Unconventional Free Adventures
Posted by abzagailz@reddit | Dallas | View on Reddit | 106 comments
I moved to Dallas a year ago to be a SAHM to my 2 and 4 year old sons. There are so many things to do with them, and we take advantage of them as often as we can, but we're on a budget.
Yesterday, we went to Fair Park and had a picnic. I was blown away by how much fun we had exploring the grounds, watching turtles at the lagoon, and looking at the architecture. We didn't spend a dime. Even parking was free! I would have never thought to go there because Fair Park only gets brought up for events or the aquarium/gardens. I had a similar experience at the Kidd Springs Park walking around the Japanese garden. Again, totally free! I'm wondering if there are other places in Dallas that aren't your typical attractions but are just fun to see and walk around while being free? I do love the parks and playgrounds, but I'm looking for things maybe a little more out of the box?
Legitimate-Name0225@reddit
Go to The Teddy Bear Park in Highland Park.
katie4@reddit
If you venture up to Grapevine you can go to Founders Plaza for a great spot to watch planes take off and land, kids love it.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
That’s a great idea. We will definitely do that! Thanks!
ExampleLow4715@reddit
Do you have a library card? Many Dallas Libraries have free tickets to the Dallas Arboretum available. The Children's Garden is lots of fun!
We like to watch the fountains at Cypress Waters.
oldwickedsongs@reddit
Probably the kiddos are too young for this, but the main library downtown has an original Declaration of Independence! 1 of about 30 in existence
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
No way?! If I give a little prep lesson before hand, my four year old would love that. Thank you!
oldwickedsongs@reddit
YEP! It's the only one outside of the East Coast. An original Dunlap print found in the 60s I think. I love it.
ApprehensiveAnswer5@reddit
Also just in general, a lot of the libraries have great programming for those age ranges, especially if you’re willing to drive a little to different ones.
Everything from story times to music to arts and crafts to special events and stuff. It’s usually all free, and you don’t need the library card unless you’re actually checking out books.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
Oh sweet! I’ll look into that!
ExampleLow4715@reddit
Have you taken a trip in the free McKinney Ave trolley? It makes a loop.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
I forgot about that! We did and it was a good time. We’ll have to do it again.
ExoticChemistry3@reddit
The Reptarium off Coit and Park in Plano. It’s a reptile store that my older son used to love to visit around that age. They have a ton of various lizards, snakes, turtles etc in display terrariums. A mini little zoo.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
That would be perfect! Thank you!
Iamclaiming224@reddit
Old city park. Not sure if it's free but I understand it's pretty cool buildings and stuff from the 1840s
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
Old buildings are my jam! I’ll look into it. Thanks!
dankjudydench@reddit
I moved to Dallas when my son was 2 and we too went on free adventures, including Fair Park. He's 13 and we still love our free adventures ❤️
Add the M-Line trolley to your list. It's free and does a loop AND you could hop on and off for an adventure to Klyde Warren Park, as many folks have suggested.
https://www.mata.org/
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
I love that! ☺️ We will definitely do the M-line.
Designerfrog@reddit
UT Southwestern go see the hatching Egrets!
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
Egrets? Yes, please!
FigWise5682@reddit
Check out the Dallas Sculpture Walk! It’s free, and the kids will love seeing art in the park.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
Definitely looking into that! Thank you!
pamkabam@reddit
Go have a picnic at White Rock Lake. Park along Lawther Road (type it into maps instead of White Rock or it’ll take you the main lot). It’s a 1 way off Garland Road. It seems like a long street but there’s a parking lot at the end or you can park along the street. Best picnic spots are closer to parking lot
Delicious_Hand527@reddit
Best picnic spots are near the power dam IMO - West Lauther to White Rock Road for the parking lot. And then a short walk to the dam and spillway, past historical buildings with lots of fun stairs for kids.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
They’re always a fan of stairs. 😆 I bet the dam would be fun to look at too! Thank you!
