With plenty of time in the year when the weather is perfect for outdoor pursuits, there are a lot of options to choose from. Just three blocks from the hotel is the Katy Trail. Originally the Missouri – Kansas – Texas Railroad the lines were abandoned and in the 1990’s the new trail opened as a 5K vehicle free running and walking trail that is enjoyed by thousands of locals and visitors every day.
For golf fans there are many options available to you pretty close to the hotel. The closest hotel is the Stevens Park Golf course which is a public course that recently had an $8 million restoration. It is a beautiful course in hilly south west Dallas just five miles from the hotel. Slightly further afield are The golf Club of Dallas and the Tennison Highlands Golf Club.
Part of the on-going development of the Trinity River corridor is the Audubon Center, just 11 miles from the hotel. Great for kids, the center has an educational program and walking trails through the expansive Trinity Forest.
Both Dallas and Fort Worth have amazing gardens. The Dallas Arboretum is positioned on one side of White Rock Lake with views across the lake to a distant downtown skyline (7.6 miles). The garden is broken up into different “rooms”, some more formal gardens and others with broad herbaceous borders in the English country style. There are frequent exhibits and special events depending on the time of year. It is renowned for spring color, the pumpkin festival, Shakespeare performances on the outdoor stage and concerts. The Fort Worth Botanical Gardens are beautiful in a much more open way than Dallas. The Japanese garden is a truly peaceful and contemplative place. Rest in the shade and watch the coy carp patrolling the water gardens.
In addition to these, there are opportunities to go to the Farmer’s Market in Downtown Dallas or go a half a mile further and visit Dallas Heritage Village where historic homes from different periods of Texas history have been relocated. On the weekend the houses have people dressed in the costume of the day and explain what life was like in the period of the house or farm. Kids love it. Of course the State Fair is a must-do in October every year, or wander around the boutiques of Bishop Arts District.