Texas unearths new ranking as 2nd best state for urban treasure hunting

HIDDEN GEMS

Photo by Evgeniy Kozlov on Unsplash

The folks behind the big Art Quest summer scavenger hunts around Dallas are on to something: Texans love to treasure hunt.

Texas has ranked No. 2 in LawnStarter's 2023 "Best States for Urban Treasure Hunting" report. The Lone Star State has the most metal detecting sites, pawn shops, flea markets, and geocaching locations (a total of 226!) in the nation, the report says. Additionally, the state has the second-higuhest number of treasure hunting groups and geo-tours, and the third-highest number of storage unit auctions.

Those who are new to the hobby and want to find some new gear, worry not: Texas also has the second-highest number of mining, metal detecting, and hardware supply stores out of all 50 states. (Just be aware that you can't metal detect in state parks without a permit.)

For anyone who thinks metal detectorists find only junk, remember this story from a few months back, when a Dallas resident unearthed a class ring dating back to the early '90s and was able to reunite it with its long-lost owner?

The only state to outrank Texas is California, which the report called "a fitting outcome" for the Golden State, considering its history of gold mining in the mid-19th century and popularity in local communities. Washington, also known as "the birthplace of geocaching," ranked No. 4.

The top 10 states for urban treasure hunting include:

No. 1 – California
No. 2 – Texas
No. 3 – Florida
No. 4 – Washington
No. 5 – New York
No. 6 – Pennsylvania
No. 7 – Virginia
No. 8 – Ohio
No. 9 – Missouri
No. 10 – Arizona

At the bottom five of LawnStarter's list are Rhode Island (No. 46), Delaware (No. 47), Montana (No. 48), Wyoming (No. 49), and North Dakota (No. 50).

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Here's the 411 on how to take DART to the State Fair of Texas

DART News

The countdown is on to the State Fair of Texas, taking place September 29-October 22, and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is here with transportation tips.

You can take DART and enjoy an air-conditioned ide without having to find parking or battling traffic and get dropped off at one of two gates on the fairgrounds.

Green Line
To get to the Fair, ride DART’s Green Line to Fair Park Station, located on Parry Avenue at the entrance to the fairgrounds, or to MLK, Jr. Station, located south of R.B. Cullum Boulevard and convenient to the Gate 6 entrance and the Cotton Bowl Stadium.

To get to the Green Line:

Southbound Red, Blue, and Orange Line passengers – transfer to the Green Line at Pearl/Arts District Station.
Northbound Red and Blue Line passengers – transfer to the Green Line at Akard Station.
Eastbound Orange Line passengers – transfer to the Green Line at Bachman Station.

Schedule
Extra Green Line trains will run between Victory Station and Lawnview Station Monday-Friday 9 am-3 pm, and Saturday-Sunday from 9 am-6 pm. During those hours, trains on that portion of the Green Line will run approximately every 10 minutes.

Every day during the fair’s 24-day run, all Orange Line trains will offer extended service to Parker Road Station.

All rail lines will operate on a 20-minute frequency until 10 pm daily.

DCTA
Customers using the Denton County Transportation Authority should check DCTA.net for departure and arrival times to connect at Trinity Mills Station to DART's Green Line.

Trinity Railway Express (TRE)
Trinity Railway Express (TRE) will operate on all four Sundays during the fair on a Saturday schedule.

TRE passengers can transfer to the Green Line at Victory Station. Look for trains saying, "Fair Park," "Buckner," or "Lawnview." Details are at TrinityRailwayExpress.org/StateFair.

DART tickets
A Local Day Pass is $6, and is good for DART Rail, local buses, and riding the TRE between DFW Airport/CentrePort Station and EBJ/Union Station. Tarrant and Denton County customers need a Regional Day Pass for $12. Details are available at DART.org/StateFair or by calling DART Customer Service at 214-979-1111.

Contactless payments
DART offers four contactless options for fast, safe, and convenient purchase of tickets.

1. GoPass app: Download the latest version of the app for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Just be sure to activate your DART pass before you board.

