Amusement Parks & Attractions

September 10, 2020 by Concierge Connection

Where to Find Your Favorite Fair Foods

Even though we won’t be able to enjoy the Auto Show, live music concerts, the Midway, or other State Fair of Texas attractions, we can still enjoy some of our favorite ‘fair foods’ like Fletcher’s Corny Dogs.

Big Tex Fair Food Drive-Thru

This year, starting on September 19th, you can get Fletcher’s Corny Dogs, Pioneer Kettle Corn, and more State Fair favorites, all while social distancing and without having to get out of your car. There are a variety of packages available, starting at $65, and they include everything from a professional photo with State Fair icon Big Tex to sodas, cotton candy, and even a prize from the midway games.

Smokey John’s turkey legs, Sweet Connie’s corn on the cob, and more fair foods can also be added.

Fair Food & Photo Packages are available for these dates:

September 19 – 20: Photo-only Drive-Thru experience $25. The photo-only activation will operate from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with all tickets pre-sold in three entry windows.
Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27, 2020
Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4, 2020
Friday, October 9 through Monday, October 12, 2020 (excluding Saturday, October 10, due to the AT&T Red River Showdown football game)
Thursday, October 15 through Sunday, October 18, 2020

FAIR FOOD & PHOTO PACKAGE A – $65

Feeds Two (2) people
Includes:

Admission (in one vehicle) for up to eight (8) people
Downloadable professional photo with Big Tex
Two (2) Soft Drinks or Bottled Waters provided by Haworth Concessions
One (1) order of Jack’s French Fries
One (1) order of Stiffler’s Fried Oreos®
One (1) bag of State Fair Cotton Candy
One (1) bag of Pioneer Kettle Corn
One (1) Midway Prize

Order Package A – $65

FAIR FOOD & PHOTO PACKAGE B – $99

Feed 3-4 people
Includes:

Admission (in one vehicle) for up to eight (8) people
Downloadable professional photo with Big Tex
Four (4) Soft Drinks or Bottled Waters provided by Haworth Concessions
Two (2) orders of Jack’s French Fries
Two (2) orders of Stiffler’s Fried Oreos®
Two (2) bags of State Fair Cotton Candy
Two (2) bags of Pioneer Kettle Corn
Two (2) Midway Prizes

Order Package B – $99

More information about State Fair of Texas Cancelation.

*Photo credit Kevin Brown/State Fair of Texas

Filed Under: Amusement Parks & Attractions Tagged With: State Fair of Texas

September 3, 2020 by Concierge Connection

Autumn at the Arboretum Fall Festival Highlights The Art of the Pumpkin

The Autumn at the Arboretum Festival runs from September 19 to November 1, highlighting the nationally acclaimed Pumpkin Village, featuring four 20-foot-tall decorated pumpkin houses and creative displays fashioned from more than 90,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash.

With the theme, “The Art of the Pumpkin,” the Dallas Arboretum’s popular festival has been named one of the “Best Fall Festivals to Celebrate the Season” by Country Living Magazine. The event opens on September 19, 2020, and runs through November 1.

Visitors can purchase tickets online from September 1-18 to receive $1 off per ticket; these tickets are valid for admission during the festival dates.

Autumn at the Arboretum features the breathtaking colors of fall including 150,000 autumn flowers accented by pumpkins, gourds, and squash from Floydada, Texas. The festival also features the return of the popular Mommy and Me Mondays and Tiny Tot Tuesdays, presented by Kimberly-Clark, a hay bale maze, a pumpkin patch with pumpkins for purchase, music, and more.

Alan Walne, Dallas Arboretum’s board chairman, said, “We invite the community to the Dallas Arboretum to experience a familiar place, including Pumpkin Village, which has been a tradition for 15 years. The garden is a wonderful place to social distance, get some fresh air outdoors, and take plenty of photos.”

You can also visit A Tasteful Place, a 3.5-acre food, herb, and vegetable garden. Weekly activities include free Monday cooking demonstrations with Dallas College Cooks along with activities throughout the week including cooking, floral, and horticulture demonstrations. Each weekend features live bands playing in the afternoon. Check the website and social media for times and schedules.

