The Mustangs of Las Colinas Sculpture and Museum and Visitors Center — Attraction in Irving

OMG. I had seen photos of this place many years ago and wanted to visit ever since. It did not disappoint. The sculptures and fountain (hoof splashes) were even more impressive than I could have imagined.

The horse sculptures radiate energy, strength, and perseverance, and are astoundingly beautiful. The 'splashes' their hooves make in the water add a magical reality to it all. I could completely imagine real mustangs running across the plaza.

I chose to visit at night because of the added dimension of it all lit up in the dark. It was spectacular and having only a few other people pass through made it even more special.

I will be visiting during the day next time though to be able to enjoy them in day light as well.

I was also pleasantly surprised with the surrounding water feature and the steps and elevation changes of the surrounding area. From photos, I'd thought it was just a flat, round area they were running through. It's much more and is well done.

Now I fully understand why this design won three awards, including one from the ASLA and one from the ULI, it is...

I love this spot. Especially when there's open parking on the street adjacent to these majestic creatures. I don't know why I'm so drawn to this place, but I've found myself here taking photos of these guys several times over the recent years. Side note: be prepared to be confronted by security if you look "professional," while snapping those photos (i.e., if you break out the tripod). Without fail, the moment I attach my camera to a tripod, security makes a beeline for my position. They must have a prewritten script on what to say,and it goes something like this: "Are you taking these photos for commercial purposes?" "No, sir. Just for fun." I break into a big smile for emphasis on how much fun I'm having for no monetary profit. "So, you don't plan on selling these photos then?" "No, Sir, I do not." "Okay, have a nice day." All that was to say, you can take as many photos as you like here, but you can't sell them or market them for monetary gain. Just be prepared for the above conversation.

The mustangs are very photogenic and worth a stop if...

I understand this sculpture's water feature is undergoing renovation, so I'll review based upon what it looks like when the water feature is working.For something so well-known, this sculpture is oddly hidden. Once you're able to park and walk over to see it, however, it's really impressive. The details in the horses is intricate, and the water fountains at their hooves really give the illusion of motion of the horses. I can imagine if you work in the building itself, it can be a relaxing place to decompress on a stressful day. I lived in the area for six months a while back, and I passed this sculpture every day on the way to work. It always made me smile! (And of course, us "oldies" will remember the sculpture as featured in the opening credits of the TV...