Field notes
- General admission to the Dallas Museum of Art is free; tickets are still required.
- The Crow Museum of Asian Art is always free.
- The Nasher offers free admission on the first Saturday of each month.
The Dallas Arts District packs museums, concert halls and theaters into a few walkable blocks on the north side of downtown. You can see a world-class museum collection, a sculpture garden and an Asian art museum before lunch and still make an evening concert. Here is how to plan it.
What is in the district
The district’s own guide lists visual arts venues including the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center, the Crow Museum of Asian Art, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Green Family Art Foundation, and performing arts venues including the Meyerson Symphony Center, the Winspear Opera House, the Wyly Theatre, Moody Performance Hall and the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Companies based there include the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, The Dallas Opera, Dallas Theater Center, Texas Ballet Theater and Dallas Black Dance Theatre.
The museums at a glance
| Museum | Admission | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas Museum of Art | General admission free; tickets required for everyone | Closed Monday and Tuesday; Wednesday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Crow Museum of Asian Art | Always free | Closed Mondays and major holidays |
| Nasher Sculpture Center | Adults $10, seniors $7, students $5, children under 12 free | Free First Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Perot Museum of Nature and Science | Timed-entry tickets | Closed Tuesdays through April 7, 2027; parking $15 |
The Dallas Museum of Art says its general admission is free because art is a gift meant for all, but every visitor, of any age, needs a ticket, which you can reserve online or at the Guest Services Desk. The Crow Museum of Asian Art, part of The University of Texas at Dallas, describes itself as always free and open six days a week. The Nasher lists DART riders at a reduced $8 admission and free entry for military and first responders and SNAP EBT card holders.
Show a DART ticket at the Nasher for the reduced admission, and ride the train in rather than paying for parking.
A one-day plan
- Morning: the Dallas Museum of Art when it opens at 11 a.m.; reserve free tickets in advance.
- Midday: lunch in Klyde Warren Park, which offers free programming most days.
- Afternoon: the Nasher’s sculpture garden, then the free Crow Museum of Asian Art.
- Evening: a concert or show at one of the district’s halls.
Klyde Warren Park
Klyde Warren Park sits at the edge of the district. It is a 5.4-acre park, privately managed by the Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation, with a mission to provide free programming and to serve as a town square; the foundation says it draws more than 2 million visitors a year. Its calendar mixes fitness classes, dance, art and family events, so check what is on before you go.
Visiting with children
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is the district’s family favorite. It uses timed-entry tickets and says the average visit lasts two to three hours. At the Dallas Museum of Art, children under 12 must be supervised, and a family-friendly space on Level 4 is available for snacks and bottle-feeding. More ideas are in Dallas with Kids: Museums, the Zoo, Gardens and Parks Families Love.
Practical rules
- The Dallas Museum of Art asks visitors to leave bags at its free coat check; bags cannot be worn on the back in the galleries.
- No food or drinks in galleries at the DMA; picnics are allowed in some outdoor areas with prior approval.
- Non-flash personal photography is welcome at the DMA; tripods and selfie sticks are not.
- The DMA is fully wheelchair accessible and lends a limited number of wheelchairs.
Getting there
The Arts District is on the northern edge of downtown, next to Klyde Warren Park. DART rail stops downtown are a short walk away, and the Perot Museum’s main lot sits under the freeway. If you are combining the district with other neighborhoods, the Farmers Market and Deep Ellum are a short drive; see Best Dallas Neighborhoods to Explore: Where to Start and What You Will Find.
Concerts, opera, theater and dance
The museums are only half of the district. The Dallas Symphony Orchestra performs at the Meyerson Symphony Center, The Dallas Opera at the Winspear Opera House, and Dallas Theater Center at the Wyly Theatre, part of the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Texas Ballet Theater, Dallas Black Dance Theatre and TITAS / Dance Unbound present dance, and Moody Performance Hall hosts smaller productions. The district also lists the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts among its neighbors, a reminder that the area trains artists as well as presenting them.
If you plan to visit often, memberships can pay off. The Dallas Museum of Art says all its exhibitions are free for members, and the Perot Museum’s members get free general admission and discounts on parking.
For more free culture, see Free Things to Do in Dallas: Museums, Parks, Trails and Markets That Cost Nothing, and for a backup plan when the weather turns, Dallas on a Rainy Day: Museums and Indoor Places Worth the Trip.