Arlington's Must Do Experiences By Casey Mallory

Everyone knows Arlington is home to unforgettable sporting experiences at AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field and family thrills at Six Flags Over Texas. But there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to fun and unique experiences here in Arlington.

There’s a sense of pride you feel when you make something with your own two hands. In Downtown Arlington, workshops at Board & Brush help you learn to sand, stain, and paint your own customized wooden project, from signs to trays to coat racks. With plenty of designs to choose from, you can create a custom project that is truly your own. Just around the corner, Catalyst Creative Arts, teaches you how to create from a variety of mediums like clay, water marbling, resin geode, and so much more—the sky is the limit here! If you’re up for a creative challenge, give glassblowing a spin at American Glass Roots. Sign up for an introductory class and learn the art of glassblowing and techniques to create your own glass. Take your creative outlet in a different direction and level up your party food game with a Charcuterie Board Party at Inspirations Catering & Events. Pick and choose from a variety of prepared meats, cheeses, veggies, nuts, crackers, and more and learn how to design your own beautiful and delicious snacking masterpiece.

For you daredevils, head over to Dyno-Rock Indoor Climbing Center for a rock-climbing experience with all the safety precautions. Even if you don’t know where to start, they’ll take you through the basics and even offer a Climbing 101 class to acquaint you with the lingo and techniques. If you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, grab your dancing shoes and learn to dance Salsa, Bachata, and Cumbia at Alpha Midway Dance Studio. Specializing in social and competition dancing, the studio offers classes for all skill levels. If you just want to give it a whirl, check out one of their group classes and only pay for one dance class, with no commitment.

While AT&T Stadium is an architectural masterpiece itself, you can take in even more works of art on the AT&T Stadium Guided Art Tour. For you die-hard Cowboys fans, check out the ultimate collection of Dallas Cowboys memorabilia at Stoney’s Dallas Cowboys Museum. This isn’t your typical museum. Local resident Stoney Kersh books tours of an impressive collection of Dallas Cowboys vintage magazines, trading cards, jerseys, bobbleheads, and more. Schedule a tour by contacting Scott Poland at [email protected] If you’re looking for a little more thrill, book a tour for a storm chasing expedition! Based in Arlington, Tempest Tours heads out during spring and fall storm seasons for a full day of storm chasing. Tag along with expert storm chasers for a once in a lifetime adventure in tornado alley.

Spend quality time at Free Play Arlington, where parents can teach their kids a thing or two on the arcade and pinball games that they grew up playing. With one of the largest collections of arcade games and a bar with eats and drinks, you won’t get bored anytime soon. For a different kind of gaming experience, team up with family, friends, or co-workers to see if you have what it takes to find clues and solve puzzles to escape a uniquely themed room at The Secret Chambers. If you’re looking to blow off some steam, gear up and enter their rage room, where it’s socially acceptable to smash and break things with a baseball bat.

Skip Hollandsworth specializes in long-form narratives.

Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.

Mimi Swartz is a staff writer based in Houston.

Lauren Larson is a features writer and editor.

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