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
We will do that! Thank you!
aggie82005@reddit
This is also the road you’d park along if you want to listen to the music nights without paying to enter. 🤫
erineestevenson@reddit
Fabrication Yard has a ton of really great murals in the warehouses. There’s a lot of industrial buildings with some safety hazards (watch them closely) but could be cool to wander around.
erineestevenson@reddit
I also have some factory tours saved in this Google Maps list, including a few around here (like Mrs. Baird’s bakery!!)
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
Heck yeah! The fabrication yard looks sweet! And factory tours would be awesome. Thank you so much!
thatonenativechild@reddit
Klyde Warren is fun and check with your local rec centers, we give out free Arboretum tickets and there’s a children’s play area.
Embarrassed-Kick-121@reddit
How/where do you get the free arboretum tickets?
thatonenativechild@reddit
If you’re a dallas resident, call your local rec center and see if they have them. If they do, you just go in and take your ID that says you live in Dallas. Reverchon on Maple has tickets still.
SnooGrapes9360@reddit
Just City of Dallas residents or all DFW area residents?
thatonenativechild@reddit
Has to be city of Dallas, sorry!
emeryldmist@reddit
This. I've gotten them from my local Rec center. I am a paying member there, so I'm not sure if you need to be a member or not.
thatonenativechild@reddit
Nah, don’t need to be a member, it’s open to all residents :)
Embarrassed-Kick-121@reddit
Thank you!
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
I’ll do that! Thank you!
Texan2020katza@reddit
Take swimsuits & towels!!!
highlykoalifiedteach@reddit
Klyde Warren Park is the best, especially in the summer for water play at the fountains! If you go in the evening time, it’s still hot and they have music/light show with the fountains https://www.klydewarrenpark.org/nancy-best-fountain Nancy Best Fountain — Klyde Warren Park
meleant@reddit
Storytimes held at Dallas Public Library branches are great for not only having an event to go to, but if you go regularly, you’ll find yourself connecting with the other regular moms/parents, who often loves having activity partner and others to do things with at other times too.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
I need to explore more branches! You’re totally right about it being good for meeting friends. Good idea! Thanks!
Necessary_Raisin_961@reddit
The branch in NorthPark has really fun story times with things like dance performances, magicians, etc. Then after you can go check out the ducks and turtles and slide on the planters.
txnewsprincess@reddit
I wrote this:
https://www.dmagazine.com/guides/indoor-places-to-play/
autopilot6236@reddit
Maybe it’s time to take Watermark church off the list as a kids play option. Ya know.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
You wrote that article? Thank you! I have read and referenced it many times.
TRE is a great idea. Mine would love that too!
txnewsprincess@reddit
It was borne out of a time when I was a SAHM freelancing, and sometimes I just needed to air my toddler out because he was being crazy, but also it’s very hot here.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
I definitely appreciate your efforts!
Admirable_Bad_5192@reddit
Klyde Warren Park is great, and don’t forget to check out the free fountains there! Also, local rec centers often have free tickets to the Arboretum.
MexicanMata@reddit
Dallas Museum of Art. You only have to pay if you wanna see any special exhibits they have
lala160@reddit
Have you found away around the parking? I guess taking the bus?
MexicanMata@reddit
Free parking at most dart stations, then take the train downtown
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
Great! Thank you!
lala160@reddit
Irving Bible Church has a free indoor playground. Coffee shop inside too.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
I’ll add that to my list! Thank you!
lala160@reddit
Valley house gallery & sculpture Garden -6616 Spring Valley Rd Dallas, TX 75254! This place is amazing. Tucked away, I would never would have come across it unless I had taken a wrong turn. You have to sign in to the gallery and then you can walk in the garden. There’s sculptures around some picnic areas too. Lots of nature to enjoy with the quiet along with the art.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
Ooooo that sounds perfect! I love stumbling across things like that. We will definitely check it out. Thanks!
lala160@reddit
The central library in Dallas has a great selection even if it’s just for a couple hours of venturing. Floor 2 is only for families with children. Parking underground is free. I feel safe as a single lady with a kiddo there. There’s an area to eat meals on the first floor. Harwood park is down the street (walk) when you are feeling up to the temps.
