Dallas is one of the most beautiful cities and the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States of America. There are multiple enjoyable activities to do in the area that keeps visitors busy for months.
Undoubtedly, there are many cheap and free things to do in Dallas, Texas for tourists and couples. The third largest city in Texas offers several options for enjoyment on the weekends. The activities include parades, music venues, open mic events, community events, and several cultural and historical places.
The most promising thing about this beautiful city is that you do not need to worry about the expensive ticket prices. Many places are free to visit, while some are cheap enough to be counted under the pocket-friendly category.
Moreover, you can also choose a Dallas City pass to save money because it will provide you with direct access to the four famous tourist attractions.
All you have to do is to buy that pass for $49. Using this pass, you can pay a visit to Reunion Tower GeO-Deck, Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas Zoo, George W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum, and Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum.
If you are a couple, you can explore several fun-filled free things to do in Dallas as the city offers many exciting destinations and has its cultural value.
There are over 50 activities that are famous in Dallas, but we have made a list of some selected activities that can be enjoyed without spending a dollar. Explore the list and plan your journey to enjoy these things in Texas city.
1. AT&T Discovery District
AT&T Discovery District is a new destination downtown where culture, entertainment, and technology are combined to create unique experiences by connecting the world. After all, sharing new experiences with one another makes life better.
AT&T connects not only the world but also cultures and individuals. All of this comes together in the AT&T Discovery District, and everyone has been invited.
The main feature of this place is that it is sustainable, inclusive, and is the heart of downtown. Moreover, this place is an ideal example of following sustainable principles. It is also awarded a SITES Silver Certification for its development and sustainable projects.
This district has been developed to support wind energy, enable rainwater collection and harvesting systems, and smart irrigation. Visiting this place is a free thing to do in Dallas.
2. Traveling Man
In the Dallas district of Deep Ellum, a collection of three metal sculptures called The Traveling Man features robots and birds.
The sculpture was a combined step between the sculptor Brad Oldham and Brandon Oldenburg of Reel FX Creative Studios. They were constructed from stainless steel sheets brushed, polished, and riveted together. They are meant to evoke Deep Ellum’s past as a train hub and its more recent emergence as an artsy neighborhood.
The murals destroyed in 2007 for the Deep Ellum Light Rail project by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) was replaced with the sculptures commissioned by DART and unveiled in August 2009.
The Traveling Man is constructed of three distinct sculptures arranged in time order. The Traveling Man’s head as it emerges from a gravel pit is partially shown in the 4.5-foot (1.4 m) sculpture Awakening.
The robot is shown playing the guitar in Waiting on a Train. 38 feet (12 meters) tall and shown mid-stride as Walking Tall. Metal birds encircle each of the sculptures.
3. Deep Ellum Murals
Deep Ellum is a thriving neighborhood for arts and entertainment to the east of Downtown Dallas. This location is some of the most Instagrammable locations in Dallas.
If you are visiting Dallas, do not fail to explore the streets to locate 42 Murals Project murals. It won’t cost you much and it is nearly a free thing to do in the US city.
The earliest murals and wall paintings in Deep Ellum appeared in the late 1980s as live music establishments started to paint an ever-changing calendar on their walls to advertise their upcoming events.
Businesses and community members used murals as a distinctive aspect of Deep Ellum as it developed.
The murals, part of a carefully curated urban art exhibit, are diverse in style, yet Deep Ellum and Dallas, in general, are a theme. Most of the murals can be located on Elm Street or Main Street.
4. Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge
When we talk about famous bridges across the country, Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge might not be one of them. But, it is one of the most beautiful bridges in Dallas, Texas, which was opened in March 2012.
The bridge spans the Trinity river and is dedicated to the philanthropist and heiress Margaret Hunt Hill.
It was designed by Santiago Calatrava and was constructed under the project of Trinity River, where three such bridges were planned to be built over the river.
This bridge is right next to Trinity Groves, a 15-acre restaurant in the city. Also, it is situated in the entertainment district southwest of Downtown Dallas.
5. The Giant Eyeball
The Giant Eyeball, also called, The Eye, is a 30-foot tall eye sculpture that is one of the city’s most notable landmarks and is settled in downtown Dallas.
This sculpture was designed by Tony Tasset and is situated at 1601 Main Street in Downtown Dallas. The sculpture is inside a gate, but it is vast enough to be seen from the outside. And visiting this place is one of the free things to do while you are in Dallas.
The Eye sculpture was made in 2007 and is made up of fiberglass. The central notion of installing this sculpture on Main street on green grass is to create something that seems to speak a lot to people.
The sculpture was first bought in Texas in 2013. Initially, this giant eyeball was kept in storage for a few years, and a quick appearance was made in St. Louis.
