IRVING, TX
Sandwiched between Dallas and Fort Worth, the city of Irving, TX has chiseled out its own particular culture and offerings, combining small-town charm with big-city attractions. For groups visiting the city, here are some highlights to keep in mind.
DAY 1: HEART OF HORSE COUNTRY
10:00 AM
Begin your visit with a leisurely ride through the Mandalay Canal via gondola. Attendees might think they are in Venice for a second when relaxing in this Texas take on the romantic watercrafts provided by Gondola Adventures (which owns one of the only approximately 400 remaining authentic Venetian gondolas in the world). Each boat can accommodate two to six passengers, with larger cruises available as well.
6:00 PM
Starting in 2017, groups can add the Irving Music Factory to their itineraries. Walking distance from the Irving Convention Center, this all-in-one entertainment district will offer concerts, food festivals, fashion shows, and a wealth of restaurants and shopping (not to mention the 8,000-seat Pavilion amphitheater).
DAY 2: STEP INTO THE PAST
11:00 AM
A visit to Heritage Park gives attendees a chance to learn about the railroads that made the city what it is today, as the Irving's original railroad depot has been restored, along with the city's first library, and a cabin originally built in the 1880s.
3:00 PM
Surrounding the park is the vibrant Heritage District, packed with antique shops, a commemorative wall depicting the city's history, and the restored Heritage House -- one of the Irving's first homes, which now houses the Irving Heritage Society. Free tours are conducted from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. the first Sunday of every month.
6:00 PM
Stop for a bite at the nearby Big State Fountain & Grill, an old-fashioned diner that's been serving up burgers, shakes, and fries since the 1950s. The car buffs in your group will want to stop by on Saturdays, when the diner hosts weekly Classic Car Cruises from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
DAY 3: CULTURE AND COCKTAILS
11:00 AM
Make some time for one of the city's unusual museums. Irving is home to the National Scouting Museum (next door to the Boy Scouts of America's national headquarters), as well as the Ruth Paine House Museum (the 1,250-square-foot home where Lee Harvey Oswald stayed the night before assassinating President John F. Kennedy).
5:00 PM
Get a taste of Texas at one of the city's many top-notch restaurants, from the masterful smoked meat at FM Smokehouse, to the steaks and seafood (and cigars) of Cool River Café, to the Southwestern offerings and margaritas of Via Real.