You will be spoiled for choice in this Texas city as there are loads of fantastic free things to do in Dallas with kids! From scenic outdoor parks to art museums, Dallas offers so many places that are ideal for any travel itinerary – and they don’t cost a dime!
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Everything is larger than life in Texas, and these fun family-friendly places to visit are no different. With so many free things to do in Dallas, you can fill your days with plenty of unique and exciting adventures!
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Family-Friendly and Free Things to Do in Dallas
#1. Everyday Fun at Dallas Museum of Art
Write, talk, play and make at Dallas Museum of Art! Whether your kids like the ocean, dogs, or mysteries there’s a gallery guide designed just for them to help them explore the collection’s art exhibitions! Fun storytelling and art workshops are held frequently. General admission is free and includes access to most of the exhibitions.
#2. Celebration Park
Ideal for hot Texas summer days, Celebration Park has the coolest ‘Splash and Spray’ ground, so pack wet gear and a change of clothes! This 99-acre park has a huge selection of fun activities for kids and visitors of all ages, including a fantastic playground, suitable for children of all abilities!
You will also find:
- soccer and tennis courts
- basketball, baseball and softball fields
- picnic tables and barbecue grills
- 5-mile perimeter trails for hikers and bikers
#3. Celebrate Dallas History at Pioneer Plaza
Pioneer Plaza is located next to the Dallas Convention Centre and it is famous for its life-sized bronze sculpture showcasing a 19th Century cattle drive.
Celebrating the city’s history, the sculpture features three cowboys on horseback driving 49 steers over a stream and through the park. The plaza also has a waterfall, man-made cliffs, native plant life and historic details about the sculptures.
#4. White Rock Lake Park
White Rock Lake is one of the most popular free things to do in Dallas! Visitors can spend the afternoon biking, walking or running the beautiful nine-mile trail.
For water enthusiasts, you can go rowing across the shimmering lake or fishing from the tranquil fishing dock. There are amazing sunset views of the Dallas skyline so make you visit in the late afternoon or make a day of it!
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#5. Picnic at Klyde Warren Park
Winner of the 2014 ULI Urban Open Space Award, Klyde Warren Park is located on a deck above Woodall Rogers Freeway. This park is a beautiful green space and the perfect place for a picnic!
Features of this great Dallas park include;
- children’s playground
- fitness area
- putting green
- ping pong tables
- croquet play area
- free scheduled events, such as concerts
#6. Experience Art and Beauty at the Crow Collection
The Crow Collection of Asian Art has over 500 pieces of work, dating from 3500 BC to the early 20th century. Collected from the Eastern cultures of China, Japan, India and Southeast Asia, some of the wonderful items you can explore for free include Buddhist sculptures, Chinese jades and stunning Japanese screen paintings. There are regular kids clubs with painting, storytelling and fun performances.
#7. John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza
An integral part of the Dallas urban landscape, the JFK Memorial Plaza was dedicated to the memory of President John F. Kennedy in 1970. Intended as a place for remembrance and reflection, you can explore this historic event in more detail at The 6th Floor Museum of nearby Dealey Plaza.
#8. Stylish Dallas Travel
It’s hard to believe that it is completely free to take one of these gorgeous re-conditioned vintage trolley cars around the trendy uptown neighbourhood of Dallas! Soak up the sights on a McKinney Avenue Trolley which run all year round, on the city’s original trolley tracks.
#9. Explore the Plaza of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Built for kids but definitely enjoyable for adults too, there are many spaces in and around the Perot Museum that are free and open to the public including:
- a 1-acre Urban Forest filled with native Texas plants
- a hands-on Musical Forest featuring giant xylophones and chimes
- a Main Lobby, with an impressive 35-foot Malawisaurus fossil
- a roof deck that overlooking a Living Roof and other sustainable features
Definitely one of our highly recommended free things to do in Dallas with kids, there is a charge to enter the museum, and if you can, it’s well worth a visit.
#10. Pegasus Plaza
The Pegasus is the symbol of Dallas, so visiting Pegasus Plaza in the heart of downtown Dallas city centre is a must! Enjoy the hot-spring fountains and frequent live events that often take place here.
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Can you add to this list of free things to do in Dallas with kids? Leave a comment below and let us know – we’d love to hear from you!
About the Author: Sharon Tighe
