Looking for an alternative to the long lines and high prices at fancy water parks? When the Texas heat threatens to turn you and the kids into a melted puddle, head straight to Burgers Lake to cool off and enjoy some old-school family fun.

Burgers Lake is a 30-acre park that features a natural spring-fed lake for swimming, two sandy beaches, plenty of shady trees, over 300 picnic tables and 185 charcoal grills for whipping up the perfect burger.

An old-school swimming hole, Burgers Lake is perfect for families of all ages. The no-alcohol policy ensures young children can safely enjoy the lake without hard-partying college students crashing the fun, and the diverse range of sports and water activities ensure that adults will be entertained, too.

Dive right into the one-acre spring-fed lake off one of the 18-ft diving boards or send your children down the kiddie water slides. Hit the volleyball sand pits to show offer your spiking skills (ball rentals are available at the park) or make like Napoleon Dynamite and challenge your friends to a game of tetherball in the lake.

Stay cool in the water and show off your acrobatic skills with a turn on the trapeze swings or float on the lake inside one of the inner tubes (available for rent). Certified lifeguards are on duty at all times. The lifeguards use a PA system to monitor the one-acre lake and remind families and children about water safety. While some guests complain about the noise level (the system’s volume is famously loud), families can enjoy peace of mind knowing that the attentive lifeguards are keeping a close eye on their children.

We recommend that you make a day of it and pack a picnic lunch. With 185 charcoal grills, there’s room for everyone to grill up some juicy burgers and hot dogs. Large leafy trees provide plenty of shade from the Texas heat, a definite plus for the picnic area.

Didn’t pack a lunch? Stay cool with a $2 Sno Cone or drink and satiate your hunger with a bite to eat from the snack bar. Prices are reasonable and the snack food tastes just like home cooking.

Following a viral outbreak in 2008 due to poor sanitation (and dirty diapers on children in the lake), Burgers Lake now uses a state-of-the-art ozone equipment to purify the water. The water is chlorinated, filtered, and chemically maintained to be clean and safe for swimming. Children must wear swim diapers, or their parents will be asked to remove them from the water.

Admission to Burgers Lake is $12 for adults and children ages 7 and up, and $5 for children from one year to six years. Children younger than one year are free. The park is open Mother’s day through Labor Day. No alcohol or pets are allowed on the premises.

While changing rooms and restrooms are available, facility space is limited and lacks air-conditioning, so be prepared to sweat!

During hot summer weekends and holidays, the lake can get very crowded with families and young children. If you are looking for a place to let the kids run wild, burn off energy and stay cool, then Burgers Lake on a July weekend is the perfect spot. If you are looking for a quiet swimming hole or an adults-only pool party, this is not the place.

Groups of 25 or more may make advanced reservations and enjoy discounted pricings ($9 for adults, $5 for children). This is a popular option for family reunions and children’s birthday parties. The reservation booking must be made at least two days in advance by calling the Burgers Lake office. While the booking is good for reduced admission, all space is allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Burgers Lake is located at 1200 Meandering Road, just 10 minutes northwest from downtown Fort Worth. To reach the lake, take TX-199 (N. Henderson St./Jacksboro Hwy) from downtown Fort Worth. At the Fair Lakes Shopping Center, make a left on River Oaks Blvd, a sharp right on to Roberts Cut Off Road, and then a left on Meandering Road. Burgers Lake is at the end of the road on the right.

For an alternative to the usual box office fare, head straight to the Magnolia Theater. Named “Best Theater” in Dallas by the Dallas Observer and Moviefone, the Magnolia Theater Dallas attracts an intelligent, adult crowd to view independent films and enjoy the West Village/Uptown scene.

In a city with several indie film theaters (Inwood Theatre, also run by Landmark, and Angelika Film Center), the Magnolia Theater stands apart with a loyal following. The lobby’s hip, art deco styling is a throw back to old Hollywood glamor, and a welcome departure from the usual generic megaplex.

Since it was opened in 2002, the Magnolia’s management team has been run by film geeks. These folks that care about a lot more than just collecting your ticket stub on the way into the screening room. Discuss the history of cinema with film professor Tearlach Hutcheson (who also balances the books for the theater) or argue the finer points of the latest indie drama with your box office salesman.

Finding a sweet spot between mainstream megaplex fare and art house dramas, the Magnolia Theater has five screens showing a mix of independent films and box office favorites. The theater has shown popular indie films including Broke Back Mountain, Into the Wild, Pan’s Labyrinth, and Garden State, along with the occasional box office favorite like Inception. While Dallas can’t beat out New York or Los Angeles, the Magnolia often receives and screens films earlier than most theaters across the country. It also has one of the only digital film projectors in Texas.

The major downside to the Magnolia is the long ticket lines. Arrive too close to show time, and you’ll be stuck waiting outside in the Texas heat as the line winds down. On weekends, skip the long lines and buy your tickets online in advance of the screenings. You can do so directly through the theater’s website.

