Grand Prairie Off The Beaten Path

This building was designed after King George IV's Royal Pavilion in Brighton - his seaside home. The Ripley Entertainment Company was founded in 1962 by William Thomas Bolton in Fair park, Dallas Texas. In 1972, they moved their attraction to Grand Prairie and incorporated a Ripleys Believe It or Not in 1988.

Location : 601 E. Safari Pkwy. (I-30 at Belt Line)

Palace of Wax & Ripley's Believe It Or Not! features over 175 lifelike characters such as Hollywood stars, heroes and villains from the wild west, favourite story book characters and notable American figures in history. All created by a resident wax artist.

Location : 601 Palace Parkway, Grand Prairie

This area is one of the new subdivisions of Grand Prairie just a few minutes from Joe Pool Lake. A Jack Nicklaus designed golf course is being built there as well as an equestrian centre. Located in the community is an amenity centre which has a pool, playground and picnic area.

Location: Lake Ridge Parkway

The park covers some 784 acres including down to Joe Pool Lake. There is no camping unfortunately and a sign at the gate will tell you to not take in any firearms. There is however, a couple of boat ramps as well as some 100 picnic sites with group pavilions as well as restrooms and showers. There is also a swimming beach which has a change shelter along with sand volleyball courts and an amphitheatre.

The park is open from 6.00am to 10.00pm daily from March - October. There is a charge for vehicles at $8.00 but nothing extra for boats.

Location: 5700 Lakeridge Pkwy. Lake Ridge Parkway just north of Lynn Creek Marina on Joe Pool Lake.

Lynn Creek Marina is on the northwest shore of Joe Pool Lake and within the Lynn Creek Park. This is a full service marina with boat rental (fishing, ski, pontoon and tubes), a fishing pier and a restaurant right on the water. There are 541 slips available. Also at the marina is a store where you can buy some t'shirts or fishing supplies.

Location: 5700 Lakeridge Pkwy. Two miles south of I-20, use Great Southwest Parkway

Joe Pool Lake covers 7,500 acres and is one of the newer lakes in the area as well as fast becoming very popular. There is plenty of fishing and boating activities as well as camping areas and parks on the shores of the lake. Many new home subdivisions are springing up around this area also.

Joe Pool lake is 2 miles south of I-20 (Great Southwest Parkway exit) or 4 miles south of downtown Grand Prairie.