Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center – Free Activities

Traveling to a big city can come with a hefty price tag when you want to get out sightseeing. However, there are ways to spend less while still getting the most out of the city.

After paying for your hotel, parking, food, drinks, souvenirs, and maybe some public transportation, you’re probably looking to give your wallet a bit of a break. Don’t worry because that is totally possible to do in Dallas. Visiting the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center puts you in a prime area to be able to explore Dallas while being budget conscious.

Below are some of the top free places to visit while you are in Dallas. The best part is that all of these sights are less than five miles from the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. In fact, the majority of them are within walking distance from the venue.

 

Pioneer Plaza

The Pioneer Plaza is a popular place among tourists. This iconic Western sculpture is actually the second most visited tourist attraction in the city. The plaza is steps from the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, so there’s no reason to miss out on this free attraction.

This public park commemorates the cattle drives that passed through Texas, specifically Dallas, in the 19th century. Cattle were being taken north along the Shawnee Trail. In total, there are 49 bronze cattle statues that stand roughly six feet tall. As an ongoing art piece, occasionally a new steer is added. There are also three trail riders. With all of these bronze statues, this is the largest bronze monument in the world. Snap a picture to let everyone know you are visiting the great city of Dallas!

 

Dealey Plaza

When you hear “Dealey Plaza” or “grassy knoll,” you probably think of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Now listed as a National Historic Landmark, Dealey Plaza is a major tourist site for this reason.

However, this was a popular spot in the city even before JFK’s assassination. This plaza is considered the birthplace of Dallas because it acted as the gateway to the city. George Bannerman Dealey, a civic leader, spearheaded the revitalization of the area and surrounding neighborhood. This led to the plaza being named in his honor. When he died in 1946, a statue was erected in the plaza as well.

In November of 1963, the reason for visiting Dealey Plaza changed completely. It became an area where citizens placed flowers in remembrance of JFK. Today, many visitors go there to learn about and pay their respects to the late president. There is now a monument at the park that acts as an open-air tomb, reflecting the free spirit of Kennedy.

There is a hill on the north side of Elm Street near the Dealey Plaza known as the grassy knoll. Some witnesses from the JFK assassination believe a shot came from this area, which was to the right of Kennedy. Now there is a pergola for guests to walk through, admire, and reflect.

 

Thanks-Giving Square

It’s hard to miss Thanks-Giving Square with the large, white spiraling chapel centerstage. Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings stated that this space is the perfect gathering place that Dallas needed because it is for all races, genders, sexualities, backgrounds, and religions. It doesn’t matter what religion you are because it is a place simply to give thanks. This chapel has become a spiritual hub for the entire Dallas community.

The area is an escape from the busy city streets, as the water from the Great Fountain drowns out the noise of the city. If you’re visiting Thanks-Giving Square, which is just a 12-minute walk from the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, you should definitely go inside the chapel to view the Glory Window. The Glory Window is a spiraling stained glass masterpiece that will take your breath away.

 

Fountain Place

Fountain Place is located close to Thanks-Giving Square, so it is a 13-minute walk from the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. The 58-story glass building that defines Dallas’s skyline is located at this landmark. At ground level, it is 1.7 acres of water, fountains, trees, and places for visitors to gather.

As you lounge about to admire the architecture and fountains, you’ll see people going and coming to work. Renovations are happening to the surrounding buildings, so if you decide you need to re-energize while you’re there, you can find some great coffee spots and bars nearby.

 

Pegasus Plaza

Built in 1992, Pegasus Plaza is located in the heart of Downtown Dallas, roughly half a mile from the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. The entire park spans half an acre with shady areas to take a respite from the sun and a hot spring fountain.

The myth about Perseus and Pegasus going to defeat the Gorgon Medusa is what inspired the fountain in this plaza. Pegasus Plaza is used for live music and hosts many festivals and holiday events.

 

Katy Trail

The Katy Trail is a favorite spot for locals to go and exercise, bike, skate, or take a leisurely walk. Since it is only a 10-minute drive from the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, this can become one of your favorite spots in Dallas too.

This area used to be the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad. The Union Pacific Railroad built the railroad in 1865 and it was often called the K-T line. That later changed to Katy. Eventually, this railroad was abandoned, and the Union Pacific Railroad donated the land to the city of Dallas. In the 1990s, members of the community and local businesses suggested that the land be used for a park. Today, this gorgeous green space spans a total of 30 acres with an additional 125 acres of urban parkland.

 

Dallas Arts District

Spanning 19 city blocks, the Dallas Arts District is the largest contiguous urban arts district in the United States. It welcomes over four million visitors annually. The Dallas Arts District is a nonprofit that hosts, promotes, and runs free public programs, provides outreach to businesses and neighborhoods, creates tours for visitors, and much more. They value art, education, creativity, and innovation and aim to enhance the space as a dynamic destination for the local community and visitors alike. It’s easy to visit this district as it is only a little over a mile from the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

Within the 19 blocks that make up the Dallas Arts District, there are a lot of free places you can visit. One of these places is Klyde Warren Park. This five-acre park holds events daily for the community and its visitors, such as Food Truck Mondays, Music Thursdays, yoga, concerts, and tours. There is a performance pavilion, walking trails, a playground, dog park, and game area. Visiting the park and taking part in any of the daily activities is all free.

Sammons Park is another possible park to visit in the Dallas Arts District. It is an extension of the venues in that area. The venues include the AT&T Performing Arts Center and Winspear Opera House. The park provides outdoor seating in front of the Winspear Opera House. Additionally, guests can relax in the open field areas. Perhaps the most iconic part of Sammons Park is the Donor Reflecting Pool. You’ll often find visitors splashing in the water.

To enjoy some free art and history, stop by the Crow Collection of Asian Art in the Dallas Arts District. This museum was founded in 1998, and throughout the years it has been a place for people to come and celebrate Asian culture and art. The museum defines Asia as a place of endless diversity, and it is not restricted to one place, time, or idea. Therefore, exhibits are always rotating throughout the year. To give you an idea of how vast their exhibits are, some of the past exhibits included Avatars and Incarnations: Buddhist and Hindu Art from the Collection, Earthly Splendor: Korean Ceramics, and Styled with Poise: Figured in Japanese Paintings and Prints.

Another free museum to visit is the Dallas Museum of Art or “DMA.” At 370,000 square feet, DMA is in the top 10 largest art museums in the United States and contains over 24,000 pieces of artwork. There is a wide range of artwork from the ancient Americas, Africa, South Asia, and Europe. DMA also houses artwork that is contemporary. With its massive range of artwork from different cultures and time periods as well as its wide array of public events, this should definitely be a stop on your trip to Dallas when you visit the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

 

Chase Tower

Located near the Dallas Arts District one mile from the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center is Chase Tower. This building has become an icon for Dallas and the Dallas Arts District.

Visitors can head to the top of Chase Tower to get a panoramic view of the city. Simply sign in, get a visitors badge, and head to the top via the elevator. It is a great way to see Dallas from a new perspective and snap some cool panoramic skyline photos.