Conveniently located between Dallas and Fort Worth, Irving is one of the most contemporary and upscale cities in the Lone Star State. The city offers easy access to the best in accommodations, entertainment, attractions, shopping and dining, plus convenient access to all the "Metroplex" offerings. With exceptional opportunities both in and around Irving, groups, individual travelers and families find the location the ideal gateway to sports, the arts, shopping, nightlife and all the great attractions of the area.
Things to do in Irving
American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum
The American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum is one of the few museums in the world dedicated solely to commercial aviation. Experience a hands-on, window-seat view of the world of flight. Interactive and fun for the entire family. Free admission. Located in Fort Worth at 4601 Texas Highway 360 and FAA Road. Call 817-967-5995 for more information.
Cavanaugh Flight Museum
The Cavanaugh Flight Museum is home to one of the finest collections of vintage war birds in the U.S. The historical aircraft on display cover history spanning from World War I through Vietnam. A 125mph Sopwith Camel is only a hangar away from a Mach 2 MiG-21. Everything is maintained in mint, flyable condition. 4572 Claire Chennault Drive, Addison. Call 972-380-8800 for more information.
Dallas Cowboys Football Club / Texas Stadium
The Dallas Cowboys, long known as "America's Team", is one of the most successful teams in the history of the National Football League (NFL) with five Super Bowl Championships (1971, 1977, 1992, 1993, and 1995). Catch the excitement of a Dallas Cowboys game at Texas Stadium in one of 63,855 covered seats or 296 exclusive sky boxes. Tours of the stadium run daily except on game days or special events. Located at 2401 E. Airport Freeway (Highway 183), where Highways 183 and 114 and Loop 12 meet. Call 972-438-7676 for more information.
Dallas Mavericks / Dallas Stars / Dallas Desperados / American Airlines Cen
A premier sports and entertainment venue, the American Airlines Center is home to the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, the NHL's Dallas Stars and Arena Football's Dallas Desperados. Located in Dallas at 2500 Victory Avenue. Call 214-222-3687 for more information.
Dallas Museum of Natural History
The Dallas Museum of Natural History features exhibits of Texas plant and animal life in natural habitat settings of desert, seashore, swamp and prairie. Fossil and mineral displays are included, as well as special traveling exhibits. Located in Fair Park in Dallas. Call 214-421-3466 for more information.
Dallas Zoo
Open year-round, the Dallas Zoo is home to more than 1,500 mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. The zoo features an internationally famous collection of rare African antelope, one of the largest groupings of American and Chilean flamingos in captivity, a superb reptile collection, and much more. The "Wilds of Africa" exhibit recreates each of the six major habitats of the entire African continent. A mile-long monorail and forest walking trail take you through the wilderness reserve. In Dallas at 650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway. Call 214-670-5656 for more information.
Dealey Plaza/Sixth Floor Exhibit/John F. Kennedy Memorial
Dealey Plaza, a National Historic Landmark District, is the site of President John F. Kennedy's assassination. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza contains exhibits dealing with the life, times, death and legacy of John F. Kennedy, focusing on the impact of his death on the nation and the world. The John F. Kennedy Memorial is a 50-foot square, open-roofed concrete walled cenotaph, symbolic of an open tomb, designed by New York architect and Kennedy family friend Philip Johnson. Located in downtown Dallas: memorial at Elm, Market & Commerce Street; exhibit at Houston Street between Elm and Pacific. Call 214-747-6660 for more information.
Fair Park
Home of the State Fair of Texas since 1886. Fair Park is a beautifully landscaped 277-acre cultural and entertainment complex that includes nine museums and six performance facilities, including the Music Hall, Smirnoff Music Centre, Band Shell and the Cotton Bowl Stadium. This National Historic Landmark has the largest collection of 1930s Art Deco exposition style architecture in the United States. Located at First and Grand Avenues, Dallas. Call 214-421-9600 for more information.
