Hit the Road

Tip your hat to Garland, where diversity and cowboy culture blend

Here's a fun fact for your next trivia night: If you own a Resistol or Biltmore hat, it was likely made in Garland, the cowboy hat capital of Texas.

You'll find more than 10-gallons here, though, thanks to a diverse community that pours its culture and history into not only unique shopping but also restaurants, arts, and a whole year's worth of fun festivals and cool celebrations.

Here's a glimpse at what else is waiting in this North Texas city:

The great outdoors
Take a stroll among the wildflowers at the Spring Creek Forest Preserve or cycle your way through the Rowlett Creek Bike Trails. Ready to try four wheels? Execute an ollie or a kickflip at The Jon Comer Skatepark.

For something less heart-pounding, perfect your swing on 63 holes of championship-caliber golf over three courses at Firewheel Golf Park.

Experience the ultimate in lake life — if even only for a day — at Lake Ray Hubbard, which spans 21,000 acres and is great for fishing, skiing, and boating.

Let's celebrate
No matter what time of year you visit, there's bound to be a festival or other special event happening.

The beloved Garland Guzzler 0.5K race and Oktoberfest happen on September 23, 2023.

In October, get ready to experience an unforgettable day of festivities at the grand opening of the Downtown Garland Square on October 14 from 10 am-9 pm. As the sun sets, prepare to be wowed by a special musical appearance from the one and only LeAnn Rimes. It’s a day of unity, culture, and fun, marking a new era for the beloved Downtown Garland Square.

Later in the month, stop by for the Wheels of Hope Car Show on October 21, 2023.

Honor departed loved ones on November 1's Día de Los Muertos, then usher in the holiday spirit with A Garland Christmas on December 7, 2023.

In the New Year, Big Art Day arrives on April 1, 2024, or enjoy some tunes when the heart of Downtown Garland Square comes alive with the vibrant rhythms of live music all year-round. Want more music? The Asian Music Festival is set for May 18, 2024.

Celebrate Black culture with the Juneteenth celebration on June 15, 2024, at Audubon Park and then America's birthday during the Star-Spangled Spectacular on June 30, 2024, at Firewheel Town Center.

Get ready to cheer on the DFW Asian American Soccer Tournament July 22-23, 2024, at Winters Park.

Get cultured
Located in the heart of historic downtown Garland, the Granville Arts Center complex includes two magnificent proscenium theaters: the award-winning Atrium banquet facility and the exquisite art deco Plaza Theatre, which is home to Garland Summer Musicals. All venues are city-owned and operated.

Let's eat (and drink)
The food scene here includes Pangea, a restaurant owned by chef Kev Ashade who raise to fame after beating celebrity chef Bobby Flay on his own TV show.

Ferah Tex-Med Kitchen dishes up “modern Mediterranean with a Texas twist,” and the Garland Pho Real Trail boasts more than 20 authentic, family-owned Vietnamese restaurants.

Newcomers include Latham Bakery, Scoop n' Boba, and Fortunate Son.

Take your pick from two breweries: Lakewood Brewing Co. is a pioneer brewery and one of the original breweries that came on board when craft beer first emerged. Intrinsic Smokehouse & Brewery, meanwhile, offers delicious barbecue and craft beer in downtown Garland.

Shop 'til you drop
Wear your walking shoes, because Firewheel Town Center provides premier outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment with more than 110 stores.

But there's also plenty of unexpected shopping to be found here, where you can find rare and one-of-a-kind products.

Fall in love with your beginner or vintage guitar at Jimmy Wallace Guitars. Visit The Frocksy and Karin Wiseman Collection to discover marvelous and quirky items for you and your home. Stop by the Best Cowhides showroom and find exquisite, genuine leather rugs and purses. Or put together the perfect vintage outfit at Boogie Nights Vintage.

Rest your head
The most affordable hotel rates in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are in Garland. Hotels here are dedicated to cleanliness and have convenient access to President George Bush Highway, I-635/LBJ Freeway, and I-30. Many hotels are also within walking distance of Garland’s many diverse dining options.

Plan your perfect Garland getaway here.

