How to Visit Fort Worth, TX on a Budget

5 of the Best and Cheapest Things to do in Fort Worth, TX - That aren’t the Stock Yards

Want to experience Fort Worth, TX but don’t want to break the bank? Whether you have a family with young children, teens, or even just adults wanting to go on a weekend getaway, there are so many things to see and do that are very budget friendly. Fort Worth is a beautiful historic Texas city, full of wonderful experiences that shouldn’t be missed.

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Here is a list of some of the top free or inexpensive things to see and do in Fort Worth, TX.

1. Fort Worth Zoo. Ranked as the #1 place to visit by Trip Advisor. This is a beautiful park-like zoo with amazing animals and interactive activities. It is open 365 days a year and the entrance fees are very reasonable. Tickets are $14 for ages 3-12 and 65+, and $18 for ages 13+, parking is only $5. Be sure to arrive early (before the park even opens if you can) because parking fills up quickly and the zoo can start to get crowded as the day gets later, remember it is the #1 attraction in Fort Worth.

Ways to save at the zoo:

• Buy your tickets online and save $1 per ticket. Also, Wednesdays are half price, so you can really save big there.

• Bring your own food and drinks (no large ice chests, single use straws, glass containers, or alcohol). We brought a backpack filled with snacks and water so we didn’t have to purchase food inside. They do have shaded picnic areas where you can relax and eat a packed lunch or snacks.

• There are free interactive children's activities included in your admission such as The Outdoor Learning theater, Playbarn, and Texas Nature Traders.

• Take the kids to Safari Splash for an inexpensive alternative to a water park. Only $5 extra with admission.

2. Fort Worth Water Gardens. Located in the Historic District of Fort Worth at 1502 W. Commerce St.. The Water Gardens are an amazing experience and totally free. Consisting of 3 different fantastic water displays in a unique urban garden setting. There is the Quiet (reflecting) Pool surrounded by enchanting bald cypress trees, the Aerated Pool which has 40 spray nozzles that shoot upward making a beautiful display, and the Active Pool - the highlight of the park. It is a magnificent downward spiraling concrete waterfall that you can actually walk down into (if you are brave enough). It is a great place to bring the family, have a picnic, enjoy some quiet under a shade tree or in front of the beautiful water features. The Water Gardens are super fun for all ages and a must see in Fort Worth.

3. Fort Worth Cultural District - located about a mile from downtown Fort Worth, the Cultural District is one of the best assemblage of museums and historic architecture located in a central area in America. With so many free and discounted admissions this makes it a great place to immerse yourself and family into the amazing influence and education of art, history, and science.

Ways to save in the Fort Worth Cultural District:

• Amon Carter Museum of Fine Art - free entrance

• Kimbell Art Museum - free entrance

• The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth - regular admission fee for adults is $16, but they offer great discounts for Seniors, Military & First Responders, and Students. The best way to save is ages 18 and under are free, Friday’s are free, and ½ price admission on Sunday’s.

• Fort Worth Museum of Science and History - admission fees are regularly $12, $14, & $16 depending on age.

  • The museum offers special discounts for the following:

    • Teachers for pre-k - 12th grade can get 1 free entrance ticket.

    • Blue Star Museums Program - (May 21-Sep 5 2022) Active Military, Reserve, & Guard free entrance for up to 5 family members and themselves.

    • Museums for All program (SNAP/EBT) $3 off for up to 4 people.

    • Active Military, Veterans, & First Responders $2 off 1 entrance fee.

• Casa Manana - Meaning “House of Tomorrow” this is a unique building created for live professional theater. Discount tickets are available for High School and College students 1 hour before the showing only for available seats. There are also Military discount tickets available for $10 off Broadway shows and $5 off Children’s Theater.

• Fort Worth Public Art - Found just about everywhere you look around the city are lively and unique art structures, murals, statues, stained glass art, mosaic pieces and more. This is a wonderful and free opportunity to explore and experience fabulous art throughout the city of Fort Worth.

**As an advocate for art and history I encourage donations at these institutions as they are always appreciated to help keep them running for all to enjoy - thank you!!**

4. Fort Worth Botanical Gardens - One of my personal favorite places to visit (of course I am in love with botanical gardens). Botanical Gardens are so wonderful because each one is completely different so you never know what you are going to experience. The huge Rainforest Conservatory is full of tropical plants, trees, orchids, and also a couple waterfalls. Then there are the abundant magnificent gardens, upwards of 14 different ones. These are a few of my favorites…the Japanese Garden, the Rose Garden, Fuller Garden, and the Four Seasons Garden, of course I really love all of them! The entire FWBG is fantastic and so much fun. There is also a native Texas boardwalk, the Compost Outpost (where you can learn about composting), and the Water Conservation Garden. In addition, this beautiful place is also home to BRIT (Botanical Research Institute of Texas), where they have Living, Herbarium, and Library collections along with an Art gallery to enhance botanical research and education.

Entrance Fees are fairly inexpensive at $6, $10, and $12 depending on age.

Ways to save at the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens:

• Free entrance for ages 0-5 yrs.

• Blue Star Program (Mem. Day - Labor Day) free entrance for active duty military and family.

• Lonestar/SNAP/WIC/Medicaid/Medicare or Museums4All - free general admission for adults and children.

• Checkout a FW Library Muse Pass - free entrance for 2 adults and children 17 and below from the same household.

• Pack a picnic! There are beautiful designated green spaces to lay down a blanket and enjoy a good old fashioned picnic in a beautiful and serene setting.

5. Sundance Square - This area of downtown Fort Worth is known for wonderful shopping, a prominent restaurant scene, beautiful historic buildings, and a large covered outdoor seating area that hosts live performances every weekend. Free parking after 5pm everyday and weekends (check the parking link on the website for additional free parking times and garage locations).

These are some free places to take advantage of while experiencing Sundance Square:

• The JFK Tribute located at 916 Main Street

• St. Patrick Cathedral located at 1206 Throckmorton Street

• 1st Christian Church located at 612 Throckmorton Street

• Burnett Park located at 501 W. 7th Street

• Sid Richardson Museum (filled with amazing depictions of Wild Western Art) located at 309 Main Street

• Virgin Olive Oiler (enjoy wonderful tastings of olive oils and vinegars from around the world) located at 416 Commerce Street

As you can see it is possible to visit the beautiful city of Fort Worth, Texas and enjoy its culture and history without spending a lot of money, if any. There are also many city parks with beautiful walking and biking trails and wide open spaces for picnics, kite flying, and just playing around. Also, another great place to take a leisurely stroll is the beautiful campus of Texas Christian University. I hope you find these places to be an amazing and inexpensive experience like my family did.