Arlington’s quality of life is second to none, with a low cost of living, affordable housing and entertainment venues attracting over 14 million visitors each year.
Entertainment
With massive events and a million things to do and see throughout the year, we are home to such giants like AT&T Stadium, Six Flags Over Texas & Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. Home to the best MLB team in the nation, the Texas Rangers and their new home Globe Life Field. The International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame is here in our city, and coming soon, we will welcome the National Medal of Honor Museum.
In addition, Arlington’s newest mixed-use development, Texas Live! features dining, entertainment, and a new convention and hotel facility, Live! by Loews.
Arlington Parks and Recreation
With over 4,700 acres of park land, Arlington’s award-winning Parks and Recreation program provides recreation and sporting opportunities for the young and young-at-heart. Whether you enjoy strolling on the City’s 24 miles of trails, golfing on one of six golf courses, boating on beautiful Lake Arlington, taking your dog for walk at the dog park, or utilizing any of the other municipal pool and athletic facilities, you will enjoy the leisure, cultural, and recreational programs offered in Arlington that attracts 3.36 million visitors annually.
- River Legacy Park is a 1,300 acre oasis along the Trinity River that is a haven for 400 species of wildlife, 193 species of birds and 28 species of trees. With eight miles of paved trails, joggers, bikers and hikers visit this park often. Other parks features include river overlooks, canoeing, nature paths, meditation areas, picnic areas, pavilions, and a playground. Adjacent to the park is the 12,000 sq. ft. River Legacy Living Science Center that serves as the headquarters for River Legacy’s multi-faceted environmental education programs and community events.
- Southwest Nature Preserve has three ponds, one of which is complete with a fishing pier and a terraced outdoor seating and education area. It is also host to several significant native plant communities, and has a high bluff located on sandstone outcroppings with dramatic views, including one as far away as downtown Fort Worth.
Cultural Amenities
Arlington offers cultural venues ranging from the ballet and Symphony to the UTA planetarium.
- The Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts in Arlington presents more than 50 free outdoor concerts a year with a broad-based concert calendar of professional musical artists, from world music to jazz and home-grown Texas country to hot Indie artists. The Levitt presents original artists, many of them Grammy Award winners.
- Arlington Music Hall is a historic venue providing audiences of all ages with a unique entertainment experience. The 1,071 seat auditorium includes state of the art sound and lighting, a 2,200 square foot stage, and a classic decor that enhances the hall’s vintage sophistication and style.
- UTA Planetarium is one of the three largest planetariums in the State of Texas located in a groundbreaking research facility. With its 60-feet dome projection surface, fully digital projection system and advanced software, UTA Planetarium provides its visitors views of realistic night sky, the Solar System, stars, and distance galaxies complemented with Dolby surround sound.
Housing
In 2016, 1,680 multifamily residential units were built and in 2017, 1,989 single family residential units were under development. Some of Arlington’s latest housing developments include:
- Viridian boasts a 2,000-acre master plan that includes five major lakes, 500 acres of open space and an additional 500 acres of lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands. Nature is the heartbeat of Viridian, and sustainability is a way of living. Viridian is one of the only master-planned communities in Texas designed to meet Audubon Gold Signature Standards and was recently named “Certified Gold Signature Sanctuary.”
- Liv+ and 101 Center are Arlington’s newest Apartment facilities built in response to UTA’s growing population.
Safety
The Arlington Police Department has developed a long-range strategic plan that provides direction and focuses over the next three to five years and received several awards for its initiatives.
- The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) selected the
Arlington Police Department as the recipient of the prestigious Leadership in Human and Civil Rights Award during the 126th Annual Conference and Exposition
- The National Association of Town Watch, the lead organizer of National Night Out, ranked Arlington #3 for cities with populations greater than 300,000 for the most participated National Night Out in 2019.
- Arlington Dispatch Services has maintained the status of an accredited public safety communications center with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) since 2004.
- The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) selected the Arlington Police Department as the recipient of the prestigious Leadership in Human and Civil Rights Award during the 126th Annual Conference and Exposition. Police Chief Will Johnson was on hand to formally receive the award on behalf of the entire department on Tuesday, October 29, 2019.