Site Seeing the Dallas and Fort Worth Area
When visiting the Dallas/Fort Wort area there many accommodations available, from family suites to RV resorts. For example, the Texan RV Ranch in Mansfield has 159 full hook sites with cable TV, swimming pool, ranch house for group functions and convenient store. In addition, this campground gives one the country setting with the city convenience. Furthermore, The Texan RV Resort is ideally located to Dallas, Arlington, and Fort Worth.
The 190-mile drive from Mansfield South to Burnett where Longhorn Cavern State Park is located, an underground wonder created by the dissolving and cutting action of an ancient river. Here one can take the guided tour which is ninety minutes and covers just over a mile of the more than eight miles of cavern. The State Park if free to enter, yet one has to pay for the Cavern tour. Once inside, one will discover the wonders of what nature can do and provide for our enjoyment. Learning about the history of the Cavern is quiet fascinating. While some areas of the cavern are open, others are pretty tight and very attractive.
Everyone should spend at least one day in downtown Dallas. Fair Park just South of downtown covers 277 acres and has one of the worlds’ largest collections of art décor. The park is full of Museums, amusement venues and gardens. The biggest surprise was the Cotton Bowl stadium being in the park. Without a doubt, one could spend days at Fair park. The Dallas Heritage village just a few blocks from downtown was very educational, as well as some history of Texas. The historical society moved old buildings from around the state dating back to the late 1800’s to this location. Well worth the visit. Dallas has an abundance of places to see and things to do for all families to enjoy.
South Fork Ranch in Parker just North of Dallas is a must see for anyone that followed the Dallas TV series. A gentleman named Duncan built the home for his wife and three children. When he was approached about filming there, he told them no. A week later the network showed back up and he agreed; however, there was to be no filming inside and they could only film three months out of the year, June, July and August. The scenes from the outside were filmed here, while the inside was filmed in California in a studio. The ground floor of the mansion portrays many aspects of the television series, yet the upstairs only has one bedroom which is set up as JR’s. In the visitor center, one will find memorabilia from the series.
Downtown Arlington’s River Legacy City Park, is ideal for a family picnic as well as for walking the pets. This park has off-road trails for bike riding, as well as paved walking trails. Crystal Canyon Natural Area has only a few man-made items available and a parking lot for just nine vehicles. Walking the trail gives one the feeling of being deep in the woods, yet you are right in town. A great place for lunch is Kincaid’s Hamburger’s.
The Dallas Cowboys play all their home games at AT&T Stadium in Arlington Texas. Although many people aren’t sports fans, this is a must-see place. The stadium is the largest indoor sports venue in the world. If you place the Statue of Liberty on the playing field, it won’t touch the roof. The stadium itself, has no bad seats, for there are no support columns inside the stadium. The structure is supported by two one quarter mile arches, which are anchored in 125 feet of concrete. Unlike many stadiums, the playing field is fifty feet below the street level. This stadium hosts more than one hundred events each year.
Just at the edge of downtown Fort Worth is the Fort Worth Water Gardens. Here one will find many types of water features with magnificent landscaping. The water garden is a place to just sit and relax in a tranquil environment. Log Cabin Village, also located in Fort Worth displays nine log homes from 19th century Texas. Here one can leave the present behind and experience the past through log homes and artifacts.
A must see in Fort Worth is the Stockyard Historical District. Learn all about the old west on the walking tour and museums. Relax for a while and watch a live rodeo and old west show in the coliseum. Witness the world’s only Texas Longhorn cattle drive right down main street, afterwards get a beverage from one of the old west saloons. Have the kids visit the Cowtown cattle pen maze and animal petting area. Or just relax under an umbrella in front of the Livestock Exchange building. For some authentic Texas Barbeque, try Riscky’s Barbeque located right at the Stock Yard.
For the person which enjoys the beauty of blooming flowers, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden is a must place to visit. A leisurely walk around the gardens takes about one hour. Here one will find many species of flowers and tress as well as artificial flowers and animals.
Located in Fresco is the Ford Center at The Star, home of the Dallas Cowboys training facility and Corporate offices. Here one will find an indoor practice field as well as an outdoor field. The indoor field hosts High School football games as well as other events. During events the indoor field and surrounding seating are available to the public. Other than during an event, one must pay for the guided tour. The tour will include, both practice fields, weight room, lunch room, film room, radio station, and interview room. Other areas shown, will cover the history of the Dallas Cowboys and the main lobby where their Superbowl Trophy’s are on display, as well as one ring from each Superbowl victory. One may take still pictures of anything in the building during the tour; however, no pictures are allowed in any area there are players present. Visitor’s aren’t allowed to speak, wave or approach any player.
All the above are year-round attractions one can visit along with many other activities. In addition, there are seasonal attractions as well. Without a doubt, the Dallas/Fort Worth area will keep a family entertained for weeks.