Dallas farmers market can be nice to walk around. There’s a small children’s area to play at outside. Walk around rubials.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
I’ve yet to go to that library. Sounds like a perfect way to spend the day!
We’re big fans of the Farmers Market. They seem to have free activities during the weekends pretty often!
Thanks for the ideas
lvoltmann@reddit
There is a fire fighting museum across the street from Fair Park. It’s pretty interesting for kids and adults- at least I enjoyed learning about the advancements of fire fighting tactics and techniques/technologies.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
My boys would love that. I’ll look into it. Thanks!
MyDentistIsACat@reddit
I’ve heard Bachman Lake Park is a good spot to watch planes take off/land at love field. We’ve had a picnic outside the frontiers of flight museum when they’re closed and watched the planes and played on the ones they have outside. I can’t remember if we intentionally went when they’re were closed or it was a happy (cheap) accident…
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
That sounds like a blast. I might have to schedule a picnic around their schedule. 😅
saruhbaruh@reddit
Check out Oran Good park up in Farmers Branch it’s really nice park.
There are a few churches in dfw that have an indoor playground and some even have coffee shops inside!
Obviously the libraries are always fun!
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
Great ideas. Thanks!
SpecialMud6084@reddit
Oran Good with Joya playground are very cool, the Farmers Branch Manske library has TONS of free activities in the summer as well even if you don't have a library card. There's also a park adjacent to the library that has a decent sized playground (including a steam engine train climbing structure) and a river with lots and lots of friendly waterfowl and turtles.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
Steam engine and turtles? Sold! My boys would love that.
GrumpyCrab@reddit
Free First Saturdays at the Nasher Sculpture Center
GrumpyCrab@reddit
Oh also adding 2 others that came to mind. Grandscape shopping center in The Colony has done free Touch-a-truck events.
During the holidays, the Christmas village at Huffhines Park in Richardson was really fun.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
The Nasher Sculpture Center was awesome when we went last. We need to do that again. All of the crafts and activities they had set up were great.
I’ll look into those other two as well. Thank you!
ExitTheHandbasket@reddit
Fair Park gets negative press for being in a neighborhood that makes some people uncomfortable. I agree with you that it's an underutilized gem.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
Ahhh that makes sense. I wondered why it wasn’t busy or why I’d never heard of it for just regular days. It’s beautiful. I got so many great candid photos. Those old museums are so neat. Wild how they are very clearly defunct but everything around them is up, running, and well maintained. Gives a weird, but neat vibe.
GeekyTexan@reddit
Dog parks might be fun.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
True! I would have never thought of that. Great idea!
Environmental-Fox961@reddit
Watermark Church has a huge tree fort…it does require you to go to Watermark…but it’s free!
Scottish Rite downtown has a nice playground next to it and the hospital usually has fun things for kids to look at.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
I’ve heard about Watermark, but have yet to try it. I’ll do both of those! Thanks!
itsthrowaway91422@reddit
Do you follow those mom pages/accounts in the area like Plano Moms and Everything Arlington &DFW?
I found a lot of free things through their posts. Like their fall and holiday stuff, I was busy with 2-3 things every weekend from the fun things they posted. Then I follow the pages of the events or places they advertised. Bookmarked notable splashpads, library programs that have upcoming events, etc.
Our fave find were all the Touch a Truck events 😆
lala160@reddit
I’ve seen in touch a truck events happening in Addison and university Park also
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
Reddit is the only social media I have, but I think I’ve seen a Plano Moms website. I’ll look into the others. Touch a Truck sounds right up our alley. 😂
itsthrowaway91422@reddit
Mark your calendar for September-ish…Grapevine does a great Touch a Truck at their mall lol. Grand Prairie library/city program does a bunch of free stuff a couple Saturdays a month at the Epic playground area (very big and inclusive park- we can spend 4 hours there easily). They did a butterfly fest and dino fest this spring.
