Free Things to Do in Dallas

Experience Dallas on a zero-cent budget with outdoor spaces, awe-inspiring cultural hubs, thrilling attractions, and engaging events. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly activities or planning a solo trip on a budget, Dallas offers an exciting range of free things to do.

1. AT&T Discovery District

Make your way to this downtown attraction, where innovative technology blends with stunning art. The AT&T Discovery District features a glowing media wall, picnic spots, and modern public art. Step into a real life scene from a science fiction film with vibrant colors, crisp wall animations, and a contemporary outdoor layout.

2. Dallas Museum of Art

Explore this expansive art museum with works from renowned artists. This cultural institution features a variety of pieces from legendary painters such as Pablo Picasso, Georgia O’Keefe, and Claude Monet. With free admission, visitors will enjoy thousands of artworks across historical and contemporary lenses.

3. Crow Museum of Asian Art

Make a day of learning Asian cultures and traditions in Dallas at the Crow Museum of Asian Art. This art museum features a variety of Asian artworks, ranging from ancient sculptures to modern exhibits. Stroll through more than a thousand years of Asian history with Chinese, Korean, Indian, Japanese, and Southeast Asian galleries.

4. McKinney Avenue Trolley

Travel back in time while exploring Dallas, settling into the vintage interiors of this trolley ride. Known as the “M-LINE,” this transportation service admits trolley goers on a name-your-fare basis, having visitors pick the amount of donation for the ride. The M-LINE stops throughout a variety of iconic attractions and parks, ranging from the Giant Eyeball and the Nasher Sculpture Center to Turtle Creek Park and Katy Trail.

5. Fair Park

Located in South Dallas, this vast park features an extensive array of art deco-themed architecture. History aficionados will enjoy taking a step back into the past with vintage-style construction, including the iconic Texas Woofus (a mythological creature made up of livestock you’d find at the State Fair). Along with luscious greenery and stunning buildings, Fair Park hosts the annual State Fair of Texas, where visitors can enjoy carnival rides, attractions, football games, and more.

6. J. Erik Jonsson Central Library

Wander through this spacious building with multiple floors and historical artifacts. Regarded as one of the biggest public libraries in the United States, this all-encompassing library boasts fascinating collections, showcasing items such as Shakespeare’s First Folio, a copy of the Declaration of Independence, a viking boat, and Navajo artifacts.

7. Klyde Warren Park

Looking for free activities in downtown Dallas? Explore this breathtaking urban outdoor area featuring a plethora of family-friendly activities, picnic spots, and live entertainment events. Bring your little ones to interactive playground areas and a storytelling tree. Nature lovers will relish taking in picturesque sights at the Butterfly Garden. For a festive outing, head over to this park during the winter holidays, enjoying the Christmas Dancing Water show at the Nancy Best Fountain.

8. Mural Spotting

Dive into your own self-guided adventures and check out the breathtaking murals across Dallas. For a vibrant ambience, explore the colorful 42 Murals Project in Deep Ellum and take Instagram-worthy pictures of the Traveling Man sculptures. Check out the Bishop Arts District in the Oak Cliff area and find brightly colored murals from local artists.

9. Self-Guided Tours Across Different Neighborhoods

Whether you’re a history buff or an art lover, Dallas features a variety of ways to create your own self-guided tours. For an action-packed itinerary, history enthusiasts will be fascinated while traveling back in time to landmarks and sites such as Pike Park and Freedman’s Cemetery Memorial. Find a multifaceted community hub at Trinity Groves in West Dallas, or explore outdoor attractions on the eastern side of the city.

10. The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum

Based above the Saint Ann Restaurant in the Harwood District, this collection of samurai artifacts feature items that are hundreds of years old, dating back to the seventh century. Explore samurai equipment such as helmets, swords, and armor, becoming immersed in Japanese culture and history.

11. The West End Historic District

Make your way to enthralling attractions and a vibrant shopping hub in this lively part of Dallas. Formerly known as a warehouse district, the West End Historic District is now home to the Dallas World Aquarium, Dallas Museum of Illusions, Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum and the Sixth Floor Museum. Discover captivating public art with the Light Up Arches between West End and Victory Park, or learn a piece of history at the JFK Memorial.

12. Window Shopping

Embark on the ultimate window shopping adventure, traversing across different neighborhoods in Dallas. For a stroll around Texan-themed merchandise, explore Wild Bill’s Western Store, which is filled with cowboy boots, hats, and more. Seeking a deep immersion in an upscale shopping area? Make your way to Neiman Marcus in the downtown Dallas area. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy visiting Highland Park Village and browsing through this outdoor shopping center.

13. African American Museum

This Fair Park-based museum showcases diverse and extensive artworks, ranging from folk and African art to Black renaissance paintings and contemporary exhibits. Examine a variety of African American- centered artifacts and historical documents, traveling back to the past through the vast collections of this museum. Delve into the visual stories behind each photograph, sculpture, and painting.

14. Live Music Indoor Venues

Tap your feet to infectious beats with thrilling live music events. Country music fans will enjoy a night at Adair’s Saloon, where local musicians play from Sunday to Thursday nights. For a cozy cafe interior, head over to Opening Bell Coffee, which features the longest running open mic events in the city. For a diverse series of music genres, make your way to the Balcony Club and listen to genres such as jazz, classic rock, and the blues.

15. Cedar Ridge Preserve

Craving a tranquil break from city life? This vast area is just a 20-minute drive from downtown Dallas. Nature lovers will enjoy taking breathtaking greenery and winding paths. With nine miles of hiking trails, this nature preserve offers a variety of activities for all adventurers. Spot abundant wildlife and stunning wildflowers throughout your exploration.

