Top 16 Best Things to Do in Arlington TX This Weekend with Kids

The best things to do in Arlington TX revolve around the world-renowned Arlington Entertainment District, highlighted by behind-the-scenes stadium tours at AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field, high-speed thrill coasters at Six Flags Over Texas, and 200,000 square feet of live sports and dining at Texas Live!. Beyond the stadium lights, visitors discover tranquil kayaking on Lake Arlington, 1,300 acres of hardwood forest along River Legacy Parks, free outdoor lawn concerts at Levitt Pavilion, and hands-on sports history at the International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame. Located halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth, Arlington combines mega-attractions with accessible parks and distinct local dining.

If you are planning things to do in arlington texas this weekend with family, or searching for fun things to do in arlington during a longer vacation, this comprehensive field guide details ticketing, logistical rules, and insider travel tips.

Quick Comparison: Top Arlington TX Attractions

Key Takeaways: Planning Your Arlington Visit

• Centralized Entertainment District: AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field, Choctaw Stadium, Six Flags Over Texas, and Texas Live! sit within a tight 2-mile cluster, simplifying parking and logistics.
• Affordable Family Alternatives: Beyond stadium ticket prices, Arlington provides low-cost activities like free concerts at Levitt Pavilion, $10 dome planetarium shows, and 1,300 acres of free trails at River Legacy Parks. When organizing family things to do in arlington tx, these local alternatives keep travel budgets manageable.
• Cashless Standards: Major entertainment hubs, including Six Flags and Globe Life Field, operate completely cashless. Bring debit, credit, or mobile payment cards.
• Weekend Trip Pacing: Travelers organizing things to do in arlington tx this weekend should book stadium tours on Friday morning before weekend sports crowds fill the district concourses.

Tour the Iconic AT&T Stadium

AT&T Stadium offers behind-the-scenes guided VIP and self-guided tours on non-event days, giving fans direct access to the Dallas Cowboys locker room, post-game interview press room, and the turf at the 50-yard line star. It stands as one of the most architecturally ambitious sporting venues in the world.

Booking an official stadium tour allows visitors to experience the cavernous interior without paying hundreds of dollars for game tickets. You can reserve spots online through the official AT&T Stadium tours portal. For sports enthusiasts comparing broad arlington things to do, this venue is often the top bucket-list priority. During major international soccer events, the venue transforms into Dallas Stadium; see our complete FIFA World Cup 2026 at Dallas Stadium visitor guide for match schedules, parking rules, and fan festival tips.

VIP Locker Room and Field Access

Guided VIP tours last approximately 90 minutes. A knowledgeable stadium ambassador leads your group through private club concourses, executive luxury suites, and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders locker room. The highlight for most sports enthusiasts is walking down the player tunnel directly onto the turf.

Visitors on guided and self-guided tours can run routes, toss footballs, and take photos over the massive midfield star. Bring your own football in your backpack if you want to play catch with your kids on the turf.

Contemporary Art Museum in the Concourse

Many travelers do not realize that AT&T Stadium also functions as an accredited fine art gallery. The Dallas Cowboys Art Collection features monumental site-specific sculptures and paintings commissioned from world-renowned contemporary artists like Jenny Holzer, Anish Kapoor, and Ellsworth Kelly.

These massive artworks integrate into the main concourses and club entrances. Dedicated art tours run on select weekdays for visitors who want an in-depth breakdown of the collection.

Explore Globe Life Field

Globe Life Field, the climate-controlled home ballpark of the Texas Rangers, offers 60-to-90-minute tours through luxury clubs, dugout concourses, and outfield turf where visitors can play catch. Recently constructed, this 40,300-seat stadium features the largest single-panel operable roof in North America.

Tour tickets can be purchased in advance via the official Texas Rangers ballpark tours page, with tours departing from the TXU Energy North Entrance. Checking off things to do in arlington texas starts naturally with these state-of-the-art sports facilities.

Retractable Roof and Ballpark Architecture

Walking through the air-conditioned concourses is a welcome relief during humid North Texas summer afternoons. The 5.5-acre retractable roof slides open or closed in approximately 12 minutes, ensuring comfortable 72-degree interior temperatures year-round.

