Ask anyone outside of Texas if they’ve heard of Arlington, and they might think you’re talking about the city near Washington, D.C. Located 20 miles west of Dallas, the city of Arlington has worked hard and used a lot of resources to gain the respect it deserves. It offers amazing experiences for all types of travelers.
Family Fun
Image by Chad Zandi via Trover.com
As a kid growing up in Texas, Arlington was my Disneyland. Back when family road trips were still a thing, my parents piled my brother and me into the back seat of our sedan and drove 400 miles north for a fun-filled weekend in Arlington. We stayed in one of the many IHG hotels near Six Flags Over Texas and had a great time at the amusement park. It was my first experience with adult rides.
I still remember the rush of adrenaline as I spotted the outline of the Texas Giant off into the distance. At the time, it was the largest wooden roller coaster in the world. Six Flags remains a popular facility today, with rides, characters, and shows.
Sports Fanatic
Image by Tiffany Allington via Trover.com
Arlington is where both the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers play. If you’re a baseball or football fan, Arlington is your mecca. The ultra-modern AT&T Stadium has been the home of the Cowboys since 2009. Metroplex residents know the stadium as The Death Star or one of a few other choice nicknames. If you want to ask somewhere where to find the stadium, have them point you in the direction of Jerry’s World.
Just across the massive parking lot is Globe Life Park. I still refer to it by its original name, The Ballpark in Arlington. It’s a classic structure that reminds you of baseball stadiums of the past. Every seat in the house is fantastic, and you can get game day seats for under $30 for most games. If you happen to plan your trip on a dollar hot dog day, you’ll be in baseball heaven. Both parks offer in-depth tours on non-game days, too.
Business Minded
Nestled between the two iconic sports stadiums is the Arlington Convention Center. With a massive 30,000-square-foot Grand Hall and another 40,000 square feet of exhibition space and meeting rooms, the convention center offers you plenty of options and amenities for meetings of five to 500.
It’s not all business when business travelers go to Arlington, though. If you need a team-building exercise, book a lane or 10 at Alley Cats or race at K1 Speed and beat the tar out of your boss with no guilt. For refreshments, you have to check out Arlington’s first locally owned brewery. The pretzel bites and pale ales are amazing at Division Brewery.
With its rapid growth and proximity to two major cities and a major international airport, Arlington, Texas, is on its way to becoming a household name. No matter what type traveler you are or what kind of trip you’re planning, Arlington has something for you.
Sydney Aaliyah Michelle 