There is no deep significance behind the creation of this art. The hotel bought it to install a downtown location and add an art piece to its collection.
6. Connor Park
Connor Park, a spot for relaxing with walking paths and views of Turtle Creek, is situated at 4301 St. Johns Drive.
This park is a peaceful place to set up picnics and spend quality time with family and partners on weekends. The place has a stunning and magnificent lake view.
7. Lakeside Park
At 4601 Lakeside Drive, between Beverly Drive and Armstrong Parkway, Lakeside Park is situated on more than 14 acres of exquisitely planted land along Turtle Creek.
This park is situated at a distance of two miles from the Downtown and comes under the municipality of Highland Park.
The various chairs and walking routes make for the ideal setting for a leisurely stroll. You can enjoy the peacefulness of the Read Memorial, the whimsical Teddy Bear statues, and the beautiful views from the bridge over the Turtle Creek Dam.
If you think of doing cheap or free things in Dallas, you should consider visiting this park. This place is one of the perfect spots for picnics and witnessing the bushes of azalea showing vibrant colors. The most suitable time to visit this park is during the end of the month of March and the beginning of April.
8. Bishops Arts District Murals
More than merely the name suggests, the Bishop Arts District is a paradise for the arts. This cultural center in North Oak Cliff, Texas, has a long history in the arts and is an abode for over 60 independent shops, eateries, pubs, coffee shops, theaters, and art galleries.
Bishop Highline’s Bishop Arts Mural is situated at 431 Melba Street. In 2018, John Bramblitt, a blind artist, was commissioned by Bishop Highline Apartments to create this work.
This region has attracted some of the best artists in Dallas by showcasing original and groundbreaking art.
The Bishop Arts District is a favorite of Dallas residents for various reasons, including the attractively presented food and drinks at neighborhood eateries and the charmingly painted homes and walls. The vast murals that seem to be painted on every corner of the Bishop Arts District are one of its main attractions.
9. Klyde Warren Park
Klyde Warren Park was built on setting up a deck park above Woodall Rodgers Freeway. It took a creative and dedicated group of Dallas leaders with a clear vision to construct a 5-acre deck park over a recessed eight-lane motorway. Visiting here is free for Dallas visitors and it offers many things to do to enjoy the time.
Klyde Warren park was opened in 2012 in Downtown Dallas, Texas. The park is open to the public and operates 6 am to 11 pm. Also, it is situated on the edge of the Arts District and between Uptown and Downtown Dallas. The Klyde Warren park is open to all age groups.
Moreover, food trucks are all around the park, so get something to eat before sitting at one of the many green bistro tables. On Saturdays throughout the summer, beginning in early June and running through early August, Klyde Warren Park presents free movies in the park.
10. John F. Kennedy Memorial
President J. F. Kennedy was assassinated here in Downtown Dallas; hence this area has been designated as the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza.
The actual location of Kennedy’s assassination, now known as Dealey Plaza, is around 200 yards from the memorial. Dealey Plaza is so well-known that you may find people there at any time of the day.
Beyond the JFK assassination, Dealey Plaza is also home to more Dallas history. The John F. Kennedy Memorial location was referred to as “The Front Door of Dallas” and is considered the “birthplace” of Dallas.
It is reported that the monument at Dealey Plaza, which is 50 feet broad and 30 feet high, resembles an ancient tomb. The memorial is open for free every day of the year as it is a significant part of American history.
11. Dallas Museum of Art
Texas naturally has one of the biggest art museums in the country and is home to one of the most significant art collections, with approximately 22,000 pieces representing more than 5,000 years of history.
The permanent collection at this institution is exceptional and one of the most extensive collections of art in the Dallas region and the country.
The Dallas Museum of Art is a gallery situated in the Arts District of Dallas, Texas, between St. Paul and Harwood, along the Woodall Rodgers Freeway. The gallery emigrated to the Arts District in the 1970s from its prior location in Fair Park.
More than 24,000 items, dating from the third millennium BC to the present, are included in the museum collection. The institution is renowned for its innovative display policy and educational initiatives. And doesn’t cost a penny to visit here.
12. Museum of Geometric and MADI Art
The Mad movement and abstract art are the focus of the Dallas museum, known as the Museum of Geometric and MADI Art. This museum was opened in 2002.
It is abstract and hard-edged art that jumps out of the frame, and children, particularly those who play Minecraft and construct block-based kingdoms, understand this medium better than adults do.
Therefore, take your children to the Museum of Geometrics and MADI Art to discover the geometric works of art for free.
