6 Free Museums in Dallas: A Local’s Guide to the Best Ones to Visit
Whether you’re interested in global art, local history, or contemporary installations, Dallas offers plenty of ways to experience culture without paying admission. Over the years, we’ve visited almost all of the free museums in Dallas, including six with free admission year-round. So now, we can share the scoop on one of the best free things to do in Dallas!
Here are the six free Dallas museums that locals love:
- Crow Museum of Asian Art
- Dallas Museum of Art
- Dallas Contemporary
- African American Museum of Dallas
- Latino Cultural Center
- The Samurai Collection
There are actually free museums all across the DFW metroplex, but to save you time (and gas money), this guide focuses on museums within Dallas city limits. We’ll begin with the ones that are always free — no planning required — then cover museums that offer free admission on select days. We’ll also throw in a some valuable information that may save you time and effort.
Free Museums in Dallas (Always Free!)
For these museums, you can walk in during regular business hours and start exploring — no payment required, ever.
Crow Museum of Asian Art
Dallas Arts District
2010 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201
Tuesday – Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm
Closed: Monday
Underrated but not to be missed, the Crow Museum of Asian Art is our favorite free museum in Dallas. It focuses on the arts and cultures of China, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia, with collections that include Buddhist sculptures, jade carvings, ceramics, paintings, and decorative objects spanning centuries.
The Crow Museum also has a second location on the University of Texas at Dallas campus in Richardson, but the Dallas Arts District location is admittedly much more convenient.
We went to the Richardson location first and immediately loved it. The space feels intimate and peaceful, which works beautifully with the displayed art. Whether you visit the Richardson location or the Dallas location, you can’t go wrong!
Dallas Museum of Art (DMA)
Dallas Arts District
1717 N Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75201
Wednesday – Sunday, 11am–5pm
Closed: Monday and Tuesday
A fantastic way to spend a museum day in Dallas is by starting in the Dallas Arts District. Why? Because you can walk straight from the Crow Museum to the Dallas Museum of Art without paying a dime in admission fees.
Though special exhibitions may require a ticket, The Dallas Museum of Art offers free general admission. It also happens to be the most well known museum in all of DFW. It’s very popular, and the museum itself is massive, with a collection of more than 25,000 works spanning 5,000 years of history.
Inside you’ll find everything from ancient Egyptian artifacts to European masterpieces and modern installations. Artists represented include Monet, Van Gogh, Rodin, and many others. Even if you’re not an art expert, it’s an impressive place to wander for an afternoon.
You do need to reserve a ticket online, but we promise that it’s quick, free, and low stress.
Dallas Contemporary
Design District
161 Glass St, Dallas, TX 75207
Thursday – Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Closed: Monday – Wednesday
If you prefer modern or experimental art, then visit Dallas Contemporary. Located in the Design District, this contemporary art museum regularly hosts rotating exhibitions featuring both internationally known and emerging artists.
Unlike traditional museums, Dallas Contemporary does not maintain a permanent collection. It is a non-collecting art museum whose focus is to present temporary exhibitions of contemporary art in rotation. The gallery spaces constantly change depending on the exhibitions currently on display. That means every visit can feel completely different from the last.
The building itself used to be an industrial warehouse, which gives the museum a raw, open feel that works perfectly for large contemporary installations.
African American Museum of Dallas
Fair Park
3536 Grand Ave, Dallas, TX 75210
Tuesday – Friday, 11 am – 5 pm
Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm
Closed: Sunday and Monday
Located in Fair Park, the African American Museum of Dallas is one of the most historically significant museums in the city.
The museum focuses on African American art, history, and culture, with exhibits that include folk art, historical artifacts, photography, and rotating exhibitions from contemporary Black artists. It features one of the largest African American folk art collections in the U.S., along with extensive artifacts and historical archives.
Admission is free during regular hours, though if you visit during the State Fair of Texas, you’ll need a fair ticket to access the building.
Latino Cultural Center
Bryan Place/ Deep Ellum area
2600 Live Oak St, Dallas, TX 75204
Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm
Closed: Sunday and Monday
The Latino Cultural Center serves as both a museum and a cultural hub for Latino arts in Dallas. The center hosts rotating art exhibitions, cultural events, theater performances, dance programs, and educational workshops celebrating Latino heritage.
The building is rather striking, with architecture inspired by Mesoamerican pyramids. Truth be told, we haven’t been here yet, but it’s high on our list and consistently recommended. We preemptively stand by it.
The Samurai Collection
(Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum)
Harwood District
2501 N. Harwood St., Dallas, TX 75201 (2nd Level)
Wednesday – Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm
Closed: Monday and Tuesday
Parking: Complimentary valet is available in the Saint Ann Court Motor Court
If you enjoy niche museums, this hidden gem is a fascinating stop. The Samurai Collection is dedicated entirely to Japanese samurai armor, weapons, and artifacts.
The collection includes dozens of historical suits of armor, helmets, swords, and decorative objects dating back centuries. The museum is relatively small, but the craftsmanship of the armor on display is remarkable.
It’s also located inside the Harwood District, making it an easy stop if you’re already exploring downtown Dallas.
Dallas Museums With Free Admission Days
Some Dallas museums normally charge admission but offer free museum admission days.
Dallas Museum of Art Special Exhibits (Free First Sundays)
Dallas Arts District
1717 N Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75201
Wednesday – Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Closed: Monday and Tuesday
Free Exhibits On: First Sunday of the Month
Although the Dallas Museum of Art offers free general admission, certain traveling exhibitions require paid tickets EXCEPT …… on the first Sunday of every month.
