One of the top rodeos in Texas, and a huge draw for out-of-towners and travelers from abroad, is the Mesquite Championship Rodeo, about 20 miles northeast of downtown at Resistol Arena, 1818 Rodeo Dr. (tel. 800/833-9339 or 972/285-8777; www.mesquiterodeo.com). You can check out some authentic professional rodeo action -- bull riding, saddle and bareback riding, calf roping, and chuck wagon races -- on Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm (reserved grandstand seating $14; general admission $10 adults, $7 seniors, $4 children under 12). Animal rights sympathizers might feel a bit squeamish watching some of the roping exercises, which snap calves' heads back violently. There's a petting zoo for kids and a gift shop for Western duds just like the ones the cowboys and their fans will be sporting. Rodeo season is April through October.