Arboretum Fall Festival Events

Tasteful Tuesdays: Tuesdays 11 a.m.-noon
Local flower store professionals show participants helpful tips and tricks for making their own floral arrangements and how to select the best grocery store flowers.
September 22: McShan Florist
September 29: Ruibal’s
October 6: Enflowerment
October 27: McShan Florist

Pumpkin Thursdays Scavenger Hunt
September 24 – October 29
Stop by the Information Booth on Thursdays to pick up a map for the scavenger hunt winding throughout the garden. You and your family will lenjoy finding surprises in Pumpkin Village. Complete the hunt; turn in the card back at the Information Booth to receive a ticket to be redeemed. for a brownie from the Terrace Café.

Oktoberfest
September 20 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Celebrate Oktoberfest at the Arboretum with complimentary beer samples, tasty local and traditional food vendors, and live music all weekend. Compete in the pretzel toss and stein-holding competition, supported by White Rock Ale House. Café on the Green’s Oktoberfest menu, which is available from September 19 to November 1, features bratwursts, carved pastrami sandwiches, warm apple strudel, black forest cake, and assorted Oktoberfest beers.

National Coffee Day Celebration
September 29
Grab a cup of coffee from one of many of Dallas’ favorite spots, and celebrate National Coffee Day while listening to live music. Choose from a selection of pastries, baked goods, and other coffee-flavored treats such as ice cream and popsicles.

About the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden: The Dallas Arboretum is located on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake at 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218. Festival admission is $17 for adults, $14 for seniors 65 and older, $12 for children 2-12, and free for Arboretum members and children under two. Parking is $15 or $10 purchased online. For more information, call 214.515.6500 or visit www.dallasarboretum.org

Filed Under: Amusement Parks & Attractions, Dallas Texas Tagged With: Dallas Arboretum

May 21, 2020 by Concierge

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden Reopens on June 1st

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden will reopen on Monday, June 1st with timed ticketing. Timed ticketing will help visitors and employees to minimize physical contact and adhere to social distancing guidelines while enjoying the beauty of the Arboretum.

Dallas Arboretum Tickets

Advance online ticket reservations will be required for entrance by members and non-members alike. Tickets can be reserved for up to 7 days in advance. No tickets will be sold at the gate. To reserve your e-tickets, visit the website or call 214.515.6615.

Other specific operating rules during this time include:

Reservations are for 4-hour blocks. Colored wristbands will be given to guests upon entering the garden, indicating the exit time.
The Arboretum will assign all guests a parking location to allow for social distancing at the gates and in the parking lots.
Groups are limited to no more than 5 people.
Please be patient and maintain a 6-foot distance from individuals outside of your party.

Gift certificates or other promotional tickets may be redeemed by calling the office number listed above to reserve your time to visit

The Arboretum will begin the reopening with a maximum of 1,000 people in the garden at any one time during a four-hour block. Visitors are must follow the City of Dallas’s policy and guidelines for wearing face coverings and practice social distancing.

Every person over the age of 2 should consider wearing some form of covering over their nose and mouth such as a homemade mask, scarf, bandana, or handkerchief when within 6 feet of another person.

Only two sets of restrooms are open. The restrooms will be limited to 25% of their capacity and you will need to wear a mask.

Mary Brinegar, Dallas Arboretum President, and CEO, said, “Our top priority is the health and safety of our guests and employees, and these new plans and procedures make that possible. Requiring time-specific tickets to be purchased online minimizes physical contact and helps us determine the right number of visitors at any one time. We have also created a one-way, one-mile path around the garden to make it easier for our visitors to enjoy our beautiful grounds while social distancing.”

The Dallas Arboretum encourages visitors to bring their own food and beverages as there is minimal food service available and to carry out any personal trash when exiting the garden. Water fountains are not operable. There is a refillable water filtration system at the main information booth and vending machines with water and Gatorade only will be available near our Camp House in the middle of the garden.There are no trams operating. Wagon rentals are not available.