Frontiers of Flight Museum
The Frontiers of Flight Museum houses a wonderful collection of memorabilia and photography depicting all aspects of aviation from pre-Wright aeronautics to the present. Some notable items on display in the facility include a full-scale Sopwith Pup; Admiral Richard Byrd's parka; Glenn Curtiss' original pilot's license; china from the ill-fated airship Hindenburg; a space suit; and hundreds of other display models and other items. Special events include the annual Dallas Airshow. Inside the Love Field Flight Terminal, 2nd floor, Dallas. Call 214-350-3600 for more information.
Gondola Cruises
Cruise the waterways of the Mandalay Canals and Lake Carolyn in one of two beautiful neo-Venetian gondolas. Gondola Adventures provides a variety of uniquely charming waterway tours. Available by reservation only. Located in Irving's Las Colinas Urban Center. Call 972-506-8037 for more information.
Grapevine Mills
Located just two miles north of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Grapevine Mills is the first super-regional, value-oriented megamall in Texas and the Southwest with 1.5 million-square-feet of shopping. The center features a variety of retail stores, manufacturer's outlets, department stores, off-price retailers and dining and entertainment venues. Grapevine Mills is located at the interchange of Highway 121and International Parkway, two miles north of the DFW Airport in Grapevine. Call 972-724-4900 for more information.
Irving Arts Center
This arts complex includes the Main Gallery and the New Talent Gallery, featuring contemporary and traditional works by established and emerging artists. An outdoor sculpture garden features a unique and changing selection of art works. The center also features theatre and concert programs throughout the year. Located at 3333 N. MacArthur, about five minutes north of Highway 183. Call 972-252-7558 for more information.
Las Colinas Complex
The urban center of Irving, Las Colinas (Spanish for "the hills") is a master planned, ultramodern multi-use complex located on 12,000 acres. It includes an equestrian center, farmer's market, movie studio, business facilities, residential villages, hotel, restaurants and shops. Don't miss the beautiful Las Colinas Flower Clock at Highway 114 and O'Connor Road. - a working timepiece inspired by European garden clocks, it blooms with color year round. For a quiet respite in your day, stroll along the Mandalay Canal, a peaceful waterway lined with trees and cobblestone walkways, in the fashion of Old World Europe.
Las Colinas Equestrian Center
Located along the scenic canals of Las Colinas, the Las Colinas Equestrian Center is renowned as one of the finest equestrian facilities in the Southwest. It is the site of numerous horse shows, including the annual National Grand Prix. In Irving at 600 Royal Lane, across from the Dallas Communications Complex. Call 972-869-0600 for more information.
Las Colinas Polo Club (LCPC)
Offering world-class sports entertainment in a casually elegant environment, the Las Colinas Polo Club is known throughout the polo community as one of the finest polo facilities in the country. Located at 600 E. Royal Lane and O'Connor Blvd in Irving. Call 214-373-8855 for more information.
Lone Star Park
Lone Star Park, Texas' newest Class I race track, features both live and simulcast racing, a children's park, dining area and sports bar. The facility is located in Grand Prairie on Belt Line Road, south of Highway 183. Call 972-263-RACE for more information.
Movie Studios at Las Colinas
The Studios at Las Colinas is a full service production and entertainment facility located in the heart of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Studio tours give you a glimpse behind the scenes at a working motion picture and television sound stage where such movies as "Silkwood", "Robocop", and "JFK" were filmed. Tour the sound stages and see actual movie sets. Become the star in the "Raiders of the Las Colinas" special effects show and "Addams Family" sound effects show. The tour also includes the Movie Memorabilia Museum, with famous pieces from "Forrest Gump," "Sound of Music," "The Truman Show," "Star Wars," and a unique collection of "Star Trek" memorabilia. Located in the Dallas Communications Complex at 6301 North O'Connor Road, Building One, Irving. Call 972-869-FILM for more information.
Mustangs of Las Colinas
The Mustangs of Las Colinas, a breathtaking bronze sculpture of nine mustangs moving across a granite stream, is the world's largest equestrian sculpture and the centerpiece of Irving's Williams Square. African wildlife artist Robert Glen installed this spectacular piece in 1984, as a memorial to the heritage and spirit of Texas. Walk across the plaza to The Mustangs of Las Colinas Museum, where you can see a video history of how the masterpieces were created, as well as other sculptures by the artist. Admission is free, and a gift shop is available for Mustang souvenirs. Located in Irving on the Williams Square Plaza, 5215 N. O'Connor Road, north of Highway 114. Call 972-869-9047 for more information.