This place is located in the northern part of Downtown Dallas at 3109 Carlisle Street. It is open from 1 pm to 5 pm on Sundays and from 11 am to 5 pm from Tuesday to Saturday.
According to travel writer Emily Toman, it is the only establishment of its type in North America, which calls it “one of Dallas’s most overlooked art museums.” Also, donations are welcome in this museum.
13. Crow Collection of Asian Art
The Crow Collection of Asian Art is the abode of this exquisite collection of works by artists from Southeast Asia, China, Japan, and India.
The Crow Collection of Asian Art, also found in the lovely Dallas Arts District, received its collection as a gift from Trammell and Margaret Crow for their children and Dallas visitors.
Although the Crow Collection of Asian Art only has a little over 500 items, they are exquisite and of the highest caliber. This collection is one of the free attractions in Dallas that are well worth your time.
You can get more information about its workings on the official website of the museum.
14. Pioneer Plaza
Pioneer Plaza is one of the popular attractions of Dallas. Visitors from both the local community and tourists frequently visit Plaza as it is one of the largest public open spaces in the Dallas Business District.
The main center of attraction of this place is the bronze statues that recreate a cattle drive in the outdoor Plaza. The Pioneer Plaza is one of the best things to see in Dallas for free. This place also has a fountain and a pond, giving a different ambiance.
The Plaza is located at 1428 Young St, close to the Dallas Convention Center. It’s a great place to spend the day, and you can picnic without disturbance. Moreover, the sunset and sunrise witnessed when you visit the Pioneer plaza is a fantastic experience.
15. Belo Garden
Belo Garden is one of the newer parks in Dallas and is located in Downtown Dallas, Texas, in the United States. This garden covers 1.7-acres of space. You will find the park East of Griffin in the Main Street District, between Main and Commerce.
This park was once a parking lot, but now it has perennial gardens, plaza spaces, shaded groves, and an interactive fountain.
The park was opened in 2012 after rescheduling from 2010 because of the delays in the timeline. It also stayed in the limelight because of the mass shooting in 2016 and is also a hub of controversy as it was called anti-urban by professionals.
16. Mckinney Avenue Trolley
You can enjoy the M-Line Trolley services between the popular destinations of the Dallas Museum of Art and Klyde Warren Park. The services offered by these vintage cars are free of cost and are fully air-conditioned or heated, as per the need of the hour.
If you have extra time to visit the city, do not forget to enjoy the ride in the vintage Mckinney Avenue Trolley. This is a 40-minute ride covering the neighborhood of downtown Dallas. The activity started in 2015 and is a viral activity for those traveling to Dallas.
17. Free Walking Tour
Seven free DIY walking tours in Dallas can be availed by downloading the Pegasus Urban Trails application free of cost. This application covers all the downtown districts, and you can enjoy your free walking tour at your own speed, exploring all the areas.
18. Walk the Stalls at the Dallas Farmers Market
This Farmer’s market is organized every weekend. You can enjoy wandering the different stalls at the Dallas Farmers Market.
This Farmer’s market is located at 920 S. Harvard Street. It starts from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday.
All the local producers and artisanal manufacturers come to this market and cover all the outdoors with their products. You can enjoy seeing and exploring the produce over the stalls, free of cost, if you do not buy anything from the market.
19. White Rock Lake
White Rock Lake is a perfect location for a picnic and running. This lake is situated in northeast Dallas, covering an area of 1254 acres.
This lake is one of the topmost places to enjoy the outside view in the Dallas area. All are available at the property, whether you wish to run, enjoy boating, or do picnics. Also, White Rock Lake has various great bars and restaurants around White Rock Lake.
This place is a perfect spot to enjoy all the outdoor activities in Dallas at any time of the year. According to the history of the place, it was earlier a collection of farms that the families of Daniel and Cox owned.
White Rock Lake comes under the category of a reservoir that is home to dozens of birds and trees. It is a perfect spot to enjoy flora and fauna for free.
20. Cedar Ridge Nature Center
Cedar Ridge Nature Center is a perfect destination for those who seek solace in nature. This nature center is a 600-acre park that was first opened in 1991.
This destination provides a pristine natural haven for anyone seeking a break from the pressures of everyday life. Also, it is a perfect spot for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers.
This part is also free of cost for your leisure time and to enjoy the serenity in the lap of nature. The nine miles of trails at this state park are the perfect place to unwind or take in the natural beauty of Dallas.
Summary
Dallas is a beautiful destination in Texas and offers numerous sights for travelers. This place is full of options that offer free visits and are encouraging to know more about this place.
Overall, if you are planning a budget-friendly and economical visit to Dallas, keep note of these places that are not only serene but help you gain information about the crucial segments of the city.