The Magnolia doesn’t just win high marks for its theater. It’s also been bestowed the honor of the “Best Movie Theater Bar” by the Dallas Observer.

Before the show starts, grab a drink at the contemporary and stylish Magnolia cocktail bar. The dimly lit and cozy atmosphere is perfect for meeting friends or cozying up with your date. The experienced bartenders can make just about any cocktail you dream up, and you can take your drink right into the movie with you (and run out for a refill mid-show).

The Magnolia is also one of the movie theaters used for the Dallas International Film Festival. This festival is hosted every April, and also includes showings at the Angelika Film Center and Inwood Theater.

Love the Magnolia Theater and want to make it your own? You can rent one of the screening rooms for your own private film screening or corporate event. The friendly staff will bend over backwards to makes sure you have a great time. Pricing varies depending on the day of the week; inquire with the management.

While the Magnolia only serves snack food (popcorn, hotdogs and the usual theater fare), the theater is near plenty of dining options. Nestled in a trendy West Village shopping center, the Magnolia is a great dinner and movie destination. Enjoy Tex Mex and a Mambo Taxi at Mi Cocina, dine on modern Thai and Vietnamese cuisine at Malai, or build your own burger at Village Burger Bar.

After the show, satisfy your sweet tooth with a trip to Pinkberry for frozen yogurt or splurge on calories at Pacuigo Gelato. You can also grab a drink at one of the nearby cocktail lounges, including Lemon Bar and Cru Wine Bar.

Thanks to the McKinney Avenue Trolley, the Magnolia Theater is easy to reach from downtown Dallas without a car. The West Village is one of the final stops at the end of the trolley line, and the trip from the Arts District downtown only takes about 20 minutes.

Just for fun, flash mob at the Magnolia Theater Dallas!

If you drive, street parking can be a challenge on the weekends. However, there are over 800 free parking spaces in the centrally located parking garage that is just a short, 5-minute walk from the theater.

The Magnolia Theater is located at 3699 McKinney Avenue.

While filmmakers and move lovers alike may dream of visiting the famous Cannes or Sundance film festivals, the Dallas International Film Festival is an up-and-coming affordable alternative to these exclusive film festivals.

Named one of the “25 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee,” by Movie Maker Magazine in 2010, the Dallas International Film Festival showcases the best in national and international independent films.

The Dallas International Film Festival is organized by the DALLAS Film Society and held each spring, typically running from late March to early April. The festival includes feature films, short films and documentaries that are selected to inspire thought and spark dialogue.

Past screenings include Academy Award winner The Hurt Locker, Arthur starring Helen Mirren and Russell Brand, Morgan Spurlock’s The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, and Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey.

The DALLAS Film Society believes that the best festival entries are the ones where the filmmakers are the stars. While the festival is not anti-celebrity, it does make a conscious choice to focus on the story, rather than the actors. The goal with every festival is to allow Dallas residents the opportunity to view an eclectic, thought-provoking selection that reflects different cultures and examines universal human issues through the medium of film.

The Dallas Film Festival began its life as AFI Dallas, although it has been independent of AFI since 2008. In its first five years, the Dallas International Film Festival received over 7,000 submissions from 49 countries.

The festival held 57 world premiers and 17 U.S. premiers, and presented over $390,000 in awards. Today, the festival continues to grow and earn worldwide acclaim for its dedication to art and stellar hospitality.

The festival also includes a Family Friendly selection of contemporary American and international films. Previous films include The Perfect Game, Most Valuale Players, Red Dog, Snowmen, Alabaman Moon, Jump!, and the Bracelet of Bordeaux.

Annual awards include the DALLAS Shining Star Award, which celebrates the actors, filmmakers and film artists that deliver exceptional performances. Actress Amber Heard was the inaugural winner of the award in 2010 for her work in the film The Joneses.

Shining Star Award recipients also include Scott Z. Burns, producer of the Academy Award-winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth, and screenwriter for The Bourne Ultimatum.

Each year the festival arranges a free “conversations with the star” event that is open to the public. Individuals can ask questions to learn more about the filmmaking process and what inspires each Shining Star winner.

The Dallas International Film Festival also presents the Tex Avery Animation Award for a lifetime of achievement in animation filmmaking. Previous winners include collaborators Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders, who partnered for the productions of the Academy Award-nominated film Lilo and Stitch and the film How to Train Your Dragon.

Opening night festivities are traditionally held at Winspear Opera House and awards are presented at the end of the festival during an annual gala held in historic Union Station in downtown Dallas.

The festival also features a film contest for local high school and college students that awards prizes for first, second and third place.

The Dallas Film Festival screens films at the Angelika Film Center Dallas, the Magnolia Theater, the Angelika Film Center Plano, AMC Northpark 15, the Historic Texas Theatre, and the Dallas Museum of Art Horchow Auditorium.

