Region: Prairies and Lakes
On the eastern city limit of Dallas, Mesquite is known as the Rodeo Capital
of Texas. The town was established in 1872 as a stop on the T&P Railroad and
named for nearby Mesquite Creek. Historic downtown was the site of an 1878 train
robbery by outlaw Sam Bass.
More than 1,115 acres of parks include three disc golf courses, one 18-hole
public golf course, public swimming pools and recreation centers.
The Mesquite Arts Center, home to 16 arts groups, is a 38,000 square-foot
facility that features a 5,000-seat concert hall, black-box theater, courtyard
and gallery. Open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri., and nights and weekends according to
performance schedules. 972/216-6444. www.mesquiteartscenter.org.
The Rows of Texas, Mesquite's shopping, dining and entertainment district,
covers 4.5 miles along I-635 from I-30 to Military Parkway. 972/204-4925. www.therowsoftexas.com.