Arlington, Texas is known for its amusement parks, history, and professional sports teams in the area. But most travelers and even some locals don’t know much about the fun and free things this awesome city has to offer. So do yourself a favor, save the money in your wallet, and join in on the free fun around Arlington. There are plenty of great experiences waiting for you today.
The following is Liv+ Arlington’s list of the best free things to do in Arlington, TX:
Enjoy the Free Shows at the Levitt Pavilion
Location: 100 W Abram St, Arlington, TX 76010
The Levitt Pavilion is known for putting on a good show for the community. The Levitt Pavilion attracts people of all ages and puts on over 50 yearly events for the community. It is the perfect spot for music lovers to discover the Texan talent in town. It also gives you a chance to enjoy a good concert in case you haven’t yet!
Who knows, maybe you and your band can end up performing at the Levitt Pavilion someday.
Take a Campus Tour at The University of Texas at Arlington
Location: 701 W Nedderman Dr, Arlington, TX 76019
The UTA campus in Arlington is probably one of the most underrated spots around town. As always, the UT brand has done an amazing job of fixing up this campus and filling it with plenty of art and fun experiences for students and the public to enjoy.
The UTA Gallery has plenty of beautifully rare art exhibits that help bring this campus’ culture alive. The different types of art on campus include drawings, paintings, sculptures, and artifacts. You can also visit the UTA Planetarium which showcases amazing stellar shows with great graphics. It doesn’t matter if you’re 10 or 30 years of age, you’ll be amazed by the shows that are put on at this planetarium.
Visit River Legacy Parks
Location: 701 NW Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, TX 76006
River Legacy Park is the heart of the park system in Arlington. With an area covering well over 1,000 acres, this park has some of the most amazing views in the region. Admission to the park is completely free, making this green filled place even more amazing. The park aims its focus on preserving the beauty and importance of North Texas wildlife which allows visitors to have the best experience possible. River Legacy Parks is also a great place to go bird watching, bicycling, jogging, hiking, or picnicking. The park also offers great exercise stations and playground areas to stay active around Arlington.
The River Legacy Living Science Center offers unique activities and fun for the public. This great learning center is a great place to learn about nature in a fun way. Make sure to stay up to date by checking the center’s calendar of events.
Visit Vandergriff Park
Location: 2800 S Center St, Arlington, TX 76014
Vandergriff Park is a spacious park that features plenty of space and amenities that’ll help keep you active. It is the perfect spot to enjoy a day full of heart-pumping activities like lawn games, biking, hiking, skating, tennis, and other fun activities you can think of. Vandergriff Park also features the Allen Bolden Pool and the Bob Duncan Center which you can enjoy for a small fee. Other than that, Vandergriff Park is ready to receive you and your family/friends on your day of fun around Arlington.
Visit Veterans Park
Location: 3600 W Arkansas Ln, Arlington, TX 76016
This amazingly green park serves as a military memorial for our nation’s veteran soldiers. It is the only park in town that features the popular disc golf course. It is also great for a day of biking, hiking, playing on the grassy fields, sightseeing, or enjoying the Wildscape and Xeriscape gardens. Veterans Park is probably the greenest park in town with great shade.
Visit the S.J. Stovall Park
Location: 2800 W Sublett Rd, Arlington, TX 76001
This is a great place to enjoy a nice laid back day with your family. S.J. Stovall Park includes the Bad Königshofen Family Aquatic Center, basketball courts, bike and hike trails, a fitness course, playground areas, sand volleyball courts, shuffle boarding, and tennis courts for your enjoyment. After enjoying your time under the sun, S.J. Stovall Park is perfect for family barbecues and picnics.
Visit the Richard Greene Linear Park
Location: 1601 E Randol Mill Rd, Arlington, TX 76011
This fantastic park is located near the AT&T Stadium and Rangers Ballpark by the lake. This city project was aimed towards restoring the creek along with some natural features nearby. Today, you can enjoy from the amazing art pieces located across the park and the great hiking and biking trails. You’ll want to make sure you take your best camera to take some pictures around the campus.
Explore the Crystal Canyon Natural Area
Location: 1000 Brown Blvd, Arlington, TX 76011
Crystal Canyon Natural Area is the perfect spot to visit if your a nature lover. You’ll find plenty of rock formations including Marine shales, siltstones, mudstone filled with calcareous fossil clams, gypsum layers, and fine grain sandstone. The park also includes nice trails to enjoy a nice hike, go birdwatching, and collect a few stones on the way. These wooded areas will have you feeling in touch with nature.
Southwest Nature Preserve
Location: 5201 Bowman Springs Rd, Arlington, TX 76017
This nature preserve contains three ponds great for recreational fishing. The park has a strict catch and release policy to preserve the wildlife in the area. Southwest Nature Preserve is also home to plenty of important local plants and has a high bluff where you can spot areas across the city from afar. There are also several picnic areas located along the walkways where you can rest enjoy the fresh air.
Visit the J.W. Dunlop Sports Center
Location: 1500 NW Green Oaks Blvd. Arlington, TX 76012
The J.W. Dunlop Sports Center is one of the most exciting parks in the city. It is full of youthful amenities waiting to be discovered by the public. From the BMX trail to the soccer fields, there is plenty of room around this park where you can stay active. The natural area at the park is also great for those who are looking for a nice nature walk. The playground area at the park is full of colorful attractions that will have the kids ready for action. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to catch a game of competitive baseball at the baseball fields.
Visit the Top O’ Hill Terrace
Location: 3001 W Division St, Arlington, TX 76012
This spot on top of the hill was once known as a gambling site for outlaws and wanderers. It was the Texan version of Las Vegas without the dessert in the early 1900s. Once the underground gambling was discovered, the law raided the gambling haven and the Top O’ Hill Terrace turned around completely. The facility was later bought by a Christian group and has been preserved ever since. Today, Arlington Baptist University uses the site for university purposes. It is a great spot to learn a bit of the rich history that helped earn Arlington a name around Texas.
Visit Bowman Springs Park
Location: 7003 W Poly Webb Rd, Arlington, TX 76016
This community park is located right by the lake, making it a great spot to visit during the summer. You are able to enjoy a game on the basketball court, hiking, biking, fishing at the lake, or taking your children to the playground. Most visitors tend to access the lake through the public boat ramp which can open up a world of fun possibilities out in the Arlington water.
Visit the Tails ‘N Trails Dog Park
Location: 950 SE Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, TX 76018
If you’re looking for a good spot to take your pet, the Tails ‘N Trails Dog Park is the right spot for you. The park is completely dog-friendly and intended to be a place where your favorite pet can go out and interact with other dogs. Like most dog parks, Tails ‘N Trails has certain areas dedicated to “Large Dog and Small Dog Off-Leash Areas”. There are also some nature trails where you can enjoy a nice run or hike around the park. Our dogs also deserve some fun around Arlington!
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