Tour guides explain the architectural engineering behind the transparent ETFE polymer panels that flood the playing surface with natural sunlight even when the roof is fully sealed against rain or heat.

Premium Field Access and Outfield Catch

Choosing the Premium Tour option grants your group 30 minutes of direct access to the synthetic turf playing surface. You can step inside the home dugout, inspect the bullpen telephone banks, and snap photos in front of the centerfield wall.

Tour rules permit visitors to bring their own baseball glove and baseball to play catch in the outfield. Baseball bats are strictly prohibited on the field during public tour sessions.

Ride the Coasters at Six Flags Over Texas

Six Flags Over Texas features 45 rides across 212 acres, highlighted by flagship roller coasters like the 255-foot Titan, the New Texas Giant, and family favorites in Bugs Bunny Boomtown. Operating continuously since 1961, it is the original founding park of the global Six Flags brand and headlines our curated ranking of the best amusement parks in Texas.

Booking daily passes online saves significant money compared to buying at the gate. Check available options on the Six Flags Over Texas ticket portal before driving to the park.

Record-Breaking Roller Coasters

Adrenaline junkies head straight to Titan, a hypercoaster dropping riders 255 feet at speeds topping 85 miles per hour. The New Texas Giant, recognized as the world's first hybrid wooden-steel coaster redesign, features a 79-degree drop and multiple steeply banked turns that deliver intense negative g-forces.

Other crowd favorites include Batman The Ride, an inverted coaster that loops through zero-gravity rolls, and Mr. Freeze, an electromagnetic launch coaster that fires riders backward from 0 to 70 miles per hour in under four seconds.

Family Fun in Bugs Bunny Boomtown

Parents searching for fun things to do near me with kids will appreciate Bugs Bunny Boomtown. This dedicated children's sector includes miniature drops, pint-sized spinning tea cups, and shaded seating areas where parents can supervise toddlers safely.

Characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Tweety Bird make scheduled appearances for hugs and photos throughout the morning and early afternoon.

Cool Off at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor spans 47 acres directly across Interstate 30, offering a million-gallon wave pool, extreme vertical slides like Geronimo, and shallow splash complexes for younger children. It operates as the primary outdoor water park in the central metroplex from late May through Labor Day.

For visitors comparing aquatic centers across North Texas, our dedicated DFW water parks guide reviews how Hurricane Harbor stacks up against competing facilities in nearby suburbs.

Mega Slides and Raft Rides

The park accommodates thrill-seekers with multi-passenger raft slides like Tornado, which drops riders down a 132-foot tunnel into a giant funnel. Slide fans looking for speed tackle Geronimo, a 72-foot free-fall slide that sends riders down an almost vertical drop.

The Black Hole sends two-person tubes through 500 feet of pitch-black enclosed fiberglass turns, complete with disorienting lighting and sound effects. For visitors who want fun things to do in arlington tx during hot weather, these water rides provide hours of relief.

Wave Pool and Splash Zones for Toddlers

Families with smaller children spend time at Hook's Lagoon, a four-story water treehouse with shallow wading pools, miniature slides, water cannons, and a giant tipping bucket that dumps hundreds of gallons of water every few minutes.

The million-gallon wave pool creates rolling ocean waves every 10 minutes. Life vests are available free of charge throughout the pool perimeter for non-swimmers and toddlers.

Hike and Explore River Legacy Parks

River Legacy Parks provides 1,300 acres of protected hardwood forest along the Trinity River, featuring over 8 miles of paved multipurpose trails, 10 miles of mountain bike paths, and the interactive River Legacy Living Science Center. It serves as Arlington's primary urban nature preserve.

Nature lovers can find educational programming, seasonal workshops, and trail maps through the River Legacy Living Science Center portal.

Paved Multipurpose Trails Along the Trinity River

The main paved trail network winds under thick canopies of bur oak, pecan, and cedar elm trees. Because the trail follows the river floodplain, gradients remain gentle, making the paths accessible for strollers, road cyclists, and dog walkers.

Wildlife sightings are common along the quiet early morning stretches. Visitors frequently encounter white-tailed deer, armadillos, great blue herons, and red-shouldered hawks along the riverbanks. If you want relaxing things to do around arlington tx, these wooded river trails provide an unhurried morning retreat.

