Irving
Introduction
Irving sits in Dallas County within the Mid-Cities region of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, functioning as an inner suburb of Dallas. The city encompasses the Las Colinas mixed-use master-planned community and part of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Getting there
Irving sits right beside Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, so arriving by air puts you at the city's edge. If you're driving, the airport connects easily to the city via Texas State Highway 183, also known as Airport Freeway, on the south side, and via Texas State Highway 114, the John Carpenter Expressway, and Interstate 635, the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, on the north. Dallas' inner loop, Loop 12 or Walton Walker Blvd, borders Irving on the east, and the President George Bush Turnpike currently ends at the city's southern edge. State Highway 183 itself runs between Dallas and Fort Worth, linking up with both I-35E and I-35W, which in turn lead to major interstates across the country.
Public transportation is straightforward. 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, 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 board the Orange Line bound for D/FW Airport Station.
Getting around
As in neighbouring Dallas, by far the fastest and most convenient way to get around Irving is by car, and rental companies are available at each of the area's airports. The city's streets are fairly easy to navigate, with most major thoroughfares laid out on a simple grid pattern. Useful north–south streets include Belt Line Road, Story Road, MacArthur Blvd. and O'Connor Rd, while east–west routes 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.
If you would rather avoid traffic altogether, Irving is served by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and by the Trinity Railway Express (TRE), a rail link between downtown Dallas and Fort Worth that also passes through Irving. DART's Orange Line has several stops in Irving, including the terminus at the airport, plus a local bus hub across the street from Irving Convention Center Station. The TRE makes two stops in Irving; its fares are surprisingly reasonable, but 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.
Where to stay
Irving's sleeping options cluster around two poles: the Las Colinas business and resort district, and the airport corridor along the John Carpenter Freeway and Airport Freeway, where most properties cater to DFW travellers with complimentary airport shuttles. Mid-range chains dominate here, including several all-suite hotels and a handful of Courtyard and Holiday Inn Express locations on both the north and south sides of the airport. The NYLO Las Colinas offers urban loft-style accommodations with a free shuttle to Las Colinas restaurants and boutique shopping, while the Westin Dallas Fort Worth Airport and the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Marriott provide full-service stays with airport transfers. For a quieter, more residential base, the Jefferson Street Bed and Breakfast Inn sits in a quiet neighbourhood with private baths and air conditioning, and includes suites and a private cottage. Budget travellers can consider the Wild Wild West Backpackers, a TRE train ride from Union Station with a student-flat atmosphere and friendly staff. At the top end, Las Colinas is home to the upscale 1 Las Colinas Resort, a long-established property with a golf pedigree, and the Omni Mandalay Hotel at Las Colinas.Food & drink
For a sit-down meal, the Heritage District's Villa's Grill serves Brazilian grilled meats and sides family style at lunch and dinner. Mattito's, near the interstate, offers authentic Tex-Mex cooking and happy hour margaritas. If you're after a splurge, Via Réal in Las Colinas bills itself as gourmet Mexican with Santa Fe style, and sits next to the Four Seasons.
- Villa's Grill — Brazilian grilled meats, family style, in the Heritage District
- Mattito's — authentic Tex-Mex and happy hour margaritas
- Via Réal — gourmet Mexican with Santa Fe style, the high end of Tex-Mex in the area
Beer and wine are widely available, with nearly all convenience and grocery stores stocking a large variety. Only a handful of bars allow indoor smoking, though most that don't have a patio where you can. In Las Colinas, Maac's Grill is a small, cheap local bar serving Americana food and draft beers and mixed drinks, with karaoke nights and a large covered, heated and cooled patio where you can see downtown Dallas on clear nights. Blue Fish, also in Las Colinas, is a sushi bar and a more expensive, more impressive option for drinks and food.
What to see and do
In Las Colinas, the Mustangs of Las Colinas stand in Williams Square, a set of galloping sculptures on an artificial river that make a striking backdrop for photography. Nearby, Lake Carolyn offers a small imitation of San Antonio's Riverwalk, with a modest cluster of single-location restaurants, a convention center and music venue, and a small high-end shopping center. A jogging path rings the lake, an elevated people-mover connects to the DART station, and seasonal gondola rides can be reserved. The Irving Arts Center hosts live Broadway performances by Lyric Stage and Irving Community Theatre, along with art exhibits and events, and Mercury Radio Arts operates its studios in the former Movie Studios at Las Colinas. For outdoor activity, Campion Trail provides two unconnected hiking and biking routes that loosely follow the Trinity along the city's southeastern and northeastern edges. Golfers have two options: TPC Four Seasons, the upscale home course of Dallas' PGA Tour event, typically open only to guests of the Four Seasons Resort, and Bear Creek Golf Club, the closest course to DFW Airport, with 36 holes and a reputation for hosting corporate events. Beyond specific attractions, Irving rewards wandering: what began as a handful of affluent subdivisions has grown into a city of immigrants, and that mix of cultures from around the world shows up in its restaurants and shopping centers, making for a distinctly American suburban experience.Three days in Irving
Day one: Base yourself in Las Colinas, the planned district that gives Irving its most polished face, and spend the morning walking its canals and waterfront before an afternoon among the museums and performance venues nearby. In the evening, head into Dallas for dinner, or stay local and keep the first day slow.
Day two: Give the day to Fort Worth. From Irving you can reach it by car along the Airport Freeway, the John Carpenter Expressway, Interstate 35E, the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Loop 12, Walton Walker Blvd, the President George Bush Turnpike or State Highway 114, or by rail on the TRE from FW Airport. Once there, the Stockyards and the cultural district fill a full day.
Day three: Use the DART Orange Line to reach Dallas Love Field and the Inwood/Love Field Station area, or ride the TRE to FW Airport Station and connect via SkyTrain between terminals. If you are flying out of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, the same rail and shuttle links make the last leg simple. Otherwise, spend the final hours along Belt Line Road, Story Road or MacArthur Blvd, where much of Irving's everyday eating and shopping is concentrated.