Located between Dallas and Fort Worth, Arlington sits in the heart of the metroplex with a prominent entertainment district, modern hotels, and notable attractions. The area is easily walkable and allows planners to flow from an event venue to dining to group activities smoothly—and the sports fans will appreciate the city’s strong athletic roots as home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, WNBA’s Dallas Wings, and MLB’s Texas Rangers.
Vibe: “Known as the entertainment capital, the city of Arlington is best known for game days, entertainment, and major concerts and national events,” says Chad Enloe, senior vice president of sales at the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Beyond sports and thrills, Arlington’s entertainment district is now home to several museums, pairing culture and art with an already established game-day headquarters.”
Transportation: Arlington’s central location within the Dallas-Fort Worth region means it’s in proximity to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (15 miles away). The city also is served by Dallas Love Field Airport, and it sits between interstates 30 and 20 as well as state Route 360. Enloe adds that the Arlington Trolley and Trinity Railway Express systems provide convenient transportation throughout Arlington, and ride-sharing and charter services also are available.
Hotels: Across the city are several full-service hotels that accommodate meetings and events on-site. The Drury Plaza Hotel Dallas Arlington features over 7,000 square feet of event space for up to 330 attendees, and the Loews Arlington Hotel has plenty of indoor and outdoor space that can be expanded via the connected Arlington Convention Center. Caravan Court is set to open next May and will be part of the Valencia Hotel Collection. It will feature 143 guest rooms and 5,000 square feet of event space. Other meeting-friendly hotels include the Hilton Arlington, The Lamar, and the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Arlington DFW South.
Venues: For large gatherings, planners can consider the Arlington Convention Center, AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field, and Esports Stadium. The National Medal of Honor Museum has 12 private event spaces, with its largest able to host up to 600 attendees. Add a creative ambience to events by hosting at the Arlington Independent School District’s Dr. Marcelo Cavazos Center for Visual & Performing Arts or opt for a modern-industrial vibe at Ten10 Events.
Restaurants: Texas Live is a culinary and entertainment destination with several food and beverage outlets—including Lockhart Smokehouse and Miller Tavern—and event venues. Planners can organize catering with Prince Lebanese Grill, Hurtado Barbecue, and Inspirations Fork & Table. Piccolo Mondo serves up Italian fare and accommodates private events on-site.
Must-Sees & -Dos: In addition to Arlington’s entertainment district, the city is home to Six Flags Over Texas where attendees can enjoy classic amusement-park fun. Art and music lovers might appreciate a visit to the Arlington Museum of Art and Arlington Music Hall. The Levitt Pavilion hosts many community events and concerts, and plenty of green space throughout Arlington lends well to outdoor activities like hiking and biking.
