30 of the highest-rated free things to do in Texas

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Highest-rated free things to do in Texas, according to Tripadvisor

It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven’t caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.

That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.

It’s no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that’s enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there’s a roster of completely free things to do in Texas.

Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you’re just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you’re a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.

To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Texas using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.

Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!

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#30. Hermann Park

– Rating: 4.5/5 (1,099 reviews)
– Address: 6100 Hermann Park Drive Houston, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#29. Sundance Square

– Rating: 4.5/5 (1,736 reviews)
– Address: 420 Main St. Fort Worth, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#28. The Seawall

– Rating: 4.5/5 (2,930 reviews)
– Address: Seawall Blvd, Galveston Galveston, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#27. Gruene Historic District

– Rating: 4.5/5 (1,003 reviews)
– Address: Gruene Road New Braunfels, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#26. Wildseed Farms

– Rating: 4.5/5 (1,595 reviews)
– Address: 100 Legacy Drive Fredericksburg, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

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#25. Main Street

– Rating: 4.5/5 (2,068 reviews)
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#24. Fort Worth Water Gardens

– Rating: 4.5/5 (1,717 reviews)
– Address: 1502 Commerce St. Fort Worth, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#23. Klyde Warren Park

– Rating: 4.5/5 (2,005 reviews)
– Address: 1909 Woodall Rodgers Fwy Dallas, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#22. Fort Worth Botanic Garden

– Rating: 4.5/5 (1,212 reviews)
– Address: 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd. Fort Worth, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#21. Mount Bonnell

– Rating: 4.5/5 (1,649 reviews)
– Read more on Tripadvisor

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#20. Port Aransas Beach

– Rating: 4.5/5 (2,126 reviews)
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#19. Dealey Plaza National Historic Landmark District

– Rating: 4.5/5 (2,537 reviews)
– Address: 411 Elm St. Dallas, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#18. Cadillac Ranch

– Rating: 4/5 (4,318 reviews)
– Address: 13651 I- 40 Frontage Road Amarillo, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#17. Kimbell Art Museum

– Rating: 5/5 (1,686 reviews)
– Address: 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd. Fort Worth, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#16. Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Watching

– Rating: 4/5 (4,191 reviews)
– Address: 100 Congress Ave. Austin, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

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#15. San Antonio River

– Rating: 4.5/5 (3,677 reviews)
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#14. Dallas Museum of Art

– Rating: 4.5/5 (2,083 reviews)
– Address: 1717 North Harwood Dallas, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#13. The Strand

– Rating: 4.5/5 (3,131 reviews)
– Address: 2100 Strand St. Galveston, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#12. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

– Rating: 4.5/5 (1,946 reviews)
– Address: 6701 San Jose Drive San Antonio, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#11. Galveston – Port Bolivar Ferry

– Rating: 4.5/5 (4,256 reviews)
– Address: Texas State Hwy 87 Galveston, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

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#10. Japanese Tea Gardens

– Rating: 4.5/5 (1,921 reviews)
– Address: 3853 North St. Mary’s St. San Antonio, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#9. The Galleria

– Rating: 4.5/5 (5,261 reviews)
– Address: 5085 Westheimer Road Houston, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#8. San Fernando De Bexar Cathedral

– Rating: 4.5/5 (2,107 reviews)
– Address: 115 West Main Plz San Antonio, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#7. Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail

– Rating: 4.5/5 (2,749 reviews)
– Address: Lady Bird Lake First St. Bridge Austin, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#6. Sea Turtle, Inc.

– Rating: 4.5/5 (3,143 reviews)
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#5. Mission San Jose

– Rating: 4.5/5 (3,494 reviews)
– Address: 6701 San Jose Drive San Antonio, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#4. Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District

– Rating: 4.5/5 (5,518 reviews)
– Address: 2501 Rodeo Plaza Fort Worth, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#3. Texas State Capitol

– Rating: 4.5/5 (8,042 reviews)
– Address: 1100 South Congress Ave. Austin, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#2. The Alamo

– Rating: 4.5/5 (19,730 reviews)
– Address: 300 Alamo Plaza San Antonio, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#1. San Antonio River Walk

– Rating: 4.5/5 (27,051 reviews)
– Address: 849 East Commerce St. San Antonio, Texas
– Read more on Tripadvisor

This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.