest and the most advanced in Texas.

The Digistar 5 system projects stars, galaxies, planets and virtually anything else you can see in the sky onto the dome. The facility uses a powerful surround-sound system, turning your trip to see black holes and distant galaxies into the adventure of a lifetime. The Planetarium is a unique space for teaching and learning, and it is a space open to the public for shows, field trips, stargazing and all sorts of interesting private functions. The Dome auditorium can seat about 150 people.

Chemistry Physics Building, 700 Planetarium Place, Arlington, TX, Phone: 817-272-1183

You will be the most popular parent on the block when you take the family for a fun day out at the Six Flags Over Texas amusement park. The park offers a whole host of amazing activities for all ages including family rides, thrill rides, kid’s rides, live shows and much, much more. The facility boasts no fewer than 18 family-friendly rides which include the very popular Roaring Rapids water ride, a classic carousel and Speedway Go Karts. Daredevils will want to head straight to the thrill rides which include the Batman inverted roller-coaster, Cat-woman Whip and the Judge Roy classic wooden roller-coaster. If you live nearby you can buy a Season Ticket to enjoy the fun all season long.

Six Flags Over Texas, 2201 East Road, Arlington, TX 76011, 817 640 8900

The Arlington Museum of Art is located in the remodeled JC Penney building that first opened its doors in 1989. It is a non-collecting museum that focuses on presenting exceptional quality exhibitions and shows that will inspire, challenge, and inform all visitors, both local inhabitants and tourists. Originally focused on Texas Contemporary Art, the Museum has broadened its vision to include other culturally important and historically significant exhibitions.

The Museum organizes educational programs for children and adults and offers practical learning opportunities related to art. The Museum also supports local schools, universities, and other learning centers in areas of art education. The Museum facilities can be rented for various special events.

201 West Main Street, Arlington, Texas, Phone: 817-275-4600

Globe Life Park is a magnificent state-of-the-art open-air ballpark. This 48,114-seat baseball-only facility is home to the Texas Rangers and a 270-acre complex that includes an office building, a 12-acre lake, and many parks and spaces for recreation around the stadium. Public tours of the stadium will allow you to see the behind-the-scenes features of the ballpark, including batting cages, the dugout, the press box, and the City of Arlington Suite.

Pre-game tours will give you access to the ballpark during the team’s batting practice and warm ups, which you can view from the Commissioner's Box. There are also private tours and field trips for schools. All tours start at the First Base Box Office on the south side of Globe Life Park.

1000 Ballpark Way, Arlington, Texas, Phone: 817-273-5099

If you like bowling, you will enjoy a trip to the International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame. Located in the International Bowling Campus, the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame has a superb collection of unique artifacts that will let you travel through the 5,000-year long history of bowling. Originally an activity of the ancient Egyptians, bowling was and still is a popular among people of all classes, including British monarchs.

The museum follows the sport’s history through various archeological digs, American quintessential taverns, and contemporary cutting-edge computer programmed bowling training centers. The Bowling Hall of Fame shows rare photos and old film clips that present the stories and lives of the greatest legends of bowling.

621 Six Flags Dr., Arlington, Texas, Phone: 817-385-8215

Mariano's Hacienda is packed on most days, but when there is a big game at the Globe Life Park, it nearly bursts at the seams. The restaurant’s cheerful Mexican décor, large communal tables, the aroma of succulent grilled meat and Mexican spices get everyone’s juices flowing. The menu features classic favorites whose portions are generous, and everything is delicious.

You will find tamales, fajitas, and enchiladas filled with succulent beef or chicken. The margaritas at Mariano’s are legendary. If you are coming with a group of friends, you might want to try the Whole Enchilada, an enormous 20” platter of a beef enchilada, spicy chicken enchilada, cheese enchilada, beef taco, soft cheese taco, guac tostada, and a chicken taco, all served with rice and beans.

2614 Majesty Dr, Arlington, Texas, Phone: 817-640-5118

Top O'Hill Terrace was a popular casino long before Las Vegas became a popular gambling destination. The building started its life as a tearoom in 1920 and was converted into a restaurant in 1926. It had a hidden basement for the casino and a brothel, and the typical restaurant visitor was typically unaware of the establishment’s illegal activities. During the 30’s and 40’s, Terrace attracted famous gamblers like Clark Gable, John Wayne, and many other celebrities.

Since gambling was illegal, the casino had several escape tunnels and a secret room where the gambling paraphernalia was hidden during police raids. Gamblers could escape through hidden trapdoors and passageways, false walls, and two-way mirrors. The building is now used by the Arlington Baptist College, but many of the casino’s original structures can be seen during the tour.

Arlington Baptist College, 3001 West Division, Arlington, Texas, Phone: 817-987-1716

Twisted Root Burger Co. is located near the Ballpark and close to historic downtown, but people would be lining up for their burgers even if they were not as centrally located. If you have never tried a gourmet burger, you can discover it at the Twisted Root. They have beef, turkey, or veggie burgers, but the toppings make these burgers totally unique.

The restaurant has a wide variety of cheese, from Danish blue to goat, many kinds of salsa like guacamole or pineapple, mushrooms, chilis, prosciutto, and, of course bacon. Be ready to eat your fill, and do not be ashamed if you cannot finish your meal. Be sure to leave some room for their famous adult shakes made with Baileys or Amaretto.

The food is only half the fun; the other half comes from the fabulous décor that consists of a vintage Winnebago that serves as a bar, cooler benches, and various cars and motor parts.

310 E Abram St #100, Arlington, Texas, Phone: 817-201-9669