Tucked away to the south of Lake Grapevine, the city of Southlake has a small-town vibe. But, being close to two major metropolitan cities Dallas and Fort Worth  and the bustling DFW Airport makes it an extremely popular place to live a best-of-both-worlds life. The city of approximately 33,000 people surrounds the multipurpose Southlake Town Square, a shopping and dining destination for residents and people from all over the metroplex. Its 1,100 acres of parkland and open space offers beauty and tranquility to residents and visitors alike. Many members of the Briggs Freeman Sothebys International Realty team call this charming city home and weve compiled an insiders list of five fun things to do in Southlake  whether youre planning a move there or a memorable weekend getaway.

1. Make a Date with Mother Nature

One of the hidden gems of the Dallas-Fort Worth region, the Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve (BJNCP) covers a gorgeous 758 acres of the Cross Timbers ecosystem and is home to nearly 700 different species of flora and fauna, including white-tailed deer, bobcats and coyotes. The preserve honors Bob Jones, a man born into slavery in 1850, who rose to prominence after slaves were freed to become one of the most respected ranchers and farmers in the region. The land on which the preserve sits was property once owned by Jones and his descendants. Since opening in 2008, the BJNCP has been a popular oasis for getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life, plus it has the unique Cross Timbers Forest Preschool, a 15-week program for children 3 to 5 years old. Twenty miles of hiking trails offer different terrains for all ages and skill levels, but as a friendly FYI, dogs are not allowed on the nature centers trails.

2. Shop Til You Drop

As we mentioned before, Southlake Town Square attracts both locals and tourists from nearby towns and all over the world to stroll among the live-oak trees, fountains and green spaces for an outdoor shopping experience that mixes laid-back charm with world-class shopping venues. More than 126 local boutiques and national stores offer a variety of merchandise, including jewelry and fashion accessories at Texas-based Kendra Scott, fashion-forward womens apparel at the Impeccable Pig, the latest in eyeglass trends at Warby Parker, fun footwear at Vans and the Tesla showroom if youre interested in a retail purchase that has four wheels.

3. Eat, Drink and Be Merry

With more than 130 restaurants in Southlake and 24 within Southlake Town Square alone planning an entire day around where youre going to eat can be an adventure unto itself. From casual to upscale, patio dining to romantic dimly lit restaurants, Southlake has food options thatll please any palate. Youll find all your big-name favorites, but also plenty of local Texas eateries that have crave-worthy menus featuring a variety of cuisines. Our recommendations?  The Salvadoran and Tex-Mex dishes at Glorias Latin Cuisine; salads, sandwiches and flatbreads at Pure Cafe; Asian fare at Thailicious; Italian at Calabrese; steaks and American classics at Wildwood; and Texas staples at Feedstore BBQ. Most definitely bring an appetite.

4. Celebrate as a Community

One of the things Southlake does so well is gathering people together to celebrate holidays or support a local group or cause. (And its famous Carroll Dragons football team. Friday-night football here is absolutely legendary.) Southlake Town Square tends to always be the hub of activity and thats true all year round. Coming up? A series of masterworks concerts takes place at venues around town on select Fridays in August, September and October, with a variety of tribute bands on the schedule. Then the weekend of September 24 to 26, Art in the Square brings artists out to sell their works in a fun and lively festival that also features music, food and much more. You can preview some of the artists that will be in attendance, and even purchase some of their art in advance.

5. Go to the Lake

When the word lake is part of a towns name, you know there has to be one nearby worth visiting and thats definitely the case with the 8,000-acre Lake Grapevine at the northeast border of Southlake. Activities include swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking and a floating water park on the lake. There is also hiking, biking and camping in tents, RVs or cabins as popular off-water pastimes. Several parks surround the lake on all sides, so you can eaily determine which one fits your needs, or simply offers the most scenic views.

Your ultimate go-to for things to do in Southlake? Any one of the expert agents in the Southlake office of Briggs Freeman Sothebys International Realty: They not only know that special city, they love that special city.