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Irving

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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.

Travel to Irving & Visa Requirements

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.

Tours & Getting around Irving

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.

Irving attractions and sightseeing

  • 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.

Irving city tours

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.

Irving souvenirs & shopping

Irving Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

  • 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.

Irving nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

Alcoholic beverages can only be sold in restaurants for on-premise consumption in Irving, so if you are staying here, make sure to buy any alcohol you wish to take to your hotel or home in Dallas or any other city that borders Irving.