Known as FREE First Sundays, the museum offers free admission to special exhibitions, along with special family programming.
That’s right! Every first Sunday, the museum offers free admission to one or both of these exhibits, so it’s worth checking out! We went to the special Cartier exhibit and wow, it was stunning!
Nasher Sculpture Center (Free First Saturdays)
Dallas Arts District
2001 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201
Wednesday – Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Closed: Monday and Tuesday
Free Exhibits On: First Saturday of the Month
The Nasher Sculpture Center is best known for its outdoor sculpture garden and collection of modern sculpture by artists like Rodin and Calder. Over the years, the founders amassed an incredible collection of master artists such as Harry Bertoia, Constantin Brâncuși, Alexander Calder, Raymond Duchamp-Villon, Paul Gauguin, Willem de Kooning, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, and so many others.
General admission is normally paid, but the museum hosts “Free First Saturdays”, which includes family programming, art activities, and access to the galleries . Like the Dallas Museum of Art and the Crowe Museum, the Nasher Sculpture Center is also in Dallas Arts District. Play your cards right, and suddenly you have an easy, 100% free museum-hopping trip with minimal walking.
Meadows Museum (Free Thursday Evenings)
SMU Campus
5900 Bishop Blvd, Dallas, TX 75205
Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm, Thursday Late Hours until 8pm
Sunday, 1-5pm
Closed: Monday
Often called the “Prado on the Prairie,” the Meadows Museum houses one of the largest and most exhaustive collections of Spanish art outside Spain.
Artists represented include Velázquez, Goya, Dalí, and Miró. Admission is normally paid, but the museum offers free entry on Thursday evenings beginning at 5 pm. The museum closes at 9 pm. The museum also offers free, docent-led tours on the first Thursday of the month.
Worth the Drive: Free Museums Near Dallas
These museums aren’t in Dallas proper, but they’re excellent and completely free. So if you have the time, we recommend checking them out!
Kimbell Art Museum (Fort Worth)
Fort Worth Cultural District
3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107
Tuesday-Thursday & Saturday, 10 am – 5pm
Friday 12pm – 8pm, Sunday 12 – 5pm
Closed: Monday
The Kimbell Art Museum is internationally recognized for its collection of European and Asian art, as well as it’s exclusive collection of African, and Ancient American art. The permanent galleries are free to visit, though special exhibitions may require a paid ticket.
Amon Carter Museum of American Art (Fort Worth)
Fort Worth Cultural District
3501 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107
Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm, Thursday Late Hours until 8pm
Sunday, 12pm -5pm
Closed: Monday
The Amon Carter Museum focuses entirely on American art, from the 18th century to the present, including paintings, photography, and sculptures documenting the American West. Admission is free year-round; “the experience is priceless.”
Note: Kimbell is fine art with an international feel while Amon Carter is more Western art with a local feel.
PSA: Dallas Museums That Are Permanently Closed
Public Service Announcement: If you see other posts mentioning the Museum of Geometric and MADI Art or the Bath House Cultural Center, IGNORE THEM.
The MADI Museum closed in 2022, and the White Rock Lake Museum inside Bath House Cultural Center also closed years ago. Now, the Bath House Cultural Center is just a really great place to watch the sunset over White Rock Lake. Sometimes, there’s a little bit of art inside too (sprinkle sprinkle) and local events, but mostly, it’s an artsy picnic spot.
Heads up: if you see mentions of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Money Museum, it’s probably an inadvertent reference to the Fort Worth BEP (Bureau of Engraving and Printing) tour. That’s where you can see U.S. currency being made! The BEP only operates in Washington, D.C., and Fort Worth, Texas. While the Dallas museum is free, it’s not exactly a crowd favorite — Fort Worth’s tour (also free) is the one locals rave about. Easy mix up. Don’t get it confused.
You’re welcome!
FAQ About Free Museums in Dallas
What museums in Dallas are free?
Many! The best FREE museums in Dallas include the Dallas Museum of Art, Crow Museum of Asian Art, Dallas Contemporary, African American Museum of Dallas, Latino Cultural Center, and the Samurai Collection.
Is the Dallas Museum of Art free?
Yes. The Dallas Museum of Art offers free general admission, though some special exhibitions may require a ticket. However, if you go on “FREE first Sundays”, one or multiple of the special exhibitions will also be free!
What day are museums free in Dallas?
Some museums offer free admission on certain days, including Nasher Sculpture Center’s – Free First Saturdays, Meadows Museum’s – Free Thursday Evenings, and Dallas Museum of Arts Special Exhibits – Free First Sundays.
Are there free art museums in Dallas?
Yes. There are several free museums in Dallas that focus on art, including the Dallas Museum of Art, Crow Museum of Asian Art, and Dallas Contemporary.
Conclusion
Some folks go on and on about the Perot Museum, and we’re not mad at them. It’s nice, but it ain’t free (they do have some great exhibits, however). Nonetheless, most of our favorite museums in Dallas are completely freeeeeee!!
Our suggestion, if you want to have a great day out in Dallas proper, you absolutely can – for pennies on the dollar! Dallas has fantastic free museums, making it one of the best cities for budget-friendly cultural experiences.
We encourage you to explore a few different neighborhoods, try out several museums, and if you have time, work your way through the entire list.
And if you’re looking for more budget-friendly activities, check out our guide to free things to do in Dallas with kids. If you’re planning a full itinerary, check out our page on things to do in Dallas, which includes all the must-visit local attractions.
