It seems that people in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are feeling the pinch in the current economic climate much like the rest of the country. However, these times do not have to leave resident’s social lives in the lurch. A fun time can be had on a date or social outing for little or no money in the Dallas-Fort Worth area if one only knows where to look.
Here are some fun ways to get out with friends and family without breaking the bank:
Take in the Culture
The Dallas-Fort Worth area is known for its vast number of museums and art galleries that could satisfy even the most particular of tastes. One of the perks of the museums in the area is many of them have free admission.
The Amon Carter Museum (www.cartermuseum.org) in Fort Worth has a large permanent collection of American paintings and photography.
The Dallas Museum of Art (www.dm-art.org) normally has an admission charge. However, admission is waived the first Tuesday of every month. The Dallas Museum of Art also has a free yearly series of outdoor concerts known as Jazz under the Stars.
Time to Eat
The deal breaker for many people in this economy is the meal. The key here is to keep an eye out for discounts, coupons or specials. One way to keep the green in your wallet is the SoftWallet (www.softwallet.com) application for smart phones. SoftWallet uses GPS to locate special offers at nearby restaurants. Many of these offers are exclusive to SoftWallet. Once at the eatery or store, the offer can be brought up on the main screen for redemption. The application is free making it even easier to save.
Stop and Smell the Flowers
If man-made art does not quench the thirst for activity then perhaps natural art is the way to go. The Fort Worth Botanic Garden (www.fwbg.org) can be a serene place for meditation or a romantic place to take a sweetheart. Either way, there will not be admission costs. For the true flower lover, the Japanese Garden and the Conservatory are sections of the Botanic garden that have their own unique flavor and only require a small fee (no more than $5).
Beat the Heat
The heat can be brutal in Dallas-Fort Worth. Many entertainment venues know this and will have customers pay a pretty penny to cool off. Here is how to do it for free.
Dallas-Fort Worth lakes are often overlooked but should never to be underestimated. They are great fun for the whole crew. Lake Grapevine is in the middle of the Dallas-Fort Worth area which makes it a wonderful convenience. Lake Lewisville is one of the larger lakes in the area and like Lake Grapevine, does not cost anything. However, some fees do apply for boat parking and docking.
If swimming is out of the question then the Fort Worth Water Gardens would be a good bet. Featured in the 1976 film Logan’s Run, the Water Gardens are a spectacle for any visitor or local. The Water Gardens, designed by architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee, turn the concrete jungle of Fort Worth into an oasis clouded in mist. Perhaps the most interesting part of this free attraction is spectators can walk down into the 38-foot waterfall/pool and remain completely dry.
