The top things to do in Las Colinas (Irving, TX) are worth writing about …so we did!
Las Colinas is in Dallas County and not too far from Big D itself. It’s Irving’s most popular dining and entertainment spot. With dozens of restaurants, bars, and hotels, there are plenty of options for planning a night out or a weekend getaway. If you’re looking for fun things to do in Las Colinas, keep reading!
Las Colinas’s live music venues are second to none, with outdoor concerts at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory and indoor shows at Irving Convention Center. There are also plenty of other activities for visitors to do in and around the area, including shopping at Irving Towne Center, playing golf at Las Colinas Country Club (now the Ritz-Carlton), and seeing cultural exhibits at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science (Dallas).
The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is conveniently located just outside Las Colinas, making it easy for travelers to fly into DFW Airport and then drive about 20 minutes into the urban center.
Things To Do In Las Colinas
As you stroll through Las Colinas, either by walking or driving, go by the Love Locket Bridge over the Mandalay Canal. You might find my love locket on the bridge—Kim & Brody, given to me by Visit Irving. This was such a surprise, and I was about to shed a tear when it was presented to me because Brody is my son (actually, our grandson, whom we’ve raised since birth). The others in our group also got one.
Mandalay Canals On Lake Carolyn
Lake Carolyn is a small lake in Irving with canals. There is a 3.2-mile loop trail that is easy to walk. Depending on how fast you walk, it can take roughly an hour, and the views are beautiful, too.
Gondola Cruises – If you have something special you’re celebrating, opt for a dinner cruise by Gondola Adventures on the Mandalay Canal. Make it more special with a song or two sung by the gondolier! There are eight types of cruises, not all for romance, and they can serve lunch, too.
Kayak/Paddleboard – Alternatively, if you prefer to get your feet (a little) wet, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding are other options available on the Mandalay Canal. My young son and I kayaked two years ago. It was inexpensive and not very far—perfect for us. You can rent both from Stand Up Paddle North Texas.
Dining – The Mandalay Canal is home to some of Irving’s most popular restaurants, including Pax & Beneficia Coffee, Pacific Table, Via Real, The Ginger Man Pub, and many more.
Toyota Music Factory
Music Scene – If you’re looking for an unbeatable live music venue in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, you’ve come to the right place. The Toyota Music Factory is a massive part of Las Colinas’s food and entertainment scene. The venue is home to several restaurants which offer unique dining experiences, an open-air pavilion for live music, and a cinema.
Toyota Music Factory has something for everyone. Whether you want to see your favorite band or comedian perform live on stage, or want to grab dinner with friends or family after work, this venue has something for everyone!
The Pavilion has become an integral part of the North Texas music scene, offering three areas where you can enjoy live music and see local bands. It’s also become a destination for those who want to enjoy good food while listening to live music.
Dining – The Toyota Music Factory boasts a variety of eateries, with some located adjacent to the large lawn that features picnic tables and ample space to spread out a blanket and enjoy food, drinks, and music. The best part is you can eat at the restaurants (most, if not all, have outdoor seating) or bring your food to an available picnic table out on the lawn to enjoy while listening to the band play.
Parking – Plenty of on-site self-parking at restaurants, behind restaurants, and in a nearby garage.
Fact: Superstars who have played here include Ringo Starr, Harry Styles, Post Malone, Chris Rock, Demi Lovato, Backstreet Boys, and The Chicks. WOW!
The Mustangs Of Las Colinas
The Mustangs of Las Colinas is a sculpture park featuring a herd of wild horses. It’s located in Irving, Texas, at William Square. The sculpture park is open daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.
The visitor center offers information about the Mustangs and several other native animals in North Texas. Visitors can also learn more about these animals from live animal presentations.
Not every day do you see wild mustangs galloping across the water. But if you come to Las Colinas, you can visit the Mustangs of Las Colinas at William Square and enjoy seeing these magnificent sculptures in person.
Fact: For the Mustangs’ 20th Anniversary, country singer LeAnn Rimes narrated a video about creating the bronze sculptures, with her in the background.
