Wedged between Dallas and Fort Worth, Grand Prairie was originally established by Alexander McRae Dechman in 1863 and named after the Ohio town of Big Prairie. It stretches north to south, from the racecourse at Lone Star Park to the waters of Joe Pool Lake while encompassing leafy recreational spaces and family-friendly attractions.
Things to do in Grand Prairie
Come face-to-face with a shrunken head and rare animal skeletons at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, a family-friendly “museum” set across 12 themed galleries. You can see how you measure up to the world’s tallest man, discover bizarre animals with extra limbs and get hands-on with curiosities from around the globe.
Throughout the year, young and old come to refresh at the Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark, which is one of the largest undercover water parks in Texas. In addition to 11 waterslides, it features themed swimming pools that include an outdoor wave pool. You can enjoy a float in an inner tube on the Rio Grande or splash around at Rascal’s Round Up.
Sprawling on the eastern edge of Grand Prairie is Mountain Creek Lake, which was created in the 1930s as a cooling reservoir for the Dallas Power and Light Company. It’s now a popular fishing destination, with largemouth bass, channel and flathead catfish all for the taking. On its southern shore are the 27 holes of the Prairie Lakes Golf Course, which also boasts the largest practise area in Texas.
Getting around Grand Prairie
Grand Prairie is a 20-minute drive from the centre of Dallas and 30 minutes from Fort Worth. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is 25 minutes away. With limited public transportation, renting a car is the most convenient way of getting to and around Grand Prairie.