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North America : United States of America : Texas : Prairies and Lakes : Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex : Irving

Irving

Irving is a city in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. Part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Irving has experienced exponential growth over the past fifty years, and is home to a multitude of attractions of all types, from modern art to major sporting events. Founded in 1902 out of the remnants of the small community of Kit, Irving is now a bustling city of approximately 197,000 residents.

Get in

Irving is bordered on the northwest by Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport [1], one of the largest and busiest in the world. Access to the city from D/FW is quite easy, from Texas State Highway 183 (also known as Airport Freeway) on the south, and Texas State Highway 114 (John Carpenter Expressway) and Interstate 635 (Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway) on the north. Dallas' inner loop (Loop 12, or Walton Walker Blvd) borders the city on the east, and Irving is also the current southern terminus for the President George Bush Turnpike.

Additionally, Irving is traversed by Texas State Highway 183 which runs between Dallas and Ft. Worth. It connects to both I-35E and I-35W that lead to other major interstates that lead all over the United States.

Get around

Irving's streets are fairly easy to navigate, with most major thoroughfares laid out on a simple grid pattern. Major north-south streets are Belt Line Road, Story Road, MacArthur Blvd. and O'Connor Rd, and east-west 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. For those who prefer to avoid traffic altogether, Irving is also well served by Dallas Area Rapid Transit, or DART [2].

Irving indeed has become a victim of any typical western Metropolis' urban sprawl, and a car is the best way to get around the city. However, the city is serviced quite well by DART, the local mass transit system in the Dallas area. Recently the Trinity Railway Express has begun operating a rail link between downtown Dallas and Fort Worth. The Trinity Railway Express makes two stops in Irving. While the fares are surprisingly reasonable ($1.25 to Dallas) the stops are infrecuent, especially on Saturdays and there is no Sunday service.

See

  • The Mustangs of Las Colinas, 5215 N. O'Connor Blvd. Located in prestegious Williams Square in the Las Colinas developent of Irving, the mustangs nestled on an artificial river in an urban setting make a beautiful backdrop for photography.
  • Texas Stadium, Junction of Texas 183, I-35, and TX Loop 12. Home of the world famous Dallas Cowboys football team. Absolutely packed on game days, practically empty at all other times.

Do

While there is not necessarily anything in Irving that could not be done in an afternoon, there truly is a large mix of cultures from all over the world that fill this suburb. A town that once was an affluent place to be, has turned into a town of immigrants. This fusion has led to the development of restaurants and shopping centers that creates a suburban experience that is uniquely American.

  • TPC Four Seasons [3] is the home course for Dallas' PGA Tour event, The Byron Nelson Invitational. A very upscale course, the TPC is typically available only to guests at the Four Seasons Resort.
  • Bear Creek Golf Club [4] in Irving is the closest course to D/FW Airport. It is very highly regarded and has 36 holes available. Many corporate events are hosted at Bear Creek.

Buy

Eat

  • Big State Drug Store, Corner of Irving Blvd. and Main, Downtown Irving. This 1960's era drug store features an old fashioned soda fountain serves sandwiches, burgers and hand dipped malts and shakes.
  • Delicias Brasil, 2315 W. Airport Freeway (at Story Road), Irving, +1 972-255-3714, [5]. Homestyle Brazilian buffet sold by weight; authentic atmosphere.
  • Taboon Grill, +1 214-596-0908, [6]. Serves middle-eastern and Mediterranean food in a very small shop that looks like an ethnic convenience store from the outside. Located near the airport just west of Belt Line Rd and north of SR 183 (the Airport Fwy) in a strip-mall that the 70s forgot.

Drink

Beer and wine is not yet widely available, only becoming available for sale in November 2008.

  • Captain Nemo's, 1426 North Irving Heights Drive at Grauwyler, ☎ 972-438-7777. This sub shop has been in Irving forever, serves unique sandwiches, best to get to go although there are tables but not much atmosphere, good food. Call ahead for faster service.cheap.  

