When you're ready to leave the commotion of the city behind, the Dallas/Fort Worth area makes it easy to escape to nature and relaxation in its many parks. Dallas has an award-winning Parks & Recreation Department with more than 21,000 park acres in 406 parks. In Dallas/Fort Worth parks, you'll find opportunities for hiking, biking, rollerblading, swimming, sailing and fishing to name a few activities. Both cities have a variety of parks suited for varied activities to fulfill your needs.
Old City Park
- Old City Park, the first park in Dallas, combines recreation with history. In addition to the open space for games and sports, this park tells the story of Dallas from 1840-1910 with 30 buildings that have been relocated from several North Texas towns. Included are a farmhouse, bank, train station, store, church and schoolhouse.
Fair Park
- Another Dallas treasure is Fair Park. With 9 museums and 6 performance facilities, Fair Park's buildings make up the largest collection of 1930s Art Deco exhibition architecture in the country. Here you can also see the Cotton Bowl Station, Dallas Aquarium, Smirnoff Music Center, Leonhardt Lagoon, Texas Vietnam Memorial, Smith Fountain and Texas Discovery Center.
Dallas Arboretum
- If you like gardens, then you won't want to miss Dallas Arboretum, overlooking downtown Dallas. This peaceful, landscaped park has 66 acres of gardens and statuary and features its famous azalea collection as well as special seasonal events.
Fort Worth Parks, Lakes and Area State Parks
- Fort Worth is equally blessed when it comes to parks. Nearby State Parks include Cleburne State Park, Cedar Hill, Lake Lewisville, Mineral Wells and Dinosaur Valley.
- For lakes, visit Granbury Lake, Lake Whitney, Possum Kingdom or Eagle Mountain Lake, just to name a few.
- One park that truly has it all is Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge ' in addition to all the native wildlife here, the park has 25 miles of trails and the Hardwicke Interpretive Center with programs, exhibits and a library.
Trinity Trail
- For more trails, enjoy a section of the Trinity Trail system, a 32-mile stretch of paved trails that link Heritage Park, Trinity Park and Overton Park.
Fort Worth Botanical Garden
- Fort Worth also has a botanic garden, and it is the oldest one in Texas. Wander 21 specialty gardens, including the huge Rose Garden and the Tropical Conservatory, where you'll see 2,500 native and exotic species of plants.
So much is waiting for you in the parks of Dallas and Fort Worth, from the wild nature areas to landscaped, tranquil gardens. In North Texas, it's quick and easy to get away from the city and just enjoy being outdoors. Your mind and body will thank you when you rejuvenate yourself in the parks of Dallas/Fort Worth.
