Irving - city in Dallas County, Texas

Irving is a city in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. Part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Irving has experienced exponential growth over the past fifty years, and is home to a multitude of attractions of all types, from modern art to major sporting events. Founded in 1902 out of the remnants of the small community of Kit, Irving is now a bustling city of approximately 197,000 residents.

Rather like Dallas, it is divided into a highly affluent northern half and less affluent but highly diverse southern half. It is bounded to the east by the northern fork (Elm Fork) of the Trinity River and to the northwest by the sprawling D/FW International Airport.

Get in

By car

Irving is bordered on the northwest by Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, one of the largest and busiest in the world. Access to the city from D/FW is quite easy, from Texas State Highway 183 (also known as Airport Freeway) on the south, and Texas State Highway 114 (John Carpenter Expressway) and Interstate 635 (Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway) on the north. Dallas' inner loop (Loop 12, or Walton Walker Blvd) borders the city on the east, and Irving is also the current southern terminus for the President George Bush Turnpike. Additionally, Irving is traversed by Texas State Highway 183 which runs between Dallas and Ft. Worth. It connects to both I-35E and I-35W that lead to other major interstates that lead all over the United States.

By public transportation

Irving is served by DART's Orange Line, the TRE, and a number of DART bus routes. From D/FW Airport, take the airside SkyTrain to Terminal A, then follow the signs to the DART rail station and board any train. Alternatively, you can head to the end of the platform and take a bus. From Love Field, take the LoveLink DART shuttle bus to Inwood/Love Field Station, then take the Orange Line bound for D/FW Airport Station.

Get around

By car

As in its larger neighbor Dallas, by far the fastest and most convenient way to get around Irving is by car. Several rental companies are available at each airport. Irving's streets are fairly easy to navigate, with most major thoroughfares laid out on a simple grid pattern. Major north-south streets are Belt Line Road, Story Road, MacArthur Blvd. and O'Connor Rd, and east-west include Walnut Hill Ln., Northgate Drive, Rochelle Rd., Irving Blvd. and Rock Island Road. During rush hour most of these streets (as well as the freeways serving the city) can become quite congested, so plan accordingly.

By public transportation

For those who prefer to avoid traffic altogether, Irving is also served by Dallas Area Rapid Transit, or DART, and the Trinity Railway Express, a rail link between downtown Dallas and Fort Worth, also passes through Irving. DART's Orange Line has six stops in Irving including the terminus at the airport and a local bus hub across the street from Irving Convention Center Station. The TRE makes two stops in Irving, and while its fares are surprisingly reasonable ($1.25 to Dallas) the stops are infrequent, especially on Saturdays, and there is no Sunday service. Getting around on DART and the TRE is covered more thoroughly in the Dallas article.

See

• The Mustangs of Las Colinas, 5215 N. O'Connor Blvd, 32.87056°, -96.93886°. Located in prestigious Williams Square in the Las Colinas development of Irving, the galloping mustangs nestled on an artificial river in an urban setting make a beautiful backdrop for photography.
• Lake Carolyn, 5215 N. O'Connor Blvd, 32.8684°, -96.93626°. A miniature imitation of San Antonio's Riverwalk, this small lake is home to a modest collection of single-location restaurants, a large convention center and music venue, and a small high-end shopping center. It is also surrounded by a jogging path and an elevated people-mover for commuters which begins at the DART station. Seasonal gondola rides are available for reservation.
• Irving Arts Center, 3333 N MacArthur Blvd, 32.8504°, -96.9607°, +1 972-252-2787. Lyric Stage and Irving Community Theatre. Live performances of Broadway shows where every seat has a great view. Art exhibits, events and exhibitions. 2017-01-28
• Mercury Radio Arts (Mercury Studios). Irving is home to Mercury Radio Arts, production company for TheBlaze TV, a conservative news/entertainment network founded by businessman Glenn Beck. The studios are located in the formerly titled "Movie Studios at Las Colinas". 2017-05-05

Do

While there is not really anything in Irving that could not be done in an afternoon, this suburb is filled with a wide mix of cultures from all over the world. What started as a handful of affluent subdivisions has also become a city of immigrants. This fusion has led to the development of restaurants and shopping centers that creates a uniquely American suburban experience.

• TPC Four Seasons, 32.8674°, -96.95437°. The home course for Dallas' PGA Tour event, The Byron Nelson Invitational. A very upscale course, the TPC is typically available only to guests at the Four Seasons Resort.
• Bear Creek Golf Club, 32.8623°, -97.0584°. The closest course to DFW Airport. It is very highly regarded and has 36 holes available. Many corporate events are hosted at Bear Creek.
• Campion Trail. A system of two unconnected hiking and biking trails loosely following the Trinity along Irving's southeastern and northeastern border. 2019-01-20

Buy

• Years to Your Health, 503 E. 2nd St (On E. 2nd St between Britain Rd and Lucille St.), +1 972 579-7042. F Sa M 10AM-6PM. An alternative health store. One can find herbs, incense, crystals, and books on natural healing. This place was converted to a store from someone's small house so it has a unique feel to it.
• Irving Mall, 32.83961°, -96.99692°. A shopping mall. 2017-07-26

Eat

• Villa's Grill, 137 S Main (Heritage District at Irving Blvd), +1 972-259-2939. Brazilian Grilled meats and sides served family style. lunch $11.90, dinner $18.90
• Mattito's, 1001 MacArthur Park Dr (At I-635), +1 214 379-0165. M-Th 11AM-9:30PM, F Sa 11AM-10:30PM, Su 10AM-9:30PM. Experience authentic Tex-Mex food and happy hour margaritas. $10-15 per person 2018-07-18

Splurge

• Via Réal, 4020 N MacArthur Blvd #100, +1 972-650-9001. "Gourmet Mexican with Santa Fe Style." Probably the highest-end Tex-Mex (not Mexican) restaurant in the Metroplex. Located next to the Four Seasons, across Byron Nelson Way.

