Dallas' Northern Suburb Is A Texas Lake Paradise With Noteworthy Shopping, Craft Beer, And Buzzy Nightlife

The adage "everything is bigger in Texas" holds true for many things. In this case, we're talking the big offerings and big personality of one sprawling suburb a half hour north of Dallas. Enter The Colony, home to America's largest home furniture store, the world's largest sporting goods store, and a staggering, 180-foot-tall Ferris wheel boasting comfy, air-conditioned gondolas and striking views. Nestled along the recreational haven of Lewisville Lake, The Colony is anchored by Grandscape, a 400-acre dining, entertainment, and retail destination renowned to Dallasites for its world-class shopping, buzzy nightlife, and craft beer scene.

Known to locals as "The City by the Lake," The Colony offers an enviable blend of suburban waterfront living and incredible urban amenities. Residents enjoy a family-friendly hometown filled with beautiful waterfront nature escapes like Stewart Creek Park, with its abundant recreation, and wildlife-rich nature trails like Tribute Shoreline Trail and Colony Shoreline Trail. Meanwhile, kiddos can splish-splash the day away at the fun-filled Hawaiian Waters aqua park while mom and dad hit the links at Golf Clubs at the Tribute, a dynamic duo of emerald golf courses with gorgeous Lake Lewisville views.

There's also plenty for the whole family to enjoy at Grandscape, The Colony's main retail hub for big box stores and independent boutiques alike. Come evening, Grandscape transforms into a thrilling hub for nightlife that might even be worth letting the kids stay up late to play at spots like the high-octane Andretti Indoor Karting and Games. Better yet, make it a date night since The Colony is teeming with vibrant venues where you can dine, drink, dance, and sway to live music. The town is also a designated Texas Brew City endorsed by the Texas Craft Brewer's Guild, so you could opt for a more chilled-out evening at one of its excellent breweries and taprooms.

Grandscape – a shopping mecca just like the Texas town of Warrenton – is home to the staggeringly enormous Nebraska Furniture Mart that almost 60,000 visitors rated at 4.6 stars on Google. The warehouse and showroom total 1.8 million square feet, making it America's biggest furniture store that sells everything from living room and nursery sets to treadmills and the latest Apple tech. Another whopper is Scheels (4.6 Google stars), the world's largest sporting goods destination at 331,000 square feet. In addition to its 85 dizzying specialty departments of sports and athletic gear, Scheels also has an arcade, cafe, and a 65-foot indoor Ferris wheel.

Inside Grandscape also lies The Homestead, a curated retail district where local boutiques are a welcome counterpoint to the venue's outsized stores. One essential stop for unique souvenirs is jeweler Toi & Moi, which crafts customizable, "permanent" bracelets that have earned over 2,300 perfect, 5-star Google reviews. Raved one Google review: "The craftsmanship is flawless, the pieces feel luxurious yet comfortable, and the customization options make it feel truly mine." Handmade wares shine too at Odin Leather Goods, where beautifully crafted leather apparel and accessories line the shelves. "The quality is incredible — love supporting small businesses that build products designed to last," shared one customer on Google.

Swap shops for Mother Nature at Lewisville Lake, one of many Texas lakes with sunny shores and slow-paced fishing. The Colony fronts 23 miles of Lewisville's shoreline, where residents enjoy some of Dallas' best lake access with paddleboarding, boating, waterskiing, swimming, and year-round fishing for catfish, bass, and crappie right on their doorstep. To get in on the fun, head to the swimming beach at Stewart Creek Park. The park website lists several other lake amenities, including watercraft rentals, a boat ramp and dock, and tent and RV camping.

Itching to Texas two-step? Hit the floor at Maverick's Dance Hall, a bustling nightclub boasting five bars with DJs and live music. Expect primarily country tunes, but come prepared to groove to anything from hip hop to Tejano music. One patron on Reddit noted the "packed" spot draws a colorful crowd between the ages of 30 to 50: "The dance floor seems to range from people 'trying it out' to professional dancers swinging, making a big show of it."

For speakeasy vibes, dial the secret code inside the iconic London phone booth that grants night owls exclusive access to the aptly-named bar, Red Phone Booth (4.8 Google stars). The craft cocktail menu at this Grandstand mainstay features classics like the Paloma and Old Fashioned, a signature twist on the Whiskey Sour, and an ode to James Bond called Never Say No. Online reviews applaud the beautiful design, elevated atmosphere, and scrumptious cocktails. One Google review commented: "Such a classy and well-dressed spot. No baggy clothing, no sneakers, no ripped T-shirts. This place embodies the old-style speakeasies from the Prohibition era."

Breweries and taprooms in this Texas Brew City make for a fun, laid-back night out. If you've only got time for one, make it Beard Science Sour House Brewery (4.6 Google stars). Pours here boast a one-of-a-kind fermentation and souring process, resulting in fascinating flavor profiles like pickled jalapeño watermelon and black currant. The Beard Science taproom is next to Truck Yard (4.6 Google stars), a beer garden named Best Patio in Dallas by Dallas Observer. This local fave with three bars fills up with food trucks and live entertainment until 1:00 a.m. on weekends, and midnight during the week. And to keep the pints pouring, head down to Austin, "The Beer Capital of Texas."