Who says you have to travel long distance for summer vacation? There are lots of family staycation options in North Texas. As DART celebrates its 40th anniversary this summer, we are proud to be your ride to a host of cultural experiences and entertainment.
1. Museums
Our region’s cultural institutions are a treasure trove for life learners. There is a fabulous collection of art museums in the Dallas Arts District, including the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center and the Crow Museum of Asian Art. All are walkable from Pearl/Arts District Station.
If you are more interested in history, other options include The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza and the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, both of which are a short walking distance from West End Station. There is also the African American Museum in Fair Park—this prized institution is steps away from the Fair Park Station.
Addison’s Cavanaugh Flight Museum, with its displays of historically significant vintage aircraft, is walkable from DART Bus Routes 235 and 239. A short walk from the Las Colinas Urban Center Station you will find the Mustangs of Las Colinas Museum & Sculpture.
2. Parks and Trails
Some of the region’s signature parks and trails are easily accessible by DART. Klyde Warren Park is walkable from St. Paul Station or an M-Line Trolley stop. Haggard Park, which is next to Downtown Plano Station, is home to the Interurban Railway Museum.
Farmers Branch Historical Park is a 27-acre outdoor space that is both a park and museum and features an impressive rose garden and numerous 19th-century buildings, including a train depot, school and old church. The park is walkable from Farmers Branch Station.
Whether you want a vigorous workout or a day in the park, DART is also your gateway to our region’s hike-and-bike network. The Spring Creek Nature Area is accessible from Richardson’s Galatyn Park Station, while the extensive Campion Trail is near Irving’s Las Colinas Urban Center Station. These are only two of many DARTable trails.
3. Aquariums and Wilderness
Dallas claims not one but two aquariums that will delight and inform—and both are DARTable. The Children’s Aquarium Dallas, near Fair Park Station, brings out your inner kid with stingray interactions, Dallas’ only mining sluice and much more. The Dallas World Aquarium features a large rainforest exhibit, as well as marine life including sharks and penguins, and is near walkable West End Station.
For a family outing, it’s hard to beat catching DART Rail to Dallas Zoo Station. More than 100 acres and more than 400 species of wildlife await you at the Dallas Zoo. Looking for a longer adventure? Take the Trinity Railway Express to Fort Worth and visit the Fort Worth Zoo or the SeaQuest aquarium.
4. Performing Arts
World-class performances deserve world-class venues—and North Texas has them in the Dallas Arts District. The Meyerson Symphony Center is home to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. The AT&T Performing Arts Center includes several venues, including the Winspear Opera House, Wyly Theatre, Moody Performance Hall, Annette Strauss Square and Sammons Park. The entire Dallas Arts District is walkable from Pearl/Arts District Station or you can get closer using the M-Line Trolley.
5. Movie Theaters
Whether you want to laugh, cry, get scared or be thrilled, some of the coolest cinematic experiences are near DART Rail stations. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, which has upped the whole moviegoing game, has locations near Irving Convention Center Station and Dallas’ Cedars Station. The Angelika Film Center, featuring independent and art films, is right next to SMU/Mockingbird Station. Violet Crown Cinema in Dallas’ West Village is an easy walk from Cityplace/Uptown Station and near an M-Line Trolley stop.
6. Community Performance Spaces
There is something cozy about a performance space that keeps it local. You will find both local and touring acts in a variety of genres—music, spoken word, theater—at several DARTable venues.
See what’s on stage this summer at the Granville Arts Center (Downtown Garland Station); the Eisemann Center for Performing Arts (Galatyn Park Station); the Pocket Sandwich Theatre (Downtown Carrollton Station); the WaterTower Theatre (Addison Transit Center); The Firehouse Theatre (Farmers Branch Station) or Ochre House (Deep Ellum Station.)
7. Historical Downtowns
The DART Service Area is full of revitalized downtowns that are full of restaurants, homegrown shops and colorful boutiques. Shopping and eating are perfect to while away an afternoon or evening. You will find these old downtowns adjacent to these rail stations:
- Downtown Plano Station
- Downtown Garland Station
- Downtown Carrollton Station
- Downtown Rowlett Station
- Downtown Irving/Heritage Crossing Station
For more staycation ideas, visit dart.org/dartable.
Sponsored content by and photos courtesy of DART.
This sponsored content article was originally published in June 2023.