Drink

Beer and wine is widely available: nearly all convenience and grocery stores have a large variety of beers and wines available. Only a handful of bars in the city allow patrons to smoke indoors - although most that do not allow this also have a patio where you can.

• Maac's Grill, 8150 N Macarthur Blvd (Las Colinas), +1 214 496-9464. Small, local bar just north of I635 & MacArthur Blvd. Serves a wide variety of Americana foods, and has 49-cent wings most nights. $2 Draft beers and $3 mixed drinks. Popular (and packed) Karaoke nights on Tuesdays & Saturdays. Features a large heated, cooled, and covered patio with downtown Dallas visible on clear nights. Tons of TV's visible from any seat in the house, always tuned to various sports. Friendly to an eclectic crowd - young & old, all races, colors, and creeds. Cheap
• Blue Fish, 925 West John Carpenter Freeway (Las Colinas at 114 & MacArthur Blvd), +1 972 385-3474. 2AM. Blue Fish is a Sushi Bar. A more expensive, more impressive option for drinks and food. Mid-Range

Sleep

Budget

• Wild Wild West Backpackers, 214 West 6th St, +1 945-400-6475. This hostel is a TRE train ride away from Union Station. It feels more like a student flat than a hotel, but the staff are friendly and the price is right. $21/night

• Jefferson Street Bed and Breakfast Inn, 512 S Jefferson Street, +1 972-253-2000. Located in quiet residential neighborhood. AAA approved, handicap accessible, private baths and air conditioning. Rates start at $85. 10 suites including a private cottage.

Mid-range

• DoubleTree by Hilton DFW Airport North, 4441 W. John Carpenter Freeway, +1-972-929-8181. Complimentary 24-hour DFW airport shuttle. Complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access and in-room refrigerators & microwaves.
• NYLO Las Colinas Irving Texas Hotel, 1001 W Royal Ln, +1 972-373-8900. NYLO Dallas Las Colinas features urban loft accommodations, hotel packages and free shuttle to Las Colinas area restaurants and boutique shopping.
• Courtyard Dallas DFW Airport South/Irving Hotel, 2280 Valley View Ln (2 miles SE Driving directions: South Exit, merge left on 183 East. First Exit, Valley View Lane. Turn left on Valley View, hotel on right.), +1 972-790-8990 ext 7604. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 1PM.
• Courtyard Dallas DFW Airport North/Irving, 4949 Regent Blvd, +1 972-929-4004. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 1PM. This DFW Airport hotel offers amenities including on-site dining at the Courtyard Cafe, outdoor swimming pool, 24-hour fitness center, and free wireless Internet.

• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites – Irving Convention Center/Las Colinas, 333 W John W. Carpenter Frwy (in the Las Colinas technology corridor), +1 972 910-0302.
• Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Marriott, 8440 Freeport Parkway, +1 972 929-8800. The Marriott DFW Airport hotel offers complimentary shuttles to and from the airport.

• Embassy Suites Hotel - DFW International Airport South, 4650 W Airport Freeway (Just off Highways 161 and 183, and I-35), +1 972 790-0093.
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Irving DFW Airport North, 4550 John Carpenter Freeway, +1 972 929-4499. An all-suite hotel.
• Hyatt House Dallas/Las Colinas, 5901 N. MacArthur Blvd, +1 972 831-0909.
• Holiday Inn Express Suites DFW Airport, 4235 W. Airport Freeway, +1 972 659-1272. All suite hotel.
• Hawthorn Suites By Wyndham Irving DFW South, 2323 Imperial Dr, +1 972 257-5400. Offers guests free wireless high-speed Internet.
• Westin Dallas Fort Worth Airport, 4545 W. John Carpenter Freeway, +1 972 929-4500. 506 spacious guest rooms and suites.
• Residence Inn Las Colinas, 650 Walnut Hill, +1 972 580-7773.

Splurge

• Las Colinas Resort Dallas, 4150 North MacArthur Blvd, 32.86263°, -96.95797°, +1 972 717-0700. This upscale luxurious resort opened up in 1986 and has hosted elite golf tournaments such as the EDS Byron Nelson Classic.
• Omni Mandalay Hotel at Las Colinas, 221 East Las Colinas Blvd, +1 972 556-0800.

Go next

Irving is nestled deep in the heart of the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex. Drive an hour or two in any direction to get out of the city and experience the real Texas in basically any small town you find. The Texas people read about and see in movies is still alive and well, but unfortunately not in the fifth largest urban area in the United States.