Free things to do · Dallas · United States
10 free things to do in Dallas
Dallas without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Photo: Andreas Praefcke, CC BY 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Dallas without paying an entry fee: Dealey Plaza and the JFK Memorial, Dallas Museum of Art, Crow Museum of Asian Art and Klyde Warren Park are all free. The Dallas Museum of Art, the Crow Museum, Klyde Warren Park, Dealey Plaza and Pioneer Plaza are free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 10
- Low-cost extras
- 0
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February and July–August
Free sights and experiences
Historic site · Downtown
1.Dealey Plaza and the JFK Memorial
Stay on the pavement; standing on the white X marks painted in Elm Street means stepping into fast traffic.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Iconic
Museum · Arts District
2.Dallas Museum of Art
Start with the European and American galleries upstairs, then walk across Flora Street to the Nasher's garden.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
Museum · Arts District
3.Crow Museum of Asian Art
Check the ground-floor gallery for temporary exhibitions before heading upstairs to the jade.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Park · Arts District
4.Klyde Warren Park
Grab lunch from the food trucks along the park's edge and eat on the lawn facing the downtown towers.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Food
Nature · East Dallas
5.White Rock Lake
Rent a bike and ride the loop clockwise, stopping at the spillway and the Arboretum side of the lake.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
- Nature
Neighbourhood · Deep Ellum
6.Deep Ellum murals and music
Walk the murals in the afternoon, eat barbecue early to beat the queues, then stay for a show.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- After dark
- Food
- Free
- Photo spot
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Neighbourhood · North Oak Cliff
7.Bishop Arts District
Take the Dallas Streetcar from Union Station and spend an afternoon shopping before an early dinner.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- Free
- Couples
Historic site · Fair Park
8.Fair Park
Visit during the State Fair for the full experience, or on a quiet day to see the Art Deco murals and sculptures without crowds.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours, or a full day at the fair
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Free
- Photo spot
Landmark · Downtown
9.Pioneer Plaza cattle drive
Combine it with the Pioneer Park Cemetery next door and a walk to Dealey Plaza, about 10 minutes away.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Photo spot
- History
Park · Uptown
10.Katy Trail
Walk or run it early on a summer morning, then have breakfast in Uptown.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown | Dealey Plaza and the JFK Memorial and Pioneer Plaza cattle drive | 30–45 minutes + 20–30 minutes |
| Arts District | Dallas Museum of Art, Crow Museum of Asian Art and Klyde Warren Park | 2 hours + 45 minutes + 1 hour |
| East Dallas | White Rock Lake | 1–3 hours |
| Deep Ellum | Deep Ellum murals and music | 2–4 hours |
| North Oak Cliff | Bishop Arts District | 2–3 hours |
| Fair Park | Fair Park | 1–2 hours, or a full day at the fair |
| Uptown | Katy Trail | 1–2 hours |
More ways to save
- The Dallas Museum of Art, the Crow Museum, Klyde Warren Park, Dealey Plaza and Pioneer Plaza are free.
- Ride the free M-Line trolley between the Arts District and Uptown.
- Take DART's Orange Line from DFW Airport instead of a taxi if you are staying downtown.
- Downtown business hotels are often cheaper on weekends than during the week.
- Hotel rates jump for big Cowboys games, the Texas–Oklahoma game and major conventions; check dates before booking.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Dallas expensive to visit?
Dallas is moderately priced for most visitors, but 10 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Dallas?
Dealey Plaza and the JFK Memorial: Stay on the pavement; standing on the white X marks painted in Elm Street means stepping into fast traffic.