If you were lucky enough to grow up in Dallas – Fort Worth, you undoubtedly have some happy memories from your childhood. How could you not with so many simply wonderful things to do and see? While some businesses and attractions in the Metroplex have come and gone with time, many remain open today for a new generation to enjoy. Simply driving by or even just hearing a mention of these places will certainly evoke nostalgia for the good ol’ days.
- Six Flags Over Texas
Martin Lewison/Flickr Open since 1961, Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington is a 212-acre theme park has been a place of fun and thrills for generations!
mulf/Flickr The park has seen lots of changes through the years, however. The wooden Texas Giant was rebuilt with steel in 2011.
Bill Wilson/Flickr While animals are initially a big attraction, the park no longer features exotic creatures and water shows. Today, it is definitely more of a thrill park.
- Southfork Ranch, home of the hit tv show Dallas.
johnantoni/Flickr
Ted Eytan/Flickr This ranch outside of city created notoriety of Big D, and while the TV show has ended, the location remains open. It is not only a tourist attraction complete with longhorns, but is a real working ranch as well.
- Burger’s Lake
redheadedmama/Trip Advisor This 30-acre park in Fort Worth features a spring-fed lake for swimming. It doesn’t even pretend to compete with fancy water parks; think of it like a fun day spent with family at a summer camp!
- Texas Stadium
David Herrera/Flickr Who doesn’t love Texas Stadium in Irving? The stadium hosted the glory days of America’s Team.
Stephen Hanafin/Flickr The Cowboys’ new home opened in 2009 and is certainly more grandiose, complete with a fully retractable roof. Fans are still waiting for Super Bowl wins here, however.
- Fort Worth Stockyards
Steven Martin/Flickr The Stockyards have been around since the 1800s, but remain just as fun to visit as ever. While festivals are no longer held here like they used to be (the one pictured above took place in 1999), the place remains a lively spot to go for dinner, dancing, and entertainment!
- Brunswick Bowling
InvernoDreaming/Flickr With too many locations to list just one, who doesn’t recall a fun date night or family outing at Brunswick Bowling alleys?
Eric Kilby/Flickr One big difference: you used to have to keep score… manually!
- Reunion Tower
Jens G/Flickr “The Ball,” as it is commonly called, opened in 1978. It was adjoined to the Hyatt Regency Dallas in 1998.
Candice C/Trip Advisor Generations of children have grown up peering out at Dallas’ skyline from the observation deck.
- The Cliffs at Grapevine Lake
Ken Slade/Flickr Grapevine Lake is known for fishing, sailing, boating, and its beautiful cliffs. Many memories were made lounging on the rocks to watch a glorious Texas sunset.
- Roller skating rinks
Connie/Flickr The disco era ended around 1980, but many skating rinks have kept the mirror disco ball alive at rinks throughout the area. While the popularity of activity may not be what it once was, there are numerous rinks still open today. A key difference is that patrons may now get to choose between traditional and in-line skates.
- Fort Worth Water Gardens
Terry Robinson/Flickr Since opening in 1974, these family friendly water gardens in Fort Worth have been a great place for photos and for exploring a place hidden from the downtown hustle and bustle.
- The Dallas Galleria Mall
Galleria Dallas This impressive, high-end mall opened in 1982. Many families have ice skated in its center pavilion during the Christmas season.
- Slurpees at 7-Eleven
7-Eleven Slurpee Since 7-Eleven got its start here, it’s no surprise that locals have fond memories of going to the convenience store to get their fill of this iconic icy drink.
This list contains only a few of countless places and attractions that made growing up so sweet in Dallas – Fort Worth. What other spots would you add to this list? What was your favorite memory there? We’d love for you to share your thoughts in the comments below!
Martin Lewison/Flickr
Open since 1961, Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington is a 212-acre theme park has been a place of fun and thrills for generations!
mulf/Flickr
The park has seen lots of changes through the years, however. The wooden Texas Giant was rebuilt with steel in 2011.
Bill Wilson/Flickr
While animals are initially a big attraction, the park no longer features exotic creatures and water shows. Today, it is definitely more of a thrill park.
johnantoni/Flickr
Ted Eytan/Flickr
This ranch outside of city created notoriety of Big D, and while the TV show has ended, the location remains open. It is not only a tourist attraction complete with longhorns, but is a real working ranch as well.
redheadedmama/Trip Advisor
This 30-acre park in Fort Worth features a spring-fed lake for swimming. It doesn’t even pretend to compete with fancy water parks; think of it like a fun day spent with family at a summer camp!
David Herrera/Flickr
Who doesn’t love Texas Stadium in Irving? The stadium hosted the glory days of America’s Team.
Stephen Hanafin/Flickr
The Cowboys’ new home opened in 2009 and is certainly more grandiose, complete with a fully retractable roof. Fans are still waiting for Super Bowl wins here, however.
Steven Martin/Flickr
The Stockyards have been around since the 1800s, but remain just as fun to visit as ever. While festivals are no longer held here like they used to be (the one pictured above took place in 1999), the place remains a lively spot to go for dinner, dancing, and entertainment!
InvernoDreaming/Flickr
With too many locations to list just one, who doesn’t recall a fun date night or family outing at Brunswick Bowling alleys?
Eric Kilby/Flickr
One big difference: you used to have to keep score… manually!
Jens G/Flickr
“The Ball,” as it is commonly called, opened in 1978. It was adjoined to the Hyatt Regency Dallas in 1998.
Candice C/Trip Advisor
Generations of children have grown up peering out at Dallas’ skyline from the observation deck.
Ken Slade/Flickr
Grapevine Lake is known for fishing, sailing, boating, and its beautiful cliffs. Many memories were made lounging on the rocks to watch a glorious Texas sunset.
Connie/Flickr
The disco era ended around 1980, but many skating rinks have kept the mirror disco ball alive at rinks throughout the area. While the popularity of activity may not be what it once was, there are numerous rinks still open today. A key difference is that patrons may now get to choose between traditional and in-line skates.
Terry Robinson/Flickr
Since opening in 1974, these family friendly water gardens in Fort Worth have been a great place for photos and for exploring a place hidden from the downtown hustle and bustle.
Galleria Dallas
This impressive, high-end mall opened in 1982. Many families have ice skated in its center pavilion during the Christmas season.
7-Eleven Slurpee
Since 7-Eleven got its start here, it’s no surprise that locals have fond memories of going to the convenience store to get their fill of this iconic icy drink.
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