Family Fun Guide To White Rock Lake
Sometimes I feel like Dallas is just a maze of highways and skyscrapers. The Metroplex is a booming metropolis and it shows, but then I remember areas around town that actually resemble a place with culture, history, beauty, and community. One of these places that I have grown to love is the White Rock Lake Area. Surrounded by lush landscape and outdoor activities galore, it is the perfect place to bring the family (and the dog!) or just to enjoy an afternoon with friends.
Kayak and Canoe Rentals
315 E. Lawther Dr., Dallas
Tues- Fri: 10am to Sundown
Sat & Sun / Holidays: 8am to Sundown
$14.99/per hour and up
What better way to explore the lake then to get on the lake and paddle around? Kayaking is not only adventuresome and fun, but quite the calorie burner. Families can enjoy a 4-seater canoe and take their time rowing along. You can even bring your dog aboard!
Dog Park
8000 E. Mockingbird Ln., Dallas
Open Daily (closed 2nd and 4th Mondays)
5am-11pm
Free Admission
After you kayak around the lake with your 4-legged friend, stop by the White Rock Dog Park and meet some other dog lovers. This is an off-leash, fenced in Dog Park with a separate area for smaller dogs. There is even lake access for those water loving pups. Shady areas with benches and tables make dog supervising enjoyable and comfortable.
White Rock Local Market
702 N. Buckner Blvd., Dallas
2nd and 4th Saturday
8am- 1pm
The White Rock Local Market is White Rock's first neighborhood Farmers Market. The Second Saturday is a food/crafts market, and the fourth Saturday is a food only market. The Market is located in the parking lot of The Green Spot (LINK-http://www.greenspotmarket.com/), so after you pick up some homemade jam and a handcrafted scarf, stop in for some delicious tacos and yogurt. Skip the drive-thru and support local and fresh food!
Trails and Playgrounds
White Rock Lake
Open year round
Free Admission
The trails and playgrounds that are nestled into the perimeter of White Rock Lake are great for strolling, biking, and picnicking. I will warn you, there are some serious bikers so this may not be the best place for training wheels and kid bikes. One of our favorite weekend activities is to pack up the family, take a short walk through the trails, enjoy a picnic by the shore, and stop by the park to swing on our way out. There are plenty of shaded areas and you might even find a family of ducks and geese for the kids to feed. And yes, you may fish on the lake if you have or obtain a state fishing license. There are plenty of piers and shorelines that make this the perfect afternoon activity.
Bath House Cultural Center
512 E. Lawther Dr., Dallas
Open Tuesday-Saturday
12pm-6pm
Free Admission
The White Rock Lake Bath House is full of history, culture, and art. Tours can be scheduled daily, or you could plan around one of their many events or exhibits (although these will usually charge for admission.) Inside the Bath House, you will find the White Rock Lake Museum, which is free as well. If learning about the lake on the inside of the Bath House doesn't interest you, make sure you stop by the old fashioned viewfinders on the deck to peer at the Dallas skyline peeking over the lake.
Lauren Kimmel is the Co-Founder of Dallas Moms Blog, which is a great resource for moms looking to connect to other moms, learn and laugh about motherhood, and discover all that Dallas has to offer. She is a wife to a musician and a mother to a bouncing baby boy.
