With group settings and romantic date nights, a gondola ride is never a bad idea. (Visit Irving)
From stampeding mustangs to gondola rides around a lake, learn about all the fun things to do in Irving, just a few miles northwest of Dallas.
Irving is less than a 15-mile drive from Dallas, but the city has a unique charm. With canals, gondolas, and impressive architecture, there’s a bit of a European vibe going on. Of course, that vibe is paired with classic Texas hospitality. All that adds up to plenty of terrific things to do in Irving, from water activities to historical deep dives.
Hop into our guide to see the top things to do in Irving, starting with a stunning sculpture.
1. Gallop with the Mustangs of Las Colinas
Head over to Williams Square Plaza, where you’ll encounter one of the most iconic public sculptures in the United States. The Mustangs of Las Colinas features nine bronze mustangs galloping across a granite stream. The sculpture represents Irving’s bold spirit, and residents and visitors alike can admire its majestic beauty. You may never sit at the finish line of a horse race, but the Mustangs will give you an equally thrilling adventure.
2. Take your time at the Las Colinas Flower Clock
Not one to wear a watch? At the Las Colinas Flower Clock, it’s always tulip thirty. Okay, that’s not technically accurate—the clock regularly gets updated with seasonal floral displays, so the flowers do change—but we can’t resist a good opportunity for wordplay. You can find this blooming timepiece in the Las Colinas Urban Center. And the bounty of flowers might inspire you to give your own garden a boost, too.
3. Stroll the Mandalay Canal
The Flower Clock isn’t the only attraction of Las Colinas Urban Center. You’ll get a taste of an elegant vintage charm walking along the Mandalay Canal. The canal meanders through a mix of shops, restaurants, hotels, homes, and office buildings, with gorgeous views of waterfalls, vine-tressed bridges, and a feel of life in the Venice waterways.
4. Join the Irving Marathon Running Series
I’ve run a marathon exactly one time in my life. I was probably in the best physical shape I’ll ever achieve, and I still struggled through the final ten miles or so. In fact, I cramped up so intensely that I could barely stand upright for the next week after the marathon. While another marathon may be out of the question, a 5K is just the right amount of running for me.
That makes the Irving Marathon Running Series appealing to runners of all skill levels. Feeling like you can do 26.2 miles without breaking a sweat? Go for it. Prefer a shorter distance, like a 5K or 10K? Just about every race includes those options, too. The runs include free photography and giveaways and are often themed, with Oktoberfest, Frost Marathon, Fiesta de Mayo, and Paws Colinas highlighting the upcoming events.
5. Kayak or paddle boat on Lake Carolyn
The 87-acre man-made Lake Carolyn offers ample fun water activities, including kayaking, paddleboarding, and swan and duck pedal boats. You can rent equipment to head out onto the lake or even take paddleboarding lessons. Your legs might shake as you gain your footing, but the “penalty” of failing is simply tumbling into refreshing cool water. There are worse punishments out there, especially during the summer. Should you prefer to stay dry, walk or bike around the lake, or visit a number of waterfront restaurants with picturesque skyline views.
6. Share your heart on Love Lock Bridge
Even if you don’t take a gondola ride, visiting Love Lock Bridge is a … ahem, lovely date night idea. Inspired by the Pont des Arts Bridge in Paris, Love Lock Bridge is an opportunity for romance to blossom. Visiting lovebirds attach a lock to the bridge’s rails with their initials, names, hearts, or dates carved into the lock. They then toss the key into the canal, symbolizing a love so strong it can never be broken. You’ll find the bridge on Las Colinas Blvd, right by the Waterway Tower.
7. Rock out at the Toyota Music Factory
The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory is Irving’s premier entertainment district, featuring restaurants, bars, theaters, and plenty of open-air seating. The plaza regularly welcomes festivals, pop-up events, and free concerts, so you can dance like nobody’s watching (or like everybody’s watching if you crave the spotlight). Touring acts swing through the Irving Music Factory to keep the music going. Before you head out, be sure to snap a photo with the pavilion’s catchy mural.
8. Discover history at the Ruth Paine House Museum
When most people welcome guests into their homes, the visit typically goes without incident. In the case of Ruth Paine, she wound up in the middle of one of America’s biggest tragedies. Ruth met Marina Porter at a party in April 1963 and let the pregnant woman and her daughter stay in her home. On November 21, 1963, Marina’s husband, Lee Harvey Oswald, came to the house to pick up curtain rods. It was his last night of freedom—the following day, he assassinated John F. Kennedy as the president traveled through Dallas. Today, the home has been turned into a reconstruction of the time, with holograms telling authentic stories of the people within the walls. The City of Irving owns the Ruth Paine House Museum and offers tours every weekday.
9. Go on a gondola adventure
You don’t need to travel all the way to Italy for a proper romantic experience. Gondola Adventures takes you through scenic canals on an authentic Venetian gondola—no passport required. These private rides are customizable, with options like a breakfast or dessert cruise or a ride to Love Lock Bridge, where you can add your own swooning customized contribution. Unlike in Italy, which takes an entire month in August, you can ride around Lake Carolyn any time of year.
10. Do a little train spotting
“Trainspotting,” the film, might be a little dark, though the activity of train spotting can be quite delightful. There are some good spots around Irving to watch trains rolling by, such as along Rock Island Road and at Northgate Park. Or, go to Heritage Park to see a replica of the Rock Island Depot built in 1903 and imagine the original days of traveling by rail in the early 20th century. Beyond trains, Heritage Park is also home to the city’s first water tower, windmill, and library. It’s also where you’ll find Caster Cabin, an 1887 building that’s one of Irving’s oldest structures.
11. Get creative at the Irving Arts Center
The Irving Arts Center offers fun for the whole family. Kids can take summer classes and learn vital life skills like drawing dragons from professional art educators and artists. The center also regularly puts on shows and events for visitors. And the art galleries, which are free to the public, regularly feature creative exhibitions. Current exhibits include “Portraits of Dementia” and “We’ve Been Framed,” a showcase of pieces from volunteers at Irving’s Department of Arts & Culture.
