This exciting town is well known as "Fun Central" because of the large amount of fun family attractions. The area was agriculturally orientated until after World War II when it experienced a large population boom due to business, industrial and recreational factors. Arlington is also the home of the University of Texas at Arlington.
Things to do in Arlington
Air Combat
Located at 921 Six Flags Drive #117. Flight simulators allow visitors to experience the thrill of being a military fighter pilot. Simulators are actual jet aircraft cockpits mounted on hydraulic motion bases that pilots control. Flights start with short ground school and mission briefing before suiting up in complete flight gear. The simulation takes about 1½ hour. Open daily from 9am - 5pm. Reservations are advised and a minimum height of 48 inches is required. Best Western Arlington lodging is nearby. Call 817-640-1886 for more information.
Ameriquest Field in Arlington
Home for the American League Texas Rangers. Home games are played April - September. The Park is also an attraction in itself, with Friday's Front Row Grill, Legends of the Game Baseball Museum, and Learning Center, the Dr. Pepper Youth Ballpark, the Diamond Club and a centerfield picnic area including walking trails. "Kids Cool Zone" is located in centerfield by the picnic area features games for kids such as ring toss, batting and whiffle ball. Call for more information and admission fees. Exit at Nolan Ryan Expressway or Ballpark Way from I-30 midway between Dallas and Fort Worth. Call 817-273-5600 for more information.
Antique Sewing Machine Museum
Quaint museum features some 150 different sewing machines, 24 dating during and before the War Between the States. Oldest is 1853 Wheeler and Wilson. Also exhibits on sewing patterns, buttons, and sewing tools that have been used for more than 100 years. Kids are allowed to sew on Singer treadle machine. Easy to find; look for the world's largest working sewing machine out front, 16-feet long and 10-feet high. Located at 804 W. Abram Street. Open Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm. Call 817-275-0971 for more information.
Arlington Family Golf Center
1516 W. Green Oaks Boulevard, Arlington, TX
Arlington Museum of Art
Located at 201 W. Main Street, this Museum is dedicated to encourage education, appreciation, and creation of art featuring works of Texas artist. Special exhibits can be seen throughout the year. Open Wednesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm. Call 817-275-4600 for more information.
C.W. Ditto Golf Course
801 Brown Boulevard, Arlington, TX
Dyno-Rock Indoor Climbing Gym
This gym provides one of nature's most exciting sports in a safe and controlled environment. It has climbing for all ages and skill levels. Open seven days a week. Located at 608 E. Front Street.
Fielder Museum
Located at 1616 W. Abram at Fielder Road. This brick prairie-style house was once the home of Arlington community leader James Park Fielder. Permanent exhibits include turn-of-the-century barbershop, general store, bedroom, and basement with root cellar that includes a laundry and train exhibit. Other exhibits of Arlington and area history can be seen here. Open Wednesday - Saturday 10am - 2pm; Sunday 1:30 - 4:30pm. Call 817-460-4001 for more information.
Gallery at UTA
Located in the Fine Arts Building at the UTA Campus at 600 S. Cooper Street. Enjoy exhibits of architecture and art. Open Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm; Saturday noon - 5pm.Weekend and extended hours during special exhibits. Call for a schedule of exhibits. Call 817-272-3143 for more information.
Joe Pool Lake
This 7,470 acre-lake is located along the Dallas/Tarrant Counties line and impounds water from Mountain Creek. The Park includes 3 creeks and offers lakeside activities on more than 2,000 north shore acres. Excellent fishing and the reservoir are accessible from Arlington.
Johnnie High's Country Music Revue
Located at 224 North Center Street. Voted 'Best Live Country Music Show' by the American Country Music Association for the past three years, this show features a cast of 20 singers, dancers, and musicians and offers a dazzling line-up of entertainers. Shows run Saturday at 3pm and 7:30pm. Call 800-540-5127 for more information.
Lake Arlington
2,275-acre lake located just north of I-20 off Arkansas Lane in Arlington.
