It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that to do anything fun you have to spend money, but the best things in life are free! Gather your friends and get out and about with this list of fun (and free!) activities in Dallas! Whether you’re new to the city, here for the weekend, or a lifelong resident, there is sure to be something here that appeals to you.
Museums
Dallas has its fair share of free admission museums, including The Dallas Museum of Art. There, you can browse over 22,000 works of art without paying a single penny. Other notable, free museums include The Samurai Collection at The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, The African American Museum, and The Meadows Museum of Art, which hosts one of the largest Spanish art collections.
Deep Ellum
Visit the city’s music district and enjoy the you’ll almost be able to hear the rich tones of trumpets and saxophones playing jazz and the blues. Deep Ellum used to be the center of music in the state. Famous musicians came to show off their talents and gamblers socialized at the bars and theatres that lined the streets. Much of that history still abounds in the neighborhood. A stroll up and down the streets offers a multitude of restaurants, galleries, and music venues.
Founder’s Plaza
Pack a picnic basket and head downtown to the Founder’s Plaza. After lunch you can admire the park’s log cabin – a replica of John Neely Bryan’s log cabin. Bryan was the founder of Dallas, given the parks name and features. The park also hosts a fountain to cool off by, an 1800s map of the city, and the John F. Kennedy Memorial.
Klyde Warren Park
Not many places can beat this destination when it comes to free events. Klyde Warren Park regularly hosts year-round programs, such as dance lessons, lawn games, and movie nights. Built on-top of a sunken freeway, the park is more than a destination, it’s also a site of marvel and repurposing. Kids can also enjoy the area due to it’s fun jungle-gyms and open lawns. If all of your play gets you hungry, stop by one of the food trucks that calls the park its home!
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Are you a history buff? If so, this is the perfect tour for you. Besides Washington D.C., The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is the only other place in the United States that prints currency. The facility hosts multiple interactive displays and exhibits and offers free tours throughout most of the week. Have you ever wondered what millions of dollars looks like? This tour will show you.
Fun and adventure shouldn’t be synonymous with money, nor should traveling. Often times, the things that cost us the least amount of money have a bigger impact on us. Go explore Dallas (or your own city!) for free. You’ll be surprised at how much you can do!