From 2023
Sure, a trip to Arlington can include the obvious: the restaurants and shops at Texas Live!, Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor, a Rangers game, a concert at Choctaw Stadium, or even a tour of AT&T Stadium or a Cowboys game. But where’s the challenge in that?
Downtown Arlington
E. Abram St.
Drive down Abram Street, and you’ll find it flanked by all manner of restaurants, shopping, and sightseeing, including Division Brewing, former Best of Big D winner 4 Kahunas Tiki Lounge, Hurtado Barbecue, Growl Records, and the Arlington Museum of Art. Nearby Levitt Pavilion regularly plays host to local and national acts—often for free.
The Gallery at UTA and the UTA Planetarium
701 S. Nedderman Dr.
Take in the exhibitions of fine arts students and faculty as well as internationally known artists. Then head to the school’s planetarium for some stargazing.
Top O’ Hill Terrace
3001 W. Division St. | 817-987-1716
Word has it that Clark Gable, Ginger Rogers, John Wayne, and Howard Hughes all spent time enjoying the casino in the basement of the Top O’ Hill Terrace restaurant upstairs. The building is now home to Arlington Baptist University. Tours are available.
Roadrun’r Exotic Cereal Bar
1201 W. Arbrook Blvd. | 682-323-7480
Yes, it’s an ice cream and milkshake bar inside a clothing store in a strip mall, and, yes, it also offers some of the best desserts anywhere. Try a “roadrunner egg”—a waffle made to order with ice cream, crushed cereal (there’s a whole wall to choose from), sprinkles, syrup, and whipped cream. Or grab a milkshake made with your choice of milk: whole, 2 percent, almond, or oat.
Cooper Street Antique Mall
4905 S. Cooper St. | 817-557-6215
Booths are full of everything from model trains and Hot Wheels to old albums and furniture. It can take a whole morning to browse the full 53,000 square feet, so consider stopping at the Tin Tulip Tea Room inside the mall for lunch or high tea.
Flavors Wings N Daiquiris
5005 S. Cooper St., Ste. 175 | 817-583-6517
Flavors is above all a wing place, but don’t sleep on the catfish, which comes perfectly fried and seasoned so well you might opt to skip the wings on your next visit. All of the frozen daiquiri options can be taken to go.
International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame
621 Six Flags Dr. | 817-385-8215
Even if your idea of bowling is along the lines of the occasional date night, you’re liable to get sucked into the museum’s striking take on the sport and its history—all 5,000 years of it. The International Bowling Campus, which is home to the museum, also offers lessons.
This story originally appeared in the October issue of D Magazine with the headline, “One Day In…Arlington.” Write to bethany.erickson@dmagazine.com.
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