For many students, spring break is a chance to fly out or plan a getaway outside their hometown to unwind after midterms. But those staying in the DFW area still have plenty of opportunities to enjoy their time off and indulge in local side quests.
Despite the common belief that there’s “nothing to do” around here, the metroplex hosts a variety of events that can make break more adventurous and memorable, from concerts to festivals and even seasonal attractions.
One of the biggest seasonal events in Dallas is the Dallas Blooms festival held at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The event is designed with a brilliant and bountiful display of spring flowers overlooking White Rock Lake, becoming a beautiful scenery for group events and photo sessions. As the largest annual floral festival of the southwest, the event curates a series of flower displays and intricate gardens integrated with life size sculptures and artwork. The festival runs from Feb. 21 to April 12, giving students an opportunity to visit during and after spring break. Furthermore, attractions like the arboretum offer student discounts, making the trip exciting and easy on the wallet.
Downtown Dallas is also home to many historic and entertaining sites enjoyed by all ages. Sites such as the Reunion Tower and Dallas Zoo are not only excellent photo opportunities, but also provide scenery that one may not easily find in the suburbs. Aside from the tourist areas, those interested in the arts can explore the nearby Arts District, one of the largest urban arts districts in the nation. Within walking distance, guests can visit a variety of museums, performance halls and concert venues filled with jam-packed events, regardless of the season.
Comet Comments
We asked Comets what their spring break plans are and what they recommend for those living locally.
I plan on staying in DFW and catching up on sleep during spring break. … Look for local coffee shops or lesser-known restaurants, those are usually the hidden gems.
— Khadijah Khalid, literature junior
I plan on spending a lot of time with my siblings because I have really long days when I’m on campus. So I’ll get to hang out with them, play Roblox a lot. … There’s [also] a lot of good boba places around here. There’s TeaLatte [and] Feng Cha.
— Philip Chilaparapu, data science junior
I have some family that I want to visit down in Georgia, but other than that I should be here a majority of the time. … There’s a couple of good food places in downtown Plano. There’s a barbecue place that I like to go and eat at with my friends and there’s also a pizza place called Urban Crust that I think is pretty good.
— Christopher Everett, visual and performing arts junior
I have a tennis tournament planned, so I’ll be in Arlington for a day, but other than that, I’m just planning on spending time with friends in the local area. … Oh yeah, go to Six Flags for a day!
— Akshara Akella, business analytics junior
For a couple of days, I’ll be traveling to San Antonio. … There’s a lot of fun arcade places and bowling [in DFW], a lot of Main Event-type attractions nearby. And if you’re trying to go to [an area with good scenery], there’s Legacy West, and there’s pretty big malls around [there].
— Shivank Singh, computer engineering junior
Photography by Muaaz Abed | Retrograde Staff
The metroplex offers plenty of ways to relax and entertain oneself. Sometimes, the best way to recharge before the final stretch of the semester is discovering something new right next door.