Arlington, Texas, not typically known as a tourist hotbed, is pulling out all the stops this weekend with a plethora of activities that promise to keep residents and visitors alike busy from dawn till dusk. Whether your idea of fun involves splashing around in the city's aquatic centers, mingling with beloved blue creatures, or soaking up contemporary art, Arlington seems to have it all.
According to the City of Arlington, the Bad Königshofen Family Aquatic Center, and other such pools, along with splash pads, are open for the season. Families can find respite from the heat until Labor Day, making the most of these last summer days. On a similar note, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is ready to welcome thrill-seekers daily. Tickets can be purchased straight from their website.
For something with a more cultural bend, the Arlington Museum of Art is playing host to "The Smurf Experience," a 13,000-square-foot interactive space inviting guests to dive into the heart of Smurf Village. With a limited engagement till the end of summer, the 75-minute escapade includes scavenger hunts and virtual reality adventures. "Beyond Borders: Contemporary Visions of Latin America," showcasing the artistic expressions of Latin America, is also on display at Wellspring on Main till this coming Thursday.
Statue dedications might not be everyone's cup of tea, but when it’s a full-size bronze honor of Adrian Beltré, Rangers fans might want to make an exception. The dedication ceremony, slated for today at 2:30 p.m. outside Globe Life Field, is open to the public at no charge. For those seeking a more literary weekend, the "Bookish Bazaar" at the Inclusion Coffee Shop is the place to be, featuring an array of vendors for book enthusiasts, and a Silent Book Club meetup at Just Love Coffee Cafe, where readers can gather without the traditional book club pressures.
Sports enthusiasts have their share too; the Wings basketball games are happening on Friday and Sunday, with Celebrate Arlington and Celebración Latina events, respectively. Arlington's own Cowboys are playing a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons; tickets are still up for grabs at SeatGeek.com. And if baseball is more your sport, the Texas Rangers are hosting a weekend series against the Cleveland Guardians with tickets available on the Rangers’ website.
