ARLINGTON

Population 270,655

Altitude 616

General

The first settlement in Caddo Indian territory was Bird's Fort on the Trinity River; in 1845 a trading post was established at Mary le Bone Springs. About 1876 the town moved to its present site when the railroad was built through.

Agriculturally oriented until World War II, the strategic area between Dallas and Fort Worth has since experienced mushrooming growth from business, industrial and recreational factors. Arlington State College (founded in 1895) became the University of Texas at Arlington in 1965.

AIR COMBAT

ANTIQUE SEWING MACHINE MUSEUM

FAMILY GOLF CENTER

FUNSPHERE

MOUNTASIA FANTASY GOLF

PARKS

SIX FLAGS OVER TEXAS

TEXAS RANGERS BASEBALL CLUB

TEXAS STATE MUSEUM OF HISTORY

UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY

VISITOR CENTER

WET 'N WILD

Attractions

AIR COMBAT- Flight simulators allow visitors to experience the thrill of being military pilots! Simulators are actual jet aircraft cockpits mounted on hydraulic motion base that "pilots" control. flights start with short ground school and mission briefing before suiting up in complete flight gear. Simulation takes about 1 1/2 hours. Reservation required. Open daily. Minimum height, 4' 8". Located at 921 Six Flags Drive #117. Call 817-640-1886.
ANTIQUE SEWING MACHINE MUSEUM - A quaint museum that features some 100 different sewing machines, 24 dating during and before the War Between the States. The oldest is an 1858 Wheeler and Wilson. Also exhibits on sewing patterns, buttons, and sewing tools that have been used for more than 100 years. Kids are allowed to sew on singer treadle machine. Open Monday thru Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Located at 804 West Abram St. Call 817-275-0971. An admission is charged.
FAMILY GOLF CENTER - Provides recreational and instructional activities on golf for the entire family. Features practice driving ranges, sand bunkers, instructional classes, two 18 hole miniature golf courses, and a video arcade. Driving range, tee boxes and miniature golf courses lighted for night play. Open Sun - Thurs from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (11 p.m. Friday and Saturday) Located at 1301 Green Oaks Blvd. Call 817-261-6312. Admission is charged.
FUNSPHERE - Wet n' Wild's year round family entertainment fun center features two 18 hole miniature golf course, batting and fielding cages for various skill levels; Slick Track, a slightly ovaled, banked track with slick surfaces for specially constructed vehicles; Desert Storm Tanks with mechanized tanks pitted against each other, as well as infantry gunners along perimeter of "battle zone," kid's go-carts, bumper cars, and bumping boats. a 10,000 square foot arcade provides latest in electronic games. Snack bar and multipurpose facility for parties; catering available. Open daily. Hours are seasonal. All activities are priced individually. Adjacent to Wet 'n Wild. Located at Texas 360 North from I-30. Call 817-265-3356.
MOUNTASIA FANTASY GOLF - A 54 hole miniature golf course takes golfers through caves, waterfalls, and other obstacles. Can accommodate 500 golfers. 7,000 sq. ft. clubhouse includes latest video games available. Located at 1111 Wet 'n Wild Way off I-30. Call 817-460-3600. Admission.
PARKS - 48 parks, 4 multipurpose recreation centers, 6 public swimming pools, 20 ball fields, 26 lighted tennis courts, and 3 municipal golf courses. River Legacy Park in northern part of city along Trinity River is a 370 acre nature park with picnic facilities, jogging and bike trails.
SIX FLAGS OVER TEXAS - The famed 200 acre theme park features fun and fantasy in settings of lavish landscaping. Rides include breath-takers like the Texas Giant, a massive wooden roller coaster that climbs 143 feet into he sky, then takes off for a ride reaching a top speed of 62 mph (voted twice the top roller coaster in the world!), the Texas Chute-Out, a 17 story parachute drop, the Texas Cliff Hanger whose gondolas drop like falling elevators, and the huge Shock Wave double-loopo roller coaster ride that drops from a 125 foot tower and then careens through three loops at speeds of 55 mph, and just when you think it's over, you relive the experience - this time backwards! Elegant mid-1920's carousel, The Silver Star, restored to all its grandeur with some 66 prancing wooden horses, welcomes visitors just behind the park's landmark flags and fountain. Roaring Rapids offer white-water boating thrills. Looney Tunes Land is a charming area of "soft play" fun especially for younger kids; even facilities for infants. More than five hours of special shows, musical review, and the popular Batman stunt show, and puppet theater are available with all the rides on an all inclusive admission ticket. Food, beverages and souvenirs extra. Two day and season tickets available. Open weekends spring and fall, daily during summer. From I-30 between Dallas and Fort Worth, exit on Texas, 360 south.

Fright Fest at Halloween (three weekends in Oct.) features ghoulish decorations, ghost and goblins, haunted houses and special shows for the entire family.

"Holidays in the Park" features Christmas musicals, ice show, and Bugs Bunny holiday show. Giant sledding hill, complete with "snow," and holiday lights transform park into a glittering wonderland. Park is open weekends starting Fri. after Thanksgiving, nightly Dec 16 - 31 except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For exact dates call 817-640-8900.

TEXAS RANGERS BASEBALL CLUB - Home games of the American League Rangers are played in The Ballpark in Arlington in the season from Apr. through Sept. Most games are at 7:35 p.m. Exit at Stadium Exit from I-30 midway between Dallas and Fort Worth.
TEXAS STATE MUSEUM OF HISTORY - In brick prairie-style house once the home of Arlington community leader James Park Fielder. Permanent exhibits include turn-of-the-century barbershop, general store, bedroom, and basement with root cellar which includes laundry and train exhibit. Other exhibits of Arlington and area history, plus traveling exhibits. Open Wed. thru Fri. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sat and Sunday from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nearby historic cabins open by appointment. Located at 1616 W. Abram at Fielder Road. Call 817-460-4001. Exit south off I-30 at Fielder Road
UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY - Exhibits of art and architecture. Open Mon. thru Wed. from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thurs. f6 -8 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Weekend and extended hours during special shows. Located at Fine Arts Building at 600 S. Cooper Street.
VISITOR CENTER - Directions and details for local sites, events, hotels, restaurants and retail stores; open daily. Near entrance to Six Flags Over Texas at 921 Six Flags Drive.

WET 'N WILD - The state's largest water-oriented family recreation park features 10 separate entertainment areas. The park features rides such as the Black Hole, a futuristic ride through 500 twisting feet of completely enclosed black tubes accompanied by spaceship sound effects, and the Kamikaze slide that plunges down a 300 foot water speedway from 60 feet high. Experience ocean-sized waves in Surf Lagoon, dive into the bubble machine, ride a water trolley, experience the Raging Rapids through waterfalls, rain tunnels and whirlpools. Abundant water games for adults and kids of all ages; all inclusive admission ticket. Open weekends spring and fall; daily during summer. Located from I-30 between Dallas and Fort Wroth, take exit Texas 360 north or Texas 157 north to Lamar Blvd. Call 817-265-3356.

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