Arlington sits right in the middle of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which means you are never more than 30 minutes from a completely different scene. Between Rangers games at Globe Life Field or events at AT&T Stadium, a day trip can turn your sports visit into a full Texas experience.
Here are the best options, starting with the closest.
The Fort Worth Stockyards are the most authentically Texan thing you can do within an hour of Arlington. This is where cowboy culture is alive and active, not just preserved behind glass.
The headline attraction is the twice-daily longhorn cattle drive along East Exchange Avenue at 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. It is the only daily cattle drive in the world, and watching a herd of longhorns move through the streets with mounted cowboys is something you will not see anywhere else.
Cowtown Coliseum hosts the only year-round indoor rodeo, running every Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Billy Bob’s Texas calls itself the world’s largest honky tonk. It delivers on that claim with live country music, indoor bull riding and two-stepping on a massive dance floor.
Cattlemen’s Steak House has been serving steaks in the Stockyards since 1947. Joe T. Garcia’s is a Fort Worth institution for Tex-Mex (cash only, so bring bills). Both are worth building your day around.
Dallas offers a completely different vibe from the Stockyards. The city is home to world-class museums, a vibrant arts district and landmarks tied to some of the most significant moments in American history.
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza tells the story of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination on the site where it happened. It is one of the most visited museums in Texas.
The Dallas Arts District is one of the largest urban arts districts in the country. The Dallas Museum of Art is free to enter, and the Nasher Sculpture Center sits just down the street. Klyde Warren Park is a five-acre green space built over a highway with food trucks and outdoor events. Reunion Tower offers 360-degree panoramic views from the GeO-Deck.
Grapevine is a smaller town north of Arlington with a charming Historic Main Street lined with shops, restaurants and tasting rooms.
The Grapevine Vintage Railroad runs scenic excursions through the area. Meow Wolf Grapevine brings an immersive art experience unlike anything else in the region. The town’s wineries and tasting rooms make it a relaxed afternoon destination, especially if you are looking for a slower pace after a few high-energy days at the stadiums.
Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose is one of the most unique outdoor experiences in Texas. You can see real dinosaur tracks preserved in the riverbed of the Paluxy River. The tracks date back more than 100 million years and are visible when water levels are low.
The park also offers hiking trails, swimming spots and primitive camping. It is a great half-day trip for families or anyone looking to get out of the city and into the Texas Hill Country landscape.
Waco has become a popular day trip destination, especially for fans of Chip and Joanna Gaines. Magnolia Market at the Silos is the main draw, with shops, food trucks, a bakery and well-maintained grounds worth strolling.
The Waco Mammoth National Monument is a lesser-known but fascinating stop. It features the remains of a herd of Columbian mammoths that were discovered along the Bosque River.
Waco is the farthest day trip on this list, so plan for a full day if you go.
Granbury is a small Texas town built around a historic square that has been voted one of the best in the state. It sits on the shores of Lake Granbury with antique shops, local restaurants and a restored opera house. Granbury pairs well with a Fort Worth Stockyards visit if you have a full day.
If you do not want to leave the Arlington Entertainment District, there is still plenty to do on non-game days. AT&T Stadium offers tours that include the locker rooms, the field and the building’s art collection. Globe Life Field tours give you behind-the-scenes access to the ballpark, including premium lounges, the press box and, on select days, the playing field.
Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor are both located within the district for visitors looking for thrills and water slides between events.
The Fort Worth Stockyards are about 30 minutes west of Arlington by car. The cattle drive happens twice daily at 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Dallas is about 25 minutes east of Arlington. Top attractions include the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, the Dallas Museum of Art, Klyde Warren Park and Reunion Tower.
Yes. Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose (one hour from Arlington) features real dinosaur tracks in the riverbed and is one of the most unique outdoor experiences in Texas.
Waco is about 90 minutes south of Arlington. Magnolia Market at the Silos and the Waco Mammoth National Monument are the main attractions.
Yes, but it is a full day. Fort Worth is 30 minutes west and Dallas is 25 minutes east. Picking one city per day allows more time to explore.
Take a tour of Globe Life Field or AT&T Stadium, visit Six Flags Over Texas or Hurricane Harbor, or spend time eating and exploring at Texas Live! in the Arlington Entertainment District.
