Arlington Travel Guide — Best Time, Things to Do & Where to Stay

Why Arlington

Situated in Tarrant County, Texas, Arlington is a major urban center positioned within the Mid-Cities region between Dallas and Fort Worth. Located roughly 12 miles east of Fort Worth and 20 miles west of Dallas, the city covers nearly 100 square miles of land and water, with Johnson Creek and the Trinity River flowing through its territory. Arlington is widely recognized as a premier destination for sports, major corporate headquarters, and entertainment venues.

Settlement in the area dates back to the 1840s following a clash at Village Creek and the establishment of a trading post at Marrow Bone Spring. Founded in 1876 along the Texas and Pacific Railway, Arlington initially developed as a farming and cotton-ginning hub before incorporating in 1884. In the early 20th century, visitors arrived to experience a central mineral well downtown, while secret underground speakeasies like Top O' Hill Terrace and the Arlington Downs racetrack provided popular local entertainment. Following World War II, rapid industrial expansion fueled by aerospace engineering and the opening of a General Motors assembly plant propelled Arlington into one of the nation's fastest-growing suburban communities.

Today, Arlington serves as a principal athletic hub for the region. It hosts the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field, the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, and the Dallas Wings at College Park Center. Amusement seekers visit Six Flags Over Texas, the flagship venue of the theme park franchise, as well as the adjacent Hurricane Harbor waterpark. Arlington is also considered the global headquarters for bowling, housing the International Bowling Campus along with the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame.

Beyond athletics and theme parks, the city maintains a diverse arts and shopping scene. Cultural institutions include the Arlington Museum of Art, Theatre Arlington, and the planetarium at the University of Texas at Arlington. Downtown visitors can view community murals, free outdoor concerts at the Levitt Pavilion, and painted star sculptures created for public art displays. Extensive shopping and recreation are available across several commercial districts, including the Parks Mall at Arlington, which features an indoor ice skating rink.

Arlington experiences a humid subtropical climate characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters with minimal snowfall. Peak rainfall occurs in October, while severe spring weather can occasionally affect the area during April and May.