University Park TexasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near University Park, Texas.
1. Southern Methodist University
PRESTIGIOUS ACADEMIC INSTITUTION
Southern Methodist University is a private research university with beautiful campus grounds that attracts visitors year-round. The campus features stunning collegiate Georgian architecture with red brick buildings, manicured lawns, and impressive facilities. Visitors can explore the campus, attend sporting events, or visit the numerous museums and galleries on site.
2. McFarlin Auditorium
HISTORIC PERFORMANCE VENUE
McFarlin Auditorium is a grand performance venue located on the SMU campus that hosts concerts, lectures, and special events throughout the year. The auditorium features beautiful architecture and excellent acoustics, making it a premier cultural destination in the area. Visitors can enjoy a variety of performances ranging from symphony concerts to popular music acts and distinguished speaker series.
3. Highland Park Village
UPSCALE SHOPPING DESTINATION
Highland Park Village is America's first planned shopping center and a National Historic Landmark featuring luxury retailers and fine dining establishments. The Mediterranean Spanish-style architecture creates an elegant outdoor shopping experience with brands like Chanel, Hermès, and Christian Louboutin. Visitors can shop, dine at upscale restaurants, or simply enjoy the beautiful surroundings and people-watching opportunities.
4. Monalee Boutique
TRENDY FASHION STORE
Monalee Boutique is a stylish clothing store offering curated fashion selections for the fashion-forward shopper. The boutique features a carefully selected range of contemporary clothing, accessories, and gifts in a welcoming atmosphere. Shoppers appreciate the personalized service and unique merchandise not found in mainstream retail stores.
5. White Rock Lake
SCENIC OUTDOOR RECREATION
White Rock Lake is a 1,254-acre reservoir that serves as one of Dallas's most beloved outdoor recreation areas. The lake features a 9.3-mile hike and bike trail that encircles the water, offering stunning views and opportunities for cycling, running, and walking. Visitors can also enjoy kayaking, canoeing, fishing, picnicking, and birdwatching in this urban oasis.
6. White Rock Lake Dam
HISTORIC WATERWAY STRUCTURE
White Rock Lake Dam was completed in 1911 and has a fascinating history as it originally supplied water to Dallas residents until 1929. The dam area offers excellent views of the lake and is a popular spot for photography and sightseeing. Today, it serves as both a functional dam and a scenic point of interest along the lake's recreational trail system.
7. Bush Family Home
PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIC SITE
The Bush Family Home is a historic house museum where future president George W. Bush spent part of his childhood. The restored 1950s home offers visitors a glimpse into the early family life of the Bush family before they entered national politics. Tours of the modest house provide insights into mid-century American life and the formative years of the future president.
8. Eisenhower Birthplace
PRESIDENTIAL BIRTH HOME
Eisenhower Birthplace preserves the humble house where President Dwight D. Eisenhower was born in 1890. The modest white frame house has been restored to its appearance during the time when the Eisenhower family lived there. Visitors can tour the home and learn about the early life of the man who would become a five-star general and the 34th President of the United States.
9. Fulton Mansion
VICTORIAN COASTAL ESTATE
Fulton Mansion is an impressive Victorian house built in 1877 by cattle rancher and entrepreneur George Fulton and his wife Harriet. The mansion showcases innovative architectural features for its time, including central heating, gas lighting, and indoor plumbing. Visitors can tour the beautifully restored rooms and learn about the lives of the Fulton family and their impact on the Texas coastal region.
10. Discover Dallas Tours
GUIDED CITY EXPLORATIONS
Discover Dallas Tours offers guided experiences that showcase the best historical, cultural, and architectural highlights of the Dallas metroplex. Their knowledgeable guides provide insider information and fascinating stories about Dallas's development and notable landmarks. Tours can be customized to include University Park and Highland Park areas, allowing visitors to experience the rich history and culture of these upscale enclaves.
11. San Jacinto Battleground
TEXAS INDEPENDENCE SITE
San Jacinto Battleground is the historic site where Texas won its independence from Mexico in the decisive battle of 1836. The 1,200-acre park includes the towering San Jacinto Monument and Museum that commemorates the battle and Texas history. Visitors can explore the grounds, climb to the observation deck of the monument for panoramic views, and tour the museum's exhibits about Texas's fight for independence.
12. Landmark Inn
HISTORIC RIVERSIDE LODGING
Landmark Inn is a historic property dating back to the 1840s that served travelers along the Medina River. The beautifully preserved site includes a gristmill, dam, and acequia system along with the inn buildings. Today, visitors can stay overnight in the historic structures or tour the grounds to learn about early Texas commerce and hospitality.
13. Magoffin Home
TERRITORIAL ADOBE MANSION
Magoffin Home is a striking adobe structure built in 1875 that housed a prominent multicultural family instrumental in American expansion and settlement in the Southwest. The home features 19 rooms that showcase a blend of American Victorian furnishings with traditional Southwest architectural elements. Visitors can tour the house to learn about the influential Magoffin family and their role in El Paso's development and Texas history.
14. Star of the Republic Museum
TEXAS REPUBLIC HERITAGE
Star of the Republic Museum is a star-shaped building commemorating the site where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed in 1836. The museum houses extensive collections of artifacts, documents, and exhibits that tell the story of the ten years when Texas existed as an independent nation. Visitors can explore interactive displays and learn about the political, social, and cultural aspects of life in the Republic of Texas.
15. Varner-Hogg Plantation
HISTORIC SUGAR PLANTATION
Varner-Hogg Plantation preserves the stories of multiple families, both free and enslaved, who lived and worked on this sugar plantation for over 130 years. The property includes the plantation house, pecan orchards, and outbuildings that showcase the evolution of Texas agriculture and society. Visitors can tour the grounds and buildings to learn about the complex history of plantation life, from early settlement through the Texas oil boom.