River Legacy Living Science Center

The Living Science Center building houses terrariums and aquariums displaying native Texas reptiles, amphibians, and freshwater fish. Hands-on discovery stations teach children about river watershed conservation and native forest ecology.

General entry into the Science Center and surrounding park trails is free, though modest fees apply for special planetarium dome shows or guided summer day camps.

Discover Contemporary Culture at the Arlington Museum of Art

The Arlington Museum of Art presents immersive, rotating international exhibitions and regional work inside an expanded 48,000-square-foot facility at the Arlington Expo Center in the Entertainment District. It relocated from its downtown space to accommodate major traveling collections and large-scale installations.

For parking locations, seasonal exhibit announcements, and ticket information, check our detailed Arlington Museum of Art visitor guide. When mapping out essential arlington tx things to do, this modern gallery space brings cultural depth to your sports itinerary.

The Relocated Arlington Expo Center Facility

The new venue at 1200 Ballpark Way represents an eightfold expansion in gallery space over the museum's previous home. Featuring soaring ceilings and modular acoustic partitions, the museum can now present massive immersive digital projections alongside delicate historic masterworks.

The relocation places the museum within walking distance of Globe Life Field and Choctaw Stadium, making it simple to combine fine art with an evening ballgame without shifting your vehicle.

Immersive Art Exhibits and Community Workshops

Rather than maintaining a permanent collection, the museum curates world-class traveling exhibits that rotate every three to four months. Past exhibits have highlighted master printmakers, historic fashion design, and cutting-edge digital light installations.

Weekend youth workshops allow children to experiment with printmaking, watercolor, and sculptural clay under the guidance of professional regional art educators.

Roll a Strike at the International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame

The International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame traces 5,000 years of bowling history through interactive video kiosks, vintage pin-setting equipment, historical artifacts, and playable miniature lanes. It shares a campus with the United States Bowling Congress on Six Flags Drive.

Visitor schedules and exhibit details are maintained on the International Bowling Museum visitor guide.

5,000 Years of Bowling Artifacts

The exhibition journey begins with ancient Egyptian artifacts dating back to 3200 BCE, demonstrating that early humans rolled stone balls at carved stone pins. Displays trace the game through medieval European skittles and early 20th-century American bowling halls.

Visitors can inspect original wooden bowling balls, vintage pin-boy uniforms, and nostalgic mid-century mechanical scorekeepers.

Vintage Lanes and Hall of Fame Gallery

The museum features working miniature vintage bowling lanes where adults and children can roll duckpin-style balls to test their accuracy. The experience is included in general admission.

The Hall of Fame rotunda honors historic legends of both the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) and the Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA), complete with championship rings, tournament jerseys, and video highlights of iconic perfect 300 games.

Catch Live Games and Concerts at Texas Live!

Texas Live! is a 200,000-square-foot dining and entertainment complex positioned between Globe Life Field and Choctaw Stadium, anchored by a 100-foot LED screen, diverse restaurants, and outdoor concert stages. It functions as the central heartbeat of Arlington sports nightlife.

If your trip extends across Tarrant County, check out our guide to things to do in Fort Worth to explore the Stockyards and cultural district just 20 minutes west.

Giant Screens at Live! Arena and Sports & Social

The multi-level Live! Arena features a 100-foot HD media wall surrounded by sports bars, barbecue counters, and restaurant patios. On major game days, thousands of fans pack the hall to watch the Cowboys, Rangers, Mavericks, or Stars.

Inside Sports & Social Arlington, visitors can play skee-ball, classic arcade games, table tennis, and indoor shuffleboard while waiting for food. For travelers seeking fun things to do arlington tx late into the evening, this hub stays active past midnight.

Live Concerts at Arlington Backyard

The outdoor pavilion, known as Arlington Backyard, accommodates up to 5,000 guests for live music performances, country festivals, and community food truck gatherings. With AT&T Stadium looming dramatically in the background, it provides one of the most distinctive concert settings in North Texas.

Families with children are welcome throughout the daytime hours, though several bars transition to 21-and-over policies after 9:00 PM on Friday and Saturday nights.

