You can try it all at Grand Prairie’s newest destination hangout, EpicCentral.
There has likely never been a more fitting description for an entertainment destination than EpicCentral. It truly is “All Together Epic!” Located in Grand Prairie, just off State Highway 161 and north of Interstate 20, EpicCentral is Dallas-Fort Worth’s newest entertainment district. EpicCentral is a place where thrills and fun meets Texas-style hospitality and where families and friends come together. It’s a hub. A hideaway. An epic hangout.
Make a Splash!
EpicCentral is best known for having the largest indoor waterpark in Texas, Epic Waters, which was recently nominated as one of the top 10 indoor waterparks in the U.S. Epic Waters includes a giant wave pool, surfing simulator, swimming holes, twisting luges, and a new 70-foot-tall waterslide, Locura, with a 40-foot first drop, speeds up to 35 mph and 360-degree horizontal loop.
The new Bolder Adventure Park is 66,000 square feet of family fun. Courtesy of EpicCentral
Are You Bold Enough?
EpicCentral also lays claim to the first-ever Bolder Adventure Park in the country. Packed inside an air-supported dome structure, Bolder Adventure Park is North Texas’ biggest playground at 60,000 square feet. Rock climbing, zip-lining, archery, gem mining, skating, free-falling, and even a place to shoot squishy balls at your pals, Bolder offers countless opportunities for exploration and high-energy fun. Choose from 18 genuinely unique attractions, each tiered based on the level of adventure you want to tackle: green, blue, black diamond, double black diamond. Bolder also has an arcade with more than 50 of the latest games. Spend a few hours here or the whole day; two visits will never be the same.
Pickleball, Barbecue, and Cocktails
In addition to the water park and adventure park, EpicCentral is also home to Chicken N Pickle, a one-of-a-kind entertainment complex where players of all ages and skills can play a game of pickleball. With 11 pickleball courts (both indoor and outdoor), shuffleboard courts, an outdoor game yard, and a game room with ping-pong and TV screens for watching sports, Chicken N Pickle has something for everyone. New to pickleball? Take a lesson from an on-site pro. After the game, feast on rotisserie chicken, racks of ribs, piled-high sandwiches, and mouth-watering shareable desserts. Perfect for date night, enjoy signature cocktails or craft beers at Chicken N Pickle’s main bar, sports bar, rooftop bar, or Tiki bar. Chicken N Pickle is also the perfect location for corporate events and birthday parties.
Come Hungry!
In addition to Chicken N Pickle, you can also refuel at Loop 9 BBQ. The Loop 9 experience brings you the heat, the sounds, the sights, the smells, and that insane flavor that makes your mouth water and your sleeves roll up. At the end of the day, it comes down to two things: the meat and the smoke. By combining top-quality ingredients, premium meat, and a process that took generations to perfect, Loop 9 BBQ offers a truly premium smokehouse experience in a place that feels like home. For an upscale option, swing by
Loop 9 BBQ invites you to chow down on the best handcrafted Texas barbecue. Courtesy of EpicCentral
The Finch, a sophisticated yet approachable neighborhood restaurant. Whether enjoying a weekday lunch, an afternoon cocktail at the raw bar, or a celebratory dinner, The Finch is the perfect spot. Other restaurants coming soon to EpicCentral include Vidorra, Serious Pizzas/Shakes/Sliders, and a new brunch concept.
Train, Cook, and Create—All in One Spot
You don’t want to miss out on The Epic, a recreation center like no other, offering everything from fitness classes to cooking classes. The moment you walk in, you realize this isn’t your average rec center. Ready for a workout? Take your pick from cross-training and cardio equipment, group classes, and an indoor jogging track. Families love the gymnasium, lap pool, kiddie splash area, and game rooms (including one for teens). The Epic Culinary Kitchen, presented by IKEA, has learning and social opportunities for all ages. And The Epic Theater, presented by Texas Trust Credit Union, is where you’ll find performances and live music that can also be recorded from the in-house recording studio. Arts and crafts classes and an open gym for a pick-up basketball game are also available. Youth camps, an event space, babysitting/childcare, and parent’s night—The Epic offers it all.
An Epic Chill
EpicCentral also has plenty of green space for when you’re ready for a slower pace during your visit. Acres of green space, including a dog park Central Bark, five charming lakes (grab your fishing pole), an expansive GrandLawn with an amphitheater (pack your picnic basket), and 2.3 miles of paved trails (lace up your running shoes).
Outdoor concerts at JAMBOX the new music stage located just outside the restaurants and overlooking the beautiful lakes and trails. Expect to find nightly music featuring local acts on the weekends free to EpicCentral guests.
The GrandLawn is an expansive green space that provides ample room for picnics and free play as well as the occasional movies on the lawn and other special events. Located directly behind The Epic and bordering the lake with a water fountain and a shimmering metal tree art piece, GrandLawn offers breathtaking views for walkers and joggers on the paved trails as well as dozens of cardio machines in The Epic’s fitness area. The gradual slope in the lawn provides natural seating for thousands of people. Be sure to ask about summer campouts on the GrandLawn this fall. A specially designed concrete pad accommodates The City of Grand Prairie’s large, portable concert stage for larger music events.
And of course, playdates are always more fun at PlayGrand Adventures, an inclusive playground of—you guessed it–epic proportions. PlayGrand includes adventure areas designed to stimulate, challenge, and encourage the development of several skill sets, while providing social interaction, a sense of discovery, creativity, and exercise. PlayGrand offers seating for picnics, clean bathrooms, and plenty of shaded areas. Admission to the park is free, and the park is open from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week.
Vegas Lights Come to Grand Prairie
This summer, EpicCentral will host nightly water and light shows on its main lake, much like what you will find on the Las Vegas Strip. The light show is currently in rehearsals, so the water feature’s “choreography” is perfect for its debut later this year. Sit back with a glass of wine and enjoy while the kids are thoroughly entertained by the “dancing” music, water, and lights. And best of all – it’s free.
Coming Soon!
Centrally located in Grand Prairie with convenient access from all points in Dallas-Fort Worth, EpicCentral is this summer’s go-to destination for fun so you can try something new at each visit. In Fall 2023, you can turn your visit into a mini getaway with the opening of two on-site hotels. Homewood Suites Hotel and Hilton Garden Inn are the perfect spots to rewind after a day of adventure at EpicCentral and recharge for another day of exploration and fun. Also coming in Fall 2023 is the EpicCentral convention center–perfect for meetings, big or small. The convention center will house a 10,000-square-foot ballroom with seating for up to 1,000. Learn about upcoming events at EpicCentral and sign up to receive updates on activities and news that will make your visit even better at https://epiccentral.com/event-directory/. Plan your visit, a party, or special visit at https://epiccentral.com/plan/. Choose your next epic adventure at EpicCentral at https://epiccentral.com/thrill/
(Reproduced with permission of D Magazine. To preview the original article, click here.)