2. GoPass Tap card: Available at hundreds of participating retailers, GoPass Tap is the reloadable transit card that automatically gives you the best fare every time you ride. Simply tap your card to a reader on a DART rail platform or bus prior to boarding, and your fare is deducted automatically. (Note: GoPass Tap cards are valid for local fares only. GoPass Tap cards are not valid for travel on TEXRail, DCTA, or Trinity Metro.)

3. Credit or debit card: Buy your DART pass with any contactless credit or debit card. Just tap your contactless card to a reader on a DART rail platform or bus prior to boarding.

4. Mobile device: Using your preferred mobile payment app – such as Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay – tap your mobile device to a reader on a DART rail platform or bus to buy your pass.

Save on fair admission with DART GoPass
Use the promo code provided in the DART GoPass app to receive $5 off fair admission Monday-Friday, or $7 on Saturdays and Sundays. Enter the code 23DART when purchasing your fair admission on the State Fair of Texas website.

Service changes
Fair days are always busy days on DART rail and buses. Please visit DART.org/statefair to view the special DART Rail schedules.

DART Alerts
DART makes it easier to keep up with transit information with My DART Updates. Register to receive important updates that make for a better riding experience. Subscribe at DART.org/email.

Two football games
Ride DART to the State Fair Classic between the Grambling State Tigers and Prairie View A&M Panthers on September 30. The Allstate Red River Rivalry game between The University of Texas Longhorns and the University of Oklahoma Sooners is on October 7.

The 8 can't-miss galas and parties of fall for Dallas young professionals

Not your grandma's galas

Dallas young professionals will be working hard and playing hard for their favorite causes this fall. Organizations all over the city - from arts groups and museums to health-focused charities - are working hard to cultivate a new generation of big-hearted patrons and philanthropists. And they're doing so with epic parties and high-octane, black-tie balls. Here are the eight must-attend events of the season for Dallas YPs. For a longer list of Dallas galas this fall, go here.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Gala After-Party, September 30
If the full $1,250 DSO gala evening is a stretch, there’s a popular option for young professionals that includes just the concert and after-party. This year's Gala Concert stars maestro Fabio Luisi and the DSO with pianist Emanuel Ax playing Chopin and mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard singing selections from the opera Carmen. Afterwards, a “Midnight in Paris”-themed party will rev up in the Meyerson lobby, with live music by Q The Band. Guests can expect cocktails and bites while dancing the night away; tickets to the concert and after-party start at $140. Find out more about the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Young Professionals group on their Facebook page.

Dallas Opera Crescendo Opening Night Celebration, October 13
The Dallas Opera’s Crescendo networking and social group helps to make opera fun and relevant for a whole new generation of patrons (ages 21-45). Members can enjoy pre-show mixers before performances, and get significant discounts to each show. This fall, members also will receive a special invitation to an Opening Night Celebration to welcome Dallas Opera’s 2023-24 season. Crescendo Memberships are $60 for an individual and $120 for two, available here.

African American Museum, Dallas' Disco Gala, October 21
The African American Museum's Young Professionals Council just relaunched, and now it's time for YPs to get their groove on with museum patrons at the Disco Gala and Auction. The 35th annual gala celebrates the museum's 30th anniversary since opening in its building in Fair Park and supports its many programs and exhibitions. The gala will take place at the Renaissance Dallas Hotel and will include a reception, seated dinner, awards, and dancing the night away to The Dennis Edwards Temptation Revue. Attire is cocktail - or "divine disco." Tickets, $200, are available here.

AT&T Performing Arts Center Turn Up the Lights, October 21
The AT&T Performing Arts Center Auxiliary Board hosts its fourth annual Turn Up The Lights fundraiser, meant to be an exclusive event for Dallas' new wave of arts patrons, ages 25-49, invested in supporting the Center's mission as a cultural hub. An alternative to the Center's higher-priced Bravo! Gala in November, this ticket starts at just $50 and promises an evening filled with live music, dance, food, and drinks. The multi-level event will unfold across different levels of the Wyly Theatre, starting outdoors on the Brierley Esplanade. Performances will be given by Clover the Violinist, DJ Endolena, Dr. Gorilla, Aurora Bleu, and The Manhattan Band. The night will include food, raffles, and a speakeasy presented by Wild Turkey. Tickets to the 21+ event are here.

