There are many reasons why one chooses a neighborhood. Family. Proximity. Wide Open Spaces. When we made the choice to move to DFW, my family and I chose Rockwall. Why? We had the desire to be near family members with kids the same age as ours, and my husband is a Garland/Rockwall native. Oh, and the lake doesn’t hurt, either.
Since arriving in Rockwall four years ago, we’ve re-discovered a strong community that takes pride in itself and its residents. Things are happening out here, and it’s pretty awesome. Keep reading to discover my top five reasons why living in Rockwall well… rocks!
Reason #1: There’s tons of fun stuff going on.
Where do I start? The Rockwall Parks & Recreation offers year-round events and classes (think family campouts, fishing derbies, Woof Stock) for kids of all ages. There are two separate summer music series—the San Jacinto Plaza Music Series and the Concert by the Lake series. One of my favorite things to do with my family over the summer is Family Fun Fridays. Once a month, we head to one of the local parks for movie night. We pack snacks, drinks and glow sticks, and the kids get to enjoy jump houses and free popcorn. When I need a girl’s night out, Night Owls is a must. On the second Thursday of every month, you can enjoy late business hours, snacks, discounts, and giveaways. Other annual events include wine and art walks, the bi-annual Aspasians Marketplace, and more.
Reason #2: There’s a legit foodie scene.
Rockwall has its finger on the pulse of a thriving foodie movement. One of the newest additions is Standard Service, a sister restaurant to the popular Greenville haunt, HG Sply Co. This rustic-luxe restaurant serves up cool drinks and popular bites—be sure to try the Farmhouse Bowl and the Remedy burger. Zanata, located on the historic square, has fantastic wood-fired pizza and a killer house sangria. Another hot spot is Bin 303, which serves up delicious, Texas-inspired cuisine, and has a cozy vibe that’s perfect for a date night.
Longtime institutions Culpepper Steak House and The Oar House cover the steakhouse and Italian dining scene, and The Fatted Calf has a killer brunch. Another recent newcomer is Basil Cafe, which offers amazing Japanese and Thai food. And, one of the best burgers in DFW can be found in Rockwall. When you go to Bootsburger, you order from a window in a home, from the same family that’s been serving classic American hamburgers since the ‘60s.
Last, but not least is the Farmers Market, one of the best in the area. Every Saturday morning from May to September, you can buy local, fresh food from over 30 vendors in downtown Rockwall. There’s also a lot of other fun stuff to do at the market, like pet a local rescue dog, grab a coffee from local roaster The Book Club Cafe, and listen to the music that’s often playing on the square.
Reason #3: You can live the lake life.
Lake Ray Hubbard is what separates Rockwall from Dallas county. The Harbor is a lakefront district, and home to Gloria’s Latin Cuisine. The city hosts concerts, festivals, and movie nights here throughout the year. It’s fun to wander the lake front, check out the fountain, or watch the boats drift in and out of the harbor.
Even if you don’t have a boat, it’s still easy to enjoy the lake. Book a cruise with Sail with Scott and choose from three different options: the cruise, the sunset cruise, or the moonlight/starlight cruise (suggested age for late cruises on Friday and Saturday is 6 and up). You’ll board the Seawolf—a 40-foot long by 25-foot wide sailing catamaran—and be chartered around the lake by the experienced captain, Scott Self. And, the best part? It’s BYOB, and you can bring your own picnic!
Reason #4: There’s real history here.
Rockwall was founded in 1854, so history runs deep here. And, that rock wall you hear about? It really exists. In fact, the Rockwall County Historical Foundation recently unveiled a portion of the wall near the Rockwall County Museum in Harry Myers Park. Also, after a recent multi-million dollar facelift, the downtown square now includes a walking plaza, extra parking, and ADA-accessible sidewalks. The historic buildings house a community of independently-owned restaurants and boutiques.
Reason #5: There’s a lot of green space.
It’s been a pleasant surprise to see that Rockwall takes outdoor fun seriously. We love exploring the Squabble Creek Mountain Biking trails, and my husband and his buddies hit up the highly-rated disc golf course at Harry Myers Park on a regular basis. There are three splash pads, tons of neighborhood parks that are open to the public, and the Rockwall Open Space Alliance is working to preserve open space for future generations to enjoy. There’s even a brand-new workout loop near the county courthouse!
So Why Is All This Awesome?
Rockwall is only 25 miles outside Dallas city limits. For us, it’s a good balance of small-town life, great schools, and reasonable access to a world-class city when we need a little more hustle and bustle.
Why do you love your neighborhood? Share with us in a comment below!
Rockwall was actually founded in 1854.
Hi, Bob
You are absolutely right! Thanks for noticing! The county was founded in 1873. We will fix that detail right away. Have a great day.
Excellent article, Gabby. Thank you for highlighting some of the best our Community has to offer. The Visitors Center located in the Chamber of Commerce has additional information on Places and Things to Do!!
Thanks, Dana!
Great article about a great place to live! We loved living in Rockwall for all the reasons you mentioned, but sadly the daily commute across the lake into Dallas and back was wearing on my hubby so we decided to move in. There are so many things I miss about Rockwall, but surprisingly I’m enjoying the big city too. I’m especially glad our family now has a couple of extra hours together each day. I was surprised when several of our friends made the same move, so I didn’t have to start from scratch meeting new people – bonus!