Downtown Carrollton is a historic commercial district in Carrollton, Texas, centered on the Square, where local businesses and the town’s railroad history meet. You can reach the area by DART’s Green Line, browse its shops and dining, and spot public art among the streets and storefronts.
- Historic centre: The Square has been a community and retail hub since the early 1900s.
- Rail access: Downtown Carrollton Station is served by DART’s Green Line.
- From Lone Star Inn: Downtown Carrollton Station is about 20 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by car from a Carrollton hotel.
- Recurring event: The annual Festival at the Switchyard honors Carrollton’s railroad history.
Finding your way around Downtown Carrollton
Historic Downtown Carrollton Square is the best place to orient yourself: it’s an active retail area with shopping, dining, entertainment and other businesses. The City identifies the district at 1106 S. Broadway Street, Carrollton, TX 75006.
Local merchants began forming the Square in 1900. By the time Carrollton incorporated in 1913, it stood at the centre of a thriving community with rail access in every direction. The first gazebo arrived in 1921 and became a venue for concerts, speeches and Saturday dances.
Rail lines shaped the town’s growth, too. Tracks belonging to three railroad companies intersected just north of the present-day Square. That history is reflected in the name of the annual Festival at the Switchyard.
As you walk through Historic Downtown, look for the bronze Carrollton Critters sculptures placed around the district. The City suggests using the sculptures and historical information panels as clues for a self-guided scavenger hunt.
How do you get to Downtown Carrollton by rail or road?
DART’s Downtown Carrollton Station connects the area to the Green Line and the Square by an elevated pedestrian bridge over Belt Line Road. The station is at Belt Line Road and Broadway Street, at 1013 N. Denton Drive, Carrollton, TX 75006.
For a visit from ways to get around Carrollton, consider the Green Line if your plans include a special event. The City recommends it for event visits and notes that regular transit charges apply. The station also has bus connections on route 229, paratransit service and GoLink on-demand service.
DART provides parking and accessible facilities at the station. The City identifies ADA-accessible parking at 4th Street, in the lot north of the Square on Elm Street, and in the lot under I-35. Parking arrangements can change, so check the official site before you go.
Places and businesses to check before visiting
The Square’s shops, dining and entertainment give you a compact area to browse, with local businesses gathered around the historic centre. For a quieter way to take in its history, follow the Carrollton Critters and information panels as scavenger-hunt clues.
Events bring additional activity to the district. Sounds on the Square features live music at the Historic Downtown gazebo. The annual Festival at the Switchyard celebrates the area’s railroad connections; the City describes it as a free event with parking, rides, games and concerts.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 10 AM–6 PM
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Event schedules and access details can change. Check the City of Carrollton’s official site before you go for current event and parking information.
Pairing downtown with a wider Carrollton day
Start with the Square’s storefronts and public art, then add a longer look at the city using a one-day Carrollton itinerary. Downtown’s history provides a clear thread for the day: the Square grew alongside rail access, and the nearby switchyard remains part of the area’s story.
If you arrive by rail, the elevated pedestrian bridge leads from Downtown Carrollton Station over Belt Line Road toward the Square. Once downtown, the businesses, gazebo, sculptures and history panels are all part of the same district, so you can combine a browse with a self-guided look at local history.
FAQs
What is Downtown Carrollton known for?
Historic Downtown Carrollton Square is an active retail area with shopping, dining, entertainment and other businesses. The district also reflects Carrollton’s history as a rail-connected community.
Does DART serve Downtown Carrollton?
Yes. Downtown Carrollton Station is served by the Green Line and connects to the Square with an elevated pedestrian bridge over Belt Line Road.
What are the Carrollton Critters?
They are bronze sculptures located throughout Historic Downtown. The City suggests combining them with the district’s historical information panels for a scavenger hunt.
Is the Festival at the Switchyard a regular event?
Yes. It is an annual event honoring the role of railroads in Carrollton’s history. The City describes it as free, with parking, rides, games and concerts.