Visitors to the festival can buy either a money-saving festival pass or purchase individual screening tickets in advance through the online box office. Limited day of tickets are also available. Even with a festival pass, however, seats are only guaranteed up to 20 minutes prior to a screening, so visitors are encouraged to arrive early.

The Main Box Office, located at Mockingbird Station, opens in mid-March, prior to the festival’s start, and closes on the last day of the festival.

Each year, the festival arranges special discounts and rates at Dallas hotels, such as the Joule, Palomar Dallas, The Mansion at Turtle Creek, and The Belmont.

Shuttle service between the theaters is available for festival pass holders and credential holders. For the general public, there is also plenty of free parking at the Angelika Film Center Dallas, the Magnolia Theater, the Angelika Film Center Plano and AMC Northpark 15. The Historic Texas Theatre and the Dallas Museum of Art Horchow Auditorium can be accessed via DART and the McKinney Avenue trolley from downtown Dallas.

Fresh, local ingredients star at Bolsa, home to haute cuisine with a hip vibe that’s proudly farm to table. While Bolsa may not be Dallas’ first locavore restaurant, since it’s opening in 2009, it has quickly become one of the city’s favorites.

In a city known for going big – fanatic football fans, big hair, and flashy downtown restaurants all come to mind – Bolsa dares to go basic. The kitchen has no freezers. The ingredients are organic and straight from regional growers. When the chef is not cooking, he’s making honey in his backyard beehives. And the restaurant itself is housed in a former rundown auto garage.

Bolsa’s locavore roots and trendy North Oak Cliff location give the restaurant an “effortlessly hip” vibe. It’s close enough to the Bishop Arts District to be accessible, but far enough away to still retain a little street cred. The walls are lined with rock posters, the windows are made from open rafters and the auto garage’s former door, and you can’t help but feel just a little bit cooler while people watching. The bar and outdoor patio are the perfect spots for relaxing with a cocktail and unwinding after a long day.

The restaurant’s menu rotates with the changing seasons, reflecting what local ranchers, fisherman and farmers have to offer. But not matter the time of year, Bolsa is always filled with a diverse, all-ages crowd. Everyone from low-key hipsters to Dallas’ see-and-be-seen movers and shakers line up for a taste of wholesome goodness.

From the first bite, Chef Graham Dodd’s food demands attention. The opposite of over-sauced and over-wrought cuisine, it’s simplistic and earthy with a deft-touch. Start with the bruschetta sampler, featuring a combination of fig preserves, Fuji apple, toasted pine nuts and prosciutto.

The award-winning wine list is moderately priced and filled with creative offerings from up-and-coming South American bodegas. Wines are helpfully grouped by price ($20, $30, $40 or $50). Uncork a bottle and savor the discovery of a new favorite vineyard – it’s easy to taste why Bolsa won D Magazine’s 2010 Readers’ Choice Award for “Best Wine List Under 50 Wines”. Tuesday is “half-priced” bottle night.

Don’t see something you like on the wine list? Bolsa’s award-wining bartender (D Magazine’s 2010 Readers’ Choice Award for “Best Bartender”) can whip up any cocktail of your choosing. Or pick from one of the award-winning cocktails, like the Bee Keeper (featuring absinthe, mescal and Chef Graham’s own honey). You’ll find everything from cucumber and arugla to habanero peppers and pink peppercorns mixed into the different cocktails.

Even if you are just at Bolsa to enjoy its wine and cocktail offerings, don’t miss the opportunity to snack on the delish bruschetta samplers and flatbread “pizzas”. With inventive combinations like “Twig & Branch” (wild arugula, caprino chèvre & roast grapes), these “pizzas” are anything but ordinary.

Entrees regularly change along with seasonal availability. Small portion offerings range from Celery Root Soup with black truffle to Texas Bobwhite Quail or a classic Hanger Steak Salas. Chef Graham works with a wide range of proteins, including duck, pork tenderloin, pork jowls, chick breast, striped bass, lamb shank and grass-fed Texas beef.

Be sure to save room for dessert! Sweet offerings change nightly, and include the Chocolate Rum Tart (with graham cracker crust and bruleed bananas) and warm PB&J (a warm peanut butter cookie, vanilla bean panna cotta, and preserves).

Bolsa serves Sunday brunch from 11:00am to 3:00pm, featuring creative twists on old-school favorites like French Toast, BLT sandwich, and steak & eggs. There are also $10 bottomless mimosas. A bruschetta tasting, flatbread pizza and soup/salad combination is also available.

Parking is available in a private lot or on the street; it is best accessible by car. Bolsa does not accept reservations, and only seats complete parties. Keep this policy in mind to save a bit of heartache if you are planning a large gathering.

The restaurant has an intimate feel, and is better suited to small parties or couples on a romantic date. Lunch and dinner are served Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 11:00am to 10:00pm;  until 11:pm on Friday and Saturday.

