By James Waterson

Spring in North Texas is a time of renewal when sunny weather and bright blue skies make it a joy to spend time outside. Shop outdoor markets, dine al fresco, hike remote trails, paddle along the Lewisville Lake shoreline, or tee off on some of the best public golf courses in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. These are, of course, just a few ways you can get the most out of spring in The Colony. Read on to find out more. 

Spring Events

One of the best ways to enjoy spring is to get outdoors. The Colony is home to multiple outdoor events throughout spring. Take to the skies with high-flying fun at Up, Up & Away! Festival of Flight, where colorful kites glide above The Colony. Not only is this free event the perfect chance to introduce kids to kite flying, but you can also take part in paper airplane contests, make butterfly bracelets, watch a birds of prey demonstration, and more.

Find retail therapy at popular outdoor pop-up markets. The Topo Chico Hard Seltzer Stage and Lawn at The Grandscape Stage & Lawn hosts market days and other family-friendly events throughout the week. Wind down with dinner, drinks, and live music any night of the week on restaurant patios throughout The Colony.

Explore Wines from Around the World

Travel the globe through bottles of wine imported from vineyards across the United States, Europe, and South America. The Colony Wine Bar features an array of reds, whites, rosés, and sparkling varieties inside its bottle shop. Stop by for a custom curated pairing or attend their exclusive tasting events for an intimate exploration of exceptional wines. The Patio, adjacent to the storefront at Grandscape, is the perfect place to lounge in the spring air with a glass of wine in hand. Try something new from the rotating selection at Simply Unwine, The Colony’s self-serve wine bar. Pour yourself a glass of the finest wines from minority-owned businesses paired with curated charcuterie boards, fondue, and other delicious bites.

Taste the intricacies of bold pairings at Seven Doors Kitchen and Cocktails. The refined eatery, named for its collection of 1800s French colonial doors, reinvents timeless dishes with modern gastronomic techniques and then pairs each plate at the bi-monthly wine tasting. Enjoy a chef-crafted meal inside the dining room or on one of three patios.

The Colony also has a booming craft beer scene, with two microbreweries in the heart of the city. Beard Science Sour House utilizes naturally occurring yeast in a special fermentation process for a truly local taste, while Windmills takes inspiration from their sister brewery in India, crafting hoppy IPAs and other top-notch brews.

Catch Dinner and a Show

Once the sun sets on The Colony, the party starts at Lava Cantina. This restaurant and live music venue cooks up creole food with a Mexican twist, like shrimp and crab-stuffed Zydeco enchiladas. Fill up on your dish of choice and stick around for a show headlined by top regional or national bands that play everything from country and rock-n-roll to hip hop. Shows are held several times a week, often on Thursday through Saturday nights. See a full schedule and get your tickets here. 

Sightsee with a Fur-riend 

For those who travel with man’s best friend, The Colony has the perfect spot where you can both savor a sunny spring afternoon and tasty treats. The Shacks Dining & Dog Park merges eclectic dining with a dedicated play space for your puppy. Try Mexican street food with a Cali-twist at OMG Taco, a southern California style taqueria. If a juicy burger is what you’re after, follow your nose to Dallas restaurateur Frank Carabetta’s Dirty Burger Bar. Be sure to grab a drink or two at Turbo Coffee, a super-charged café serving up light bites, wine and your caffeine fix. 

These are just a few of the restaurants you can choose from while you take your fur baby out for an afternoon romp. Let your pooch off leash in the dog park so they can play and socialize as you hang back and watch all the fun. There are even separate areas for large and small breeds, so everyone can relax, play, and have a great time. Stay awhile and enjoy beer service direct to the dog park from nearby Grrrowler’s Tap Room.  

Next door, you’ll find The LOCAL, another dog-friendly hot spot. Choose from pizza, chicken dinners, frozen cocktails, and more, then follow your four-legged friend to Piper’s Puporium for a special doggie treat. 

Spend a Day on the Lake 

On a warm day, the shimmering waters of Lewisville Lake may entice you to jump in and cool off. That’s exactly what you can do at the sandy beaches of Stewart Creek Park and Hidden Cove Park and Marina. Soak up sunshine and experience everything these parks have to offer. Hike remote nature trails, fish from the shore or pier, and reserve tent or RV campsites and spend the night under the stars. Both parks also have boat ramps, while Hidden Cove Park has a restaurant, as well as watercraft and cabin rentals. 

Explore Miles of Scenic Trails

One of the most popular ways to spend time outdoors is to hike along the miles of shoreline trails in The Colony. These trails are environmentally sensitive and feature free designated parking, bike repair stations, water fountains, benches, informational signage, and more. 

Start at the Shoreline Trail, a 3.5-mile pathway of stamped concrete and decomposed granite that winds along Lewisville Lake and over rustic bridges. Not far away is the 3.1-mile-long Tribute Shoreline Trail, where you’ll wander past hardwoods and through wetlands until you reach the southern tip of the peninsula featuring sweeping views of the lake. 

Tee Up Lakeside 

The combination of spring weather and outstanding golf is hard to resist. Play a round (or several) at masterpieces such as the Old American Golf Club, Tribute Golf Links, or the nine-hole Stewart Peninsula Golf Course. The former two offer compelling links-style courses and are a part of Golf Clubs at The Tribute. All three courses are nestled on the shores of Lewisville Lake, so try not to get distracted by the gorgeous views as you tee off. 

While these courses are impressive on their own, they aren’t the only way to scratch your golfer’s itch. Dig into something delicious and sip on a variety of drinks at Topgolf, a multi-level interactive driving range combined with a bar and restaurant that tees up a fun night out with friends (even those who don’t play golf). Exclusively for adults 21 and up, Puttery offers a modern take on mini golf. Eat, drink, and play your way through four themed courses, never having to worry about scribbling down strokes thanks to hands-free scoring. Experience PopStroke, an innovation in golf entertainment, using technology to create an interactive and competitive atmosphere for all ages and abilities. In partnership with Tiger Woods and TaylorMade, the state-of-the-art technology and course design elevates traditional mini-golf into an immersive and thrilling adventure.

No matter what type of golf suits you best, The Colony has something for you. 

From foodies to families, The Colony offers experiences you won’t soon forget. See why The Colony is where you go to play this spring! 

Planning to visit later in the year? Don’t miss The Colony Summer Kickoff or American Heroes: A Salute to Veterans, just some of The Colony’s annual events held in the summer and fall.