DART Adventures in North Texas
Thirsting for adventure? Let DART help you explore the world that’s right in your backyard.
A ‘new urban’ experience in Addison
Addison is an urbanist hot spot. A quarter-mile from a transit center served by 14 bus routes, you’ll find Italian food, Latin fare, New York-style pizza, taverns, sports bars and an English pub, all clustered around the namesake circle. There’s live theater, too, at the innovative WaterTower Theatre, a small playhouse that is one of the region’s flagship institutions. Popular festivals take place in Addison Circle Park, right next to the transit center.
Addison Transit Center
Small town vibes in Carrollton
Carrollton was built around the railroads in the 1870s. Many of the buildings built near the tracks still line the town square – only now they’re next to DART Rail. The historic downtown is more vital than ever, with a mix of local restaurants, mom-and-pop shops, and even a rock-climbing facility housed in an old grain silo.
Downtown Carrollton Station
Out of the loop in Dallas
It’s not hard to identify the big attractions and vibrant nightlife in downtown Dallas. There’s the Arts District, for starters, with its showpiece buildings and first-rate institutions. But downtown is also a home base for transit forays into some of the city’s coolest neighborhoods. You’re never more than a couple of DART Rail stops from iconic Deep Ellum, a hotbed of music and art; the Cedars, an urban neighborhood that has become an entertainment destination; and the shopping and dining of West Village, gateway to the broader Uptown neighborhood. Bishop Arts District, with its diverse restaurants and shops, is just a short streetcar ride away.
Deep Ellum Station, Cedars Station, Cityplace/Uptown Station
A walk-through history in Farmers Branch
The Farmers Branch Historical Park is a 27-acre outdoor gem that is both park and museum, and features numerous 19th-century buildings, including a train depot, school and old church. While you’re there, check out the Antique Rose Garden, where the flowers are grown without commercial fertilizers or pesticides. In addition to roses of all sizes, the fragrant respite includes a daylily display. If you want to follow your visit with evening entertainment, just cross the street, where you’ll find a more than 60-year-old fire station converted into The Firehouse Theatre, a mainstay local performance venue.
Farmers Branch Station
A Saturday in Garland
Downtown Garland shows the city’s rustic, rural roots. It’s a charmer: Local specialty shops, eateries and a great brewpub ply their trade in a historic neighborhood that feels like a small town in the city. The eclectic shopping ranges from ceramics to vintage clothing, and there’s a great farmers market that starts in May. There’s even an old-fashioned feed store. For entertainment, you’ll find musicals, plays and concerts at both the Granville Arts Center and the
Plaza Theatre, an Art Deco gem. Sometimes you can catch a free movie at the a latter. Afterwards, a nightcap is a definite option.
Downtown Garland Station
A tale of two cities in Irving
Las Colinas is a bustling, growing enclave of shiny buildings, with restaurants, canals and a truly one-stop entertainment option: the Toyota Music Factory, which boasts a concert venue, Alamo Drafthouse cinema, and plenty of dining and sipping options. You’ll find the flip side of this modern mecca in the Downtown Heritage District, with its quaint architecture, low-key shopping and numerous restaurants, including an honest-to-goodness soda fountain.
Las Colinas Urban Center Station, Downtown Irving/Heritage Crossing Station
Artfully done in Plano
There’s a reason they call it the Downtown Plano Arts District. The neighborhood is bursting with cultural venues: The Courtyard Theater, Cox Playhouse, Gallery@Courtyard, ArtCentre of Plano and Interurban Railway Museum. McCall Plaza and Haggard Park host several live music series. The neighborhood itself artfully blends old and new. While you’re there, visit one of many restaurants and taverns, or check out the cool array of boutiques.
Downtown Plano Station
A night at the theater in Richardson
Eisemann Center for Performing Arts brings new meaning to “eclectic.” The arts venue with a cool, modern design hosts musicals, comedy and drama, stand-up performers, monologists – you name it. For pre- or post-theater dinner or drinks, head to the next rail station, where the CityLine development offers a selection of restaurants and retail in a walkable environment.
Galatyn Park Station, CityLine/Bush Station
An Afternoon in Rowlett
Get off the Blue Line in Rowlett, and a slower pace envelops you. The town’s main drag is re-laxed, and The Village of Rowlett Downtown – a multiuse project in the center of town – has helped spark a renaissance. The city and the development regularly host events on Main Street, including an Easter Eggstravaganza, a Memorial Day celebration and a farmers’ market that ramps up in May. Additionally, you’ll find cute boutiques, a coffeehouse, restaurants and a brewpub.
Downtown Rowlett Station
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