Guest post by Kristina Rowe. Photos courtesy of Wikimedia unless otherwise stated.
It’s called the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, Texas, Metropolitan Statistical Area, but those of us who live here just call it The Metroplex. According to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB), our mighty metroplex encompasses 13 counties, 74 cities with populations of more than 10,000, and more than 100 smaller towns. That’s quite a few downtowns to visit, most with historical buildings and museums and thriving shopping and dining areas. Since we’ll never check all of them off our bucket list, we looked for a few downtown areas around DFW with some offbeat but fun things to do.
Bonus Fun Stuff:7 Places You’ll Want To Explore and Experience In Frisco.
Indulge Your Sweet Tooth in Denton
Photo credit Atomic Candy on the Denton Square
Atomic Candy on the Denton Square
The Denton County Courthouse (now a museum) and the entire courthouse square in Denton are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but the vibe is decidedly contemporary, with a nice twist of retro thrown in. Atomic Candy and its mix of bulk candy, bottled soda, and collectibles fits right in. It’s a modern-day candy land — a feast for both your eyes and your sweet tooth.
LOCATION
105 W. Hickory St.
Denton, TX | Route Map
TURF: Downtown Denton
WHAT MAKES IT FUN?
Retro lunch boxes, bacon soda, candy cigarettes. What ISN’T fun about it? They had me at ‘nostalgic candy.’
Categories: Fun Places
Tip Your Hat in Garland
Stetson Hats
Resistol/Stetson Hat Outlet Store and Factory Tour
If you’ve been accused of being all hat and no cattle, head down to downtown Garland…for another hat! Now part of the Hatco family, Resistol and Stetson hats are available in an outlet store about a mile from Garland’s historic downtown. They’re manufactured in the nearby plant, where they’ve been making hats since 1938.
LOCATION
721 Marion Dr.
Garland, TX | Route Map
TURF: Downtown Garland
WHAT MAKES IT FUN?
Not just made in America, but right here in Garland. With a sweat-proof line of hats, I bet those will come in handy real soon.
Categories: Fun Places
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Roller Skate (or Roller Derby!) in Cedar Hill
Cedar Hill Roller Rink
This rink is over half a century old.
Cedar Hill Roller Rink
Charming Cedar Hill’s Historic Downtown has the expected museum and a thriving shopping area. What’s unexpected is the Cedar Hill Roller Rink, where kids can get snow cones after school. The rink is open for skating on its newly resurfaced glow-in-the-dark floor on most Friday and Saturday nights. Their Facebook page has up-to-the-minute posts about when they are open and what’s going on.
LOCATION
202 N. Main St.
Cedar Hill, TX | Route Map
TURF: Downtown Cedar Hill
WHAT MAKES IT FUN?
Blast-from-the-past special offers like 25c sno-cones, popular derby bouts; this rink has been in service over 50 years.
Categories: Fun Places
Ride a Roller Coaster in Arlington
UT Arlington Planetarium
University of Texas in Arlington Planetarium
Wait; they haven’t moved Six Flags downtown have they? Nope, but you can ride some out-of-this-world virtual rides at a showing of SpacePark360: Infinity at the Planetarium at UTA on Sunday afternoons. Evening programs include thirty minutes of live, night-sky viewing, followed by a pre-recorded video. Check the spring schedule for shows and show times.
LOCATION
Chemistry Physics Bldg, UTA campus
Arlington, TX | Route Map
TURF: Downtown Arlington
WHAT MAKES IT FUN?
Full-dome outer space system combines with amusement-park ride to create one thrilling experience. Affordable, and groups can get private showings.
Categories: Fun Places
Climb the Walls in Carrollton
Indoor Rock Climbing
The North Texas Outdoor Pursuit Center
Not only can you go inside the old grain silos in Historic Downtown Carrollton, you can climb the walls inside them. The North Texas Outdoor Pursuit Center brings you inside to learn to climb outside. Day passes include access to all facilities including the indoor climbing routes and all the equipment you need (excluding shoes.) First-time guests are required to take a basic orientation course ($8.00.)
LOCATION
1003 4th Avenue
Carrollton, TX | Route Map
TURF: Downtown Carrollton
WHAT MAKES IT FUN?
Specials, passes & memberships available for all skill levels. Staff plans guided outdoor rock climbing trips, too.
Categories: Fun Places
Climb Down into Cascading Water in Fort Worth
Interactive splashy splash at the FW Water Gardens
Fort Worth Water Gardens
You don’t have to remember the 1976 science fiction movie Logan’s Run to appreciate the awe- inspiring beauty of the Fort Worth Water Gardens. The four-acre park beside the Fort Worth Convention Center in the southern part of downtown teases all of your senses and boggles the mind. Maneuver your way down to the center of The Active Pool where the water tumbles, cascades, splashes, sprays and thunders all around you. If weak knees or vertigo make the trip down intimidating, you might prefer the trickling water of The Quiet Pool or the spray of fountains (with lights) in The Aerated Pool.
LOCATION
1502 Commerce St.
Fort Worth, TX | Route Map
TURF: Downtown Fort Worth
WHAT MAKES IT FUN?
Architecture aficionados will appreciate this Phillip Johnson designed space; couples will love strolling in the gardens at night.
Categories: Fun Places
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Climb Aboard a Double Decker Bus Tour in Downtown Dallas
Double Decker Tour Bus in Dallas
Big D Fun Tours
A double decker tour bus has recently hit the streets in Dallas, and even if you’ve lived here all your life, you’ll have big fun on this sightseeing tour in Big D. Tour guides narrate the 80-minute tour, sharing the past, present and future of Dallas while pointing out dozens of points of interest on the 15-stop route. Pro-tip: Ask for a second day pass (consecutive), and it’s yours.
LOCATION
201 N. Houston St.
Dallas, TX | Route Map
TURF: Downtown Dallas
WHAT MAKES IT FUN?
Hop on, hop off feature means you can spend the whole day exploring at your own pace. Photogs love snapping pics from the open-air deck.
Categories: Fun Places
That wraps up our unexpected downtown experience roundup. Did we miss any of your favorite out-of-the ordinary fun spots? Does your suburb have unique downtown attractions? Let us know in the comments below.
Kristina is a former tech writer turned storyteller and tour guide who loves wordplay, new experiences, and doggies! A lifelong DFW resident, Kristina likes discovering and sharing all things Big D (and DFW!). Follow her on Twitter or Facebook.
Bravo! Well Done. I really enjoyed that and since I will be visiting family soon, I thoroughly enjoyed the updates and fun ideas.
Thanks!
Glad you liked this, Kim! Things change so fast around here; the mix of old and new is what makes DFW magic for me. Hope you have a great visit when you come.