Grand Fun in Grand Prairie

A striped hammock is tied between two trees on a grassy bank, overlooking a lake under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Nestled right between Dallas and Fort Worth, Grand Prairie is a big city with Texas-sized fun. From quirky odd-itoriums to exciting adventure parks, Grand Prairie has everything you could want for a memorable getaway. Whether you’re wanting a laidback vacay with great food or heart-pounding thrills and adventure, you’ll find it smack dab in the middle of Dallas-Fort Worth.

Named after a city in Ohio, Grand Prairie, originally named Dechman, was settled in 1863. Today, it’s a booming city with around 200,000 inhabitants and so much family-friendly fun you just have to go and experience it for yourself. This Texas city stop is both affordable and accessible to all. Grab your bags- don’t forget a swimsuit!- and get ready to make grand memories in Grand Prairie. 

Planning the perfect Grand Prairie Getaway

  1. Plan a day at EpicCentral. Start with good, wet fun at Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark. Consistently ranked one of the best indoor waterparks in the US by USA Today, Epic Waters is fun for the whole family. After you’ve gotten your fill of water fun, stop by nearby Chicken ‘N Pickle for great bites and pickleball! End the evening by watching the Illuvia Water Show, a truly mesmerizing Vegas-style water and light show. The best part? It’s free!
  2. Start your second day of adventure at Joe Pool Lake. Rent a boat if you’d like or pack a picnic and head to Lynn Creek Park for some water and beach time. Grab lunch nearby (Swedish meatballs at IKEA, anyone?) and then spend your afternoon satiating your need for speed at Andretti’s Indoor Karting & Games. Wrap up your busy day by strolling through Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!, with fascinating and creepy encounters you won’t find anywhere else.
  3. Your third day is for outdoor fun, so pack your sunscreen! Start at Trader’s Village, a local flea market where you can wander through stall after stall, finding all kinds of treasures and unique items. Feeling adventurous? Don’t skip the amusement rides, they’re awesome! Then head to Lone Star Park for some thoroughbred racing and cold beverages. Grab a quick bite while you are there and soak up the fun.
  4. Day four may be your final day in Grand Prairie, but it is sure to be a memorable one. Go rock-climbing and adventure sliding at Bolder Adventure Park, a truly one-of-a-kind destination in GP. Kids of all ages will find heart-pounding action at this sweet spot. Before you head out, grab a meal at Radial Cafe at the Grand Prairie Airport. The bites are light and yummy and you can watch airplanes take off and land while you reflect on your awesome Grand Prairie getaway.

Grand Prairie lodging

Ready to head to the Prairie? Book a stay at Loyd Park in Grand Prairie for a relaxing experience at Joe Pool Lake. Loyd Park has multiple ways you can stay, including cabins and yurts, so you can find an experience right for your family. Hiking, beach time, fishing and more await at this fun Grand Prairie spot. With a great location and low rates, Loyd Park is a great spot to visit year-round to enjoy the best of the Dallas-Fort Worth area.