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Things to Do in Garland
Dallas is known for its big-city attractions, but you won’t have to go far if you’re searching for a place to get outdoors. Located just northeast of Big D, Garland offers countless places to stretch out your legs and escape from all the hustle and bustle. But the great outdoors is only part of what makes Garland appealing. Spend any time here and you’ll discover distinctive performing arts venues, plenty of shopping and dining, and many other great things to see and do with friends and family. Read on to discover a few of the top things to do in Garland to start planning your next Texas adventure.
Shop, Dine, and Enjoy Downtown Garland
Downtown Garland’s narrow two-lane streets and old-fashioned brick storefronts bring to mind the charming spirit of small-town America. Beyond the captivating aesthetics, you’ll find more than enough to keep you busy when you visit. With its one-of-a-kind boutiques, you can do some serious shopping. When your appetite kicks in, step inside one of the downtown area’s local eateries that serve everything from casual American fare and flavorful barbecue to hearty Tex-Mex. Once the sun sets, embrace Garland’s thriving cultural scene by catching a drama, musical, or symphony at the Granville Arts Center or the historic Plaza Theatre.
Whether you’re searching for something specific, looking to get a bite to eat, or wanting to savor the small town life, plan a visit to Downtown Garland.
Make a Wake on Lake Ray Hubbard
Garland residents are fortunate enough to live near one of the largest lakes in North Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard. Boating, skiing, tubing, swimming, and fishing are popular things to do out on the water. From fishing, boating, sailing, water skiing, and windsurfing fun, Lake Ray Hubbard redefines relaxation and family fun.
For you fishing enthusiasts out there, Lake Ray Hubbard has more than enough to keep you busy. You’ll have the best luck targeting catfish and white or hybrid bass, although crappie is also abundant in the lake. Before you put the throttle down on your boat, or find a quiet spot along the lake, swing the boat by Garland’s own Bass Pro Shops. The store has all the baits, line, rods and reels, and accessories you need to make it a successful outing. When you’ve caught your limit, head for one of the lake’s parks like Windsurf Bay Park on the western shore, where you can fire up your catch on one of the public grills while the kids play on the playgrounds.
Play at the Park
Speaking of parks, the city of Garland has no fewer than 63, totaling 2,800 acres of outdoor fun.
Spring Creek Park is a large nature area running alongside Spring Creek just south of N. President George Bush Highway. The park is popular with families, hikers, and naturalists and features a playground, covered picnic shelters with tables and grills, and a backstop and pond with a fishing pier. Rowlett Creek Preserve offers 15 miles of hiking and mountain bike trails. You can fish for bass in the creek or set up a picnic and enjoy the beauty of North Texas.
Become a Lover of the Arts
If you’ve been meaning to get some more arts and culture in your life, Garland is a great place to start. The Granville Arts Center is the heart and soul of arts here, with three theaters and a ballroom under its auspices. Perhaps the most iconic landmark in all of Garland, the 350-seat Plaza Theatre has hosted countless stage productions, concerts, and other special events since opening in the 1940s. Now completely refurbished with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and elegant furnishings, it is a fantastic place to see a great show or a free movie downtown.
The Arts Center houses two theatres, the 700 seat Brownlee Auditorium and the 200-seat Small Theatre, so-named for its intimate configuration. Together the theaters serve as home venues for many local performing groups, like the professional Garland Symphony Orchestra, which presents eight concerts in a season. Theatrical groups include Garland Summer Musicals, a theater education-oriented, semi-professional production company; and Garland Civic Theatre, the oldest community theater group in Dallas County. Tickets to productions by all three performing arts groups are available on their respective websites.
Explore Firewheel Town Center
Shopping, dining, entertainment ... Firewheel Town Center has it all. The Main Street-style, open-air mall offers convenient shopping for many of the top brands in clothing, electronics, health and beauty, and more. You’ll also find a broad spectrum of cuisine here, from juicy burgers and spicy Cajun food to pretzels and ice cream. Looking for ways to entertain everybody in the family? The kids can catch a movie at the AMC Theatres (complete with IMAX) while Mom paints and sips wine at Pinot’s Palette, and Dad heads just up the road to Firewheel Golf Park. The beautiful – and challenging – public course offers 63 holes across three sections of play with varying degrees of difficulty, from the easier Bridges course to the more challenging Lakes and Old Courses.
Have a Drink at One of Garland’s Craft Breweries
The craft beer craze that is sweeping the Lone Star State is well represented in Garland. Since opening in 2012, Lakewood Brewing Co. has become a favorite of beer aficionados in the Dallas and Fort Worth area thanks to its unique offerings and high-quality brews. Head over to the brewery during the weekend for a free tour, or stop in any day of the week for a flight and sample hit flavors like the French Quarter Temptress or the Hopochondria. Garland’s newest addition to the Texas craft beer scene, Intrinsic Smokehouse and Brewery, combines delicious Texas barbecue with a selection of tasty brews made onsite. Order one of Intrinsic’s handcrafted sodas to go along with your rack of ribs and juicy brisket.
Buckle Up for Fun at Stike + Reel
Strike and Reel is 50,000 square feet of pure fun! This state-of-the-art entertainment venue has 22 bowling lanes, a private bowling area, and lane-side food and beverage service. If you’ve ever dreamed of climbing a mountain you can challenge your determination and stamina as you conquer a LED-lit, 24-foot high indoor rock climbing wall. Kids and adults will love the modern take on bumper cars where you can bump and bounce throughout the arena. Eat and drink from the restaurant’s diverse menu that features modern American cuisine. Or recline and dine at the best luxury Dine-In Movie Experience in the area.
Take Home a Piece of Texas
The world-famous Resistol cowboy hats have been manufactured in Garland for over three-quarters of a century. One of the best ways to both commemorate your trip and adorn your head to resist all types of weather - hence the name - is to stop in and pick up a cowboy hat from the factory outlet store located next to the factory itself. Boots, clothing, accessories, and other styles of hats, from Panama to fedora, can also be found at Resistol’s outlet store, which is open Monday through Saturday during standard business hours. What better time to buy your own authentic piece of Texas?
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