There is no price tag on fun, but you have to admit, it’s almost always better when it’s free! The Dallas – Fort Worth area offers countless no-cost activities and attractions, and here are top choices in both cities that you and your pocketbook will both love!
- The M-Line Trolley - Uptown Dallas
Bonita de Boer/Flickr Hop on and off the M-line trolley, which operates daily and stops at many downtown Dallas attractions and museums.
James/Flickr To make sure you get on the right route, just look for the “M-Line” maroon sign at stops.
You can always park at the Uptown Station, located at 2700 Cityplace West Blvd., and hitch a free ride.
- Farmers Market - Downtown Dallas
Diann L’Roy/Flickr Dallas foodies can’t get enough of the Dallas Farmers Market, where local farmers sell farm-fresh vegetables, fruits, dairy, and more. The market area is nestled in the midst of downtown and offers much more than just wholesome foods, as restaurants and new apartments are also being added to accommodate a Dallas demand for a new healthier lifestyle.
Market shops, including “The Shed” open-air pavilion, are located at 920 S. Harwood.
- Klyde Warren Park - Uptown Dallas
Curtis Simmons/Flickr This 5.2-acre entertainment park connects the Uptown neighborhood with Downtown and the Dallas Arts District. Several free activities are scheduled daily, including Dancing in the Park, Friday Food Trucks, seasonal concert series, fitness classes, and yoga. The park has a packed schedule of offerings on weekends!
The park is located at 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway between Uptown and Downtown Dallas over Woodall Rodgers Freeway.
- Samurai Collection at The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum Dallas
Nicole G./Yelp
Lorianne DiSabato/Flickr This quaint exhibit is located on the second floor of St. Ann’s Restaurant and includes 1,000 objects displayed in the only museum outside of Japan with a focus on samurai armor.
Complimentary valet parking is located at Harwood St. and Moody St. across from the St. Ann’s School building, 2501 N. Harwood St.
- Federal Reserve Bank - Dallas
Brian Bennett/Flickr
Economy in Action/Facebook Even youngsters will find the free “Economy in Action” exhibit of interest, because who doesn’t like talking about money?
The bank is located at 2200 N. Pearl St., on the northeast corner of Pearl and Woodall Rodgers Freeway. Visitors should park in the lot on Thomas Avenue.
- Dealey Plaza - Historic West End Dallas
macduarte/Flickr Visitors continue to flock to Dealey Plaza, where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963. The X on the roadway marks the location of the motorcade when the shots were fired.
- General Worth Square - Downtown Fort Worth
Aidan Wakely-Mulroney/Flickr Fort Worth also claims a part of Kennedy’s last trip. Kennedy spent his final night in Fort Worth and gave a speech that fateful morning to the Fort Worthians before heading to Dallas.
- Stockyards - National Historic District Fort Worth
Alex Butterfield/Flickr Featuring twice-daily cattle drives, original wooden corrals, and brick walkways, the Stockyards tell the history of why Fort Worth is known as the place where the West began.
The Stockyards are located at 130 E. Exchange Ave.
- Trinity Park Duck Pond - Cultural District Fort Worth
Fort Worth Library/Flickr The duck pond is a local favorite for a leisurely lunch stop on a busy day or to just kick back and let kids enjoy the beauty of the expansive park.
The pond is located at 2200 Trinity Park Dr.
- Water Gardens - Downtown Fort Worth
Thomas Hawk/Flickr This beautiful oasis features three pools spread across 4.3 acres: the aerating pool, the quiet pool, and the active pool. For trivia buffs, the gardens received a claim to fame when a portion of the science fiction movie Logan’s Run starring Farrah Fawcett-Majors was filmed at the active pool.
Visitors can access the pool at Houston and West 14th St.
- Kimball Art Museum - Cultural Arts District Fort Worth
Bjorn/Flickr Even the design of this museum is considered a work of art itself. While admission to its permanent exhibits as well as parking are free, special exhibitions may have a charge.
