The Best Free Things to Do in Downtown Dallas

Pioneer Plaza Cattle Drive 🐮

Who doesn’t love longhorns?! A super fun free activity in downtown Dallas is the Pioneer Plaza Cattle Drive. The Plaza commemorates Dallas’ beginnings by celebrating the trails that brought settlers to Dallas. The site features native plants and trees, a flowing stream, and a re-creation of a cattle drive in bronze art that was created by artist Robert Summers. We always love learning about the history of our beautiful city and it’s also a great place to take your kids to. Don’t forget to take a picture with your favorite longhorn!

Location
📍 Pioneer Plaza Cattle Drive | 1428 Young St, Dallas, Texas, 75202

Thanks-Giving Square ☀️

One of our favorite free things to do in downtown Dallas is to come to Thanks-Giving Square. Sneak away from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life when you enter this peaceful space in downtown Dallas. If you’re looking for a place to relax after work to read a book, meet some friends, or somewhere to spend your lunch break in peace, this is the perfect place for you!

Make sure to visit The Chapel of Thanksgiving, located at the back of the park. The stained glass windows on the inside are so beautiful.

Location
📍 Thanks-Giving Square | 1627 Pacific Ave, Dallas, Texas, 75201

Giant Eyeball 👁

Does a trip to downtown Dallas even count if you haven’t stopped by the Giant Eyeball? We highly recommend stopping by, especially if you have some friends or family visiting from out of town. The Giant Eye Ball is always a fun place to go. Located right outside the Joule hotel, the Giant Eyeball is the perfect backdrop for your next Instagram shot.

Location
📍 Giant Eyeball | 1601 Main St, Dallas, Texas, 75201

Window Shopping at Wild Bill's Western Store 🤠

📷 Wild Bill’s Western Store | @wildbillswesternstore

Wild Bill’s Western Store makes our Texan hearts beat a little faster. They have everything from cowboy hats, boots, belts, and so much more! Window shopping at Wild Bill’s Wester store is such a fun-free activity, especially if you have friends visiting from out of town and want to give them the true Texan experience.

Hours & Location
Monday | 11:00am–6:30pm
Tuesday | 11:00am–6:30pm
Wednesday | 11:00am–6:30pm
Thursday | 11:00am–6:30pm
Friday | 11:00am–7:30pm
Saturday | 11:00am–7:30pm
Sunday | 12:00pm–6:00pm

📍 Wild Bill’s Western Store | 311 N. Market St. Dallas, Texas, 75202

John F. Kennedy Memorial ❤️

Have you been to the John F. Kennedy Memorial in downtown Dallas yet? If you haven’t, make sure to add it to your list. It’s a must see for everyone living in Dallas or visiting. Bonus: This activity is completely free. The memorial is such an impressive structure. If you’re wanting to learn more about our former president, we suggest visiting the The Sixth Floor Museum, which is within walking distance of the memorial.

Location

📍 John F. Kennedy Memorial | 646 Main St, Dallas, TX 75202

Klyde Warren Park 🌳

Looking for some fun free things to do in Dallas? Klyde Warren Park is the place to be! There’s always something going on. Klyde Warren Park has a huge green space, a playground, a dog park, water features, and lots of seating opportunities. Pack a picnic to keep your trip completely free, or enjoy local food trucks that are in the park Monday through Friday from 11:00am-3:00pm and Saturday and Sunday nights from 11:00am-8:00pm. They have workout classes during the summer months, movie screenings, markets, concerts, and so much more. Best of all, it is all for free!

Location

📍 Klyde Warren Park | 2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas, Texas, 75201

Dallas Museum of Art 🖼

Free things to do in Dallas alert! Have you been to the Dallas Museum of Art yet? The museum is located in the Arts District of downtown. It features more than 22,000 pieces, spanning the third millennium BC to the present day, including ancient Mediterranean art, 18th-20th century European and American art, and art from the Americas, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. It’s a super interesting experience and a great way to spend a rainy or cold day downtown.

Hours & Location
Monday | closed
Tuesday | 11:00am–5:00pm
Wednesday | 11:00am–5:00pm
Thursday | 11:00am–5:00pm
Friday | 11:00am–5:00pm
Saturday | 11:00am–5:00pm
Sunday | 11:00am–5:00pm

📍 Dallas Museum of Art

AT&T Discovery District

The AT&T Discovery District is one of the newest additions to downtown Dallas. Hang out at the lawn and enjoy some free live music, have a picnic with your family or friends, visit the AT&T Experience store, experience the HBO MAX Orbit, snap a picture at the Friends Central Perk Pop-up, participate in free dance classes, and so much more! The area also features a beer garden, a food hall with 16+ restaurants and a bar, lots of outdoor seating, and the Globe, which looks amazing when it lights up at night. It’s so much fun!

Location
📍 AT&T Discovery District

Cedar Ridge Preserve 🎣

📷 Cedar Ridge Preserve

When the weather is nice, Cedar Ridge Preserve is one of the best free things to do in Dallas! This 600-acre natural habitat features about 9 miles of trails, native trees, grasses and wildflowers, butterfly gardens, limited picnic areas and wild mammals, birds, insects, and reptiles. This slice of hill country 20 minutes from downtown is perfect for family outings and hiking trips.

Hours & Location
Monday | closed
Tuesday | 6:30am–Dusk
Wednesday | 6:30am–Dusk
Thursday | 6:30am–Dusk
Friday | 6:30am–Dusk
Saturday | 6:30am–Dusk
Sunday | 6:30am–Dusk

📍 Cedar Ridge Preserve

Dallas Farmers Market 🌸

📷: Dallas Farmers Market

The Dallas Farmers Market is another great free activity in Dallas. If you love window shopping, exploring the many vendors set up weekly at The Shed and the permanent locations at The Market Shops is for you. Browse unique offerings from local artisans and craftspeople.

Hours & Location
Monday | The Market Shops – 10:00am–7:00pm
Tuesday | The Market Shops – 10:00am–7:00pm
Wednesday | The Market Shops – 10:00am–7:00pm
Thursday | The Market Shops – 10:00am–7:00pm
Friday | The Market Shops – 10:00am–7:00pm
Saturday | The Market Shops – 10:00am–7:00pm; The Shed – 9:00am–5:00pm
Sunday | The Market Shops – 10:00am–7:00pm; The Shed – 10:00am–5:00pm

📍Dallas Farmers Market

Crow Museum of Asian Art 🎨

📷: Crow Museum of Asian Art

Another fantastic free art museum in Dallas, the Crow Museum of Asian Art is a must-visit! Open since 1998, this collection features pieces from China, Japan, India, Korea, and Southeastern Asia spanning from historical to contemporary. Their exhibitions promote learning about the arts and cultures of Asia, and admission is always free!

Hours & Location
Monday | Closed
Tuesday | 11:00am–5:00pm
Wednesday | 11:00am–5:00pm
Thursday | 11:00am–5:00pm
Friday | 11:00am–5:00pm
Saturday | 11:00am–5:00pm
Sunday | 11:00am–5:00pm

📍Crow Museum of Asian Art