Paddle and Fish on Lake Arlington

Lake Arlington covers 4,387 acres on the city's western edge, offering dedicated boat launch ramps at Richard Simpson Park, shoreline fishing for largemouth bass, and an official 10.9-mile paddling trail. Built in 1957 as an industrial water supply reservoir, it has evolved into a primary recreational destination.

Review ramp permits, kayak launch points, and seasonal safety regulations in our dedicated Lake Arlington visitor guide.

Lake Arlington Paddling Trail

Designated as the first official urban paddling trail in Texas by Texas Parks and Wildlife, the 10.9-mile trail hugs the sheltered western shoreline. Kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders navigate past reed beds, willow thickets, and shallow coves protected from heavy open-lake powerboat chop.

Paddlers can bring their own boats or rent single and tandem kayaks from seasonal outfitters operating near Richard Simpson Park on weekends. For outdoor fans researching things to do arlington tx, the tranquil shoreline offers a complete contrast to the sports district.

Richard Simpson Park and Fishing Piers

Anglers target largemouth bass, channel catfish, white bass, and crappie from lighted public fishing piers and rocky shoreline riprap. The lake maintains healthy fish populations supported by local habitat enhancement programs.

Richard Simpson Park features shaded picnic pavilions, a children's playground, clean public restrooms, and an event center overlooking the water.

Enjoy Free Concerts at Levitt Pavilion

Levitt Pavilion Arlington stages more than 50 free outdoor concerts each year in Downtown Arlington, presenting an eclectic mix of Texas country, blues, indie rock, and international music. Positioned directly across from City Hall, it anchors community life in the downtown center.

Performance dates and summer series lineups are updated regularly on the Levitt Pavilion concert calendar.

Free Outdoor Lawn Concert Series

The concert season runs primarily from May through July, with a secondary fall concert series running in September and October. The stage hosts Grammy-winning roots performers, Latin jazz ensembles, rhythm and blues revues, and regional indie artists. Travelers visiting Arlington in the fall can also explore the illuminated trail at Howell Family Farms as part of the best pumpkin patches in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Sound quality is clear and balanced thanks to professional acoustic design and high-end outdoor speakers that deliver sound across the grassy amphitheater.

Picnic Setup and Lawn Guidelines

Concerts are completely open-seating on the manicured lawn. Attendees bring folding camp chairs, blankets, and full picnic spreads.

One of the pavilion's best perks is its flexible cooler policy. Visitors may pack outside snacks, dinner, and personal drinks (including beer and wine) for free concerts. However, glass bottles and glass food containers are strictly banned on the lawn for safety.

Stargaze at the UT Arlington Planetarium

The UT Arlington Planetarium features a 60-foot dome projection theater utilizing high-resolution digital projectors to present astronomy journeys, public star shows, and laser music programs. It ranks as one of the largest planetariums in the state of Texas.

Located inside the Chemistry and Physics Building at 700 Planetarium Place, the facility provides an affordable indoor science outing for curious kids and astronomy lovers.

60-Foot Digital Dome Sky Shows

The Digistar 7 projection system transports audiences across 360-degree views of distant nebulae, planetary surfaces, black holes, and the constellations visible in tonight's Texas night sky. Show run times average 45 to 55 minutes, led by astronomy staff who explain cosmic phenomena in terms kids can understand.

On select weekend evenings, the dome shifts from astronomy documentaries to music light shows choreographed to classic rock and synthwave soundtracks.

College Park Center and The Green

Following a planetarium show, visitors can take a brief walk across campus to The Green at College Park, a 2.6-acre sustainable park featuring walking curves, native grasses, and an interactive drainage swale. College Park Center hosts NCAA Division I UTA basketball and volleyball games throughout the school year.

Walk Among Giant Monoliths at Richard Greene Linear Park

Richard Greene Linear Park connects the sports stadiums with 2-plus miles of paved trails along Johnson Creek, highlighted by the striking Caelum Moor environmental sculpture consisting of 22 granite monoliths. It delivers an unexpected outdoor art encounter between AT&T Stadium and Choctaw Stadium.