Don’t judge this restaurant by its location! While Nonna Dallas may be in a strip mall (albeit an upscale one on the edge of Highland Park with a Whole Foods), the ambiance and delicious food at this Italian trattoria will transport you straight from Big D to Tuscany.

Dallas may be best known for its steakhouses and Tex Mex joints, but a number of authentic ethnic eateries have been cropping up throughout Big D in the last ten years. Surprisingly, Dallas still lacks a worthy selection of Italian restaurant, and thankfully, Nonna Dallas is leading the charge to fill this gap.

Since its founding in 2006, Nonna’s chef and owner Julian Barsotti has created a mini-haven for Italian foodies. The classic Tuscan dishes are made from fresh, local and organic ingredients. From the extensive Italian wine list to the interior’s warm, rich ambiance, Italian food lovers will feel right at home.

And while Nonna Dallas honors its Italian heritage, the trattoria also pushes the creative envelope. Nonna is part of a new breed of Italian restaurants that pays homage to its rustic Tuscan roots while embracing the organic and local food movements. Portions are smaller, the menu changes daily to reflect seasonal offerings, and the chef’s creative dishes draw from cross-cultural inspirations that break all the rules.

It’s no surprise that the Italian eatery won “Best New Restaurant” in 2008 from D Magazine and was anointed “Best Italian Restaurant” in 2010. Even the New York Times called Nonna “Dallas sophistication at its best”.

While you peruse the wine list after being seated, enjoy the thin puffed bread (think toasted pita) that’s lightly sprinkled with sea salt and olive oil.

The menu is well edited, and reflects the changing seasons. Thanks to the locally sourced ingredients, all menus change nightly. Dive into fall with a hearty butternut squash soup, or enjoy a light summer salad featuring heirloom cherry tomatoes.

The wood-burning oven is the central focal point for the restaurant and produces perfectly crisp thin pizzas, like the popular buffalo mozzarella and squash blossom pizza. And the white pizza with clams, sweet onions and fresh herbs keeps the faithful coming back for more.

Nonna does many things right, and their homemade pasta tops the list. Choose from tagliatelli with white truffle shavings, Tuscan-style braised rabbit or Maine lobster ravioli.

The pasta is perfectly al dente and the sauces rich and flavorful. The lobster raviolis are deliciously light and acidic, and float like perfect little pillows in the white wine butter sauce.

The wood oven also produces delicious entrees, including white shrimp with pancetta, pan roasted red snapper and a classic Prime Rib, served Tuscan style with arugula and shaved parmigiano.

Following traditional Tuscan eating, pastas are portioned as a mid-course offering, but can be upgraded to entrée size for an additional $7. A five course pasta tasting ($55) is also available.

For dessert, the praline nougatine semifreddo with pistachios and acacia honey wins top praise from diners. The sticky toffee pudding and yogurt panna cotta with clover honey and vanilla roasted strawberries are both popular choices. Nonna offers an extensive desert wine and aperitif drink list, complete with housemade limoncello.

If you are lucky enough to score one of the hard-to-get night reservations, be prepared to spend a pretty penny. Portions are small in relation to price, and with every dish equally delicious and intriguing, it’s hard to resist ordering up the whole menu.

During Dallas Restaurant week (held twice a year), Nonna also offers an affordable priced wine flight selection ($30) to complement the evening’s prix fixe menu (price varies).

A Dallas native, chef Julian Barsotti frequently travels back to Italy for inspiration from the different regional styles of crafting pasta and sauces. Cooking is very much in his blood. His mother owns Dallas-based catering operation Food Company, and his grandmother’s family owns restaurants in New Jersey. Barsotti learned his way around the kitchen at an early age, and his love for Italian cooking shines through in everything he does.

Nonna is also open for dinner Monday through Saturday, and is also open for lunch on Fridays from 11:30am to 2:00pm.

Reservations are highly suggested. The restaurant is great for couples on a romantic date or small parties, although without a reservation, it may be difficult to accommodate large groups. The restaurant is not recommended for young children.

Located at 4115 Lomo Alto in northern Highland Park, Nonna is best reached from downtown Dallas by a car. Parking is free and available in the shopping center’s parking lot.

Enjoy tomorrow’s theatrical productions today at Casa Mañana (“House of Tomorrow”), the largest performing arts association in Fort Worth. The intimate, state-of-the-art performance venue hosts musicals, dramas and children’s theater productions.

From its humble beginnings as an outdoor amphitheater in the middle of a cow pasture, today Casa Mañana is the beating heart of the Fort Worth cultural district. Dynamic Broadway performances and a growing repertoire of children’s theater makes Casa Mañana home to some of the best theater in Texas.

