Tourist attractions in arlington

Some of the best places are the ones nobody talks about; the ones that are almost hidden from view; the ones stumbled upon at random. One such little-known place is a museum called the Sewing Machine Museum, located at 804 W. Abram Street. There is a small sign near an antique shop that promotes the Sewing Machine Museum. This small building displays over 80 machines, some dating back to the 1850s. There is a Singer treadle machine that the proprietors allow children to "play" with, and it really works. This is quite a step into the past and has a lot to offer to sewing aficionados. If you like to spend time wandering around, stop in for a little while. There is a small admission fee, but it's worth it to see all the antiques.

Another blast from the past includes the Jopling-Melear log cabin and the Northside School, a one-room schoolhouse. Both of these buildings are located in Knapp Heritage Park, about a block away from City Hall on Abram Street, and were built in the last 1800s. These are two historical buildings that are currently used mainly by schools to teach children about the past and to show how people functioned with fewer conveniences. The furnishings were sparse and of course there was no electricity back then. It must have been quite a chore to do homework on little hand-held chalkboards by lamplight.

Looking for more contemporary attractions? Try mini-golf. Mountasia Fantasy Golf is a miniature- golf park located at 111 Waldrop Drive off Interstate 30. Besides the token windmill, bumpy greens, and gift shop, it also has a cave, a cool stairway, a giant giraffe, and a small waterfall. Try to visit in the early evening; because the cave is lit up inside and you can play right through it. The courses are set up to allow for a casual stroll through a nice setting that is fairly serene, even though you are almost sitting on the highway. This place is no more expensive than a Golden Triangle mini-golf park and it offers so much more, that it's worth the drive.

July the 4th is celebrated nationwide, but Arlington, Texas has one of the largest parades in America. More than 150 exhibitors and bands show for this extravaganza that is free. Held in the University of Texas/downtown area, there are military color guards, clowns, exotic cars-new and old, and city officials riding in open-air vehicles with local contest queens and princesses. There are also many Independence Day-themed floats to thrill sightseers of all ages.

Also in Arlington is the Ameriquest Texas Rangers Ballpark, located at 1000 Ballpark Way. There are tours available for families or large groups at this 270-acre facility that includes a museum, youth ballpark, gift shop, and restaurant. The Legends of the Game museum is also an interactive learning center to test your skill against players like Nolan Ryan. To visit both the museum and take a guided tour of Ameriquest Park, admission is $10.00 for adults and $6.00 for kids. The Grand Slam gift shop has unique baseball items on display as well as for sale. There are also Texas Ranger memorabilia and sports wear in stock. Open 7 days a week, April through September. Rawlings All-American Grille offers sandwiches, sodas, pasta, seafood, and low-carb items, as well as a Kids menu. The Grille is open year round and has over 100 TVs (some big screen) to watch your favorite games simultaneously. Get a personalized, engraved Rawlings bat at their Making of the Game booth inside this baseball artifact-decorated restaurant.

Ready to stay outside for a day? Try Six Flags Over Texas or Hurricane Harbor:

Six Flags Over Texas is themed after the six different flags that have ruled over Texas. These flags include the Republic of Texas, the Confederacy, France, Mexico, Spain, and United States. This huge park has something for everyone; whether it be water rides; thrill rides, caricature drawings of friends and family, or visiting restaurants, musicals, Wild West shootouts, and climbing the oil derrick observation tower. This park could take up to two days to thoroughly explore and enjoy to the fullest. Rides are grouped into park sections named after each of the ruling flags. Ride the Sombrero in Spain, the Runaway Mine Train in the Confederacy, Splashwater Falls in the U.S., the Texas Chute Out in Texas, etc. Many rides take photographs while the rides are running so folks can have personal souvenirs to prove their bravery. Have some old-fashioned taffy in Texas, or take a sepia-toned photograph in the photoshop where costumes and props are provided. A tram brings visitors in from the parking lot, maps are provided of the park, and there are personal lockers for 25 cents at the entrance and throughout the park. Open April through December, tickets start at $24.99 for visitors under 48 inches tall, and $41.99 for adults. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office. Season passes include all normal park days, plus Fright Fest in October, and Holiday in the Park in December.

Hurricane Harbor opens yearly in May and is located at Ballpark Way and Lamar Blvd. There are three lagoons with waterfalls and a place for tanning on the side decks, a Lazy River for inner tube enthusiasts, and 13 individual and two-person flumed/towered water ride slides. There is also the Bubba Tub--a ride that starts on top of a 70-foot platform, holds four people at a time, and then winds down around a 300 foot "creek". Admission is $22.99 for kids under 48 inches tall, and 29.99 for adults. There is also a fee for parking.