Guys Weekend: Irving Texas

by Michael Satterfield

Sometimes you need a weekend with the boys, for many guys this means a weekend fishing, camping, or maybe a motorcycle ride through the countryside, but you don't always have to leave the city to have perfect guys getaway. Since moving to Texas I've been having a great time exploring all of the exciting new places, events, and restaurants in the Lonestar State. So when Visit Irving asked me if I would like to come out and explore the Northwest Dallas Suburb with some of my friends, we picked a weekend and headed to one of the fastest growing communities in the Dallas area.

Private Lear Boat Tour

We kicked off our stay at the Dallas Marriott Las Colinas, which just completed a multi-million dollar renovation and is perched on edge of Lake Carolyn, a private lake at the heart of the Los Colinas community. The lake is surrounded by apartments, hotels, restaurants, and office buildings, offers a number of activities from stand up paddle boarding, paddle boats, and even gondola rides through the man-made canals.

Image via Boi Na Braza

Within walking distance of the hotel is the Toyota Music Factory, an awesome mix of a music venue paired with amazing food and entertainment options. The property opened in 2017 and has an Alamo Drafthouse Theater and over sixteen restaurants and bars including one of my personal favorites Boi Na Braza, Brazilian Steakhouse. If you have never been to a Brazilian Steakhouse it should be on your list and no one does it better than Boi Na Braza. Another great upscale option is The Ranch at Los Colinas, a traditional Texas style steakhouse with a broad menu and an incredible dessert selection.

Po' Melvin's Fried Pickles

Obviously, splurging on a fancy steakhouse dinner one night is fine, but if you are looking for amazing food that won't break the bank, then Po' Melvin's has to be on your list. It is not only the best Cajun dining I have ever had outside of New Orleans but the average menu item is about $12, from amazing seafood gumbo and classic chicken n' dumplin's Po' Melvin's will impress you with the quality of food, complex flavors, and shockingly good value. Be sure to try the fried pickles and jalapeño cornbread.

Photo via Toyota Music Factory

Irving also has plenty of activities that will entertain the interests of any group of men, from PINSTACK a modern bowling alley, arcade, and laser tag complex to free live music events at Toyota Music Factory's Texas Lottery Live. The free concert series from 8pm-11pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday with artists like Shooter Jennings, Jenna Clar, and Mitchell Ferguson performing live in the plaza. Of course, you can always check the calendar to see if any of your favorite brands are playing in The Pavilion, where headliners like Slayer, Weird Al, and Die Antwoord take the stage in an intimate venue.

Shooting the Walther PPQ at Elm Fork

If you are like me and my friends you might also want to head over to Elm Fork Shooting Sports where you can rent a variety of weapons to fire under the supervision of a qualified range master. The range offers several different shooting experiences including trap shooting, pistol, and rifle ranges, and for beginners firearms safety and marksmanship courses. I rented one of my favorite firearms the Walther PPQ .45, as well as a Glock 22 9mm, and a few AR15 rifles. It, of course, became a bullseye competition, and even the guys who haven't shot before or in a long time enjoyed learning more about the various types of shooting sports. The range is just a short drive from the Los Colinas center, making it a great half day activity.

If golf is an outdoor activity more your speed, Irving has several world-class golf courses to choose from including Hackberry Creek Country Club, TPC Club Las Colinas, and Cottonwood Valley Golf. Just learning the game or need to practice? Head over to Luna Vista just a short drive away in Dallas, this full-service, 18-hole golf course also includes a full a practice facility, lessons, a golf shop, and bar and grill.

Irving is the perfect weekend escape, offering something for everyone without having to go out of the way, for this trip we had friends drive in from Oklahoma, Denton, myself from Waco, and friends who flew in had the choice of two major airports making it simple for them to get in and out of town. If you are planning a bachelor party, birthday, or just some time to reconnect with the guys, Irving Rocks!

For even more info or to plan your trip visit IrvingTexas.com.