Free Fun

How to have the most fun in Dallas-Fort Worth without spending a dime

With so much to do in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, it can be a drag on your wallet paying for all of it. It's easy to forget that there are a ton of free options available, many of them year-round.

So step away from the ATM and hold on to that credit card — here are some of the best ways to have a good time in Dallas-Fort Worth without paying a dime.

Museums
You would be shocked at how many people never think about museums as sources of free entertainment. This is what they're missing:

Just in the Dallas Arts District alone, the Dallas Museum of Art, which reverted to free admission in 2013, and the Crow Collection of Asian Art are both free every day. The Nasher Sculpture Center is free the first Saturday of every month.
For more art appreciation in downtown Dallas, download a map from PublicArtWalk Dallas and embark on a free self-guided tour of sites such as Thanks-Giving Square, Pioneer and Pegasus plazas, and Henry Moore's Dallas Piece.
Stepping out of downtown Dallas, you can go to NorthPark Center, which is really an art gallery disguised as a mall. Or head to Fort Worth, where the Amon Carter Museum of American Art is always free and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth is free every Sunday in 2015.
If you dare to venture out to the suburbs, the free Texas Sculpture Garden in Frisco claims it has "the largest private collection of contemporary Texas sculpture ever assembled and made available to the public."

Festivals
Once spring hits Dallas-Fort Worth, festival organizers start being generous and offer all sorts of free fun:

In March, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dallas is your chance to dress in green, drink in public and see people celebrate all things Irish. If you can't get enough of the Irish, you can get into the North Texas Irish Festival for free if you show up before 7 pm on Friday night.
When April hits, Deep Ellum Arts Festival in Dallas and Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival take over large sections of their respective cities to offer great art, music and food. The Denton Arts & Jazz Festival offers seven stages of continuous music over three days.
May brings the Cottonwood Art Festival in Richardson, an extravaganza of art as well as music. Trinity River Wind Festival takes advantage of the openness of the Trinity River Greenbelt for kite flying, paper airplane demonstrations and more.

Outdoors
Going to a public park or other free areas outside is always a good idea, but some places are better than others:

White Rock Lake is the crown jewel of Dallas, with great paths around the lake and unparalleled views.
Klyde Warren Park is an oasis in the concrete jungle of downtown Dallas (and it hosts hundreds of free events), while Main Street Garden offers slightly smaller-scale fun.
Reverchon Park is often called the "Central Park of Dallas," and it's not hard to see why, with its 46 acres and proximity to Katy Trail.
The Fort Worth Water Gardens don't offer much green, but it's always fun to get lost in the concrete and rushing water there.
Cedar Ridge Preserve is located just 20 minutes south of downtown Dallas, but it feels a world away with its miles of trails and wild animals.

History
History is all around us, although sometimes you have to look a little harder to find it:

Rightly or wrongly, Dallas is still known as the place where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. You can indulge your curiosity or pay your respects at these two locations in downtown Dallas: Dealey Plaza and JFK Memorial Plaza. If you so choose, you can also track down the grave of Lee Harvey Oswald in Fort Worth.
Freedman’s Cemetery Memorial in Uptown Dallas pays tribute to the former residents of Freedman's town, an 1850s-era African-American section of Dallas.
A national historic landmark, Fair Park can be appreciated even if it's not hosting the State Fair of Texas, thanks to its art deco buildings and multiple venues, including the free African American Museum.

The Dallas Museum of Art, which is free every day, is one of several free museums across Dallas-Fort Worth.

Photo courtesy of Dallas Museum of Art

The Dallas Museum of Art, which is free every day, is one of several free museums across Dallas-Fort Worth.

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Flood Response

New relief fund launches for 2026 Texas Hill Country flood victims

People look out at flood on July 16, 2026 in Center Point, Texas

Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images

The same foundation that collected more than $60 million for the 2025 floods has launched a new fund for 2026.

Texans looking to support Hill Country neighbors affected by floods over the past few days can turn to the same organization they did for the July 2025 floods: The Community Foundation of the Hill Country has launched a new Texas Hill Country Flood Relief Fund that is accepting donations now.

The foundation emphasizes that the two funds are distinct (last year's was called the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund), so donors should note that their contributions will specifically go toward Hill Country residents affected by the current floods. The money raised will offer emergency assistance and long-term recovery support.

According to the Associated Press, nearly 1 trillion gallons of water fell on the three hardest-hit Texas counties over three days — enough to fill 1.5 million Olympic-sized swimming pools or supply 11 million homes for a year. First responders rushed to save people trapped in high waters Friday, as more heavy rain widened the danger from floods that have killed at least two people and left hundreds more in need of rescue.

Earlier in the week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared a disaster in 59 counties including Travis to help emergency services respond quickly.

Although many regional businesses, churches, and other groups organized donations for the 2025 floods, the Community Foundation was the main entity holding and distributing funds. The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund totaled more than $60 million by the end of that July.

"Our hearts break that the Texas Hill Country is once again facing catastrophic flooding. Just one year after the devastating July 2025 floods, many of our neighbors are again in harm's way," said Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country CEO Austin Dickson. "People from across Texas and around the world came together to help Kerr County begin the long road to recovery. As first responders and local and state officials continue their response efforts, the Community Foundation's role is to help ensure communities have the philanthropic resources they need to recover in the weeks, months and years ahead."