Can you feel it? The sun is on its way out. It's slowly killing off the clouds with its warm rays of light, and soon, possibly in the next day or two, it's returning to Dallas to brighten our bouts of depression and warm up our chilly bodies. You'll need things to fill your sunny days. Things that help you replenish your much-needed supply of Vitamin D. Here are just a few suggestions. Add your own in the comments.
Dallas Blooms at the Arboretum What the Dallas Arboretum does best is transport us. While we're under no illusion that any expanse of land in the Lone Star State could naturally produce half a million blooming spring bulbs that burst with supernatural color, we can still dream. And to indulge those floral fantasies, the Arboretum (8525 Garland Road) offers up a horticultural paradise right on the banks of White Rock Lake. On Sunday, Dallas Blooms: Deep in the Heart of Texans kicks off a visual feast that perfectly complements daydreams, photo ops and barefoot babies -- it may not be nature at its most pristine, but it is a stunning sight produced by a team of dedicated green thumbs. The event runs through April 12 and highlights include infinite flowers, Texas-themed topiaries, an ongoing concert series and family-friendly activities on the daily. The Dallas Arboretum is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. every day; general admission is $15 for non-member adults, $10 for children ages 3 to 12 and seniors, and free for littles 2 and under. Visit dallasarboretum.org for a full schedule of springtime events. -Jennifer Davis-Lamm
Dip Your Toes into the Pool at Fraternal Order of the Eagles It's probably not going to be warm enough to dive in, but the sun is coming. Which means it's time to get a visit to the FOE on your calendar.
Patio Sit & Day Drink Everyone has a favorite place to enjoy the sunshine and sip on a margarita or an ice cold beer. If you're on the hunt for a new patio, check out our food critic's favorites. We'll see you on the other side of the straw.
Walk or Run on a Trail There's nothing that feels better than taking in the sunshine, while you walk or run outside. Leash up your dog, or borrow a neighbor's canine and get moving. The sun isn't going to bask in itself. Here are the Dallas Running Club's favorite trails.
Nasher Sculpture Center One of the most beautiful places in Dallas is the Nasher Sculpture Center's garden. It's filled with sculptures by some of history's most important artists. While you're there, pop in to the Melvin Edwards retrospective.
Visit a Park You already know and love Klyde Warren Park, and if you're looking for a food truck, head to that patch of nature atop a freeway. But if you're up for an adventure, try Cedar Ridge Preserve in Southwestern Dallas. Or if you're looking for a doggy park, try these.
The Dallas Zoo If you're into the locked-up animals kind of thing.
Trinity Forest Adventure Park If you're an adrenaline junkie, who doesn't appreciate the serenity of a quiet trail on a beautiful day, then this park of zip lines and "aerial adventures" might be more your thing. We sent Jim Schutze to check it out when it opened. He wore his hat cam. Tickets will cost you $35-45. Reservations are necessary.
Golf If you live in your bright polo shirts, and constantly remind your friends that you were subpar on the back 9 in the a.m., then you probably don't need me to tell you that the weather is about to be ideal for the tee-off. Here are Golf magazine's favorite courses in Dallas.
Skyline Trapeze
I should probably be more embarrassed that Sex and the City is the first thing I think of when I see these human trapeze things. But I must say, that episode where Carrie "learns to let go" inspired me to want to try one of these places. Due to my crippling fear of heights, I haven't made it out there yet, but let me know how it goes if when you make it back alive.
Skydiving Because you're a crazy, life on the edge kind of person, and when you hear "let's go outside, the sun is in the sky," your first thought is: I want to be in the sky too. There are a few places to do this, but the majority of my friends with a death wish have used Skydive Dallas and seem to be living without any major injuries. There's also a new place to "skydive" inside, called iFly Dallas, which sounds much more my speed.
Six Flags Over Texas The next two months are the sweet spot for anyone who likes amusement parks. From March until early May, there are still such a thing as school nights and homework. Sure, it's only open on the weekends, but come summer you'll wish you'd drove out to Arlington for your roller coaster fix before it's overrun with teenagers to the worst degree.
