Heading to Kelly Clarkson's hometown

[gigi1976]

My in laws recently moved to Burleson, Texas and we have decided to spend part of Spring Break there. Does anyone have any tips for fun (and cheap) things to do in the DFW area? it will be me, dh, dd7, dd5, and ds9 months.

 

[beansmom]

depending on when your spring break is, the texas rangers is a fun, inexpensive (for MLB) outing. You are allowed to bring soft coolers into the park thereby making it even cheaper..tickets are affordable. Kids tickets are as low as $3. check out www.texasrangers.com .

there's dinosaur park somewhere south of ft worth...the dallas arboretum and the ft worth botanical gardens is nice. The Ft Worth Zoo, the Water Gardens. the galleria mall in north dallas has ice skating. The bluebonnets might be in bloom..makes a lovely drive along the highway. If the weather's good, picnics in the many city parks. There's even a drive-in movie theater for a blast of nostalgia...let's see...it's called the Galaxy Drive in in Ennis. http://www.galaxydriveintheatre.com/

Much more expensive but still fun is Scarborough Faire in Waxahachie. Admission for adults is around $20 and kids $8.50 for the day...and you could take snacks and sandwiches in your bag and you can go out to have a tailgate picnic during the day to cut down on costs. It's really a blast--tons of great entertainment. Don Juan and Miguel are a stitch...and so many others. It's weekends from April 10-May 31 this year. In fact, we are flying to Dallas and Scarborough is one of our main objectives on the trip.
www.scarboroughrenfest.com

I lived in Dallas for 30 years and oddly, this is all i can think of. I'm sure others will have more suggestions. Enjoy your trip. HTH

 

[HunnyPots]

The Fort Worth Zoo is really good, your kids will love it if they like animals at all. Go on a Wednesday and get in for half price. FW museum of science and history is pretty cheap and has a great kids area. You can see an IMAX movie while you're there also. The Stockyards historic area can be fun. Six Flags over Texas will soon be open for weekends and it will be open for spring break in mid March. Dallas has Medieval Times. Both Fort Worth and Dallas have great shopping opportunities as well as any restaurant you can think of.

 

[beansmom]

imho, Medieval Times is very expensive for a mediocre experience.

And once ya been to Disney, 6 Flags just can't hold a candle..the other thing about Flags is that they are all over now and not really a novel experience. I thinks it's pretty expensive altho you can usually find some discount (like bring a Dr Pepper can and get in cheaper).

For a real Texas experience, the Mesquite Rodeo will be open April 23/24. In fact, I might add that to our trip...it's a real texas thang. Looks like tickets are about $15 for adults and $6 for kids.

 

[gigi1976]

Thanks for the advice, we will definitely check out the drive in (my last drive in movie was ET), the history museum and botanical gardens sounds great and I think the kids would love the dinosaur park. Being from St Louis and spoiled by teriffic free attractions, I just can't bring myself to pay to go to a zoo. As far as six flags (at least the one here) goes I agree once you are a Disney fan, six flags just doesn't cut it, unless you are on a mission to see how many teenagers can gather in one rowdy and loud group, or how many people can scrape or write their names on anything that isn't moving, oh and if you want to see how many different colors of gum people have spit onto flat surfaces while waiting in line for a ride, then you would enjoy yourself!

Thanks again for the advice!

 

[HunnyPots]

I'm guessing the dinosaur park you are referring to is Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glenrose. We went a few years back and were not all that impressed. Other than the dino tracks, there are a couple of giant fiberglass dinosaur models and hiking trails. Plus, the tracks are in the riverbed and if there have been spring rains, you may not be able to get to them. Definitely check it out before you go.

Yes, I know Six Flags is not Disney, but NOTHING is Disney except Disney - sorry! But actually, our SF park has done a really good job of cleaning itself up and returning to the family oriented park they once were. I have been a confirmed SF hater for years but I have been impressed that last couple of visits we've made. If its not your thing, fine. I was just naming local attractions for you.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[gigi1976]

HunnyPots, thanks for the info on the dinosaur park, I would hate to get there and not see the tracks, I googled the botanical gardens and I think that's on our list for sure. And thanks for the info on six flags, we haven't been to ours in about three years, and then it was really bad, hopefully they have cleaned it up since. I didn't mean to sound ungrateful for the suggestions, I do appreciate it!

 

[mom2val]

Definately go eat at Babes in Burleson. Everytime we go I keep waiting for Snow White to come around to our table. ( The inside is decorated with little cottages) Food is fab southern comfort food served family style!

It's not far to drive to Fort Worth. The zoo is great - Wednesday is half price. The Forest Park Miniature Railroad near the zoo is also lts of fun for kids.