School may be in session once again, but this doesn’t mean summer is over. There is still plenty of time to make summer memories with family and friends, and best of all, you can explore and experience it all in Garland, Texas. From almost any point in Dallas, you can reach Garland in about 20 minutes, where everything from bowling, rock climbing, and shopping to fishing, boating, and hiking await.
Whether you decide to grab your fishing pole and head to Lake Ray Hubbard or grab a friend for a day of entertainment at Strike + Reel, you’ll make the right choice. Browse downtown Garland’s eclectic shops. Enjoy lunch and a craft beer at Intrinsic Smokehouse + Brewery. Head out on one of Garland’s hike-and-bike trails or discover new city parks with family and friends. Whatever activity you choose, you’ll cruise into fall knowing this was a summer well spent.
“There are so many events, activities, and venues in Garland that are great for the local community and all of Dallas-Fort Worth to enjoy,” says Scott LeMay, Mayor of Garland. “Whether you come for a day or for a staycation, Garland is the perfect destination for family fun and is known for bringing people together, whether you are wanting an action-packed getaway or a relaxed change of pace.”
The following Garland destinations are the perfect way to cap off summer 2022. Plan your visit here.
Air-Conditioned Action
Strike + Reel
Appropriately named after its roots in bowling and cinema, the unique party venue Strike + Reel is a 90,000-square-foot entertainment venue featuring luxury dine-in movie auditoriums with large-format screens, luxury recliners, and full bar service. In addition to a luxury movie experience, Strike + Reel also offers state-of-the-art indoor attractions including bowling, interactive video games, a LED-lit rock-climbing wall, high ropes course, laser tag, and bumper cars. Located just off President George Bush Highway, it’s easy to reach from most anywhere in Dallas and offers a welcome respite from the summer heat—and something everyone in the family can enjoy.
A Day on the Lake
Lake Ray Hubbard
The crown recreational jewel of Garland is Lake Ray Hubbard, a 21,000-acre lake that beckons the entire Dallas area to visit for a peaceful place to relax and unwind. When this summer heat lures you to cool waters, load up your boat or jet skis, or grab your fishing rod and head out for a day on the lake. From almost any point in Dallas, you’ll arrive to the shores of the lake in about 20 minutes. From boating, water skiing, and fishing to sailing and windsurfing, Lake Ray Hubbard is where Dallas goes to relax and recharge.
An Island Escape…in the City
Hawaiian Falls
A hit every summer, this family-friendly attraction delivers major fun in the Texas sun with a convenient location near Garland’s Curtis Culwell Center. Whether floating down the Kona Kooler Lazy River, catching a dive-in movie in the early evening, or exploring the Keiki Kove fortress with its rope ladders, geysers, and thousand-gallon dump bucket, there’s something for everyone at this action-packed, 12-acre waterpark. Check for discounts by purchasing your tickets online before you go.
Shop Local
From classic guitars, artwork, and an indoor Asian mall to funky jewelry, Stetson cowboy hats, and antiques, and vintage clothing, downtown Garland has it. If it has been a while since you’ve been to Garland, these stores offer plenty of reasons to make a day of it. And if you have been on the fence about buying an authentic cowboy hat, a trip to Garland is a must at the Resistol Outlet Store. Shopping here is as much of an experience as it is an opportunity to own something that is just about as Texan as it gets—an authentic cowboy hat. In addition to cowboy hats, you can score great deals on fedoras, Panama hats, sun hats, bowlers, and more. Every color and every size for men, women, and children. You’ll get the full experience—choosing the hat and having it professionally steamed and creased to your liking.
Picnic and Play at the Park
Garland has more than 60 parks and greenbelts from which to choose and you can always find one that best suits your mood. Looking for an activity? Try disc golf, enjoyed by hundreds of residents and visitors each year at Audubon Park featuring an 18-hole disc golf course.
A special, vintage park to check out is Central Park, designated a Lone Star Legacy Park by the Texas Recreation Park Society in 2013. It’s an iconic park in the Dallas area, and in the state, for those who visit, play, and rest on its lush grounds. For more than a century, it has been used as Garland’s common green park, recreational area, and community space.
Be sure to check out Garland’s new dog park at 901 S. Glenbrook, now open for play. The three-acre, off-leash park project is a perfect way for you and your best friend to spend a lazy summer Sunday. The dog park features three rotating dog paddocks with double-entry gates and a six-foot-high fence, one for large dogs and one for small dogs. The City of Garland has ensured comfort and convenience with drinking fountains, large pavilions for shade, plenty of seating and lighting, and expansive green spaces where you and furry sidekick can stretch your legs
Hit the Trails
Embark upon the trail less traveled and head out for an adventure on miles of paths, trails, and green space. Garland’s Spring Creek Forest Preserve is a hidden gem for outdoor recreation, offering a place for artistic contemplation, idea sharing, and reflection of the natural beauty. Plan your escape to the largely untouched flora and fauna that await discovery in the Spring Creek Forest Preserve, home to a relic forest of 100- to 300-year-old Chinquapin, Bur, and Shumard oaks and over 650 species of plants and animals. This park is a nature lover’s dream. Choose between paved trails through towering relic trees soaring to the heights of 100 feet at the Spring Creek Forest Preserve or the unpaved interpretive nature trail at Spring Creek Park Preserve. Bring a camera, a sketch pad, and comfortable walking shoes to spend a few hours—or the whole day.
The Duck Creek Greenbelt boasts a 5.7-mile paved trail along the beautiful banks of Duck Creek providing a serene setting right in the heart of Garland.
The Rowlett Creek Preserve is where you can enjoy a soothing hike or bike ride through nature and soak up some fresh air. It is a favorite among hikers and off-road bikers alike, with 16 miles of multi-use trails awaiting the adventure-seeker. Wind through creeks, wooded, and open areas as you explore the various trail loops. Rowlett Creek Preserve features a gazebo, picnic area with grill, and multi-use trail that is 15.6 miles long and constructed on a stacked loop system that allows trail users to create their own paths. A mixture of tight, twisting paths and open straightaways make it a popular spot for hikers and off-road bikers.
Sip, Savor, and Cool Down
The record-setting temperatures of summer 2022 have left us all looking for ways to cool off—every day. You’ll find a way to quench your thirst at Lakewood Brewery or Intrinsic Smokehouse + Brewery, each crafting a wide variety of fun, easy-to-drink cold beers. They offer a tasty way to cool off after a day of exploring Garland. Both breweries also offer an extensive menu of lunch and dinner favorites, so be sure to make a meal of it. If ice cream is more your thing, head to Scoop ‘N Buns, Garland’s favorite way to beat the heat with artisan ice cream.
For more ways to make the best of what’s left of summer in Garland, Texas, visit https://makeyourmarkgarland.com/
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