When it comes to Dallas, you really can get something for nothing. J.R. Ewing made greed popular during his stint in the city, but today, you can really take in Dallas without spending any cash. Following are ten landmarks and attractions in the Dallas area that you can experience for free. In all cases, it is recommended that visitors check with each attraction to ensure admission is still free and verify hours.
The Katy Trail
Corner of Houston Street and Lyle Street in Victory Park, Downtown Dallas
www.katytraildallas.org
The Katy Trail is a urban park that re-purposes the old Katy Railroad that once passed through Dallas. The Katy Trail now features a path for walkers, runners, and bicyclists, and also runs adjacent to many local parks. The trail begins in Victory Park and runs north several miles to Airline Drive near SMU. Future extensions of the trail are planned to eventually link it to White Rock Lake.
Southfork Ranch
3700 Hogge Road, Parker 75002, (972) 442-7800
www.southforkranch.com
There is an admission charge to take the Southfork Ranch tour, but many visitors to Dallas at least want to see the famous Ewing residence. It is located 40 minutes north of downtown Dallas near Plano. From downtown, take Central Expressway (US HWY-75) north and exit Parker Rd. (exit #30). Turn right and go east on Parker for five miles. Turn right on FM 2551 (also known as Hogge Rd. or Murphy Rd.) and you will see Southfork on your left. Do not turn in to the parking lot unless you intend to stay and tour (which is well worth the price of admission, by the way).
Texas Theater
231 W. Jefferson Blvd, Dallas 75208, (214) 948-1546
Hours vary
thetexastheatre.com
Famous as the place where Lee Harvey Oswald was captured, this charming movie theater has been renovated and now shows independent films. When there isn’t a screening going on, however, the theatre is usually open during the day and someone is tending the bar, where anyone can have a soda, coffee, or adult beverage. Visitors are always welcome if they want to see the place (which had been closed for years). There’s even a vinyl record player on site, and visitors are encouraged to bring their own records to give them a spin.
Fair Park
1121 First Avenue, Dallas 75210
www.fairpark.org
Home of the Texas State Fair, it is also home to the Texas Hall of State (located near the esplanade on Exposition), a beautiful art-deco museum dedicated to the state’s heroes. It is free to visit and it is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. The African American Museum, a historical museum chronicling the lives of Dallas’ early African American residents, is a short walk away and is also free to visit. Hours are noon to 5:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. There is a charge for parking at Fair Park.
McKinney Trolley
Runs along McKinney Avenue from downtown to Blackburn Street on the north.
(214) 855-0006
www.mata.org
These vintage streetcars run through the McKinney Avenue entertainment district, a wonderful place to eat, shop, or just hang out. You can catch the trolley where it begins its run in downtown Dallas (at the intersection of Ross and St. Paul) and ride it north up McKinney to the West Village and back again. Since the ride is free, jump on and off whenever you like to take in the local businesses. Donations are welcomed.
Crow Museum of Asian Art
2010 Flora Street, Dallas 75202, (214) 979-6440
Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Fridays through Sundays, closed Mondays
www.crowcollection.com
The Crow family has amassed one of the largest collections in this hemisphere of ancient and modern art from China, Japan, India, and southeast Asia. You will have to pay for parking, but being able to see this art first-hand makes it all worthwhile. Admission is always free, but the museum does close for some major holidays.
Farmer’s Market
1010 S. Pearl Expressway, Dallas 75202, (214) 670-5880
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. daily
www.dallasfarmersmarket.org
A long-time downtown Dallas institution, the Farmer’s Market has undergone some renovations and modernization in recent years, but it remains a great place to visit and sample some locally grown foods.
First Tuesdays at The Dallas Museum of Art
1717 North Harwood, Dallas 75201, (214) 922-1200
Tuesday hours: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
www.dm-art.org
On the first Tuesday of every month, admission to the Museum of Art is free, and special events and programming are scheduled for children under five. The Dallas Museum of Art has one of the more impressive collections of art in north America, with works from ancient cultures through to modern masters. One of Monet’s Water Lilies paintings is also on display, as are etchings from Rembrandt. Access to special exhibits at the museum may require an admission fee.
The Longhorns at Fuel City
801 S. Riverfront Blvd., Dallas 75207, (214) 426-0011
Open 24 hours
www.fuelcity-tacos.com
Everyone who visits Texas wants to see a piece of the Old West. Dallas has pretty much paved over everything, but if you’re near downtown, you can see some real, living, longhorn cattle. Fuel City is a large gas station near I-35 and I-30 near downtown. The owners decided to set themselves apart from other stations and make theirs a tourist and truck driver destination. The gas station features an old west motif and an original antique windmill outside. On a large patch of land behind the station, the owners keep longhorns, which are popular with customers and even locals. After all, it isn’t easy finding longhorns inside the Metroplex anymore. Fuel City is also famous for their tacos and are worth trying (even if they aren’t free). Seriously, they are among the best in town.
Dealey Plaza and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza
Dealey Plaza, intersection of Main St and Houston Street, Dallas 75202
JFK Memorial Plaza, 646 Main Street, Dallas 75202
www.jfk.org
On any given day, regardless of the time of year, Dealey Plaza is packed with visitors who come to pay their respects to President Kennedy. Just a block east of Dealey Plaza is the memorial built in his honor, and the entire area is easily walkable. The Sixth Floor Museum (which also pays tribute to Kennedy but requires an admission fee) is located on the top floors of the Texas School Book Depository and completes the experience.
Sources: Some information courtesy the websites listed.
