Growing up in Arlington, I loved the visits to Six Flags Over Texas and other local destinations my mom organized each spring break—and I also looked forward to our annual spring break excursion to The Galleria in Dallas, which included ice skating with my little brother and lunch at the legendary Highland Park Cafeteria. The Galleria outing offered all of the fun and excitement that comes with a change of scenery—combined with the convenience of getting there in less than an hour and returning home to sleep in my own bed.

As I got older, I realized that one of the great things about living in or visiting Arlington is the city’s convenient central location, which makes it easy to enjoy hundreds of wonderful things to do across the Dallas-Fort Worth region without missing any of the big fun to be had in Arlington.  

If you’re visiting Arlington for spring break, or if you’re a local looking for fun things to do for your spring break staycation, here are a few ideas you should consider adding to your spring break itinerary, starting with two classic destinations in Arlington:

Six Flags Over Texas
2201 Road to Six Flags
Arlington, TX

When I was a kid, one of my favorite outings was the Six Flags Over Texas visit that I made each spring break with my friend Stacey. The park seemed bright, freshly washed, and filled with excitement for the upcoming season; the weather was perfect, and I loved trying new rides and revisiting old favorites. Six Flags has tons of fun planned for this year’s spring break, including live local music performances, karaoke, and lip synch challenges, as well as thrill rides, food, shopping, and more. Tip: Want to add an extra layer of excitement to your Six Flags outing? Build in some time after the park to check out one of Arlington's "As Seen on TV" favorites! BUY DISCOUNTED SIX FLAGS TICKETS NOW.

Texas Rangers/Globe Life Park
1000 Ballpark Way
Arlington, TX  
Stadium Tours begin the gift shop – park in Corolla Lot C

It wouldn’t be spring in North Texas without bluebonnets and baseball. The 2019 season doesn’t kick off in Arlington until the home opener on March 28, but you can still catch a little baseball fever on a behind-the-scenes Globe Life tour, where you’ll get an up-close look at destinations like the dugout, press box, clubhouse and batting cages—possibly for the last time, since the Rangers will move to a new home at Globe Life Field next year. And speaking of Globe Life Field: While you’re at Globe Life Park, check out the construction progress on the Ranger’s future home from the Hilti Observation Deck located on the upper right field concourse of Globe Life Park, behind section 341. Tip: Be sure to visit the well-stocked Grand Slam Gift Shop before or after your tour. I go every year to pick up a new Rangers shirt and other Rangers gear to wear and bring to games and game-watching outings. Build in a couple of extra hours to the front or back end of your visit and enjoy lunch or dinner at Texas Live!, located just across the street. BUY DISCOUNTED TICKETS NOW.

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
2299 County Road 2008
Glen Rose, TX

If you’re a fan of animals, scenic views, and getting away from the city, you’re going to love Fossil Rim, a beautiful endangered species preserve that is one of my all-time favorite destinations in Dallas-Fort Worth. One of Fossil Rim’s main attractions is a very memorable self-guided nine-mile driving tour, but there are other intriguing Fossil Rim experiences you’ll want to investigate, including guided group tours and safaris, a children’s animal center, and a nature store. Tips: The park has lots of rules in place to protect the land and animals, so spend time on the Fossil Rim FAQ page before heading out. Also: Make it an all-day outing. With 17,000 acres and hundreds of exotic animals in residence (who operate on their schedule, not yours), you’ll need plenty of time to see and explore everything.  

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not
601 East Palace Parkway
Grand Prairie, TX

My first expedition to Ripley’s happened on what used to be called a “rush date” sponsored by a college sorority that was recruiting me—which was kind of bizarre, since Ripley’s is not really a destination that comes to mind for outings that call for dressing cute and acting girly. In retrospect, however, it’s an appropriately weird memory for what is arguably the region’s quirkiest destination, where you can do things like look at a shrunken head, race through a mirror maze, or witness a zombie apocalypse—and that’s just for starters. Tip: Ripley’s is actually a collection of attractions that includes Louis Tussaud’s Palace of Wax—check out the Ripley’s website to figure out where you want to focus your visit. BUY DISCOUNTED TICKETS NOW.

Read part 2 and part 3 now: Four Great DFW Spring Break Staycation Ideas – Part Two   Five Great DFW Spring Break Staycation Ideas – Part Three