On our final day in Dallas, it was time for us to take part in two longstanding Texas traditions: the State Fair and of course, amazing barbecue.  Keep reading to learn more about two of Dallas' best kept secrets: Summer Adventures in Fair Park and the Lockhart Smokehouse.

For kids, for adults, for families, the State Fair of Texas presents its Summer Adventures in Fair Park, an island get-away less than two miles from downtown Dallas. You are immediately greeted upon arrival with colorful leis, free sun screen and free bottled water to make the effortless journey to fun even more carefree. For those choosing DART as the first ride of the day, a Summer Adventures tram awaits at Fair Park station to shuttle to admission gates. Once inside, check out the great food favorites that you have come to love at the State Fair of Texas.

Upon entry to this cashless venue, you will acquire Summer Adventures Passports, onto which spending money for the day can be loaded for purchasing food, souvenir shopping and playing Midway games.  Then, your family can choose to visit slithery sea creatures in the Children’s Aquarium and exotic butterflies in the Texas Discovery Gardens, all for no additional cost.  It's all included in the Summer Adventures admission fee.

Nowhere else will visitor comforts surpass those found at Summer Adventures in Fair Park.  Endless shade structures, misters, play pools, pop up geysers, splashy rides and water attractions rope in the lazy days of the season to make family memories outdoors.

Summer Adventures is the perfect spot to host your own party too - reserve a private cabana or Airstream trailer for birthday parties, family reunions and corporate functions.  Whoever you are, whatever your age, the State Fair of Texas’ Summer Adventures in Fair Park – with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions – will take you away to a tropical paradise you’ll want to visit time and time again.

Imagine, the great BBQ joints of Lockhart, Texas just a short trip from anywhere in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.  Lockhart Smokehouse, located in the Bishop Arts District of Dallas, fires up the great smoked meat classics that make Lockhart the "Barbecue Capital of Texas".  Lockhart Smokehouse is the only place in the DFW area where you can get Kreuz Market Sausage, and just like the original, the meat is served on butcher paper.  It's also recently been named one of the top 50 BBQ joints in Texas by Texas Monthly magazine.

The brisket, sausage, ribs and other meats are smoked over Texas post oak. Updated versions of classic southern sides and some Schmidt family favorites round out the menu.  To say this menu is hot, would be an understatement...and I mean in both flavor and actual heat.  Picture large hunks of roasted jalapeno mixed within a classic dish like macaroni and cheese and you begin to get the picture.

Lockhart Smokehouse is an amazing little barbecue place that definitely knows its craft and yet still feels like your favorite neighborhood hangout.  We were lucky enough to meet the pitmaster, Will Fleischman, who told us to leave our diets at the door when it comes to choosing a good piece of brisket.  The best flavor is in the fattiest meats.  These will soak up all of the yummy smoked goodness the wood has to impart.  He couldn't have been more right and to say that we left the Lockhart Smokehouse in anything less than a meat-induced coma would be an understatement.  It was true bliss on butcher paper.