Not sure if its a trek for you from wherever in Dallas, but Epic playground I highly recommend checking out eventually!
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
We’re in the Cedar Hill/Duncanville area, so we’re close! We will definitely do those things. Thank you!
une_noisette@reddit
Dallas symphony has some free concerts in the park soon
https://www.dallassymphony.org/community-education/in-the-community/symphony-in-the-city/
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
Good idea! I’ll look into those!
mattmitsche@reddit
My son loves taking the train to the Plano Interurban Museum. Its a free small museum right next to the train station. There's also a nice playground there too.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
Adding that to our list! Thank you!
BudgetScience2000@reddit
On the same theme, you can ride the M-Line Trolley in Uptown. Free and all the cars are different. (122 "Rosie" from 1909 is the oldest streetcar in North America still doing regular passenger service.) They've got stops at Klyde Warren Park too.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
I’ll add that to the list! Thank you!
SpecialMud6084@reddit
Love the Interurban Museum! There's a cute park behind it as well, good for picnics.
ConsiderateExcavator@reddit
i hear you can tour amazon’s warehouses/distribution centers.
https://events.amazontours.com/na/onsite/ftw6
nomadschomad@reddit
Yes, and at the end, the robots collect some of the able-bodied children to join the warehouse team. They aren’t very good at lifting heavy things, but they can crawl into small spaces between the pallets to retrieve items.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
An adventure and wearing out my kids? Sweet! 😂
nomadschomad@reddit
Don’t forget $5.15 per hour
That’s even better than a no cost adventure
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
Woah! I would have never thought of that. I’ll look into it. Thank you!
ConsiderateExcavator@reddit
of course! hope yall will have a good time :)
The_Erlenmeyer_Flask@reddit
I'd be afraid that one of the robots might accidentally open a bear spray canister again.
Professional-Owl-597@reddit
Drive up and down harry hines at night???
Professional-Owl-597@reddit
My day drunk birthday comment.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
I’ve heard that’s some people’s idea of a pretty good time. 😂 Happy birthday. I hope you’re spending it doing something better than that!
une_noisette@reddit
Teddy bear park
CopeArtStudios@reddit
Check out ymca free swim classes
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
Will do!
Easytripsy@reddit
Cedar Ridge Preserve has lots of hiking trails, some easy and some advanced. You can make a donation at the entrance.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
We totally lucked out. Our house is three minutes away. That’s a weekly stop!
Have you done the Dogwood Canyon Audobon Center or the Windmill Hill Preserve? Also a good time and in the same area!
FearlessFrolic@reddit
The McKinney Avenue Trolley is a free ride through Uptown on vintage historic streetcars. If you take the DART you can get off at Uptown station and the turntable is right outside the entrance on the Uptown side (right exit after going up the first escalator).
You can hop on and off the trolley as it goes through Uptown/Downtown and there are a number of free things near the route such as: Turtle Creek Park, the Katy Trail, Reverchon Park, Klyde Warren Park, the Crow Musuem of Asian Art, and the Dallas Museum of Art.
They might be a bit young but the Ft Worth Mint does free tours. Its one of only two facilities where US bills are printed. You rarely hear about it because no cameras are allowed.
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
Love the trolley. Haven’t made a full day of it with all the stops though. We will have to try that!
The mint sounds sweet too! Thank you!
abzagailz@reddit (OP)
Commenting on my own post because I thought of another and wanted to add it for anyone else reading. The Teddy Bear Sculptures by Lakeside Park where fun! Gorgeous landscape, so many friendly ducks/geese, and massive teddy bears. Also disgustingly fun to look at the multi million dollar homes surrounding it. 😅