Things to Do in Rockwall

Drivers careen at a blinding 85 miles per hour around the track at Dallas Karting Complex. In order to take the wheel of a high-speed Rotax DD2 karts, racers must pass a few tests, including achieving a 74-second lap time on the 0.8-mile track, reaching 16 years of age, and being able to recite three quotes from The Fast and the Furious in iambic pentameter. Drivers who don't meet the high-octane criteria or are interested in a simpler ride can zip around the track's 17 turns in lower-speed karts, starting at the 30-miles-per-hour cadet carts for kids aged 7–15 or the karts for adults that burn rubber at highway speeds. The 25-acre facility has enough room to host racing parties for kids and adults, as well as corporate meetings to discuss the feasibility of commuting to work in a Rotax DD2.

The melodic clopping of hooves hitting the dirt is a familiar one to Chisholm Trail Rides' instructors, who command their noble animals over the surrounding network of trails during rides and lessons. Under the watchful eye of a guide, students lead their steeds into bouts of walking, trotting, or cantering. As instructors tailor instruction to the skills of each rider, the stable's assortment of breeds includes arabians, half arabians, and quarter horses that accommodate all styles. Though rides and lessons are designed for the trails, riders may remain inside the arena or horse's belly pouch until they feel comfortable emerging into the open expanse.

It’s a quiet afternoon in Rhome when the tranquil plains suddenly erupt with whoops and hollers. A pair of tandem skydivers has just seemingly dropped out of nowhere and is high-fiving and cheering while they fall. One has done this drop countless times and the other is about to check the adrenaline-fueling activity off his bucket list.

The staff behind Thrillzown makes it their goal to see activities such as skydiving get crossed off of lists. In doing this, they offer hot air balloon rides, ziplining, and hang-gliding, along with a host of other activities. They can also advise hesitant customers on the appropriate thrill to partake in, pointing out which jaunts are more serene versus which ones make Superman nervous.

The sun melts into the horizon, leaving a bright-orange band of sky in its wake that gives way to a deep-blue Texas night. Twinkling lights wrapped around the windmill flicker on as ebullient music fills Fish Camp's outdoor patio, to the delight of diners savoring their desserts in the open air. Such evenings are hardly a rarity at the restaurant, which beckons guests to its quiet countryside location with a menu of seafood and traditional Southern comfort food.

Inside the buzzing kitchen, chefs whip up mouthwatering dishes featuring aquatic ingredients such as clear-water, farm-raised catfish and gulf prawns. The chefs also assemble platefuls of comfort food using traditional recipes from across the South, ranging from Texas toothpicks and Cajun-style blackened tilapia to Kentucky-bourbon pecan pie. Young diners can frolic on the deck and partake in casual fishing to retrieve lost contact lenses, and local musicians assemble on Friday and Saturday nights to delight patrons with live performances.

The clear water of Lake Ray Hubbard mirrors the big blue sky above it, inviting clouds to gaze at their reflection and people to come swim or lounge. Located on its eastern shore, Five Star Boat Club fuels up luxury ski boats to chaperon two-, four-, or six-hour cruises around the tranquil waters. Should renters wish to let someone else do the navigating, the company will happily thaw a seasoned captain from his cryogenic sleep and place him at the boat’s helm for the day. The boat, the Tahoe Q4SS, has a wide sundeck, stainless steel ski tow bar, and cushioned bucket seats to lounge in while music blares from the onboard CD player.

Water ripples behind wakeboarders as they zip across Hydrous Wake Park’s dual lakes, pulled through the waves by an overhead cable system. With the park's four separate cable systems to minimize wait times, up to six riders can grab hold of the tow lines dangling from above the dock, which pull them along at speeds of up to 18 miles per hour atop rental boards. As they skim the waters, riders can showboat on the park's numerous safe floating features, launching off ramps and rails to rival the best of waterskiing squirrels. Between rides, visitors can watch other boarders from the shaded viewing area or retire to the family play area to fuel up at its picnic tables or the onsite restaurant. To gear up for future rides, patrons can stock up at the full pro shop, which carries wakeboards, helmets, swimwear, and apparel. The Park's newest location in Little Elm will be opening late May 2013 with three different cable systems.