Whether you live in the DFW area or are planning a trip, don’t miss out on all the family attractions in Arlington, Texas.
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Arlington is nestled in between Fort Worth and Dallas and is full of things to do on a family vacation or staycation. Here are 10 things to do with your family.
This post is part of a series on 10 Things to Do in Texas. Read the others:
Arlington | Dallas | Fort Worth | Garland | Houston | Mid-Cities
Things to do in Arlington
1. Arlington Museum of Art
The Arlington Museum of Art is free for kids age 12 and younger. The museum is small but hosts different temporary exhibits that are really impressive. Past exhibits have included Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, and the ceramics of Pablo Picasso.
2. Six Flags Over Texas
While Six Flags is more fun for big kids and teens, there are still things for little kids to do too. Six Flags over Texas has dozens of big, fast roller coasters and other rides.
Every ride has a height requirement and you can check out all of them online in advance, to help with planning. I think my favorite will always be the Mini Mine Train. There are also live music and entertainment shows, plus tons of food. Plan to stay the whole day and spend a bit of money.
3. Hurricane Harbor
Hurricane Harbor is a water park, owned by Six Flags, that will mostly appeal to big kids. However, it does have a few splash areas with no height requirement. Like Six Flags, each attraction has a minimum height and you can plan ahead by checking them all out on their website. No outside food is allowed, so plan to spend a little on concessions.
4. Globe Life Stadium
Although the name changed years ago, I still think of the Rangers playing at The Ballpark. This is a fun place to watch a baseball game, of course, but you can also take a tour of the stadium and get some behind-the-scenes info.
5. UTA Planetarium
The University of Texas at Arlington has regular shows at the UT Planetarium. It’s open to the public and pretty inexpensive. The schedule changes regularly, so check the online schedule to find out what’s going on now.
6. Ice at the Parks
The Parks Mall has one of the best ice skating rinks around, in my opinion. It’s open to the public year-round. If you live nearby, it’s also a fun place for a birthday party.
7. Levitt Pavilion
For kids or adults, Levitt Pavilion is the place to go for summer concerts. They have evening concerts for adults and free daytime children’s concerts. For the kids, expect local entertainment groups like Vocal Trash and music that will get kids dancing and playing along.
8. River Legacy Park
River Legacy Park is a natural wooded area in the middle of the city. Hike the trails, watch the birds and other wildlife, take a class, or see an exhibit. Indoors, you’ll find terrariums and aquariums that teach about local plants and animals.
The park also hosts lots of educational events and workshops for families. Admission is free, but sometimes a special event has a fee.
9. Knapp Heritage Park
Run by the Arlington Historical Society, the Knapp Heritage Park is a small collection of early American buildings. Take a peek at pioneer life and learn about local history. The park is open on weekends and during the annual Front Street Festival in September. On the last Sunday of each month, there are historic demonstrations of blacksmithing.
10. Theater Arlington
This small local theater is one of the oldest in the area. Theater Arlington does about ten stage shows per year, including a few for kids and starring kids. Visit their website to see what’s on the schedule. Tickets can be bought in advance or at the door.
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Thank you so much, Keri! I am moving to Arlington in a few months for work and I have never been there before! I am really excited, but I am not sure what to do while I am there! These all seem really fun though, so I’ll have to go down the list and tell you how they are! This is kind of a random question, but do you know of any good storage unit companies? I saw pictures of my apartment that I am moving into and there is no way I will be able to fit all of my stuff in it. I want to downsize for a while, but I don’t want to get rid of it since I won’t be staying for a really long time.
I can’t really recommend a specific storage company. To find local business reviews, I usually check Yelp. Good luck with your move!