Las Colinas Restaurants
From Water Street restaurants to Toyota Music Factory eateries and all the other diners around town, there is a plethora to choose from, and choosing where to eat in Las Colinas can get a little nerve-racking. Start with this list and Google the rest!
The Ranch at Las Colinas offers large portions, and its outdoor seating is impressive. Pacific Table is located right on the canal, offering upscale dining and fantastic views. Grab an afternoon coffee at Pax & Beneficia after a swift walk around the canal – perfect!
Hugo’s Invitados’ atmosphere and outdoor seating are top-notch. But don’t leave without going inside to see the dressed-up mannequins – now that’s a sight to see.
Pacific Table is right on the canal, offering upscale dining and great views outside.
The Ranch Las Colinas
No take-home box needed here …unless you want to order an extra dessert to go! There is so much to say about The Ranch Las Colinas. Not only was their outdoor patio the place to be, but every course we ordered was top-notch and sky-high! Warning – all diets are off when you dine here! Oh, and don’t forget to get a photo of you by the giant fork out front.
Pax & Beneficia
A place to go to work, to talk business, to get coffee. Pax & Beneficia was created from a dream. Check out their story. I ordered this delicious avocado toast. It went great with my Turkish coffee.
When in doubt, order a Turkish coffee for two.
Edoko Omakase
Some of the best sushi I’ve had is at Edoko Omakase. And, when the chef is there, it’s even more special. Anyone can ask Chef Lee to make his best sushi dish. It’s costly but worth it. They close for lunch and reopen around 4:30 pm for dinner.
Pacific Table
For dinner with a view, make reservations at Pacific Table. Located right on the canal and right in the midst of hotels in Las Colinas. The perfect place for a date night.
Places To Stay In Las Colinas
From rustic modern boutique chic to luxury hotels on the canal, and the new Ritz-Carlton, Las Colinas will dazzle your stay, and we almost promise, you’ll find what you’re looking for.
Texican Court
Texican Court – A boutique rustic chic hotel with pink doors and orange refrigerators across the street from the convention center. Two Mules Cantina is the on-site restaurant and bar, offering food, wine, and spirits. This urban-style restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Whether you want to dine inside or out in the relaxed beer garden featuring beanbag-style chairs, tables, picnic tables, and fire pits, the choice is yours.
Read more about Texican Court and the other five boutique hotels in Texas owned by Valencia Hotel Group.
Omni Las Colinas Hotel
The Omni Las Colinas Hotel is situated on the canal, offering a beautiful pool, a spa, lush dining options, and spacious rooms with canal views. You may want to splurge for the view alone. Not staying here, but want to enjoy the pool? They have pool day passes for that.
Westin Irving Convention Center
The Westin Irving Convention Center, adjacent to the convention center, is a pet-friendly hotel offering nice rooms, wellness facilities, and dining options.
Las Colinas Resort (now The Ritz-Carlton). When the hotel finishes its $60 million facelift, it will officially be a Ritz-Carlton. This is going to be a remarkable place to stay and make memories. We enjoyed a fabulous lunch at the Outlaw and a marvelous spa treatment compliments of Vist Irving.
The Ritz-Carlton Las Colinas
Well, it’s The Ritz-Carlton! I enjoyed lunch and a spa service here when it was the Las Colinas Resort, and it was a great experience.
Small Event Venues In Las Colinas
Texican Court
Our travel writer event was held at the Texican Court Little Chapel Ballroom adjacent to the outdoor lawn. It was the perfect small event space for our small group – Southern Travelers Explore. They brought in the biggest longhorn we’d ever seen, armadillos, so we could see them race, live music, and more. Texican Court is also an option for weddings. Parking is plentiful.
Irving Convention Center
Small or large – they can handle it all! The Irving Convention Center is a premier convention, trade show, and sports facility in the heart of Las Colinas. It is home to many conventions, such as pet shows, art fairs, and other events like weddings and job fairs.
Fun Fact: The convention center’s exterior features 123 tons of copper, equivalent to approximately 46 million pennies.
Venetian Terrace
Venetian Terrace is an upscale Italian restaurant and a luxurious small wedding venue on the ceremony terrace on the Mandalay Canal.
With these wonderful things to do in Las Colinas, when will you visit?
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