Sleep

  • Wingate by Wyndham Las Colinas, 850 W Walnut Hill Lane, Irving, TX 75038, ☎ 972-751-1031, [7]. The Wingate by Wyndham Irving/Las Colinas is newly renovated and features superb extra amenities including a 42" LG LCD TV in every room, triple sheeting & pillowtop bedding, all included at no extra charge. Enjoy our newly remodeled fitness area featuring True brand equipment. Free DFW airport shuttle, on-site Avis rental desk and complimentary hot breakfast. Book directly and get your Wyndham Rewards points toward your next stay at any Wyndham or Wingate. 
  • Comfort Suites Las Colinas, 1223 Greenway Circle(SW Corner of 114 & MacArthur, in the Las Colinas Business District), ☎ 972-518-0606, [8]. checkin: 4pm; checkout: 11am. Free airport transportation available.75-140.  

  • The Crossroads Hotel & Suites, 3135 E John Carpenter Fwy, Irving,TX 75062, ☎ 972-894-1900, [9]. The Crossroads Hotel and Suites is a convenient lodging located near DFW airport. The hotel is also close to Lovefield airport and Dallas market center. 

Budget

  • Dallas Irving Backpackers Stop Hostel, 214 West 6th Street, in Irving, +1 214 682-9636. Located in nearby Irving, Texas. Beds start at $19.95 per night.

Mid-range

  • AmeriSuites - Airport South, 4235 West Airport Freeway,(972) 659-1272 , [10]. Located just minutes south of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
  • AmeriSuites, 333 W John W. Carpenter Frwy, (972) 910-0302, [11]. Located in the Las Colinas technology corridor, situated between Fort Worth and Dallas.
  • Comfort Suites DFW Airport, 4700 W. John Carpenter Fwy,(972) 929-9097 , [12]. Centrally located between Dallas and Fort Worth, providing easy access to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
  • Embassy Suites Hotel - DFW International Airport South, 4650 W Airport Freeway, (972) 790-0093, [13]. Just one mile south of Dallas DFW Airport and centrally located between Dallas and Fort Worth, with two DART stations within 2 miles of the hotel, taking you into downtown within minutes. Just off Highways 161 and 183, and I-35.
  • Harvey Hotel - Airport, 4545 West John Carpenter Freeway, (972) 929-4500, [14]. 1.5 miles from Dallas' main airport, DFW Airport, 12 miles from downtown Dallas and 15 miles from the Dallas Convention Center.
  • Harvey Suites - Airport, 4550 John Carpenter Freeway, (972) 929-4499, [15]. An all-suite hotel less than five minutes from Dallas' main airport, Dallas Fort Worth Airport, 12 miles from downtown Dallas and 15 miles from the Dallas Convention Center.
  • Hawthorn Suites - Airport, 5000 Plaza Drive, Tel: (972) 871-1412, [16]. Hotel features spacious suites, full or efficiency kitchens, exercise facilities, video cassette players and on-site guest laundry and valet service.
  • MainStay Suites Extended Stay Hotel Irving, 2323 Imperial Drive,(972) 257-5400, [17]. This extended stay hotel offers luxurious rooms and amenities to cater to both business travelers and vacationers as well.
  • Microtel Inn & Suites , 3232 W. Irving Blvd., (972) 986-7800, [18]. Enjoy consistency, quality, reasonable prices and great service each time you stay with Microtel Inns & Suites.
  • Wyndham Hotel, 110 John Carpenter Freeway, (972) 650-1600, [19].
  • Hyatt Summerfield Suites Irving, 5901 N. MacArthur Boulevard, (972) 831-0909, [20]. Just five minutes from the DFW International Airport and at the heart of the DFW Metroplex.

Splurge

  • Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas, 4150 North MacArthur Boulevard, Irving, TX 75038. Tel. 1 (972)717-0700, Fax 1 (972)717-2550, [21]. This upscale luxurious resort opened up in 1986 and has hosted elite golf tournaments such as the EDS Byron Nelson Classic. It boasts wonderful amenties and is a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of city life in Dallas.

Get out

Irving is nestled deep in the heart of the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex. Drive an hour or two in any direction to get out of the city and experience the real Texas in basically any small town you find. The Texas people read about and see in movies is still alive and well, but unfortunately not in the fifth largest urban area in the United States.

This page was last edited at 07:35, on 25 February 2009 by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by Mike Miller, Todd VerBeek, David, Ian Kirk, eric, Jerry and Tom Holland, Wikitravel user(s) LtPowers, Texugo, Biggie54 and Morph, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others.