With weather like this, you almost never want to go indoors. One of the best things about Dallas- Fort Worth are all of the awesome things to do in the great outdoors. Whether you’re looking to go boating, get in a workout, have an outdoor picnic, or get your culture on, Dallas- Fort Worth has it all.
Read more below for our round up of the Best Free and Cheap Things to do Outside in Dallas- Fort Worth:
LOCAL PARKS
Klyde Warren Park– Our newest green space in the heart of Dallas has plenty of things to do without having to spend a whole day out of the house. Catch a free work out, bring your kid to the life-sized makers playground, or swing by on the weekends for pop ups and live music.
White Rock Lake Park– This lake and park is also home to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, a must- see attraction. However, you can visit many free attractions in other areas of the preserve. Enjoy basketball courts, hiking trails, fishing piers, a dog park, a boating club, and much more.
Lewisville Lake– There are several parks on Lewisville Lake which are great for swimming, fishing, boating, and more. Check out their list of parks with the best beaches. Many of them have no fee for swimming.
Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge– This nature preserve is opening mornings through early evenings. It’s great for hiking, canoeing, birding, and watching animals. They offer guided hikes, kayak tours, habitat restoration projects, and more. Admission is just $5 for adults and kids over 12. For kids 3- 12 years old, admission is just $2 {3 & below are free!}
Eisenhower State Park– You can do just about everything here, including taking a swim or trying out bouldering, a type of rock climbing. You can also hike, bike, fish, or play horseshoes. Admission is just $5 and kids 12 and under are free!
Dogwood Canyon Audobon Center– This nature center has some of the highest hiking views in the city. Enjoy over 2 miles of hiking trails, plus a nature play center with an animal education center, and more. There is no entrance fee but they kindly request donations.
TOP ATTRACTIONS
The Dallas Zoo– There’s no better way to spend a day outside than doing it while giving back! Supporting the Dallas Zoo means supporting their conservation and preservation efforts- plus, you get to hang out with monkeys, go tortoise spotting, and get your photo taken with the elephants! Entrance is $17 for kids aged 12 and up. Children 3 and under are free, kids 3- 11 are $14.
Six Flags Over Texas– This theme park can be costly but memberships are cheap! Just $6.99 per month gets you in the door to all the rides, all the fun, and all the Six Flags parks in the nation!
Globe Life Field– Catch a Rangers game then head down to Texas Live! This hospitality district right next to the stadium offers restaurants, bars, events, and live music. Tickets to games can be expensive so check out SeatGeek for the latest deals or go on a night when they are not playing a big rival.
Panther Island Pavilion– This picturesque boardwalk on the Trinity River has great views of the skyline, multiple stages for live music and special events. They also offer public access to the river every day for swimming, playing games, paddle-boarding, kayaking, and more.
ART & MORE
Nasher Sculpture Center– This museum hosts frequent indoor and outdoor events, including the weekly ‘Til Midnight at Nasher, Free First Saturdays, free family days, and more. Plus, kids 12 and under are free every day! Everyone else is just $10. Bring a picnic and have a beautiful lunch outdoors in the nearby green spaces after you see the museum!
Continental Avenue Bridge– The Ronald Kirk Bridge and the Felix H. Lozada, Sr. Gateway, also called hte Continental Avenue Bridge and West Dallas Gateway, offer amazing views of the city and another famous Dallas- area bridge- the huge arch of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. This is a pedestrian area where free fitness classes and festivals are often held. It’s also nearby Trinity Groves, a mixture of restaurants and retail spaces.
Dealy Plaza & 6th Floor Museum– If you live in Dallas and you don’t know what the Dealy Plaza is, you need a history lesson. See first- hand the site of JFK’s assassination. It’s located inside the artsy West End with fountains and memorials. The plaza is open to the public. You may also want to stop by the 6th Floor Museum- free for kids 5 and under, $14 for youth aged 6- 18, $18 for everyone, and a $2 discount for seniors.
Bishop Arts District– Talk a walk or rent a bike and find your way around Dallas’ most independent neighborhood. The area is home to a deluge of small boutiques, locally sourced cafes, art galleries, bars, and more.
What other free and cheap outdoor activities do you enjoy in Dallas- Fort Worth? Let us know in the comments!