The park is free and open to the public daily, making it a favorite photo spot for travelers walking through the Entertainment District.

Caelum Moor Environmental Sculptures

Created by sculptor Norm Hines, the Caelum Moor installation comprises five distinct stone arrangements spread across a grassy hillside. Carved from Scottish granite, some stones weigh up to 40 tons and stand over 30 feet tall.

Children love exploring around the megaliths, and the open turf creates an uncrowded setting for portrait photography before or after sporting events.

Scenic Walking Paths Near Johnson Creek

The park's paved pathways wind around wetlands and cross wooden pedestrian footbridges overlooking Johnson Creek. Information kiosks along the trail detail watershed rehabilitation efforts that brought native fish and wetland birds back into the urban creek corridor.

Hunt for Vintage Finds at Cooper Street Antique Mall

Cooper Street Antique Mall spans 53,000 square feet and features over 200 independent vendor booths stocked with mid-century furniture, vintage toys, retro signs, estate jewelry, and rare collectibles. It stands as one of the largest antique destinations in the DFW metroplex.

Located in South Arlington at 4905 South Cooper Street, the climate-controlled facility offers a relaxing two-to-three-hour treasure hunt away from outdoor heat.

Two Hundred Independent Vendor Stalls

The mall is organized with clean, carpeted, wide aisles where vendors curate specialized inventory. Shoppers find vintage vinyl records, antique farmhouse kitchen tools, classic Texas oil company signs, and mid-century teak furniture.

Because items turn over constantly, repeat visitors frequently discover fresh collectibles during each trip.

Tin Tulip Tea Room

Located in the center of the antique mall, the Tin Tulip Tea Room serves scratch-made lunch specials, quiches, fresh salads, and dessert pies. It provides a charming midday lunch stop before continuing through the shopping aisles.

Eat Nostalgic Comfort Food at Tom’s Burgers & Grill

Tom's Burgers & Grill is an Arlington culinary staple serving classic half-pound flat-top burgers, chicken-fried steak, thick milkshakes, and hearty breakfast platters in a retro diner atmosphere. Located on North Cooper Street, it has satisfied local appetites for decades.

Half-Pound Burgers and Vintage Atmosphere

Burgers at Tom's are cooked to order on a seasoned flat-top grill, producing crispy seared edges and juicy centers. Popular choices include the Bacon Cheeseburger, the Green Chile Burger, and the Mushroom Swiss Burger served on toasted sesame seed buns.

The dining room is decorated with classic diner memorabilia, neon signs, and comfortable vinyl booths that create a genuine throwback setting.

Family-Friendly Dining in Central Arlington

Portions are generous, and the children's menu offers affordable kid favorites like grilled cheese, corn dogs, and hand-breaded chicken tenders served with crinkle-cut fries. Pair your meal with an old-fashioned malted milkshake served in a frosty stainless steel cup.

Catch Live Music and Local Flavor in Downtown Arlington

Downtown Arlington pairs live entertainment at the historic 1950s Arlington Music Hall with walkable craft breweries, indie coffee spots, and celebrated Texas barbecue joints like Hurtado Barbecue. The district presents a walkable contrast to the highway-scale Entertainment District.

Historic Arlington Music Hall

Originally opened in 1950 as a classic movie theater, the Arlington Music Hall now operates as an intimate 1,100-seat performance venue. It hosts legendary country singers, classic rock tribute bands, symphonic performances, and stand-up comedians.

Sightlines and acoustics inside the historic auditorium are exceptional, ensuring there is not a bad seat in the house.

Urban Artisan District and Craft Barbecue

A few blocks away, Hurtado Barbecue draws barbecue connoisseurs from across Texas with its signature "Mexicue" style. Standout items include prime brisket, jalapeño cheddar sausages, birria tacos, and brisket tostadas.

Wash down lunch with a locally brewed pint at Legal Draft Beer Company or Division Brewing, where dog-friendly outdoor beer gardens host rotating local food trucks on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Splash Indoors at Epic Waters Waterpark

Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark operates year-round with an 80,000-square-foot climate-controlled facility featuring 11 waterslides, a 10,000-square-foot wave pool, and a retractable roof located just minutes east of Arlington. It offers reliable water recreation regardless of winter cold or summer storms.

