Arlington

Right between Dallas and Fort Worth, one city has devoted itself entirely to sports and entertainment: in Arlington, the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Rangers, and several roller coasters compete for your attention. A trip to Arlington is especially worthwhile for game days, major events, and families who love theme parks.

From Railroad Stop to Entertainment Capital

Arlington began in the 1870s as a stop on the railroad between Dallas and Fort Worth and was named after Arlington House in Virginia. For a long time it was a quiet rural community, until the Six Flags Over Texas theme park opened in 1961 – the first park of what would become the chain. The Rangers arrived in 1972, and the Cowboys' enormous stadium followed in 2009. Today Arlington is one of the larger cities in Texas and is home to a major university, the University of Texas at Arlington.

Things to See in Arlington

AT&T Stadium, with its retractable roof and one of the largest video boards in the world, can be toured even on non-game days; in 2026 it was also a venue for the FIFA World Cup. Right next door is Globe Life Field, the air-conditioned ballpark of the Rangers, who won their first World Series in 2023. Six Flags Over Texas draws crowds with classics like the Texas Giant wooden roller coaster, and in summer the Six Flags Hurricane Harbor water park offers a way to cool off. Texas Live! is an entertainment district between the stadiums with bars, stages, and restaurants. River Legacy Park is quieter: a riverside forest along the Trinity River with bike and hiking trails.

Eating in Arlington

Sports bars, burger joints, and barbecue dominate around the stadium district. Texas brisket, smoked sausages, and ribs are on every menu, as is Tex-Mex with fajitas and queso. In the small downtown near the university, cafés, breweries, and international restaurants have taken root. If you want more choice, head half an hour to the Stockyards in Fort Worth or to Dallas.

Game Days and Major Events

If you want to catch a Dallas Cowboys game, book tickets early and take part in a tailgate party beforehand, where fans grill in the parking lots. The Rangers play from April to September, and the air-conditioned stadium makes even summer evenings pleasant. AT&T Stadium also hosts the Cotton Bowl college football game, major concerts, and boxing matches. Hotels right by the stadiums are expensive on game days; you'll pay less staying a bit farther out. One curiosity is the International Bowling Museum with its bowling hall of fame, which is also located in Arlington.

Getting Around Arlington and Best Time to Visit

Dallas/Fort Worth Airport is only about 20 minutes to the north. Arlington is one of the largest U.S. cities without a traditional public transit network; instead there is Via, an on-demand shuttle you book through an app. A rental car makes sense for excursions. The best time to visit is spring and fall, when temperatures are pleasant and football season begins. In midsummer it can get extremely hot. A day trip takes you to the Fort Worth Stockyards with the daily cattle drive, to the Kimbell Art Museum, or to Dallas.