Legend of Game Baseball Museum and Learning Center
Located at The Ballpark in Arlington, the museum features baseball uniforms, equipment, balls, baseball cards and photographs depicting the history of the sport. Exhibits include items from the Texas League, Negro League and items on loan form the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. The Learning Center features interactive exhibits on baseball and how the sport is related to fields such as science, math, history, geography and communications. Call 817-273-5600 for more information.
Meadowbrook Golf Course
1300 E Dugan Street, Arlington, TX
Putt-Putt Golf and Games
This fun family center has championship putting courses and state-of-the-art game rooms that provide the ultimate arcade experience. It has a racetrack for go-carts and baseball and softball batting cages. Located at 1701 E. Division Street. Call 817-277-6501 for more information.
River Legacy Parks
Educational and recreational activities are found along the riverbanks of the Trinity River. Hiking/biking trails, nature trails, river overlooks, picnic area are found with the parks. Open Tuesday - Saturday from 9am - 5pm. Call 817-860-6752 for more information.
River Legacy Science Center
Located at the entrance to the Parks at 703 NW Green Oaks Blvd. You will find interactive exhibits that teach about regional for flora and fauna. Displays include terrariums, aquariums, a Texas rivers map and a simulated raft ride on the Trinity River using High Definition technology to make the experience exciting. Admission for Science Center exhibits only. The Science Center is open Tuesday - Saturday 9am - 5pm. Call 817-860-6752 for more information.
Rolling Hills Country Club
401 E Lamar Boulevard, Arlington, TX
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
The state's largest water-oriented family recreation park features 10 entertainment areas. The park features rides such as Sea Wolf, the largest water raft ride in America that plunges through more than 830-feet of high-speed banks and heart-stopping drops in a raft large enough for the entire family; Blue Raider, a two-passenger escape into a dark, flooded tunnel filled with drops and turns; the Caribbean Chaos & Atlantic Panic that sends guests down these two twisting, turning flumes propelled by 1,500 gallons of water. Other rides include the Blue Niagara, Geronimo, and the famed Black Hole. Experience ocean-sized waves in Surf Lagoon, Abundant water games for adults and kids of all ages; all-inclusive admission ticket. From I-30 between Dallas and Fort Worth, take exit Texas 360 north or Texas 157 north to Lamar Blvd Open weekends spring and fall; daily during summer months. Call 817-265-3356 for more information.
Six Flags Over Texas
This is the famed 200-acre theme park that features fun and fantasy with a number of extreme thrill rides. Open for weekends in the spring and fall and daily during the summer. Located on the I-30 between Dallas and Fort Worth on the Texas 360 south exit. Call 817-640-8900 for more information.
The Palace of Wax and Ripley's Believe It or Not
This 41,000 square foot attraction offers two options for excitement and intrigue. The Wax Museums has life-like models of Hollywood actors and actresses and other famous historical figures. Ripley's Believe It or Not is the home of all sorts of oddities and curiosities collected by cartoonist Robert Ripley. Located at 601 E. Palace Parkway. Open daily, year round. Call 972-263-2391 for more information.
Traders Village
Here's a Texas-sized market place with a little bit of everything and all at bargain prices. The Trader's Village has over 1,800 dealers and more than two million people visit every year. Open Saturday and Sunday 8am to dusk. Located at 2602 Mayfield Road. Call 972-647-2331 for more information.
University of Texas at Arlington High-Tech Lab Tour
Nedderman Hall at Cooper and Border; Focus: Semiconductors, robotics, virtual reality, human performance, advanced materials, and electro-optics. Accommodates: 20. Located at Cooper and Border. Call 817-272-2751 for more information.
Visitor Center and Gift Shop
Directions for local sites, events, hotels, restaurants and retail stores. Open daily though hours vary depending on the season. Located at 1905 E. Randol Mill Road near The Ballpark in Arlington. Call 817-461-3888 for more information.