Things to Do in Rowlett

Westlake Skate Center’s expansive indoor rink twinkles under a hanging canopy of lights as four-wheeled feet soar across the sleek floor. Music and black lights crank up the energy as guests lace up traditional skates or rollerblades and blast off after friends. The rink hosts birthday parties complete with drinks and ice cream, and provides lessons that introduce students to quick stops, graceful turns, and Vlad, the talking roller skate.

For nearly 30 years, Future Flight has unfurled its fleet of parachutes to send riders soaring through the open sky aboard lightweight two-person flying machines. Sky captains brief each patron during a preflight inspection and provide a few minutes of on-the-ground instruction on flying powered parachutes to ensure a safe and fun trip. The seasoned aviators then throttle up a rear propeller from the pilot's seat and rumble down the runway until the attached parachute swells with wind and lifts the craft into the air, sending pairs soaring above the Lake Lavon shoreline at altitudes of up to 1,000 feet. For patrons interested in amateur migration, Future Flight also runs training lessons for solo flying in sport-pilot and Far Part 103 Ultralight craft, and sells new and used vehicles and accessories.

At Dream Horse Academy, riders of all skill levels study the techniques of Western-style riding with veteran trainers and friendly, hoofed creatures. Head trainer Jenna Wurtele has been riding horses since the age of 5 and spent much of her childhood involved in junior rodeos and various horse associations, such as the National Reining Horse Association. She draws from her experiences working for first-class reining barns and judging open equine shows to build strong bonds between horses and their riders, With an enormous covered arena, Dream Horse Academy’s handlers can practice their craft in any weather. Horse-owners can also enroll their four-legged friends into training programs that prepare equines for upcoming shows and spelling bees.

Since she was just a toddler, Melissa Doose has been riding horses. At MD Barrel Horses, she shares the expertise she's built with students of all experience levels during one-on-one lessons. Guests learn to communicate riding cues to horses and practice techniques for skills such as grooming and saddling. Doose also boards clients' horses at the farm.

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.