National Scouting Museum
The National Scouting Museum pays tribute to the rich history of the Boy Scouts of America. The massive state-of-the-art facility features more than 40 original works of art including a Norman Rockwell gallery, adventures in virtual reality, hands-on learning experiences, and a historical collection that traces the Scouting movement from its beginnings to present day. Located at 1329 West Walnut Hill Lane in Irving. Call 972-580-2100 for more information.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
An ocean isn't necessary for the entire family to enjoy a day of water fun at Hurricane Harbor. One low, all-day admission price is your ticket to acres of sun and fun, dives and slides, flumes and lagoons and a special area just for kids. Open mid-May through mid-September. Located at 1800 Lamar Blvd., Arlington. Call 817-265-3356 for more information.
Six Flags Over Texas
One of the state's top tourist attractions, Six Flags is a 205-acre amusement park including more than 100 rides, the world's tallest wooden roller coaster, shows and other activities. Located in Arlington at the intersection of Interstate 30 and Highway 360 (Angus Wynne Jr. Freeway). Call 817-530-6000 for more information.
Southfork Ranch
The setting of the popular television series "Dallas" that featured the infamous Ewing clan, Southfork Ranch has become one of the hottest tourist sites in America. Southfork is open daily for guided tours of the ranch made famous by "Dallas". Tour the famed Ewing Mansion and remember exciting scenes from the series in the "Dallas Legends" exhibit, which features an array of "Dallas" memorabilia. Located at 3700 Hogge Road in Parker. Call 972-442-7800 for more information.
Texas Motor Speedway
America's second-largest sporting facility offers both professional NASCAR Winston Cup and Indy-style racing on a 1.5-mile oval track. Located north of Fort Worth at the intersection of Highway 114 and Interstate 35, approximately 20 minutes west of Irving. Call 817-215-8500 for more information.
Texas Rangers/Ameriquest Field
Major League Baseball's Texas Rangers plays at home at Ameriquest Field in Arlington. The state-of-the-art, open-air ballpark holds 49,115 seats and serves as the centerpiece of a 270-acre complex that also includes a baseball museum, a children's learning center, a youth baseball park, a 12-acre lake and a four-story office building. Located at 1000 Ballpark Way in Arlington. Call 817-273-5100 for more information.
Thanks-Giving Square
Thanks-Giving Square is an international resource dedicated to the traditions of prayer and thanksgiving in the United States and the world. The unique non-denominational Chapel of Thanksgiving, with its distinctive spiral tower and stained-glass Glory Window, attracts visitors from around the world. The Center's peaceful courtyard, fountains and gardens offers a quiet setting for personal reflection in the midst of a busy city. Located in Dallas at 1627 Pacific Ave (at Ervay and Bryan). Call 214-969-1977 for more information.
TPC Four Seasons Resort at Las Colinas
This award-winning Tournament Players Course is the home for the PGA Tour's EDS Byron Nelson Championship. Created in 1985-86 by renowned golf course architect Jay Morrish, the course is consistently ranked among the best in Texas. Facilities include an 18-hole golf course, extensive practice facilities, the Byron Nelson Golf School, private instruction and a golf pro shop. Located in Irving at Las Colinas, 4150 N. MacArthur Blvd. Call 972-717-2530 for more information.
Twin Wells Municipal Golf Course
With plush fairways and well manicured greens, Twin Wells Municipal Golf Course offers a scenic view of downtown Dallas. Open to the public, the par 72 18-hole course also offers instruction for adults and children over 7 years of age. Located in Irving adjacent to Twin Wells Park at 2000 E. Shady Grove. Call 972-438-4340 for more information.
University of Dallas
A Catholic co-educational institution welcoming students of all faiths and races, the current University of Dallas was founded in 1956 when Bishop Thomas K. Gorman and Dallas business leaders Eugene Constantin Jr. and Edward R. Maher worked together to build a university founded on freedom, faith and the classical curriculum of the great European universities. Located at 1845 East Northgate Drive in Irving. Call 972-721-5000 for more information.