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Irving is a city of about 255,000 people between Dallas and Fort Worth, bordering Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Founded in 1903 along the Chicago, Rock Island and Gulf Railway, it grew slowly until the second half of the 1900s, when the airport and the Las Colinas development turned it into one of the main business centers of North Texas.
Las Colinas is Irving's best-known district, a master-planned area of office towers, hotels and homes around Lake Carolyn and the Mandalay Canal, where water taxis and walkways give it a canal-city feel. Its famous Mustangs of Las Colinas sculpture shows nine bronze horses galloping across a stream in Williams Square, one of the largest equestrian sculptures in the world. The Toyota Music Factory brings concerts and restaurants to the same area.
Beyond Las Colinas, the Irving Arts Center hosts theater and galleries with an outdoor sculpture garden, the Irving Archives and Museum covers local history, and the Campion Trail follows the Trinity River for miles. The city was long home to Texas Stadium, where the Dallas Cowboys played until 2008, and the University of Dallas sits on a hill in the north of town.
A famous bronze sculpture of nine wild mustangs galloping through a fountain in Williams Square, among the largest equestrian sculptures in the world. The water makes the horses appear to splash across a stream. It is free to visit anytime; come in the morning for the best light for photos.
A striking convention center in Las Colinas with a copper-colored perforated metal skin that glows at sunset, hosting trade shows, conventions and public events. It sits next to the Toyota Music Factory. Even if you are not attending an event, see the building from the plaza and nearby walkways.
A Catholic liberal arts university on a hilltop in Irving, known for its Braniff Memorial Tower, the Church of the Incarnation and views toward downtown Dallas. Visitors can walk the campus mall. It also hosts art exhibitions in its galleries; check what is open before visiting.
A canal walk in Las Colinas lined with European-style buildings, restaurants, cafes and small shops, connecting to Lake Carolyn. Gondola rides have been offered on the canals at times. It is pleasant for a stroll and dinner, especially in the evening when the walkway lights come on.
The original heart of Irving around Main Street, with historic homes, Heritage Park, the Irving Archives and Museum and small businesses. It hosts heritage events and farmers markets. It is a quieter side of Irving compared to Las Colinas; pair it with a visit to the museum.
A man-made lake in the heart of Las Colinas surrounded by walking paths, office towers, restaurants and residential areas. You can rent kayaks or paddleboards, or walk the lakeside trails that connect to the Mandalay Canal. It is beautiful at night when the buildings reflect on the water.
A long paved hike and bike trail following the Elm Fork of the Trinity River on Irving's eastern edge, with woods, river views and connections to Dallas trails. It is popular with cyclists and runners. Start at one of the trailhead parks, bring water and watch for cyclists on busy weekends.
A large arts complex with theaters, galleries and an outdoor sculpture garden, hosting plays, concerts, dance and rotating art exhibitions, many with free entry. It is home to many local arts groups. Check the calendar for free gallery shows and family events.
A modern city museum in the Irving Heritage District with interactive exhibits on Irving's history, from early settlers to the growth of Las Colinas, along with traveling exhibitions. It is free to visit. It offers kid-friendly displays and is a good introduction to the city's story.
A preserved 1950s house in Irving where Lee Harvey Oswald's wife Marina lived in 1963, and where Oswald spent the night before the Kennedy assassination. It is restored to its 1963 appearance. Visits are by guided tour from The Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas, so book ahead.
An entertainment complex in Las Colinas with an indoor and outdoor concert venue, the Pavilion, plus restaurants, bars and a cinema. It hosts big concerts and comedy shows. Arrive early to eat before a show, and use the parking garages, which fill on event nights.
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Photo: Wissembourg, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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