The 11 Best Free Things to Do in Dallas

Spend the afternoon at Klyde Warren Park

Klyde Warren Park is the crown jewel of the Dallas cityscape. This innovative 5.2-acre urban green space is located just above the freeway with the glittering skyline in the background. Klyde Warren isn’t just your average green space, though there are areas for chess, croquet, a dog park, a playground, and ping-pong, along with walking trails and a rotating selection of delicious food trucks. Best of all, the park features a wide variety of free daily programming, from yoga classes and outdoor concerts to movie screenings and lecture series.

Go to the Dallas Museum of Art

TripSavvy / Vincent Mercer

One of the biggest and best art museums in the country is 100% free. Established in 1903 (and conveniently located across from Klyde Warren), the Dallas Museum of Art became the first museum in America to offer free general admission and membership in 2012 (although special exhibits cost money). The museum’s incredible permanent collection spans multiple continents and more than 5,000 years of human history, with works by Rothko, OKeeffe, Monet, Cezanne, Pollock, Van Gogh and many others. Not to mention, the DMA hosts regular weekly events, including concerts, lectures, classes, and theater and dance.

Explore the Dallas art scene in Deep Ellum

The affluent and historic neighborhood of Deep Ellum is without a doubt the city’s cultural hub, with its many art galleries, Instaworthy murals, acclaimed music venues and clubs, unique shops and exciting festivals. Very walkable, it’s a great place to wander around, especially if you’re on a budget. Plan to spend an afternoon here, soaking up the vibrant atmosphere, window shopping, and taking in all the eye-catching murals dotted across the old brick buildings. Check the calendar for upcoming events before you go; There’s always something fun (and free!) at Deep Ellum.

Haga un picnic en White Rock Lake Park

Lush and picturesque White Rock Lake Park is just a few miles east of downtown, but feels like a peaceful oasis far, far away from the chaos. It is more than twice the size of New York City’s Central Park, with a 9.3-mile walking and biking trail, an Audubon Society-designated birding area, a dog park, fishing piers, and a kayak concession. We highly recommend packing a picnic and taking advantage of the lovely little picnic areas dotted around the lakethe Stone Tables, in the easternmost corner of the park near Buckner Boulevard and Poppy Drive, is one of the most popular spots (you can reserve one of the tables or pavilion ahead of time, if desired).

Stroll through the Bishop Arts District

Courtesy of Bishop Arts District

Like Deep Ellum, the Bishop Arts District is a fun place to explore simply on foot (also like Deep Ellum, this is one of the city’s most walkable areas); There are more than 60 independent shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, and art galleries here, but you don’t have to spend a dime to have a good time at Bishop Arts. Stroll through galleries and art collectives, browse antiques at MAntiques, and visit The Wild Detectives, an adorable bookstore, cafe, and bar that has been called the literary heart of Dallas.

Watch the planes take off from the Plaza de los Fundadores

Keerthivasan Rajamani / Flickr / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Translation

Founders’ Plaza in Grapevine is the ideal vantage point for watching planes take off and land at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. If you’re an aviation enthusiast in the slightest, this makes for a great activity, day or night. And even if you’re not, you’ll enjoy it; Pack a picnic and marvel at the open Texas sky. The plaza includes an observation area for spotting planes, with free telescopes and picnic benches.

Visit a museum on a day off

TripSavvy / Vincent Mercer

Several of Dallass major museums are completely free or free on certain days, making museum visiting one of the cheapest things you can do in Big D. The beautifully designed Nasher Sculpture Center is home to Raymond and Patsy. Nasher Collection: one of the best collections of modern and contemporary sculpture in the world. The center is free every first Saturday and third Friday of the month from 5 pm to midnight. The Meadows Museum at SMU houses one of the largest collections of Spanish art in the world and is free on Thursdays after 5 p.m. The Crow Museum of Asian Art and the Dallas Museum of Art are always free, as is modern Dallas Contemporary, a museum that does not collect (meaning it does not have a permanent collection) that presents a challenge

Take a Skyline 360 ​​Tour

Offered at Main Street Garden and Klyde Warren Park, the Dallas Architecture + Design Exchange (also called ADEX) hosts short tours that give participants a brief overview of the Dallas skyline and its most iconic architecture. In less than 30 minutes, you will learn all about the architectural heritage of the city and the history of the city center. Tours are free to the public and registration is not required.

Take a Hike at Cedar Ridge Preserve

Although there are a number of great hikes in and around the Dallas area, Cedar Ridge Preserve is easily the most loved trail system. This 600-acre oasis is filled with natural landscapes, including rolling hills, dense forests, meadows dotted with wildflowers, and abundant wildlife. The reserve is situated at an elevation of 755 feet, and there are 9 miles of unpaved (albeit well-marked) trails that wind through the beautiful terrain; these are the best hills in the area, so come prepared to work out. For those times when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown and stretch your legs, Cedar Ridge Preserve is a must-see.

Experience the Crow Museum of Asian Art

TripSavvy / Vincent Mercer

At the Crow Museum of Asian Art, visitors can peruse a growing permanent and rotating collection that showcases the breadth and diversity of Asian art. There are more than 1,000 works from Japan, India, China, and Southeast Asia here, ranging from ancient to contemporary (including scrolls, paintings, Chinese jades, metal and stone objects, and large architectural pieces), plus a library of more than 12,000 catalogs, books and magazines. Along with the exhibits, the museum has a Contemplative Leadership Center that offers educational programs on yoga, tai chi, mindfulness, and meditation. The Crow is always free and open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Subway to the McKinney Avenue tram

TripSavvy / Vincent Mercer

Taking a ride around Uptown on a vintage streetcar doesn’t require a deep dive into your wallet; in fact, it’s totally free. The McKinney Avenue Streetcar runs 365 days a year and offers a fun and unique way to see some of the city’s best sights. Get off at the St. Paul and Ross Station for easy access to the Crow Collection, Nasher, and the Dallas Museum of Art; the cart also goes to Klyde Warren.

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