Free is one of my favorite F words. Food is also one of them. I will let you guess the third one,…read morebut it is definitely not Yelp friendly. The Dallas Art Museum is free for most of the museum, with special exhibits costing extra, but honestly there is plenty to see without spending a dime. They have Renoirs, Picassos, Monets, and so much more. The bathrooms are surprisingly very nice, the AC was absolutely on point, and it was not crowded when we visited. A perfect spot to get a little culture in between meals. Honestly, a must hit for out of town visitors looking for something fun to do that does not involve eating. Be sure to hit the gift store too, a museum gift shop is usually well curated, and this one is no exception! (though I will say the lady working the store had a sh:tty attitude)

Whether it's a cold rainy day or a sweltering hot one, you can escape the punishing weather and…read moreenjoy an outing at the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) for a little inspiration and awe. The DMA has a supporter membership for $120. It includes parking which would cost you $20 otherwise. You also get two free admission tickets that you can use to view the museum's collections or any special exhibitions each and every day of the year. The membership will also provide a discount at the museum store and in the snack bar. Visit twice during the year, and the membership more than pays for itself. You can buy your membership online, print the receipt, and show it for free parking. Once inside the venue, show the receipt at the check-in desk to get your free tickets to the special exhibit(s). Your DMA cards will be mailed to you in four weeks, in the mean time, use that printed receipt for everything. We renewed our membership this weekend April 2026 and went to see the Samurai Collection. Metalwork is not a favorite of mine, but I was still fascinated by the stories presented on the placards throughout the exhibit and I certainly appreciated the beautiful, intricate craftsmanship presented in each piece. I didn't realize that the Samurai swords and armor had been banned from production in Japan, so the metal workers pivoted and learned to become artisans. They started to make and repair metal embellishments, lanterns, and incense burners for the numerous temples in the country. Many of the items in this collection were from Kyoto and Nara, both places my husband and I visited in November 2009. The full body armor was fascinating. Little pieces of leather were coated in metal, painted, and woven tightly together to form a moveable, but protective layer over the body. The workmanship was exquisite. The exhibit had a few short videos you could watch to learn about the work. I especially liked the 30 second clip about the process of making cloisonné. These vases are beautiful and the process to make each one is detailed and meticulous. Kids could collect a postcard-sized scavenger hunt near the entrance and use that to stay in engaged throughout the visit. At the end, there was a sign on the wall with the answer key pictures showing which art pieces help the intricate designs they were looking for. The DMA has a permanent collection that includes a variety of art from around the globe, as well as multiple special exhibits throughout the year. Everyone is bound to find something that delights them and inspires conversation and wonder. Worth a visit!