Summer is officially here. The World Cup is in our backyard. Universal Kids Resort opens July 1. The neighborhoods we work in every day are transforming faster than at almost any point in recent memory. This month’s blog goes deeper – plus stories that didn’t fit in the email: the complete pool breakdown, where to pick berries before the season closes, and an honest guide to every major Dallas country club.
The FIFA World Cup — Your Complete Watch Guide
The biggest sporting event in North Texas history officially kicks off June 14 and runs through July 14. Nine matches at AT&T Stadium in Arlington — including a quarterfinal and semifinal — will bring hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world to our doorstep.
The matches at AT&T Stadium, Arlington: Nine total matches including group stage games, a quarterfinal, and the semifinal on July 14. Full schedule at FIFA.com.
FC Dallas Soccer Festival — Frisco: FC Dallas is running a 39-day festival at Simpson Plaza in Frisco with watch parties, live music, food vendors, and activations for every match day. Free to attend. fcdallas.com.
FIFA Fan Festival — Fair Park, Dallas: The official FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park runs 34 days, free and open to the public daily through July 14.
Where to watch near our neighborhoods:
Soccer Spectrum — Richardson (1251 Digital Drive · soccerspectrum.com) A Richardson institution since 1986, founded by the Mungioli family and now owned by neighbors Wes Pingelton and Steve Barton. Reserved watch parties for all 64 World Cup matches. Indoor bar and lounge, covered outdoor patio, private event spaces. The most authentic soccer watch experience in North Texas.
Mexican Bar Company — Plano (6121 W. Park Blvd) 21 big screens, sound on for every game, food and drink specials throughout the tournament.
CRAFT Beer Market — Preston Center (Northwest Highway at Preston Road) 10,500 square feet, a 360-degree bar, 100+ beers on tap, and a 5,250 square foot rooftop patio. Confirmed FIFA watch party venue all summer.
Sources: FIFA.com / FC Dallas / AT&T Stadium / Soccer Spectrum
The CORE District — Richardson’s Best-Kept Secret
Five minutes from Prestonwood and the Reservation, you’ll find The CORE District is composed of five distinct neighborhoods — Chinatown, Downtown, Heights, Interurban, and Lockwood — each with its own character. Most people in our neighborhoods have no idea it exists – today I’m talking about the:
The Lockwood Neighborhood
Lockwood Distilling Co. — 506 Lockwood Drive. Richardson’s only distillery, Southern comfort food, live music Thursday through Saturday. The original anchor of the neighborhood.
Oak Highlands Brewery — 500 Lockwood Drive. Opened May 31, 2025 after a decade in Lake Highlands. Craft beer brewed in-house, Brix BBQ food truck permanently on site (Texas Monthly 2025 honorable mention), live music, open seven days a week. Lockwood Distilling donated used bourbon barrels to Oak Highlands as a welcome gift for a special seasonal draft. That detail tells you everything about the spirit of this place.
Las Lomas Mexican Cuisine — 520 Lockwood Drive. Family-owned, authentic Mexican food, live mariachi and regional music, open daily. Cultural events including Dia de los Muertos and Mexican Independence Day celebrations.
Communion Coffee Cafe — 514 Lockwood Drive. Coffee, breakfast, lunch, and a modern co-working space. The neighborhood’s daytime anchor.
The CORE District’s other four neighborhoods — Chinatown (one of the oldest Chinese-American communities in the Metroplex, established in the mid-1980s), Downtown (historic main street anchored by the Eisemann Center), Heights, and Interurban — each offer their own distinct character and dining options.
Universal Kids Resort Opens July 1
Universal Kids Resort in Frisco officially opens July 1, 2026 — the first theme park in the United States designed exclusively for younger children and their families. Located just off the Dallas North Tollway and Panther Creek Parkway in Frisco, about 20 minutes from Prestonwood.
Seven themed lands:
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- Shrek’s Swamp Adventure
- SpongeBob SquarePants — Bikini Bottom
- Jurassic World
- Minions Land
- Trolls — The Musical Experience
- Puss in Boots’ Adventure
- Gabby’s Dollhouse
More than 30 experiences including rides, live entertainment, play zones, sensory gardens, and character meet-and-greets. A 300-room Universal Kids Resort Hotel sits at the park entrance with family suites, outdoor pool, arcade, and dining.
Tickets on sale now with one-day, two-day, and annual pass options. universalkidsresort.com
The Complete Pool Guide — Summer 2026
Seven pools covering Richardson, North Dallas, Carrollton, and Plano. Here’s exactly where to go based on your family’s ages and what kind of day you want to have.
Heights Family Aquatic Center — Richardson 709 W. Arapaho Rd · Tue–Sun 12–8pm
Zero-depth beach entry, climbing structure, lazy river, vortex pool, two 2-story slides (48-inch minimum), shaded toddler pool. Coolers welcome. Resident discount. Best for: Families with kids of all ages.
