Welcome Back, Mavericks: A Student's Guide to Downtown Arlington

Welcome back to Arlington, Mavs! Whether you’re returning to campus for another year or arriving at the University of Texas at Arlington for the very first time, there’s a whole lot more to discover just beyond campus. Know someone new to UTA? Send this their way!

Downtown Arlington is your neighborhood for grabbing a bite between classes, finding your favorite coffee shop, catching live music, browsing local shops and thrift stores, exploring local art or simply getting together with friends. And with the semester getting underway, there’s no better time to start exploring than September’s First Thursdays.

Your Downtown, Just Beyond Campus

College life is about more than what happens in the classroom. Sometimes, it’s finding the coffee shop where you’ll spend hours studying, the restaurant you’ll return to after a long day or the spot where you and your friends make memories.

Downtown Arlington has plenty of places to start. Grab coffee or boba before class, meet friends for a meal or explore local favorites for everything from pizza and tacos to ramen and barbecue. Looking for somewhere to eat? Explore Downtown’s restaurants and coffee shops.

Looking for something to do between classes? Browse local shops, hunt for a good thrift find or explore

Downtown’s unique businesses. Looking for something new? Explore Downtown’s shops and local businesses.

From live music and public art to monthly events, local entertainment, and the weekly Downtown Arlington Farmers Market, there’s always something happening Downtown. Check out the downtown events calendar to see what’s coming up.

As the semester settles in and the weather starts to cool, Downtown’s parks and outdoor spaces also offer places to slow down, hang out and enjoy Arlington beyond campus. Take a walk through Rotary Dream Park, bring your pup to the Doggie Depot or find a spot to hang out and enjoy the weather. 

Want to know what’s new? Follow Downtown Arlington on Instagram for events, new businesses, local finds and things to do. You can also sign up for our newsletter for Downtown updates delivered straight to your inbox.

Start Your Semester With First Thursdays

Want an easy way to experience a little bit of everything Downtown Arlington has to offer? Put Thursday, Sept. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. on your calendar. And every First Thursday of the year after that.

First Thursdays are a monthly celebration that brings Downtown Arlington to life with live music, artistic experiences, local businesses and activities throughout the district. It’s the perfect excuse to grab your friends, leave campus for the evening and see what’s happening around your new favorite neighborhood.

And September’s First Thursday has an extra reason to celebrate: Arlington’s 150th Birthday Bash!

Celebrate 150 Years of Arlington

September’s First Thursday will spotlight Arlington’s history and culture with special activities throughout the district.

Head to Theatre Arlington for a free 150th Birthday Cabaret at 7:30 p.m., enjoy live music beneath the trees at Knapp Heritage Park or take a History Walk through some of Arlington’s historic landmarks, including Mineral Well and Arlington Music Hall.

Whether you’re a history buff, an arts lover, a music fan or just looking for something fun to do on a Thursday night, there’s a way to join the celebration.

First Thursdays aren’t just about the featured attractions. Businesses throughout downtown get in on the fun with special activities, food and drink offerings, live entertainment and creative experiences. So grab some friends, pick a few stops and make a night of it.

Your New Favorite Tradition Starts Downtown

Your time at UTA is going to be filled with new classes, new friends, new experiences and plenty of stories. Make some of those stories happen in Downtown Arlington.

Start with a coffee run. Stay for dinner. Catch some live music. Find a new favorite shop. Take a walk. Try something you’ve never done before.

As a proud sponsor of Maverick Sports Properties, Downtown Arlington is excited to be part of Mavs game days and your college experience beyond campus.

And on Sept. 3, come celebrate with your fellow Mavericks and the rest of the Arlington community at First Thursdays.

Welcome to Arlington, Mavericks. We’ll see you Downtown!