If you are exploring attractions on Arlington's eastern edge, read our complete guide to things to do in Grand Prairie and check out live horse racing at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie for adjacent entertainment.

Year-Round Climate-Controlled Water Slides

The facility maintains constant 85-degree air temperature. Notable slide attractions include the Prairie Plunge, an enclosed body slide with a trapdoor drop, and the Texas Twist, a looping enclosed raft slide.

Thanks to the retractable roof, guests can enjoy open sunshine on warm days while remaining fully enclosed and heated during chilly winter months.

FlowRider Surfing and Lazy River

Teens and adults test their balance on the FlowRider continuous-wave surf simulator, which allows both bodyboarding and stand-up surfing. For a slower pace, the Rio Grand lazy river meanders gently beneath footbridges around the park perimeter.

Essential Arlington Travel Tips and Local Regulations

Visiting Arlington requires navigating the practical logistics of a busy, event-driven city. Knowing parking dynamics and seasonal weather realities ensures a smooth family trip.

Parking Dynamics Across the Entertainment District

Parking rates throughout the Arlington Entertainment District fluctuate dramatically based on stadium schedules. On non-event weekdays, parking at Texas Live! or the Arlington Museum of Art is affordable or free with restaurant validation. However, on Cowboys game days or major stadium concert dates, commercial lots around AT&T Stadium routinely charge $50 to $100 per space.

If you are visiting solely for museums or dining on an event weekend, verify stadium event schedules in advance or use ride-hailing services to avoid game day traffic snarls.

Best Seasons and Weather Planning

Spring (March through May) and autumn (September through November) deliver the most comfortable outdoor weather for hiking River Legacy Parks, walking Richard Greene Linear Park, or paddling Lake Arlington. Temperatures during these seasons typically hover between 65 and 82 degrees.

Travelers exploring North Texas can easily combine an Arlington sports weekend with road trips to surrounding destinations, whether heading west to explore Fort Worth Zoo tickets and exhibits or east toward quiet countryside stops like things to do in Sulphur Springs TX.

Summer days frequently exceed 95 degrees with high humidity. Plan outdoor theme park excursions early in the morning and retreat to climate-controlled venues like Epic Waters, Globe Life Field, or the UTA Planetarium during the blazing afternoon hours.

Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do in Arlington TX

Are there free things to do in Arlington TX?

Yes, Arlington offers multiple high-quality free activities, including hiking over 8 miles of paved woodland trails at River Legacy Parks, attending more than 50 free outdoor lawn concerts at Levitt Pavilion, and exploring the Caelum Moor granite monolith sculptures at Richard Greene Linear Park.

What are the best things to do in Arlington TX with kids?

The top family attractions for kids include riding family coasters in Bugs Bunny Boomtown at Six Flags Over Texas, catching affordable dome star shows at the UT Arlington Planetarium, rolling duckpins at the International Bowling Museum, and splashing in shallow interactive water play at Epic Waters.

What is Arlington Texas best known for?

Arlington is best known as the entertainment and sports capital of North Texas. The city is internationally recognized for housing the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field, the original Six Flags Over Texas theme park, and the Texas Live! entertainment complex.

Is Arlington TX worth visiting?

Arlington is well worth visiting for sports fans, coaster enthusiasts, and families seeking concentrated entertainment options. Positioned halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth, it serves as an accessible, high-energy hub with world-class stadiums, quality museums, and extensive nature parks along the Trinity River.

What can you do at night in Arlington Texas?

Nighttime activities in Arlington center on the 200,000-square-foot Texas Live! complex with its 100-foot LED sports screen and live music stages, outdoor concerts under the stars at Levitt Pavilion, performances at the historic Arlington Music Hall, and craft brews in the Downtown Arlington urban district.

Can you tour AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field on non-game days?

Yes, both AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field conduct daily public and guided VIP tours on non-event days. Visitors can access player locker rooms, executive clubs, interview rooms, and walk onto the field turf to toss footballs or play outfield catch.

Fans planning trips to home and away matchups can review the updated [Cowboys and Texans 2026 schedule](/cowboys-and-texans-2026-schedule/) for key game dates and ticket tips.