The museum is located at 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd.
- Botanical Gardens - Cultural District Fort Worth
Miss Shari/Flickr This 109-acre self-proclaimed “living museum” is the oldest botanic garden in Texas and features over 2,500 species of native and exotic plants.
The entrance is located at 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd. just off off University Dr.
In addition to these places, most weekends feature a free festival or concert somewhere in the Metroplex. What free fun spots do you think should be added to this list?
Bonita de Boer/Flickr
Hop on and off the M-line trolley, which operates daily and stops at many downtown Dallas attractions and museums.
James/Flickr
To make sure you get on the right route, just look for the “M-Line” maroon sign at stops.
You can always park at the Uptown Station, located at 2700 Cityplace West Blvd., and hitch a free ride.
Diann L’Roy/Flickr
Dallas foodies can’t get enough of the Dallas Farmers Market, where local farmers sell farm-fresh vegetables, fruits, dairy, and more. The market area is nestled in the midst of downtown and offers much more than just wholesome foods, as restaurants and new apartments are also being added to accommodate a Dallas demand for a new healthier lifestyle.
Market shops, including “The Shed” open-air pavilion, are located at 920 S. Harwood.
Curtis Simmons/Flickr
This 5.2-acre entertainment park connects the Uptown neighborhood with Downtown and the Dallas Arts District. Several free activities are scheduled daily, including Dancing in the Park, Friday Food Trucks, seasonal concert series, fitness classes, and yoga. The park has a packed schedule of offerings on weekends!
The park is located at 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway between Uptown and Downtown Dallas over Woodall Rodgers Freeway.
Nicole G./Yelp
Lorianne DiSabato/Flickr
This quaint exhibit is located on the second floor of St. Ann’s Restaurant and includes 1,000 objects displayed in the only museum outside of Japan with a focus on samurai armor.
Complimentary valet parking is located at Harwood St. and Moody St. across from the St. Ann’s School building, 2501 N. Harwood St.
Brian Bennett/Flickr
Economy in Action/Facebook
Even youngsters will find the free “Economy in Action” exhibit of interest, because who doesn’t like talking about money?
The bank is located at 2200 N. Pearl St., on the northeast corner of Pearl and Woodall Rodgers Freeway. Visitors should park in the lot on Thomas Avenue.
macduarte/Flickr
Visitors continue to flock to Dealey Plaza, where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963. The X on the roadway marks the location of the motorcade when the shots were fired.
Aidan Wakely-Mulroney/Flickr
Fort Worth also claims a part of Kennedy’s last trip. Kennedy spent his final night in Fort Worth and gave a speech that fateful morning to the Fort Worthians before heading to Dallas.
Alex Butterfield/Flickr
Featuring twice-daily cattle drives, original wooden corrals, and brick walkways, the Stockyards tell the history of why Fort Worth is known as the place where the West began.
The Stockyards are located at 130 E. Exchange Ave.
Fort Worth Library/Flickr
The duck pond is a local favorite for a leisurely lunch stop on a busy day or to just kick back and let kids enjoy the beauty of the expansive park.
The pond is located at 2200 Trinity Park Dr.
Thomas Hawk/Flickr
This beautiful oasis features three pools spread across 4.3 acres: the aerating pool, the quiet pool, and the active pool. For trivia buffs, the gardens received a claim to fame when a portion of the science fiction movie Logan’s Run starring Farrah Fawcett-Majors was filmed at the active pool.
Visitors can access the pool at Houston and West 14th St.
Bjorn/Flickr
Even the design of this museum is considered a work of art itself. While admission to its permanent exhibits as well as parking are free, special exhibitions may have a charge.
The museum is located at 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd.
Miss Shari/Flickr
This 109-acre self-proclaimed “living museum” is the oldest botanic garden in Texas and features over 2,500 species of native and exotic plants.
The entrance is located at 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd. just off off University Dr.
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