A vital part of Fort Worth’s cultural district, Casa Mañana was the brainchild of Fort Worth visionary Amon G. Carter. In 1936, Dallas was selected to host the “Texas Centennial Celebration”, and Carter wanted to put Fort Worth on the map, too. Carter hired Broadway produce Billy Rose to produce a Wild West show for Fort Worth, transforming a cow pasture into the world’s largest revolving stage complete with a moat and fountains.

Over 4,000 guests watched Fort Worth’s “show of shows” at the stage Carter named “Casa Mañana”. Plans to turn the show into an annual festival were derailed, however, due to rising costs and WWII. The stage was eventually recycled as scrap metal for the war effort. But Casa Mañana’s story was not yet finished.

On the same spot as its original 1936 cow pasture location, Casa Mañana was reborn in 1958 as the home for Broadway musicals. On a budget of $500,000 and a tight, 114-day construction timeline, the fully-enclosed, air-conditioned theater opened on schedule to sold-out performances of Can-Can. Today, the iconic, geodesic dome is a defining feature of Fort Worth’s cultural district.

When it opened in 1958, the  theater-in-the-round stage configuration was surrounded by the audience. There was no back stage area, so actors and stagehands used the concourse and aisles to move set pieces and props. With the back row only 36 feet above the stage, the theatre’s unique, intimate setting was unlike anything Fort Worth audiences had experienced – and quickly won over a loyal following.

Renovated in 2003, the theater now features a modified thrust stage, although it retains the theater’s original intimacy. Today, the theater presents both touring national shows as well as performing their own Broadway productions and children’s theater shows.

Broadway musical productions include The Fantasticks, Damn Yankees, Hairspray, Evita, Rent, Avenue Q, and Mamma Mia. Popular children’s theater productions include Oliver!, Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, Charlotte’s Web, The Wizard of Oz, and the Adventures of Brer Rabbit. American Airlines frequently sponsors free, pre-show receptions in the lobby with refreshments and snacks.

As part of Casa Mañana’s commitment to education and enrichment, Casa Mañana Performing Arts Conservatory classes provide professional training for young performers. During the summer, the popular Camp Casa is a performing arts theater camp for children ages 8 to 14 to participate in professional performing arts training.

Performance tickets may be purchased online or through the box office, which is open Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 4:00pm. Ticket prices vary based on the performance and time, but generally range from $40 to $70. Children’s theater productions range from $7 to $18.

Students, faculty and staff can enjoy $10 Friday Preview Nights prior to the opening night performance of each show. Friday Preview Nights are open to all students, faculty and staff with a valid high school or college ID. Following the 7:00pm show, students can join the cast and director for a discussion about the performance.

Flex Tix packages are also available with advanced purchase. These packages contain four ticket vouchers that can be redeemed for any combination of shows and performances. If you’ll be visiting Fort Worth several times during the year and want to catch a few different shows, the Flex Tix package is a great way to save money on performances while enjoying the flexibility to attend the shows of your choosing.

Casa Mañana is located in the heart of Fort Worth’s cultural district at 3101 West Lancaster Avenue. Limited free parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the corner of University Drive and West Lancaster Avenue. Additional paid parking is available throughout the cultural district. The theater is near the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, the Kimbell Art Museum and the Amon Carter Museum.

If you are travelling from Dallas without a car, take the TRE from downtown Dallas to Fort Worth and then transfer to the #2 or #7 buses at the ITC.

The Angelika Film Center Dallas is a state-of-the-art cinema for independent films located in the heart of Mockingbird Station, a mixed-use residential and retail development. With easy access to bars, restaurants, nightlife, shopping and just minutes from the heart of downtown Dallas, it’s easy to see why the Angelika Theater Dallas won the Dallas Observer “Reader’s Choice” award for “Best Movie Theater”.

Built in 2001, the Angelika Theater Dallas is an integral part of the Dallas arts community. It features eight, state-of-the-art luxury screening rooms, wall-to-wall screen, digital surround sound and stadium seating.

The Angelika Theater Dallas frequently hosts film screenings and festivals, including the Dallas Film Festival, as well as film discussion groups, and intimate, question-and-answer sessions with filmmakers and actors.

While the theater features the latest screening technology, the lobby gracefully pays homage to the golden age of film. Guests enter under a huge, sweeping chandelier and can linger at the downstairs café sipping wine or enjoying a cold beer.

In addition to beer and wine, the downstairs café serves pre-made sandwiches from Breadwinners, pastries, and espresso drinks. While it does not have a fully-stocked bar, guests can take their drinks into the theater with them. The concession stand upstairs serves traditional theater snacks and popcorn.

The Angelika Theater Dallas is one of the lucky few theaters nationwide where you can catch first-run independent films before they hit wide distribution. The theater shows primarily independent films and documentaries with the occasional mainstream movie.

To keep with the movie-going experience intimate, many of the theaters are fairly small. If you want to see a movie that’s in high-demand or on opening night, be sure to purchase tickets in advance and arrive early to secure optimal seating.

