11 Locals-endorsed things to do in and around Irving, TX

Positioned 15 minutes east of Dallas and 30 minutes west of Fort Worth, Irving, TX was founded in 1903 and was later incorporated in 1914. Until the post-WWII boom, the area remained largely agricultural. In the early 1970s, the iconic Las Colinas community sprouted (think Beverly Hills in LA or Buckhead in Atlanta), transforming Irving into a major business destination.

Today, Irving’s Las Colinas is home to corporate names such as Kimberly-Clark, Nexstar Media, and Caterpillar. In fact, the area is such a thriving economic cornerstone that statistics indicate roughly 81,700 people commute there during the workweek—that’s an estimated 31% increase over its regular residential population. Part of that influx is due to the city’s inclusion of the massive Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. As you might have guessed, the influx of commuters brings an exciting vibe to Irving, powered by diversity, culture, fine dining, nightlife, and plenty of fun things to do for locals and visitors alike.

It’s worth noting that Irving is part of a larger metropolitan area (the Metroplex) along with Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Frisco, and others, each with its own unique personality and lineup of attractions. So, if you’re planning a trip to the area, stick around. In this post, we’ll pass along some locals’ recommendations for things to see and do around Irving and the Metroplex!

1. Enjoy a night out at the Music Factory

Irving’s Toyota Music Factory is one of the city’s most bustling areas, hosting a broad array of entertainment options. At the center is the Pavilion by Live Nation—a 4,000-seat music venue that can convert to an indoor-outdoor amphitheater, expanding the venue’s capacity to 8,000 for bigger shows. In addition to musical acts, the Pavilion also hosts theater performances, stand-up comedy shows, and more.

The Music Factory was designed to be much more than just a music venue, however! The whole complex is roughly 17 acres and includes an open-air plaza (often with free live music), restaurants and bars, a comedy club, and a movie theater. Everything’s within walking distance, so lots of people come to hang out, even when there isn’t a show.

2. Stroll the Mandalay Canals

About a 5- to 10-minute walk from the Music Factory are the Mandalay Canals. Originally built into the Las Colinas community, the canals were designed with a Venetian vibe in mind. You can expect stone walkways, beautiful vine-decorated bridges, waterfalls and fountains, and even gondola rides in some portions of the canals and the neighboring Lake Carolyn, making it a popular spot for date nights! Many visitors walk the canals, grab dinner at one of the canal-side restaurants, then head on over to the Music Factory for a show.

3. Check out the Irving Arts Center

Affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, the Irving Arts Center is an amazing, 10-acre campus where visitors can immerse themselves in art of all kinds. The center hosts multiple, rotating galleries (free to the public!) and an outdoor sculpture garden. It also houses two professional theaters where patrons can enjoy plays, musicals, symphony concerts, ballet, jazz performances, and children’s theater productions. What sets the Irving Arts Center apart from many others is that it reads much more like a destination rather than a single-purpose venue, making it an ideal spot for art lovers.

4. Get some exercise on Campion Trail

Campion Trail is a 22-mile greenbelt with 12-foot-wide paths connecting parks, neighborhoods, and Las Colinas. It’s a popular spot for walking, jogging, cycling, and inline skating, and because it’s mostly flat, the paths are accessible to visitors of all fitness levels. The trail follows the Elm Fork and West Fork of the Trinity River, making it an excellent place for spotting local wildlife. All along the paths, you’ll find picnic areas, restrooms, drinking fountains, covered pavilions, and parking lots. Although it’s impressive as is, the City of Irving plans to expand the trail to connect with neighboring Metroplex cities, including Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, and more, by the end of 2028.

5. Explore the Arlington Entertainment District

Just southwest of Irving, Arlington is part of the Metroplex area and is home to some more of the region’s popular entertainment destinations. Kenneth Cox, broker and owner of DFW Realty, gave us some suggestions for where to go. “When visiting the Dallas–Fort Worth area, I recommend experiencing a mix of the region’s entertainment, sports, outdoor recreation, history, and cultural attractions. One of the most popular destinations is the Arlington Entertainment District, home to Six Flags Over Texas, Globe Life Field, Texas Live!, and AT&T Stadium. Whether you’re attending a Texas Rangers game, touring the Cowboys stadium, or enjoying live entertainment, there’s something for everyone and every age group.”

