In Garland, factories make a variety of products, young people make their careers, and families make their homes. That's where the city gets its motto: "Texas Made Here."

The city sits in the northeast corner of the state, but it represents the heart of Texas in spirit. With a population of fewer than 250,000 people, Garland has a classic southern small-town vibe. Two DART Blue Line buses provide a convenient gateway to big-city life in nearby Dallas. As a result, Garland provides the best of both worlds.

The city got its start as a manufacturing center in the 1930s when the Craddock food company came along. During World War II, the city became home to several aircraft factories. When the war ended, one of those factories transitioned from aircraft to Kraft Foods. Garland's Kraft Foods plant is still in business today and is one of the city's top employers. Resistol Hats also helped Garland achieve success in manufacturing. Resistol's first factory opened in Garland in 1938. Since then, the company has made cowboy hats for celebrities such as John Wayne, George Strait, and even President Ronald Reagan.

Today, Garland's manufacturing industry produces electronics, dairy products, and many other necessities. But the city isn't all work and no play. You'll find several public parks where families can let loose and have fun. Breckenridge Park is pet-friendly with a playground, huge swaths of grass to run through, and a duck pond. Crowley Park offers walking trails through scenic fields and forests. At Palos Verdes Lake Park, you can canoe, kayak, and fish to your heart's content. For families who prefer to spend their summers swimming, Garland has Surf & Swim. This water park features several pools and aquatic playgrounds. Swimming lessons are available every summer for children of all ages.

Firewheel Town Center is another of Garland's biggest attractions. It's an open-air urban mall with over 100 major retail stores and locally owned boutiques. It's also home to a wide variety of restaurants to suit any appetite. One is Bar Louie, a casual eatery serving classic American dishes alongside brews and cocktails. Another favorite is Gloria's Mexican Restaurant, with its authentic Slavadoran cuisine and signature margaritas. Razzoo's Cajun Cafe serves eccentric dishes such as gator's tail, made fresh to order every day. Besides its many shopping and dining options, Firewheel Town Center holds an IMAX theatre.

While Garland has plenty of activities to keep locals entertained, it has its share of inconveniences, too. One of those is trees. Trees can add value to a Garland home, but they can also be difficult to care for and dangerous if they rot and fall. LawnStarter is here to help. Just download the LawnStarter app, enter your ZIP code, and we will match you with the best tree care pros in your area. These tree service technicians can chop down trees, remove stumps, or prune the trees you want to keep. With LawnStarter's help, worrying about tree care can be a thing of the past, and you can use your newfound free time to explore all Garland has to offer.