The Angelika Theater Dallas is part of the Mockingbird Station commercial and loft development that’s built around the DART station. This means that there is easy access to downtown Dallas, and a plethora of food and dining options within a 5-minute walk.

The Angelika Theater Dallas frequently participates in special screenings, such as the USA film festival’s 48-hr film project or free summer screenings of AMC’s hit series Mad Men or FOX’s Lost.

On Tuesdays, a valid student ID brings you free popcorn and unlimited refills, along with a discounted movie tickets. Student IDs are good throughout the week for discounted tickets.

Turn your trip to the Angelika Theater Dallas into a dinner-and-a-movie date night at one of the many eateries in Mocking Bird Station. Enjoy modern Mexican dining at Urban Taco, satisfy your craving for authentic Tex Mex at Margarita Ranch, dine on sushi at Reikyu, or grab a quick bite to eat at Café Express, the “Mercedes Benz of fast food eateries.” After the film ends, stay cool from the Texas heat at Cold Stone Creamery, or grab a drink at Trinity Hall Irish Publ.

Before visiting the Angelika Theater Dallas, be sure to check out Angelika’s online blog. Updated weekly with new specials and screening information, the blog is a great place to find out about Angelika’s occasional free film screenings for popular films, including Pride & Prejudice, Bend it Like Beckham, The Town, and Little Miss Sunshine. The blog also features specials like $0.10 popcorn & soda weekends, interviews with independent film directors and stars, and previews from upcoming documentaries.

Can’t get enough of the Angelika? You can rent the Dallas location (or its sister location in Plano) for corporate events, private parties and special screenings. Rental fees depend on the day of the week, time and length of rental. Contact the Angelika Theater for additional information.

The Angelika Theater Dallas is located at 5321 East Mockingbird Lane in the heart of Mockingbird Station. If you are driving from Dallas, access the free parking garage from the Northbound Central Expressway Service Road. Take the elevator to the second floor for the theater. There is additional parking throughout the Mocking Bird Station retail development, and across the street at the DART station.

The Angelika Theater Dallas and Mockingbird Station is serviced by both the DART redline and blueline trains.

Fort Worth may be where the Wild West begins, but there’s a lot more to the Amon Carter Museum of American Art than just American landscape and cowboy paintings. From mid-century modernists and contemporary photography to impressive collections of Western art by Frederic Remington and Charles Russell, the Amon Carter Museum offers something for everyone, including young children.

The Amon Carter Museum of American Art features an extensive collection of paintings, photographs, sculpture, works on paper and illustrated books. The collection spans all of American history, and is home to one of the most impressive collections of contemporary American photography in the United States.

Visitors always enjoy free admission to view the over 600 works on display from the museum’s permanent collection. Admission is also free for the special exhibits.

Founded by Amon Carter, a legendary figure in Fort Worth’s development, the museum originally was created to house Carter’s impressive collection of Western artwork following his death in 1955. A passionate art collector, Carter was equally passionate about ensuring that all Americans could be inspired and enlightened through art. To this day, the museum’s free admission policy honors Carter’s commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of income, could be inspired by fine art.

The museum’s first director, Mitchell Wilder, extended Carter’s vision by significantly expanding the museum’s collection from its original Western landscape roots. Wilder believed that the artists who explored different frontiers, from photography to mid-century modernism, best told the story of American art.

Today, the museum has more than 30,000 works in its collection, representing artists as diverse as Alexander Calder, Winslow Homer, Georgia O’Keeffe, John Singer Sargent and Alfred Stieglitz. At 2:00pm on Thursday through Sunday, visitors can enjoy a free tour highlighting the permanent collection.

The special exhibits rotate regularly, and focus on art movements, materials, photography, and artist retrospectives. The “Masterworks of American Photography” is an on-going special exhibit that regularly changes to feature different themes from American photography, such as “moments in time”, landscape photography, and popular culture. Photography buffs will not want to miss out.

Visiting the museum with young children? Inspire your children to create art through interactive “Art Carts” that are available in the galleries on selected weekdays and weekends. These hands-on carts allow children to create their own artwork based on the works they see.

Special weekend programs, like “Crafting from the Collection” are also designed to engage young minds with the museum’s collection. During the summer, the regular “Storytime” read-alouds from the museum staff delight young children with imaginative fiction stories that use paintings from the museum’s collection as a backdrop for inspiration.

The impressive modern building, expanded in 2001 to provide more gallery space to accommodate the museum’s growing collection, features stone walls made from native Texas shell stone. Visitors can see fossilized shells in the walls from when much of Texas was once covered by water.

Before leaving, be sure to visit the museum store and take home your own piece of American artwork. From clothing, jewelry and home décor to books, stationary and toys, visitors can take home unique gifts inspired by American artwork and Texas history. Museum members receive 20% off their purchases.

