New Ballpark Smell

Fans to get first look at new Texas Rangers ballpark with guided tours

Globe Life Field will finally open to the public during First Look Tours starting on June 1.

Photo by Kelly Gavin/Texas Rangers

Fans can finally get an in-person look at the new Globe Life Field in Arlington when the Texas Rangers start their First Look Tours of the ballpark on June 1.

During the tours, fans will be able to tour the brand-new facility for the first time, getting a look at a number of behind-the-scenes aspects of Globe Life Field. Naturally, given the world we currently inhabit, the tours will come with certain restrictions.

The Rangers will be limiting close contact as much as possible by only offering online ticket sales, reducing tour group sizes, and more. All tour staff will wear appropriate personal protective equipment during the tours, and guests and tour staff will be required to practice social distancing. All guests will receive a custom Globe Life Field face covering.

They will also take the temperature of all guests and staff before entry into the ballpark; anyone with a temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit will not be permitted to enter the facility. Guests are encouraged to self-screen for signs or symptoms of the coronavirus before coming to the ballpark. Finally, no bags larger than 8"x4"x2" will be allowed.

“Offering these tours provides an opportunity for our fans to get their 'first look' at the beautiful new Globe Life Field,” said Rangers Executive Vice President, Sports & Entertainment Sean Decker in a statement. “However, the safety and health of everyone is the main consideration. We will be complying with all CDC recommended guidelines and taking extra precautions to aid in the safety of all employees and guests.”

Tour tickets will cost $25 for adults (ages 15-64), $15 for children (ages 4-14), and free for children under 36 inches. Group rates are available by contacting tours@texasrangers.com and 817-533-1833. Five dollars from every tour ticket will be donated to support COVID-19 Relief, and other efforts, through the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation.

Ticket sales are supposed to start Wednesday, May 20, but the site appears to be accepting sales already. Guided tours will be available most days in June and July from 10 am-6 pm; see our event listing for a full list of available dates.

After the tour, fans can also shop at the Texas Rangers Grand Slam Gift Shop, which will open on Friday, May 29. Located off the right center field main concourse of Globe Life Field, the shop will be open from 10 am-6 pm every day. They will be limiting sales to credit cards only for the time being.

tours sports

On display

Iconic Marilyn Monroe 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President' dress comes to Dallas

Photo by Eric Kayne, AP Images for Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Marilyn Monroe's iconic 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President' dress is going on display at Ripley's in Grand Prairie.

The dress worn for the most famous (or, infamous) rendition of "Happy Birthday" in American history is going on display in Dallas-Fort Worth. Marilyn Monroe's iconic "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" gown will be showcased at Ripley's Believe It or Not! in Grand Prairie for a limited time, beginning Friday, June 5.

The display coincides with what would have been the legendary actress and pop culture icon's 100th birthday. Monroe was born June 1, 1926 as Norma Jeane Mortenson.

The sparkling gown became part of entertainment lore on May 19, 1962, when Monroe wore it while singing "Happy Birthday" to U.S. President John F. Kennedy at his 45th birthday gala and fundraiser at Madison Square Garden. She shimmied onstage, shed a white fur coat to reveal the sparkly skin-tight dress, and delivered a sultry, breathy "Happy Birthday."

Afterwards, JFK said to the crowd, "I can now retire from politics after having had Happy Birthday sung to me in such a sweet, wholesome way."

Many historians believe Kennedy and Monroe had a romantic relationship.

Notably, Ripley's in Grand Prairie is just about 12.5 miles from the JFK Memorial and Sixth Street Museum in downtown Dallas.

Designed by French-born costume designer Jean Louis, the sheer dress was embellished with more than 6,000 hand-sewn rhinestones and created the illusion that Monroe was wearing almost nothing at all — a daring fashion statement that helped cement the "Happy Birthday" moment in pop culture history.

The dress is considered one of the most famous garments ever worn. In 2016, Ripley's purchased it for $4.8 million, a price that at the time made it the most expensive dress ever sold at auction.

In 2022, they loaned it to Kim Kardashian to wear to the Met Gala. It was reportedly returned with some missing crystals and stretched seams.

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A post shared by Kim Kardashian (@kimkardashian)

Visitors to the Grand Prairie museum will be able to see the gown up close, along with additional memorabilia tied to Monroe's life, career, and legacy, an an exhibition called "Happy 100th Birthday, Marilyn Monroe."

"Marilyn Monroe remains one of the most recognizable icons in pop culture history," Ripley Entertainment regional manager Rachel Rotella said in a statement. "With visitors looking for unique experiences across North Texas this summer, this is a rare opportunity to see Marilyn Monroe's dress that represents one of the most unforgettable moments in Hollywood history."

The Monroe display is included with regular admission to Ripley's, which features hundreds of oddities, artifacts, and interactive exhibits. The exhibit opens June 5 and will be on display for a limited time.

pop culture history celebrities fashion museums