Maps may be picked up at the Information Booth at each entrance. All buildings are closed including the Hoffman Family Gift Store, A Tasteful Place Test Pavilion, the DeGolyer House and the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden.

Members can still get in from 7:00-9:00 a.m. for morning walks with an advance reservation. Although members get in free with their current membership, they do need to reserve a time block online and in advance.

For more information about garden procedures during this time, please read the Know Before You Go FAQ.

About the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden: The Arboretum is located on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake at 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218. Open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. through the end of June, then 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in July and August. General admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 65 and older, $10 for children 2-12, and free for Arboretum members and children under two. On-site parking is $15 or $10 if purchased in advance online.

Filed Under: Amusement Parks & Attractions, Family Events Tagged With: Dallas Arboretum

January 9, 2020 by Concierge

Start the New Year with $5 Admission to the Dallas Arboretum

Kick-off the new year and beat the winter blues by spending a lovely day outdoors at the Dallas Arboretum. During the entire month of January, general admission will be $5.oo! You can purchase your tickets online in advance.

“After the holidays, we all need some motivation to get moving, and there is not a more peaceful or beautiful place to come out and walk at the Dallas Arboretum. We encourage people to see the winter plantings and our horticulture staff prepare for the upcoming Dallas Blooms festival.” – Dave Forehand, Dallas Arboretum’s vice president of gardens

*The Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden is closed for preventative maintenance until February 28.

Friendship Tea at the Arboretum

You and your family will also enjoy an elegant, 3-course Friendship Tea served January 4 to March 1 for guests 13 and older. Teas are available Monday through Friday with seatings at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Prices are $49 per person or $59 with champagne and include parking and admission to the garden. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 214.515.6511 or purchased online at www.dallasarboretum.org.

Winter Activities for A Tasteful Place: Free activities are included with paid garden admission

Seasonal Tastings, Every Day, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.Try three free different samples featuring a hero vegetable, fruit or herb form the garden.

El Centro College Cooks, Every Monday, 11 a.m.-Noon Participate in this popular cooking demonstration, taught by Chef Lisa Roark from El Centro College’s nationally recognized Hospitality and Culinary Institute. Two new recipes are demonstrated each month.

Seasonal Tastings and Demonstration Cooking with Chef Isabel Snetsinger, Every Wednesday, through February 19, 1-2 p.m. Chef Isabel Snetsinger demonstrates how to prepare her weekly samples given out at A Tasteful Place.

National Day Celebration Series

Join us throughout the winter with this series that highlights national days where guests can watch a cooking demonstration with samples. Enjoy unique and tasty products also available for purchase.

January 30 Croissant Day: Des Patisseries *11 a.m.-noon
January 31 Hot Chocolate Day: Hive Coffee *sale only, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
February 5 Nutella Day: My French Recipe *11 a.m.-noon

Super Bowl Spread Class, Presented by Chef Jayson Jones
January 24, 6-8 p.m., $90
Join Chef Jayson Jones to learn to create the ultimate Super Bowl spread with five different recipes featuring smoky chili and loaded queso dip. This interactive class is the best way to prep a game day menu while sipping on beer and wine. Learn all the tips to create a “touchdown” spread.

Butter Croissant & Chocolate Croissant Class, Presented by My French Recipe
February 8, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $80
Be transported to France and learn all the secrets to succeed with croissant dough from My French Recipe. Make puff pastry from scratch, learn to shape delicious butter croissants, chocolate croissants, and strawberry rolls. Leave the class with a recipe booklet and perfect pastries to enjoy, or share with loved ones.

About the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden:
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is located on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake at 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218. The Arboretum is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. From January 2 to 31, general garden admission is $5. (The Dallas Arboretum is closed January 1). The Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden will be closed January 1 to February 28 for preventative maintenance. On-site parking is $15, or $10 if purchased in advance online beginning January 2. The Dallas Morning News is the principal partner of the Dallas Arboretum.

Filed Under: Amusement Parks & Attractions, Dallas Texas Tagged With: Dallas Arboretum

Where to Find Your Favorite Fair Foods