Greenwood Hills Community Club — Richardson 1501 N. Waterview Dr
160,000-gallon pool, diving board, covered toddler wading pool, sand volleyball, covered pavilions, gas grills. BYOB, BYOF. $10/adult, $5/child guests. Best for: True neighborhood pool experience.
The Cove at Fretz Park — North Dallas (75248) 14730 Hillcrest at Beltline · Tue–Sun 12:30–7pm (closed Wed) · May 30–Aug 9
8-lane lap pool, diving board, climbing wall, flume slides, lazy river, zero-entry children’s pool with interactive play structure. Best for: Older kids and thrill-seekers. Most feature-rich public pool in 75248.
Rosemeade Rainforest Aquatic Complex — Carrollton 1334 E. Rosemeade Pkwy · Mon–Thu 11–8pm, Fri 11–6pm, Sat 10–6pm, Sun 1–6pm
Two 22-foot slides, 200-foot lazy river, zero-depth activity pool, toddler splash pool, 660-gallon dump bucket. Non-residents $9 weekdays, $10 weekends. Best for: Families who want it all.
Jack Carter Pool — Plano 2601 Pleasant Valley Dr, Plano, TX 75023 Monday+Sunday: 12 pm – 6 pm, Tuesday + Thursday – Saturday: 12pm – 8 pm, Wednesday: Closed
Dual-rider tube slide, body slide, lazy river, deep water pool, climbing wall, toddler zone. Best for: Older kids who want slides and thrills.
The Texas Pool — Plano 901 Springbrook Dr, Plano, TX 75075
168,000-gallon saltwater pool shaped like the state of Texas. South Texas shallow end for toddlers. Slides and diving board. Open to members and day guests. Best for: Anyone who has never been. Genuine North Texas bucket list.
Plano Aquatic Center —Plano 2301 Wildcat Way, Plano · Year-round. Indoor/outdoor, splash pad, swim lessons. Best for: Toddlers, young swimmers, birthday parties.
Get Out While It’s Still Beautiful
Blase Family Farm — Rockwall (~35 min) · 1232 East Fork Drive · (972) 772-3645
Pick-your-own blueberries, no pesticides ever. Homemade blueberry popsicles, jam, baked goods on site. Reservations required — daily availability posted at 2pm. Season late May through early July.
Ham Orchards — Terrell (~45 min) · 11939 County Road 309 · (972) 524-2028
200 acres, 15,000+ peach trees, 8-acre pick-your-own blackberry patch, homemade peach soft serve, full country store. Open daily except Sunday, mid-May through mid-August.
Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden — Dallas Arboretum (~20 min) · 8525 Garland Road
150+ interactive exhibits, Texas Skywalk through the tree canopy, wetlands, 30-foot tree snag. Open daily 9am–5pm.
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center — Cedar Hill (~25 min) · 1206 W. FM 1382 · (469) 526-1980
150-foot wooded canyon, guided bird walks, nature hikes. Wed–Sat 9am–4pm, Sun 11am–3pm. Pro tip: go early. The best spots at the farms are gone by noon on weekends.
Dallas Country Clubs — Which One Is Right for Your Family
One of the first questions relocating buyers ask me is about club membership. The club you want to join often determines the neighborhood that makes the most sense. Here’s an honest guide to who each major Dallas club is best suited for.
Dallas Country Club (DCC) — Highland Park. Established 1896. Most prestigious social address in Dallas. Membership by invitation only, long waiting list. Best suited for: established Dallas families, legacy members.
Brook Hollow Golf Club — Northwest Dallas. Built 1920 by A.W. Tillinghast. Texas Golf Hall of Fame. Best overall golf architecture in Dallas. Pure golf, no family programming. Best suited for: serious golfers for whom golf is the entire point.
Northwood Club — Northwest Dallas. Hosted the 1952 U.S. Open. Tennis, resort-style swimming, 65,000 sq ft clubhouse. Currently undergoing major renovation. Best suited for: families who want golf plus strong amenities and genuine prestige.
Bent Tree Country Club — 5201 Westgrove Drive, Far North Dallas. Golf, tennis, pickleball, resort-style pools, fitness, youth programs, multiple dining outlets. Comprehensive renovation underway since 2025. Best suited for: Prestonwood, Far North Dallas, and West Plano families who want a full-service club without driving into the city.
The Clubs of Prestonwood — Two locations: The Creek (North Dallas) and The Hills (Plano). Championship golf, tennis, pickleball, pools, fitness, dining. Social membership from $220/month. Best suited for: Prestonwood, Canyon Creek, and West Plano families who want convenience and a strong family program.
Preston Trail Golf Club — Far North Dallas. Men-only. Extremely exclusive. Pure golf, no family programming. Best suited for: serious male golfers for whom exclusivity is the point.