The Amon Carter Museum of American Art is located at 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd, adjacent to the Modern Museum of Fort Worth and the Kimbell Art Museum.

The Amon Carter Museum is part of the 2011 Blue Star Museums Program, which provides free admission for active military members and their families. Since admission to the Amon Carter Museum is always free, visitors under the Blue Star program will also receive a complimentary souvenir collection catalogue.

The museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm; Thursday from 10:00am to 8:00pm; and Sunday from noon to 5:00pm. The museum is closed on Mondays and major holidays.

Free parking is available across from the museum. The lot can be accessed off Camp Bowie Boulevard, and is conveniently located to the Modern and the Kimbell Art Museum. Accessible parking is available on Lancaster Avenue.

To reach the museum from Dallas without a car, visitors can take the TRE to downtown Fort Worth and transfer to the #2, #7 or #57 bus.

Welcome to Cowtown, USA! For over 150 years, Fort Worth has been the gateway to the American West. And while the Wild West is a lot tamer these days, Fort Worth still has plenty of Texan charm and culture to win over visitors from across the country and around the world. Giddy-up, cowboy—here are out top 15 best things to do in Fort Worth!

#1: Buy cowboy boots. If you don’t own any cowboy boots or left yours at home, head straight to the Fort Worth Stockyards to pick up a pair at one of the many “general stores.” And be sure to stock up on belt buckles and cowboy hats. After all, you can’t visit Fort Worth without dressing the part!

#2: Watch the cattle drive. Once your boots are on, it’s time to hit Exchange Street in the Fort Worth Stockyards for the daily cattle drive, where you can watch giant Texas Longhorns walk down the center of town. It’s a not-to-be-missed experience.

#3: Party like it’s 1899. Visit one of the honky-tonk saloons and dancehalls in the Fort Worth Stockyards for some root’n, toot’n, good fun. Popular venues include Billy Bob’s, Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, Thirsty Armadillo, and the Cantina Cadillac.

#4: Practice your wrangling skills. Join the Fort Worth Herd CowCamp and learn how to wrangle your own cattle, sing along to campfire tunes, and eat from the chuckwagon. Cowboys and cowgirls of all ages are welcome. The CowCamp runs Saturday and Sunday from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend from 1:30 to 2:30pm behind the Fort Worth Historic Livestock Exchange Building.

#5: Sample the Rocky Mountain Oysters. Ready for an extreme food challenge? Chow down on a plate of Rocky Mountain Oysters (also known as cow testicles) at Riscky’s Steakhouse in the Fort Worth Stockyards. Be sure to order a cold Shiner Bock to chase them down.

#6: Watch the rodeo. Don’t miss the Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show every Saturday and Sunday in the Cowtown Coliseum. Based on the original Bill Pawnee’s Wild West Show that toured the United States and Europe in the 1890’s and 1900’s, from bull riding to steer wrangling, it’s fun for the whole family.

#7: Admire the Modern Masters at “First Fridays”. Visiting an art museum is always more fun when there are cocktails, live music and delicious desserts involved. If you’re in Fort Worth on a Friday night, be sure to stop by the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth for its “First Fridays” program from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Enjoy cocktails like the “Cowtown Cooler” while strolling the galleries, and sample desserts from the Modern Cafe. The perfect romantic date spot, at night the five museum pavilions resemble giant lanterns floating on still water.

#8: Walk in the Footsteps of Butch Cassidy. While the cattle drives may be long gone, you can still walk in the footsteps of legendary cowboys like Butch Cassidy, his partner the Sundance Kid, Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday at Fort Worth’s Sundance Square. This 14-block mecca in downtown Fort Worth once was known as Hells Half Acre for the drinking, gambling and general rabble rousing that went down in the days of the Wild West. Today, Sundance Square is Fort Worth’s top destination for live arts, entertainment, shopping and dining.

#9: Dig for Dinosaurs. Take the kids to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History for a glimpse into Fort Worth’s past. Children love the DinoLab and DinoDig, and the Fort Worth’s Children’s Museum (located inside the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History) will keep young minds busy exploring and creating, while parents enjoy the cool air conditioning.

#10: Meet the Women Who Shaped the West. The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring the female leaders who pioneered new frontiers, from award-winning writers and scientists to bronco riding, barrel racing cowgirls. Tour the museum to learn more about the lives of these extraordinary women and leave inspired.

#11: Catch an Indie Flick. Need a break from all the Wild West hoopla? Stop by the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth for its critically acclaimed “Magnolia at the Modern” movie series, featuring a different independent film or documentary every weekend. The Sunday noon showing is half-price, and all Sunday showings includes a complementary mimosa, bloody mary, or non-alcoholic beverage in Café Modern when you purchase a brunch entrée.

#12: Say Hello to Picasso. Good things come in small packages at the Kimbell Art Museum, a free museum featuring a small but impressive collection of 350 of the world’s finest, most iconic art pieces. Ranging from Impressionist masterpieces to African art, the museum’s carefully curated collection is synonymous with excellence and distinction.

