Weekends in Arlington this Fall

Here are list of our top 4 things to do in Arlington this weekend.

Arlington is a vibrant city located between Dallas and Fort Worth in Texas, offering a diverse choice of museums, attractions, sports events, music and restaurants. Have a picnic in River Legacy Park, see a show at the Planetarium at the University of Texas at Arlington, explore the Arlington Museum of Art and listen to a symphony performance.

#1 – River Legacy Park (703 N.W. Green Oaks Blvd. (at Cooper Street),  Arlington, Texas)

River Legacy Park is a magnificent lush and green urban oasis along the banks of the Trinity River in Arlington. It is a 1031-acre forest park where animals live with little disruption from those who come for bird watching, jogging, biking, or picnicking. The park has over 10 miles of biking and hiking trails that go through the hardwood forest, which is home to 28 kinds of trees, 400 species of animals, and 193 species of native birds.

A huge playground for kids features a life-size skeleton of the T-Rex dinosaur. River Legacy Living Science Center boasts an aquarium and terrariums with native animals, nature trails, an exhibit hall, and several exploration stations. If you are wondering what to do in Arlington, Texas today, the park organizes a range of events and activities for the public.

#2 – Planetarium at the University of Texas at Arlington (Chemistry Physics Building, 700 Planetarium Place, Arlington, Texas)

It all started in 1975 when physics Professor Ulrich Herrmann suggested that a quirky little round building close to the Library should be converted into the first Planetarium at the University of Texas at Arlington. Today, with its 60-foot diameter dome and the latest Digistar 5 DLP Projection system, The Planetarium is one of the biggest and the most advanced in Texas.

The Digistar 5 system projects stars, galaxies, planets and virtually anything else you can see in the sky onto the dome. The facility uses a powerful surround-sound system, turning your trip to see black holes and distant galaxies into the adventure of a lifetime. The Planetarium is a unique space for teaching and learning, and it is a space open to the public for shows, field trips, stargazing and all sorts of interesting private functions. The Dome auditorium can seat about 150 people.

#3 – Top O’Hill Terrace, Arlington, Texas (Arlington Baptist College, 3001 West Division, Arlington, Texas)

Top O’Hill Terrace was a popular casino long before Las Vegas became a popular gambling destination. The building started its life as a tearoom in 1920 and was converted into a restaurant in 1926. It had a hidden basement for the casino and a brothel, and the typical restaurant visitor was typically unaware of the establishment’s illegal activities. During the 30’s and 40’s, Terrace attracted famous gamblers like Clark Gable, John Wayne, and many other celebrities.

Since gambling was illegal, the casino had several escape tunnels and a secret room where the gambling paraphernalia was hidden during police raids. Gamblers could escape through hidden trapdoors and passageways, false walls, and two-way mirrors. The building is now used by the Arlington Baptist College, but many of the casino’s original structures can be seen during the tour.

#4 – International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame (621 Six Flags Dr., Arlington, Texas)

If you like bowling, you will enjoy a trip to the International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame. Located in the International Bowling Campus, the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame has a superb collection of unique artifacts that will let you travel through the 5,000-year long history of bowling. Originally an activity of the ancient Egyptians, bowling was and still is a popular among people of all classes, including British monarchs.

The museum follows the sport’s history through various archeological digs, American quintessential taverns, and contemporary cutting-edge computer programmed bowling training centers. The Bowling Hall of Fame shows rare photos and old film clips that present the stories and lives of the greatest legends of bowling.