Garland

To the north-east of Dallas lies the city of Garland, which is second only to Dallas itself in terms of size and population within Dallas County. Officially incorporated in 1891, the origin of Garland represented a union between two rival communities: Embree and Duck Creek. Since then, the city has grown exponentially. Back in 2008, _Money _magazine ranked Garland at number 67 in their list of the top 100 places to live. Not a bad score!

In terms of art and culture, there is so much to separate Garland from the crowd. Take for instance the Nicholson Memorial Library, which is an invaluable educational resource named for Mayor S.E. Nicholson, who was killed by devastating tornado in 1927. There’s the gorgeous historic architecture of the famous Pace House, as well as the Garland Landmark Museum, which boasts exhibits dating all the way back to 1850. It really is an invaluable chronicle of the city’s story. But even Garland’s recent history is packed with interesting facts. For instance, many notable people were born there, including world-famous music icon LeAnn Rimes, not to mention PGA champion Lee Trevino and NBA All-Star Ricky Pierce.

Garland boasts close to 3,000 acres of park land, meaning there’s no shortage of space to roam. And yet at the same time it’s densely populated by thriving businesses and tight-knit communities. It’s great for families, too, with plenty to keep the kids occupied. Take for instance the Hawaiian Falls water park, which remains one of the city’s most popular attractions. But there’s a wide range of recreations for the grown-ups too, with the Plaza Theater and Granville Arts Center serving as cultural hubs. The latter has played host to the remarkable Garland Symphony Orchestra, which offers the epitome of classical music for the region. Or, for a more raucous time, there’s the Lakewood Brewing Company. Whatever your taste, Garland has something to offer.

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