#13: Visit the Water Gardens. Need a break from the Texas heat or a long afternoon of business meetings? Head straight to the Fort Worth Water Gardens and enjoy this peaceful and free public park, an urban oasis featuring three water installations and home to over 500 species of plants and animals.

#14: Listen to the Orchestra. When you’ve had your fill of honky-tonk country tunes, attend a performance by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra at Bass Performance Hall. Located in the heart of Sundance Square, arrive early so you can enjoy a casual stroll through the red brick sidewalks, quiet courtyards, and restored storefronts.

#15: See Texas in a Day. Travel across Texas without leaving Fort Worth at the Texas Wild! exhibit at the Fort Worth zoo. Featuring six unique environments from across Texas (including Hill Country, prairies, plains, swamps and deserts) and the animals that live in them, Texas Wild! is the perfect introduction to Texas’ diverse landscape and helps visitors appreciate the Lone Star State’s size and scope.

Love baseball but can’t catch the Rangers play while you’re in Dallas? You’re still in luck! Catch a game with the Frisco Rough Riders, the AA Minor League Baseball Team affiliated with the Texas Rangers. You’ll see the stars of tomorrow play at prices as low as $8.

The Frisco Rough Riders have called Frisco, Texas home since 2003. The AA Minor League Team plays at Dr. Pepper Ballpark, a stadium that seats 10,600 fans. The ballpark was named “Best New Ballpark in Baseball” in 2003 by ballparks.com, and continues to win awards for its continued excellence, including the “Best Ballpark Improvements” in 2008 from ballparkdigest.com. It’s clean, comfortable and the concession stands feature plenty of tasty Texas bbq, hotdogs, hamburgers and bratwurst.

The Rough Riders name follows the Texas Rangers naming tradition, which names its teams after an historical division of the U.S. Military. The Texas Rangers are named after the Texas Ranger Division. “Rough Riders” is a nickname the press gave the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment during the Spanish-American war.

Prior to 2003, the Rough Riders were located in Shreveport and known as the “Shreveport Captains” and the “Shreveport SwampDragons”. Following the 2002 season, the team was purchased by Mandalay Sports Entertainment and moved to Texas to be part of the Rangers franchise.

Since making the move to Frisco, the ‘Riders have made their presence felt in the Texas League with several standout seasons and built a loyal following in the greater Dallas community. Home games regularly sell out on the weekends, and there’s a great atmosphere of friendly, family fun.

Children love “Duece”, the official team mascot, who is a giant Prairie Dog that Rough Riders “legend” says was found during the construction of the ballpark. Younger children love the story that the playful prairie dog was causing trouble during construction by digging giant holes. The ballpark crew “trapped” the prairie dog using cotton candy, and then decided to sign the warm-hearted prairie dog to the team. Today’s he’s joined by “Daisy” his cousin. In between innings, Deuce and Daisy can be spotted getting the crowd fired up in support of the Rough Riders.

“Deuce’s Playground” is located behind the RoughRiders team store, just down the third base line. The playground is open to children ages 5 to 12, from 5:30pm until the end of the 7^th inning. The playground features a three-story mega tower with multiple slides. Bounce houses are also open for children’s play.

Celebrating a special event? Surprise friends and family or thrill younger children with personalized birthday announcements and anniversary announcements. The free announcements appear on the 1^st and 3^rd base message boards in the middle of the second inning. Announcement requests must be emailed at least 24 hours in advance of the game. More information can be found on the Rough Riders website.

Since ‘Riders games often sell out in advance, especially weekend games, we recommend purchasing tickets in advance. Tickets can be purchased online through Ticketmaster. Depending on location, admission ranges from $8 to $21, including tax. Tickets can also be found on StubHub.

Will you be visiting Dallas several times during the season? Consider the Teddy Section tickets. These include a ticket package to five games for just $45 ($9 per game). Teddy Section tickets include access to unlimited hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, bratwurst, soft drinks and water. Can’t make one of the games? Teddy Section tickets also allow you to exchange your tickets for a different date. And the tickets include a limited edition Rough Riders cap.

In August, local businesses sponsor the annual Frisco Rough Riders Night Out, with several organizations playing host to underserved youth and their families. Promotions for free giveaway, raffles and ‘Riders gear are ongoing throughout the season; check the ‘Riders website for information prior to your visit. Many of the Friday night home games include a firework display.

To reach Dr. Pepper Ballpark from Dallas, you will need to drive north to Frisco. Take the Dallas North Tollway and exit on to the Dallas Parkway. Continue north on the Dallas Parkway until reaching Texas Rangers Parkway, where you will make a right to reach the stadium and parking lots. The parking lots open 2.5 hours before the game and the stadium gates open 1 hour before the game.