6. Drop in to Grandscape in The Colony

“In North Dallas, visitors should explore Grandscape in The Colony, one of the largest mixed-use entertainment developments in the country, featuring shopping, restaurants, live music, attractions, outdoor events, and family-friendly entertainment all in one walkable destination,” says Cox. “Nearby, The Star in Frisco serves as the Dallas Cowboys’ world headquarters and training facility, offering guided tours, sports-themed attractions, upscale dining, shopping, and year-round community events.”

7. Spend a day on the water

Thanks to its prime location in the Metroplex, Irving is within driving distance of several popular lakes. “For those who enjoy the outdoors, Lewisville Lake, Grapevine Lake, and Lake Ray Hubbard provide excellent opportunities for boating, fishing, waterfront dining, and scenic sunset views,” says Cox. (At about a 15–20-minute drive, Grapevine Lake is the closest and easiest to reach from Irving by car.) All three lakes offer pontoon boat and jet ski rentals, and some also have sailboats, fishing boats, and wake boats.

8. Cool off in the Fort Worth Cultural District

According to Cox, the Dallas/Fort Worth area has an excellent arts and culture scene, offering plenty of indoor options to enjoy on rainy days or during the sweltering Texas summer. “Art and history enthusiasts should also make time for Fort Worth’s Cultural District,” he says, “which features the Kimbell Art Museum, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, and the historic Fort Worth Stockyards.”

9. Channel your inner cowpoke at the Fort Worth Stockyards

While the Stockyards can be included in the cultural district experience, they’re an iconic destination worthy of an entire day trip on their own. Kenya Martinez of Semmelmann Interiors agrees. “One of the things I love most about the Dallas–Fort Worth area is the unique blend of culture, creativity, and genuine hospitality. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or an extended stay, there is something here for everyone. I always recommend exploring the Fort Worth Stockyards for a taste of Texas history and culture.”

After a 30-minute drive (give or take a few minutes, depending on traffic), you can watch the twice-daily cattle drive, check out a rodeo at the historic Cowtown Coliseum, and enjoy some live country music and line dancing at Billy Bob’s Texas. History buffs will definitely enjoy the Stockyards Museum in the Livestock Exchange Building. It covers the cattle industry, the Chisholm Trail, and Fort Worth’s development as “Cowtown.”  Before you head out, be sure to visit Mule Alley, one of the Stockyard’s newer additions. The restored collection of former horse and mule barns houses boutiques, western wear shops, cafes, cocktail bars, and steakhouses.

10. Browse the Fort Worth Design Studio

“Beyond the restaurants and attractions, Dallas–Fort Worth is home to a thriving design community,” says Martinez. “Design enthusiasts may enjoy visiting Fort Worth Design Studio to experience curated furnishings, custom textiles, and the creativity that continues to shape the region’s luxury lifestyle market.” Originally created as a trade showroom, the studio is still where some of the area’s top interior designers source materials. However, members of the public are also encouraged to browse, even if they aren’t working with a designer.

11. Go restaurant hunting

Not sure where to eat? There are plenty of places to choose from, but Paige Neal of Paige Alexis Photo encourages you to support local small businesses. “After living in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for ten years, I can say one thing for sure, you’ll never run out of restaurants or coffee shops to try!” she says. “My boyfriend and I have a long-standing tradition of playing ‘restaurant roulette’. We have a shared note on our phones, and whenever we drive past a new restaurant or coffee shop, we add it to the list. The next time we ask each other the age-old question “where should we go?” we pick a random number and go wherever our notes app says is correlated to that number. The list is always changing, so it never gets old, and it encourages us to try small businesses more! Our favorite finds so far have been Pano Vino Osteria in Addison for Italian and World Blend in Fort Worth for coffee!”

Ready to head to Texas?

As you probably have heard, Texas is huge, with lots of cities and suburbs sprinkled all throughout the state. It might be tempting to chalk up Irving as just another one of those suburbs, but the area’s unique diversity and charm set it and the greater Metroplex area apart. Whether you’re interested in fine dining, wild West culture, or the great outdoors, you won’t be bored, either. Browsing listings for your new Irving home? Check out RentCafe’s rentals for some of the best apartments in Irving, Texas.