There is something about springtime that always seems to bring about feelings of positivity and promise. After dark long winters months, brighter sunshine and warm weather days accompanied by an explosion of color signals new beginnings. There are a few places in Dallas where the glory of mother nature in spring can really be appreciated.
The Dallas Arboretum
One of the most famous attractions in Dallas is the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. The 66-acre expanse, set on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake offers some stunningly picturesque views of gardens and cultivated landscape. More than a million people visit the gardens annually. It is ranked as one of the world’s best arboretums and offers an assortment of popular family-oriented activities and programs. About 150,000 attend the annual main event called “Dallas Blooms” which lasts for five weeks from March 15 through April 20.
The Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival
Just 35 miles south of Dallas, the city of Ennis hosts the 3-day event that celebrates the official flower of the state of Texas. For the three days in April, events include wine-tasting packages, arts and crafts vendors, and live music events. Through the entire month, visitors enjoy over 40 miles of mapped driving through the fascinating BlueBonnet Trails. These are the oldest known trails in Texas and are visited by tens of thousands of visitors that observes the bluebonnets in all their splendor.
Absorb the Comforting Serenity of Lakeside Park
Two miles from the downtown area of Dallas, Lakeside Park occupies over 14 acres of meticulously manicured landscaped grounds along Turtle Creek. A leisurely scenic stroll along the well-maintained walking paths can be punctuated with stops on the numerous benches that line the route. During the period from the end of March to the first weeks of April, the azalea bushes burst out of the winter sleep to show their true colors. It can be soothing to sit in the quiet shade of the Reed Memorial or enjoy bass fishing in Turtle Creek which remains guarded by some enormous teddy bear statues.
Get Enchanted by the Tyler Azalea and Spring Flower Trail
Every spring, the 10-mile long Tyler Azalea Trail in East Texas erupts silently in a panoply of colors that enchant visitors who are guided through neighborhoods of historic homes, quaint brick streets, and residential gardens filled with tulips, blooming azaleas, and dogwoods. For three weekends that begin in March, the trails are host to more than 100,000 people who meander among concentrations of pink and white Dogwoods, Japanese Maples, Redbud trees, and spring bulbs of daffodils and tulips.
The average spring temperatures in Dallas range from a very comfortable 70 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and rarely ever drops below 50. The average amount of precipitation throughout the months March, April, and May is usually less than three inches. The very pleasant weather with mild temperatures all contributes to enjoyable outdoor experiences, where visitors can get much closer and marvel at the magnificent work of mother nature.
Photo: “daisy-3” by Ken Sutton via Flickr licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 | Cropped from original