By Julie Gray
A sought-after suburb of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Southlake, Texas, offers a lifestyle that balances upscale living with the warmth of a close-knit community. From the nationally recognized open-air shopping and dining of Southlake Town Square to horseback riding along the unspoiled shores of Lake Grapevine, the city delivers a range of experiences that keep residents and visitors coming back. Here is a look at some of the best ways to spend your time in Southlake.
Key Takeaways
- Discover Southlake Town Square, a 130-acre open-air lifestyle district with more than 120 shops, dozens of restaurants, and a year-round calendar of events including the nationally ranked Art in the Square.
- Learn what Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve offers outdoor enthusiasts, with more than 700 acres of Cross Timbers habitat and over 20 miles of hiking trails.
- Find out why Marshall Creek Ranch on the shores of Lake Grapevine is one of the most celebrated equestrian trail riding destinations in Texas.
Shopping and Dining in Southlake Town Square
Southlake Town Square is the beating heart of the city, a 130-acre open-air lifestyle district that has earned recognition throughout the country for blending the best of modern retail with the charm of a classic town center. Situated in the heart of Southlake and minutes from DFW International Airport, Town Square draws shoppers, diners, and visitors from across the Metroplex and beyond.
What Town Square Offers
- More than 120 shops ranging from boutique clothiers and fine jewelers to today's most recognized national brands are spread across the walkable district.
- Dozens of restaurants covering fine and casual dining give visitors every reason to extend a shopping afternoon into a full evening out.
- Water fountains, green space parks, and beautifully maintained streetscapes create an atmosphere that feels as much like a destination as a shopping center.
- A year-round calendar of music and special events keeps Town Square lively across every season, with highlights including Oktoberfest and the nationally ranked Art in the Square festival that draws artists and visitors from across the region.
The Upscale Hilton Hotel at Town Square makes it easy for out-of-town guests to base themselves at the center of Southlake's best shopping and dining, and residents treat the Square as a natural extension of their daily social life.
Explore Nature at Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve
On the northern edge of Southlake, Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve offers a completely different side of the city. Surrounded by more than 700 acres of Cross Timbers habitat, one of the most ecologically significant forest ecosystems in North Texas, the preserve is rich in both history and biodiversity and provides a genuine sense of natural immersion within minutes of the city center.
What the Preserve Offers
- More than 20 miles of hiking trails wind through the preserve, with options ranging from the quarter-mile White-Tailed Deer Trail to the nearly two-mile Grapevine Lake Trail.
- Wildlife is abundant throughout the trails, with deer, coyotes, bobcats, and a remarkable variety of birds making regular appearances alongside the tracks and overlooks.
- The trail system is designed to accommodate explorers of all ages and abilities, from a quick morning walk to a longer outing that takes in the full sweep of the Cross Timbers landscape.
- The preserve is rich in local history, and the natural character of the land reflects what much of the broader Southlake area looked like before development reached this corner of Northeast Tarrant County.
Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve is the destination Southlake residents point to when visitors are surprised that the city has more to offer than luxury shopping and fine dining.
Horseback Riding at Marshall Creek Ranch
For a truly extraordinary outdoor experience, Marshall Creek Ranch on the shores of Lake Grapevine is in a class of its own. Situated on 2,200 acres of pristine Texas landscape, the ranch offers guided horseback trail rides that take riders through some of the most beautiful and unspoiled equestrian terrain in the state.
What to Expect at Marshall Creek Ranch
- Over 39 miles of trails traverse the ranch and the surrounding lake shores, with guided rides led on well-behaved horses suited to riders of all experience levels.
- The trails wind through open land shared with coyotes, white-tailed deer, Great Blue Herons, and Red-Headed Turkey Vultures, giving riders an up-close experience with the native wildlife of the Lake Grapevine corridor.
- The ranch also operates a summer camp, making it a destination that suits both adults looking for a scenic trail ride and younger visitors experiencing horseback riding for the first time.
- The unspoiled natural beauty of the lake trails, set far from the development and traffic of the Metroplex, creates an experience that feels much further from the city than the short drive from Southlake actually is.
Marshall Creek Ranch is the kind of place that reminds Southlake residents why they chose to put down roots in a community that offers this much in every direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southlake Town Square worth visiting outside of the holiday season?
Southlake Town Square is a year-round destination. The spring and summer bring outdoor dining on the patios and green space events, while fall brings Oktoberfest and the Art in the Square festival. The Square's walkable design and diverse mix of shops and restaurants make it a consistent draw regardless of the time of year.
Are the trails at Bob Jones Nature Center suitable for young children?
Yes. The trail system includes short, flat options like the White-Tailed Deer Trail that work well for young children and those who prefer a light outing. The longer routes offer more terrain and wildlife viewing for experienced hikers. The preserve's design genuinely accommodates the full range of visitors, from first-time trail walkers to regular outdoor enthusiasts.
Do I need riding experience to visit Marshall Creek Ranch?
No prior experience is required. The guided trail rides at Marshall Creek Ranch are conducted on well-behaved horses and are designed to be accessible for riders at all levels. The guides manage the experience from start to finish, making it a comfortable and memorable outing for first-time riders and experienced equestrians alike.
Southlake Is a City Worth Calling Home
The experiences above reflect something important about Southlake: this is a city that takes quality of life seriously and delivers on it in every direction. I love helping buyers discover everything Southlake real estate has to offer and find the home that puts them right in the middle of it. If you are ready to explore what living here looks like, reach out to me, Julie Gray, today.
