As the home of the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Six Flags Over Texas, and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, Arlington offers endless entertainment. These might be Arlington’s most famous attractions, but dive beneath the surface, and you’ll find there’s so much more to the “American Dream City!”
Groove to live music in the Texas Live! Entertainment District, sample the best Texas BBQ and Tex-Mex you’ve had in your life, go boating or fishing at Lake Arlington, or peruse art at the Gallery at UTA or the Arlington Museum of Art – the options go on and on!
With so much to see, do, eat, and drink, you might not know where to begin. That’s why we’ve compiled our list of the absolute best things to do in Arlington, Texas, for you. Stick to these fun and unique Arlington bucket list recommendations, and there’s no doubt you’ll have an amazing time exploring this always-entertaining Texas city.
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The 10 Best Things to do in Arlington, TX
1. Find Endless Entertainment in Texas Live!
Tucked away between the Texas Rangers’ Choctaw Stadium and the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium, Texas Live! is one of the top Arlington attractions, and that’s especially true if you’re a sports fan.
Don’t worry if you can’t get tickets to see the Rangers or Cowboys because Live! Arena is (almost) better than the real thing. Considered the “living room of Texas Live!,” the multi-level Live! Arena boasts 35,000 square feet of space and a 100-foot LED HD television, perfect for watching the big game. Be sure to make reservations because this place gets packed fast!
Not a sports fanatic? With over 20 bars and seven restaurants, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy in Texas Live!.
If that’s not enough, you can catch a show at the 5,000-person outdoor Arlington Backyard concert venue, ride a mechanical bull at PBR Texas, dine on Mexican street food at celebrity chef Guy Fieri’s Taco Joint, sip specialty cocktails at Troy Aikman’s Troy’s bar and restaurant, and so, so much more!
And if you want to be in the heart of all the action during your trip to Arlington, you can even book a boutique hotel room at Live! by Loews.
2. Sip IPAs at Division Brewing
If you love trying new craft beers in every city you visit, spending some time at Division Brewing is one of the most fun Arlington activities. This is Arlington’s first locally owned and operated craft beer company, and they have amassed a loyal local following over the past 20 years.
Expect a rotating selection of 18 of their latest craft brews on tap – including an excellent selection of IPAs and sours. And if you need something to soak up all that booze, they serve up seriously good tavern-style pizzas and burgers.
3. Go to a Cowboys Game at AT&T Stadium
It’s no secret that AT&T Stadium is one of the top Arlington attractions. If you’re a football fan and your visit just happens to line up with the NFL season, going to see the Cowboys play is easily one of the best things to do in Arlington, TX. But if you’re not planning a visit during the fall or winter, you can always attend a concert or even go on a tour of this spectacular stadium!
This place is massive, and with 80,000 seats, this place stands proud as one of the largest NFL stadiums in the country. You can kick things off by tailgating in the parking lot or head inside and order a few brews at one of the massive bars with huge TVs broadcasting other NFL games. Whether you’re sitting in a nosebleed seat or are splurging on a VIP suite, you’re bound to get swept up in the Cowboys mania.
Plus, this is Texas, which means the stadium fare is top-notch and (mostly) made from scratch. From the Lobster Mac-N-Cheese, Al Pastor Tacos, and the Fried Mozzarella Burger to the Muffuletta, Awesome Plant-Based Burger, and the Touchdown Tots, you’ll want to sample a little bit of everything during the game!
4. Take the Kids to Six Flags Over Texas
Spending a day at Six Flags Over Texas is easily one of the most fun, family-friendly things to do in Arlington. Dating back to 1961, this is the first-ever Six Flags and it’s still going strong today!
Whether you spend the day gaining serious speed on the New Texas Giant and Titan rollercoasters or taking the kids to Bugs Bunny Boomtown and the Looney Tunes Adventure Camp, there’s something for everyone at Six Flags Over Texas.
5. Eat All the Ballpark Food at Choctaw Stadium
If you’re planning on visiting in the summer months, snagging some tickets to see the Rangers play at Choctaw Stadium is always a fun idea. The stadium is located right next to the always-buzzing Texas Live! so you’ll be surrounded by some of the coolest Arlington attractions before and after the game.
Whether you go all out on some Home Plate VIP seats or slum it in the bleacher seats, you’re sure to have a fun time at the ballpark. Plus, this is Texas, so expect ridiculously good (and big!) ballpark foods.
From the two-foot-long Boomstick Burger and the spicy Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Pretzel to the vegan PLT Sandwich with portobello mushrooms and the Brisket Croissant with a donut-style glaze, you won’t go hungry at Choctaw Stadium!
6. Follow the Sculpture Trail
If you’re looking for unique Arlington activities, you’ll find Richard Greene Linear Park right next to Choctaw Stadium. With its lake, creek, and two miles of hiking and biking trails, this is a great green space. Not only that, but the park is also home to the city’s unique Sculpture Trail!
Taking some time to stroll between the park’s massive sculptures is easily one of the best things to do in Arlington for art lovers. There are anywhere from 15 to 20 sculptures in the park at a given time, and the collection changes every three years to showcase work from new artists.
7. Visit the Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame
When it comes to unique Arlington attractions, the Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame takes the cake. You’ll find this fascinating museum on the International Bowling Campus just across from Six Flags Over Texas.
Explore the museum, and you’ll find all sorts of exhibits, artifacts, and displays highlighting the history, cultural importance, and major players of bowling. From its roots in ancient Egypt to the future of bowling, this museum does a spectacular job of doing a deep dive into the sport of bowling.
8. Kayak Lake Arlington
If you’re looking for outdoorsy things to do in Arlington, why not take to the water at Lake Arlington? This is where you’ll find the 10.9-mile Lake Arlington Paddling Trail, which is open daily from dawn till dusk.
Don’t worry if you don’t have your own gear. You can rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and canoes from Adventures Unlimited, which is located right on Lake Arlington. The lake offers three access points, so you can paddle as much or as little as you’d like!
9. Eat Family-Style at Babe’s Chicken Dinner House
Fill up on all your Southern staples at Babe’s Chicken Dinner House in the Entertainment District. This is a great place to go with a big group of family and friends for a special meal.
The menu is short and sweet and everything is served up family-style. Expect a table filled with platters of fried chicken, fried catfish, and chicken fried steak with sides ranging from mashed potatoes and green beans to buttermilk biscuits and “Grandma’s corn.” This is Texas, so expect portions to be huge!
10. Catch Free Concerts at Levitt Pavilion Arlington
If you’re looking for free things to do in Arlington and you happen to be in town in the summer months, check out what’s going on at Levitt Pavilion Arlington. Set right in the heart of downtown, the Levitt Pavilion hosts over 50 free concerts during its annual summer concert series.
For more free things to do, the pavilion also has family movie nights, perfect for enjoying a picnic with your crew while watching a family-friendly movie under the stars!
There you have it! The 10 best things to do in Arlington, TX. What’s your favorite thing to do in Arlington?
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