Overview
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.
Rather like Dallas, it is divided into a highly affluent northern half and less affluent but highly diverse southern half. It is bounded to the east by the northern fork (Elm Fork) of the Trinity River and to the northwest by the sprawling D/FW International Airport.
4 sights · 3 things to do · 3 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 17 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Irving
The Mustangs of Las Colinas
Located in prestigious Williams Square in the Las Colinas development of Irving, the galloping mustangs nestled on an artificial river in an urban setting make a beautiful backdrop for photography.
Irving Arts Center
Lyric Stage and Irving Community Theatre. Live performances of Broadway shows where every seat has a great view. Art exhibits, events and exhibitions.
Lake Carolyn
A miniature imitation of San Antonio's Riverwalk, this small lake is home to a modest collection of single-location restaurants, a large convention center and music venue, and a small high-end shopping center. It is also…
Mercury Radio Arts
Irving is home to Mercury Radio Arts, production company for TheBlaze TV, a conservative news/entertainment network founded by businessman Glenn Beck. The studios are located in the formerly titled "Movie Studios at Las …
TPC Four Seasons
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
The closest course to DFW Airport. It is very highly regarded and has 36 holes available. Many corporate events are hosted at Bear Creek.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Feb–May, Oct–Nov. Summer highs reach about 97°F; winter lows dip to about 38°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Oct and May. (climate data from nearby Dallas)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- DAL Dallas Love Field, Dallas — 6 mi away (major hub). Directions
- DFW Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Dallas-Fort Worth — 8 mi away (major hub). Directions
Irving is bordered on the northwest by Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, 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.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $12 per person at listed restaurants.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Mustangs of Las Colinas, Lake Carolyn, TPC Four Seasons
- Lunch Villa's Grill
- Afternoon Irving Arts Center, Mercury Radio Arts
- Dinner Mattito's
- Evening Maac's Grill
Day 2
- Morning Bear Creek Golf Club
- Lunch Via Réal
- Afternoon Campion Trail
- Evening Blue Fish
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
Irving is bordered on the northwest by Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, 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.
By public transportation
Irving is served by DART's Orange Line, the TRE, and a number of DART bus routes. From D/FW Airport, take the airside SkyTrain to Terminal A, then follow the signs to the DART rail station and board any train. Alternatively, you can head to the end of the platform and take a bus. From Love Field, take the LoveLink DART shuttle bus to Inwood/Love Field Station, then take the Orange Line bound for D/FW Airport Station.
Get around
By car
As in its larger neighbor Dallas, by far the fastest and most convenient way to get around Irving is by car. Several rental companies are available at each airport. 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.
By public transportation
For those who prefer to avoid traffic altogether, Irving is also served by Dallas Area Rapid Transit, or DART, and the Trinity Railway Express, a rail link between downtown Dallas and Fort Worth, also passes through Irving. DART's Orange Line has six stops in Irving including the terminus at the airport and a local bus hub across the street from Irving Convention Center Station. The TRE makes two stops in Irving, and while its fares are surprisingly reasonable ($1.25 to Dallas) the stops are infrequent, especially on Saturdays, and there is no Sunday service. Getting around on DART and the TRE is covered more thoroughly in the Dallas article.
See
See The Mustangs of Las Colinas
Located in prestigious Williams Square in the Las Colinas development of Irving, the galloping mustangs nestled on an artificial river in an urban setting make a beautiful backdrop for photography.
See Lake Carolyn
A miniature imitation of San Antonio's Riverwalk, this small lake is home to a modest collection of single-location restaurants, a large convention center and music venue, and a small high-end shopping center. It is also surrounded by a jogging path and an elevated people-mover for commuters which begins at the DART station. Seasonal gondola rides are available for reservation.
Do
While there is not really anything in Irving that could not be done in an afternoon, this suburb is filled with a wide mix of cultures from all over the world. What started as a handful of affluent subdivisions has also become a city of immigrants. This fusion has led to the development of restaurants and shopping centers that creates a uniquely American suburban experience.
Buy
Eat
Eat Villa's Grill
Brazilian Grilled meats and sides served family style.
Eat Mattito's
Experience authentic Tex-Mex food and happy hour margaritas.
Splurge
Eat Via Réal
"Gourmet Mexican with Santa Fe Style." Probably the highest-end Tex-Mex (not Mexican) restaurant in the Metroplex. Located next to the Four Seasons, across Byron Nelson Way.
Drink
Beer and wine is widely available: nearly all convenience and grocery stores have a large variety of beers and wines available. Only a handful of bars in the city allow patrons to smoke indoors - although most that do not allow this also have a patio where you can.
Drink Maac's Grill
Small, local bar just north of I635 & MacArthur Blvd. Serves a wide variety of Americana foods, and has 49-cent wings most nights. $2 Draft beers and $3 mixed drinks. Popular (and packed) Karaoke nights on Tuesdays & Saturdays. Features a large heated, cooled, and covered patio with downtown Dallas visible on clear nights. Tons of TV's visible from any seat in the house, always tuned to various sports. Friendly to an eclectic crowd - young & old, all races, colors, and creeds.
Drink Blue Fish
Blue Fish is a Sushi Bar. A more expensive, more impressive option for drinks and food.
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Go next
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.
Nearby
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My experience
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