If you are visiting the Dallas Metro, you need to plan a visit to Las Colinas in Irving, Texas.
There are great restaurants, shops, and several unique adventures on the water that you will want to add to your list.
This article is written in partnership with Visit Irving.
Take a Private Gondola Cruise with Gondola Adventures
357 West Fork, Irving, TX
855-466-3652
You don’t have to travel to Italy to experience a ride in a gondola. This unique adventure is located in Irving, Texas, and doesn’t require a passport.
Gondola Adventures offers private gondola cruises that perfect for a birthday celebration, special date, girls night, or an adventure as a family.
The “Classic Cruise” is the most popular cruise for 1 or 1.5 hours. During your cruise, you can enjoy a bottle of sparkling cider or regular water and gourmet chocolates.
There are also dinner cruises and dessert cruises available.
For a service fee, you can bring your own wine or champagne and I highly recommend doing that if you can.
A gondola cruise is such a fun and relaxing way to spend time on the water.
During your gondola ride, your gondolier can either sing or play an instrument.
We enjoyed a serenade from our gondolier named Woody during the sunset cruise.
He took us through canals that included 4 waterfalls and demonstrated impressive turnaround skills while navigating.
Make Your Gondola Ride Extra Special with a Message in a Bottle
There are additional cruise upgrades that can make your gondola ride even more special.
Send the special message via email and then it will be transferred to a parchment scroll paper in a pretty font. The special message is rolled and tied with a ribbon and sealed in a clear cork glass wine bottle.
During the cruise, the bottle will appear near the special guest in an exciting way.
A gondola ride in Texas is definitely a bucket list adventure to add to your list, especially if you are trying to create a romantic date night or planning a special proposal.
More Ways to Explore Mandalay Canal on Lake Carolyn
You can walk along the canals but it’s even more fun to be out on the water in my opinion. Lake Caroyln has depths varying between 12 -33 feet.
No swimming is allowed in the canals and the water is tested every month so if you fall off of your stand-up paddleboard it’s ok.
Rentals at The SUP Shack on Lake Carolyn
113 Las Colinas Blvd. E, Irving, Texas
972-567-7871
Lake Carolyn is a private lake and you are not allowed to bring your own watercraft to launch but you can rent kayaks and stand up paddleboards from SUP NTX at the SUP Shack.
It’s recommended that you reserve your kayak or SUP rental by booking online.
Try Stand Up Paddleboarding in Las Colinas
Paddleboards are rented by the board not the person for 1 or 2 hours. This is a great option for families if you want to switch out paddlers. There are even kid boards available to rent. 3 Hour Sunset Paddles are available on Saturdays.
2 Hour Paddleboard lessons are available where you have 1 hour of instruction followed by 1 hour of “free” paddle. For the best value on a SUP lesson, book with a group of 4 people.
If you want to challenge yourself even more on a SUP board, sign up for a 60 minute SUP Yoga Class or Package.
SUP Tips
There are plenty of wide-open spaces to paddle on Lake Carolyn. If you are newer to paddleboarding you might want to start toward the wider area of the lake.
You can paddle a 1-mile lap and I would recommend starting on your knees so that you can get used to balancing on the board before you try to stand.
Keep your eyes gazing ahead of you like you would while riding a bike with your feet spread apart in the middle of the board.
Stand up paddleboarding in the canal areas can be a little intimidating because it’s narrower. The trickiest part is turning your SUP around.
If you do want to turn around on your SUP while standing up, I found that it was WAY easier to turn around while paddling backward.
Go Kayaking in Las Colinas
Kayaking is another great option on the water that allows you to enjoy the weather and get exercise. If you don’t feel comfortable on a Stand Up Paddleboard is the perfect alternative.
You can rent a single or tandem kayak for 1 or 2 hours. 3-hour Sunset Paddles are available on Saturdays.
Which adventure on the water in Las Colinas do you want to try next?
Check out the Texican Court if you are looking for a unique place to stay.
There are also lots of great restaurants and bars in Las Colinas nearby.
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