Las Colinas: Irving’s Hidden Gem
Las Colinas is one of the best hidden gems in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex. And I absolutely love the area!
Most people know it as a business park or the place with the mustangs sculpture. They drive past it on 114 on the way to somewhere else and they have no idea what they’re missing.
Tucked into the north part of Irving, Las Colinas has a lake you can walk around, a canal with real gondolas, an outdoor concert venue, and lots of restaurants.
Let me show you around.
Las Colinas Started as a Ranch
Back in 1973, Ben Carpenter took his family’s ranch and started turning it into a whole community where people could work, live, and enjoy their weekends. Today, it’s a master-planned hot spot.
The name means “the hills” in Spanish. Over the years it grew to more than 12,000 acres, and in 2023 it celebrated 50 years.
My Favorite Way to Spend Time in Las Colinas
I love Las Colinas. Here’s my perfect morning or afternoon there.
Start by grabbing a coffee at Pax & Beneficia then take a walk around Lake Carolyn. There’s a tree-lined path that loops around the lake and along the canals, and it’s one of my favorite walks in the metroplex. It’s peaceful and pretty and it feels a world away from the highway you just got off of.
The Mandalay Canal is the part that surprises people most when they aren’t familiar with the area. It was inspired by the canals of Venice and winds right through restaurants, shops, and homes. Waterfalls, stone walkways, bridges covered in vines. It’s lovely.
And yes, you can get out on the water:
- Gondola rides on the canal and lake, including dinner cruises
- Pedal boats, including swan boats
- Dinner by the water at the restaurants right along the lake
While you’re there, go see the Mustangs of Las Colinas. It’s a bronze herd of wild horses charging through a fountain, and it’s even better in person. It also feels very Texan.
What to Do on a Date Night in Las Colinas
If you haven’t been to the Toyota Music Factory, put it on your list. It’s not just a concert venue. It’s a whole night out, with more than 15 restaurants and entertainment spots in one place.
The Pavilion is the star. There’s room for big outdoor concerts and more intimate shows, so there’s usually something on the calendar worth checking out.
If you’re looking for something a little more intimate, grab dinner by the water and take a walk along the canal. If it’s a special occasion, book a gondola cruise.
The Headquarters of Headquarters
Irving calls itself the “Headquarters of Headquarters,” and Las Colinas is the reason why. Irving has one of the highest numbers of corporate headquarters per person in the country.
McKesson moved its global headquarters here from San Francisco. ExxonMobil is here too. And those are just two names on a very long list.
Central to Everything
One of the best things about Las Colinas is its central location in the metroplex.
- DFW Airport is about 15 minutes away
- Downtown Dallas is about 20 minutes away
- Love Field is an easy drive, too
- The DART Orange Line runs right through Las Colinas, with trains to downtown Dallas one way and straight to DFW Airport’s Terminal A the other
If you travel for work, being able to hop on a train to your flight is a game changer.
Living in Las Colinas
This area isn’t just great to visit, it’s also a great place to live and there are a number of options, both to buy and to rent.
- Lakeside condos and townhomes where you can walk to the canal, coffee, dinner, and the train
- Mediterranean-style townhomes tucked close to the water
- High-rise condos if you want a view and a lock-and-leave lifestyle
- Established single-family neighborhoods like Hackberry Creek, with mature trees, larger homes, and neighborhood events throughout the year
Whether you want to be in the middle of the action or a little more tucked away, there’s probably a spot in Las Colinas that fits.
Why I Think It’s Worth a Look
Las Colinas often gets thought of as a place to work but if you love an area with a bit of an urban feel, this could be the right fit!
You get the water, the trails, the music, and the food. You get a train to the airport. And you’re right in the center of the metroplex instead of out in the suburban cities.
If you’re relocating for work or just want a different pace, let’s talk about whether Las Colinas is the right fit for you.
Call or text: 214.223.0443
Email: ra***@******re.com
Book a time: calendly.com/randidukes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Las Colinas
Is Las Colinas its own city?
No. Las Colinas is a master-planned community in the north part of Irving. It has its own personality, but your address is Irving. But people talk about it like it’s its own city.
Where is Las Colinas?
It’s in north Irving, between Dallas and DFW Airport, right off State Highway 114.
How far is Las Colinas from DFW Airport?
About 15 minutes by car. You can also take the DART Orange Line straight to Terminal A.
Why is Irving called the “Headquarters of Headquarters”?
Irving has one of the highest concentrations of corporate headquarters in the country, and many of them are in Las Colinas, including McKesson and ExxonMobil.
What is there to do in Las Colinas?
Walk around Lake Carolyn, ride a gondola on the Mandalay Canal, take a swan pedal boat out on the water, catch a show at the Toyota Music Factory, have a golf staycation at The Ritz-Carlton, and visit the Mustangs of Las Colinas.
Are there really gondolas in Las Colinas?
Yes! You can take a gondola ride on the canal and lake, including dinner cruises.
What is the Toyota Music Factory?
It’s an entertainment district with more than 15 restaurants and entertainment spots.
What kinds of homes are in Las Colinas?
You’ll find condos, townhomes, high-rise units, and single-family homes, from walkable lakeside living to established neighborhoods like Hackberry Creek, both to rent and to buy.