BubblyQ, October 26
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the Young Texans Against Cancer's champagne-infused fundraiser at Fearing’s at the Ritz-Carlton remains one of the most popular fall fundraisers on the Dallas YP scene. In addition to bites from top local restaurants selected by chef Dean Fearing (Eataly, El Carlos Elegante, Monarch, Meridian, Salum, and more) there’ll be cocktails by Parliament, an epic silent auction, beats by Jaxon Taylor, and a rockin’ after-party. All proceeds support local cancer initiatives. Tickets are $200 or $50 just for the after-party, available here.

Dallas Autumn Ball, November 3
Hard to believe this high-energy, black-tie dance party is 10 years old. Established in 2013, the be-seen gala of fall welcomes young professionals to Hotel ZaZa for a fun night benefiting local education-focused nonprofits. The special 10th anniversary edition will include a VIP pre-event dinner and exclusive glam portraits, dancing to the Ice House Band, a casino room, and more. This year’s proceeds benefit Philanthropy Kids. Tickets are $175 or $250 for VIP, available here.

Junior League Auction Party, November 4
Themed “Leagueapalooza,” this year’s Junior League of Dallas party heads to House of Blues for a night of silent auctions, live music, dancing, food and drinks, and more surprises - all in a festival atmosphere. (Be sure to wear your best "music festival chic.") Auction Party benefits the Junior League of Dallas Community Service Fund. Tickets are $125 or $250 for the full VIP experience, which starts an hour early; available here.

Millennial Gala, November 11
The 2023 Dallas Millennial Gala moves to an exciting new location: the new JW Marriott Hotel in the Dallas Arts District. The black-tie ball that touts itself as a “celebratory charity event for changemakers that support STEM education, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship for underserved students” will recognize and celebrate eight changemakers in business and philanthropy. Theme: “The Art of Change.” Attendees can expect drinks and bites, dancing to live music and DJ, a fashion show, and much more. Proceeds will benefit Big Thought and Junior Achievement; tickets ($50-$160 for earlybird through October 1) are here.

Photo courtesy of Millennial Clubs

Dallas Millennial Gala moves to an exciting new location this year.

New H-E-B stores in DFW top this week's 5 hottest Dallas headlines

This week's hot headlines

Editor's note: A lot happened this week, so here's your chance to get caught up. Read on for the week's most popular headlines. Looking for the best things to do this weekend? Find that listhere.

1. H-E-B continues Dallas expansion with 3 new supermarkets in the suburbs. Texas supermarket chain H-E-B continues its Dallas-Fort Worth expansion, with three new stores in the works. The retailer is opening stores in Melissa, Prosper, and Rockwall. This comes just as the chain opens a new store in Allen.

2. Country's largest hot springs pool complex coming to Grandscape in The Colony. The newest attraction headed to Grandscape in The Colony is a wellness spa-amusement park: WorldSprings, a nine-acre outdoor mineral springs experience, will debut in spring 2024.

3. Award-winning Mexican restaurant hits the jackpot at new location in Denton. A DFW restaurant that's earned national acclaim has opened in Denton: El Rincón del Maiz, previously of Garland, is now located at 1431 E. McKinney St. in Denton where it's winning over locals with its Tex-Mex classics and vegan dishes.

4. New burger joint in McKinney with chef toppers and full bar is a sizzler. McKinney has a new burger joint that is already lighting up the Collin County foodie scene. Called Loyo Burger, it's part of the Local Yocal empire, and is newly opened in downtown McKinney at 216 W. Virginia St. #102.

5. Pickleball-restaurant with chef-level food paddles into Farmers Branch. A new pickleball concept is paddling into Farmers Branch: Called At Fault, it's a pickleball-restaurant facility, opening its first DFW location at 2330 Jett St., in spring 2024.

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