Entertainment Alternatives in Garland, Texas

Garland has a rich history, and a large historic downtown to match. Though it has been improved as of late, with additions such as Dos Banderas Mexican Restaurant and The Cosmopolitan Bistro, the city's history is still not hidden, combining the past and the present as new buildings mix with 100-year old structures. The city's town square hosts a large fountain in its center, with plenty of benches and shady places to sit and enjoy the afternoon. This plaza is host to fiddlers on Saturday nights, the newly organized First Saturday Trade Days during the day, the annual Star Spangled Fourth Celebration, and numerous parades, photo opportunities, and more throughout the year. Also in the downtown area is the Patty Granville Arts Center Facilities, which has three state-of-the-art theaters, as well as a 6,500 square foot ballroom with two glass walls and opening onto a beautiful outdoor courtyard. The Center is open seven days a year, with advanced bookings scheduled throughout the year for banquets, receptions, weddings, trade shows, exhibits, conventions and more. Also, Garland's park system includes over 2,500 acres of park land and award-winning park facilities. The city hosts many preserves and golf courses as well, such as Rowlett Creek Preserve, Spring Creek Forest Preserve, and Firewheel Golf Course.

For more exciting entertainment, Surf And Swim Wave Pool is a great place to spend the day. Enjoy the excitement and challenge of the waves as they roll in or relax in the sun as the waves gently wash up on shore. Smaller swimmers, age six and under, have their own special water play area. A few minutes away in Dallas, the Dallas World Aquarium is very unique, with tours starting at the canopy level of a rain forest to wind its way down past many types of animals to find the aquarium at the bottom. The Dallas Zoo hosts over 8,000 animals over 97 acres, and the Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park has over 6,000 aquatic animals, located on the state fairgrounds.

In sports, Garland still will not disappoint you. Available to the public are five recreation centers, four swimming pools, a 13-court tennis center with pro shop, 40 playgrounds, 73 athletic fields, a marina, and more than 20 miles of trails. Just half an hour away, the Dallas Cowboys, Stars and Mavericks play football, hockey and baseball respectively, with both the Stars and Mavericks playing at the American Airlines Center. With all this and much more to do in Garland, Texas, you will never be bored!