16. Dallas Contemporary

Based in the Design District, this art museum showcases an array of modern art through a variety of mediums. Stroll through immersive exhibits, where vibrant colors and images await. Immerse yourself in captivating works and diverse themes. With a variety of rotating exhibits, visitors will enjoy diving into pieces from emerging and internationally renowned artists.

17. Indoor Playgrounds

Seeking kid-friendly things to do? Make your way to indoor kid-centered areas that offer engaging activities for your little ones. Dallas features a variety of indoor play areas such as the Place Palace at Galleria Dallas, Tree Fort at Watermark Church, and KIDZ Indoor Playground at Prestonwood Baptist Church.

18. Bath House Cultural Center

Located on the eastern shore of White Rock Lake, this cultural center showcases local artworks, concerts, festivals, and theatrical performances. Stroll through engaging art exhibits and watch captivating performances at the Bath House Cultural theater. Regarded as one of the first Art Deco constructions on the southwest, this cultural center is a community hub for a wide range of art mediums.

19. Kitchen Dog Theater

Dive into thrilling performances at this community theater, where an intimate venue and engaging entertainment await. Kitchen Dog Theater features both modern and classic plays such as Macbeth and King Lear. Settle into comfortable seating and be enraptured by the emotions of talented actors. With awards from the Dallas Theatre League and the D/FW Critics’ Forum, this community-focused cultural hub ensures full immersion into the world of each scene.

20. Thanks-Giving Square

Placed in downtown Dallas, Thanks-giving Square is a tranquil spot with lush greenery, an architecturally stunning chapel, and a serene fountain. Admire the vibrant colors of a stained glass window at the chapel, or unwind on a bench outside, taking in scenic views. Established with values such as community-building and gratitude, this urban park is a peaceful oasis from the lively streets of Dallas.

21. Outdoor Instagram-Worthy Places

Looking for places to capture breathtaking social media content? Head over to an outdoor space like White Rock Lake Park, an expansive green area that offers plenty of places to take Instagram-worthy pictures during the day. For glowing sunset pictures, make your way to Ronald Kirk Pedestrian Bridge for panoramic shots.

22. Latino Cultural Center

Experience Latino and Hispanic traditions and culture, strolling through gallery exhibitions that feature pieces from local and regional artists. This culture center features a series of year-round events such as a Latino Comic Con and a Día de los Muertos festival. Stroll through the outer grounds of this cultural hub, admiring contemporary art installations and the colorful exteriors of the building.

23. Southern Methodist University campus

Wander through Southern Methodist University’s campus and marvel at the outside appearance of Dallas Hall. Built in 1915, Dallas Hall is an architectural masterpiece with towering columns, a circular roof, and ancient Greek-inspired construction elements. Don’t miss making your way to the Meadows Museum, which displays collections of Spanish art and admits visitors who are 18 years of age or younger for free.

24. Sweet Pass Sculpture Park

Fine arts aficionados will enjoy this outdoor art center with distinctive installations and sculptures across a green space. Based in the western Dallas area, this park brings community members and visitors together in a visually engaging environment with immersive exhibits. With experimental sculptures and a focus on showcasing new artists, this park features Dallas’ burgeoning local art scene.

25. Trinity River Audubon Center

Find an array of birdwatching opportunities and be immersed in a peaceful atmosphere and spot native Texan wildlife that are perched among the trees. Spanning over thousands of acres across the Great Trinity Forest, this outdoor urban area is a nature lover’s paradise. Whether you’re hiking or finding picnic spots, the Trinity River Audubon Center offers miles of trails, as well as panoramic pond and prairie views for every outdoor adventurer.

26. Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Whether you’re wondering where to find free art in Dallas or searching for educational things to do with family, the Economy in Action showcases an interactive exhibit for all ages. Bring your little ones and explore in-depth displays about the history of American currency. Peruse through the exhibit with options for self-guided or staff-led tours, diving into engaging infographics and enriching your learning about the Federal Reserve Bank.

27. Dallas Comedy Club

Each Wednesday, the Dallas Comedy Club showcases open mic and improv events that are free for all visitors. Discover emerging comics and be prepared for a night that’s filled with endless laughter. Experience a variety of different comedic themes, enjoying an edge-of-your-seat event and experiencing Dallas’s comedy scene.

28. Old City Park

Tour the historic charm of well-preserved pioneer buildings from the 1800s. Walk through paths that appear frozen in time, strolling through a saloon, mansion, schoolhouse, and more. With timber-built architecture, old-timey signs, and cobblestone streets, Old City Park reveals a riveting glimpse into a part of Dallas’s past.

29. Hallam Family Concerts

The Fine Arts Chamber Players hosts a series of free concerts across Dallas and highlights different musical themes with each show. Experience passionate performances from a violin and cello duo, as well as trios featuring harmonious sounds of the clarinet, piano, and harp. Enjoy listening to this free classical music event at a venue like the Moody Performance Hall.

30. Adrian E. Flatt, M.D. Hand Collection at Baylor University Medical Center

Displaying over 100 bronze casts of hands from celebrities and legendary celebrities from the past, this art collection has an unlikely location of being placed in the lobby of a hospital. Based in the Baylor University Medical Center, visitors will enjoy studying hand casts from popular figures such as Winston Churchill, Dr. Seuss, Walt Disney, and Andre the Giant. Hand surgeon Dr. Adrian Flatt began this collection in the ‘60s, developing realistic moldings from a diverse range of famous people.

Whether you’re making a spontaneous adventure or seeking activities that are off the beaten path, you’ll find a variety of free and memorable experiences in Dallas.