Free Things to Do with Kids in Dallas Texas

Could Dallas be the next best destination to visit with kids?

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is the fourth busiest airport in the United States. A report by Dallas News stated that the airport will probably jump into second place among the largest U.S. airports by 2022. This may mean more flights, more options and cheaper flights for families.

Over 32 airlines fly into Dallas and more are being added each year. Dallas is the official headquarters and largest hub for American Airlines.

Whether you are planning a summer road trip or a short stopover in Dallas, here are 15 free things to do with kids in Dallas Texas:

1. D-Link from DART is a special service that lets you explore downtown Dallas and historic Oak Cliff for free. The buses leave every 15 minutes from 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m., Monday-Saturday. D-link takes you to arts, fun, cultural and dining centers of Dallas. More Information.

2. M-line Trolley is free and takes up and down McKinney Avenue on a historical trolley. More information.

3. Swiss Avenue Historic District. Swiss Avenue was the first paved street in Dallas. It is an example of an early 20th century neighborhood in the Southwest United States. This two and a half mile avenue is filled with Mediterranean, Spanish, Spanish Revival, Georgian, Mission, Prairie, Craftsman, Neoclassical, Italian Renaissance, Tudor and Colonial Revival residential home designs. More information.

4. Crow Collection of Asian Art. This free art museum’s mission is to bridge the cultural gap between East and West. The Crow Family traveled extensively throughout the world and had collected historical and contemporary pieces from Japan, India, Korea and Southeastern Asia countries. More information.

5. The Economy in Action at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas has interactive exhibits and multimedia displays. Kids can learn about the Federal Reserve, money and the American and worldwide economy. More information.

6. African American Museum is the only African American artistic, cultural and historical preservation museum in the Southwestern region of the United States. Founded in 1974, it has one of the largest African American Folk Art collections in the United States. More information.

7. John F. Kennedy Memorial is located 200 yards from where the President was assassinated in downtown Dallas’ Market Street and Commerce Street. More information.

8. Latino Cultural Center (LCC) is a place for artists and cultural organizations to present their work. The center was designed by award winning Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta with outdoor sculptures like the Eagle and Man of Fire, El Nuevo Mundo and Flying Pegasus. Each year the center has over 300 cultural events. More information.

9. Cedar Ridge Preserve. Take a nine mile hiking trail at the 640 acres Cedar Ridge Preserve at an elevation of 755 feet. Explore the native trees, grasses and wildflowers, butterfly gardens and check out the many types of mammals, birds, insects and reptiles. Cedar Ridge Preserve is only a 22 minute drive from downtown Dallas. More information.

10. Trinity River Audubon Center. The Trinity River Audubon Center is free every third Thursday of the month from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It has a diversity of bird species and it is easy to spot at least 50 species in a day. The area has hardwood forest, wetlands, river and prairie habitats. Common birds include ducks, egrets, herons, yellow-billed cuckoos, ruby-throated hummingbirds and a long list here.

11. Main Street Garden is equipped with Wi-Fi, toddler play area, dog run, fountains, City Park Café and public art installations. Take a picnic lunch and enjoy Dallas in the garden after a day of sightseeing. More information.

12. Dallas Farmers Market. Learn more about Dallas by visiting the Dallas Farmers Market. It is open every day except New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The market started since the late 1800s where farmers came to town to sell in their wagons. In 1939 the first shed was established and the Dallas Farmers Market became formalized. More information.

13.   Wild Bill’s Western Store. Check out cowboy boots, hats, clothing, belts, buckles, handmade jewelry in the historic West End of downtown Dallas. Wild Bill’s Western Store is located in an old redbrick building dating back to the 1800s. This unique store comes complete with barstools, longhorn chairs and saddles and still has the original wood beams and tin ceilings. More information.

14.   Dallas Museum of Art (DMA). Take a self-guided tour of DMA. The museum has over 22,000 works from around the world spanning over 5,000 years of human creativity. More information.

15.   Founder’s Plaza is a favorite spot for families and aviation enthusiasts. It is the Observation Area of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport where you can view the many types of aircraft taking off and landing. The plaza is equipped with telescopes, educational information, commemorative monument, radio and broadcasts air traffic control communication from the FAA tower. It is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. More information.

There are a lot more free things to do in Dallas with or without kids. If you need a guide on how to plan a road trip, get our step-by-step handbook here.