Photo courtesy of Visit Garland

Live music takes over Downtown Garland Square year-round.

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GHOSTLY GETAWAYS

9 spooky Texas road trips to historic and haunted destinations

Photo by Digi Dream Grafix

The USS Lexington in Corpus Christi brings a spooky twist to its WWII history with ghost tours, paranormal investigations and other Halloween experiences.

If local pumpkin patches and haunted houses aren't quite scary enough, it is time to plan a Halloween-themed road trip. The brave can explore everything from haunted hotels and cemeteries to ghostly aircraft carriers, and even ride in a decked-out hearse. No plane tickets are required; just round up some brave friends, pack snacks, and hit the road for a weekend of one or more of these creepy thrills.

Austin

Driskill Hotel
After more than 100 years, the Driskill is one of Austin's oldest operating hotels and has plenty of ghostly lore. One of its most famous stories involves the spirit of Sam Houston's 5-year-old granddaughter, who sadly died at the bottom of the hotel's grand staircase and is said to still make an appearance periodically, especially on the hotel's 5th floor. Visitors can hear the tale for themselves on daily history tours at the hotel.

Haunted ATX
This tour takes customers to some of Austin's most haunted spots in a Cadillac limousine hearse. The tour makes stops around the city, where adventure-seekers even get out and explore the scary establishments for themselves.

Corpus Christi

USS Lexington
Known as the "Blue Ghost" because it served during WWII, the USS Lexington Museum is said to be one of the most haunted attractions on the Texas Gulf Coast. During Halloween season, visitors can take ghost tours, try their hands at paranormal investigations, or take on one of the country's only escape rooms located on a WWII aircraft carrier.

Galveston

Historic Galveston Ghost Tour
Galveston has no shortage of ghost stories, but one is getting national attention. Recently, a study by Magic Hour used TripAdvisor data to rank the Historic Galveston Ghost Tour as one of the top 15 ghost tours in the country, the only Texas tour mentioned on the list. The 90-minute experience tells stories of pirates, ghosts, historic buildings, and the natural disasters that have shaped Galveston.

Grand Galvez
One of the oldest beachfront hotels in the state is not only known for its luxury accommodations, but also for its resident spirits. The Grand Galvez, originally opened in 1911, has since gained a reputation for its most famous ghost, Audra, who took her own life after she learned her fiancé’s ship had sunk at sea. Today, guests can take a tour to learn about the hotel's paranormal activities, including mysterious apparitions and mischievous spirits.

Houston

Glenwood Cemetery
Over 60 acres of treelined grounds are dotted with elaborate mausoleums and monuments of some of Houston's most notable figures, but the serene cemetery is also said to have a darker side. The unsolved murder of the cemetery's owner and unusual EMF activity reported by ghost hunters add to the lore. The cemetery is open daily and free to explore, and Preservation Houston leads historical guided tours.

La Carafe
In downtown Houston, La Carafe still pours drinks in one of the city's oldest commercial buildings, which has operated since 1866. The dimly lit bar is known for its candlelit rooms, wooden floors, and antique charm, but it also has its fair share of spooky happenings, including unexplained noises, cold spots, and the occasional sighting of Carl, a former bartender whose spirit is said to hang around upstairs after dark.

San Antonio

Six Flags Fiesta Texas
This San Antonio theme park is going all out this year with the biggest Halloween celebration in its history. Through November 1, attendees can enjoy an all-new The Conjuring Universe maze, "Return of Saw: Legacy of Terror," seven scare zones, 25 interactive lantern points with hidden effects, and live entertainment. After dark, the park will transform with fog, mood lighting, and eerie music for a fully immersive experience.

Victoria's Black Swan Inn
This San Antonio hotel has earned its place on the list of the most haunted places in the country. Not only is it located on the grounds of a Native American encampment, but it was a part of the 1842 Battle of Salado. Over the years, people have reportedly seen the ghostly spirits of women, soldiers, and children on the property. Visitors can learn about the inn's haunted history on regularly scheduled tours.

Photo by Digi Dream Grafix

The USS Lexington in Corpus Christi brings a spooky twist to its WWII history with ghost tours, paranormal investigations and other Halloween experiences.

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