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

STACKER — Whether for the weekend around town or to add to your out-of-town itinerary, free things to do are good. With the ever-rising costs of gas and food, the idea of disposable income can feel like a distant fantasy.

The cost of living continues to rise across the country, forcing each dollar earned to stretch further. While vacations are undoubtedly beneficial for mental health, maintaining savings, paying down debts amid inflation, and regular expenses likely take precedence. But, not everything enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's probably a roster of completely free things to do in your current area.

Think about the most common entries 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.

The truth is: 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 card. Find and plan your next highly rated free activity in Texas on Tripadvisor, as compiled by Stacker. The TripAdvisor rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews.

#30. Zilker Metropolitan Park

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (941)
- Type of activity: Parks • Gardens
- Address: 2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#29. Sundance Square

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,729)
- Type of activity: Neighborhoods • Points of Interest & Landmarks
- Address: 420 Main St, Fort Worth, TX 76102-3925
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#28. South Congress Avenue

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,498)
- Type of activity: Points of Interest & Landmarks
- Address: South Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#27. Grapevine Historic Main Street District

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,449)
- Type of activity: Historic Walking Areas
- Address: 400 Main St, Grapevine, TX 76051
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#26. Fort Worth Botanic Garden

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,195)
- Type of activity: Historic Sites • Nature & Wildlife Areas
- Address: 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107-3420
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#25. Main Street

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,054)
- Type of activity: Points of Interest & Landmarks
- Address: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#24. Wildseed Farms

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,560)
- Type of activity: Farms
- Address: 100 Legacy Dr, Fredericksburg, TX 78624-7578
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#23. Fort Worth Water Gardens

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,706)
- Type of activity: Parks • Gardens
- Address: 1502 Commerce St, Fort Worth, TX 76102-6553
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#22. Mount Bonnell

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,637)
- Type of activity: Lookouts • Parks
- Address: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#21. The Seawall

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,922)
- Type of activity: Historic Walking Areas
- Address: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#20. Cadillac Ranch

- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (4,246)
- Type of activity: Points of Interest & Landmarks
- Address: 13651 I- 40 Frontage Road, Amarillo, TX 79124
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#19. Port Aransas Beach

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,106)
- Type of activity: Beaches
- Address: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#18. Kimbell Art Museum

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (1,675)
- Type of activity: Art Museums
- Address: 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107-2792
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#17. Dealey Plaza National Historic Landmark District

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,522)
- Type of activity: Historic Sites • Monuments & Statues
- Address: 500 Main St, Dallas, TX 75202-3521
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#16. Dallas Museum of Art

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,062)
- Type of activity: Art Museums
- Address: 1717 N Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75201-2398
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#15. Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Watching

- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (4,154)
- Type of activity: Points of Interest & Landmarks
- Address: 100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701-4072
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#14. San Fernando De Bexar Cathedral

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,084)
- Type of activity: Churches & Cathedrals
- Address: 115 W Main Plz, San Antonio, TX 78205-2718
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#13. San Antonio River

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (3,669)
- Type of activity: Bodies of Water
- Address: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#12. The Strand

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (3,096)
- Type of activity: Historic Walking Areas
- Address: 2100 Strand St, Galveston, Galveston Island, TX 77550-1633
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#11. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,920)
- Type of activity: Points of Interest & Landmarks • Parks
- Address: 6701 San Jose Dr, San Antonio, TX 78214-2715
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#10. Japanese Tea Gardens

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,888)
- Type of activity: Theaters • Gardens
- Address: 3800 N Saint Marys St, San Antonio, TX 78212-3170
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#9. The Galleria

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (5,243)
- Type of activity: Ballets • Points of Interest & Landmarks
- Address: 5085 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056-5673
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#8. Galveston - Port Bolivar Ferry

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (4,214)
- Type of activity: Ferries
- Address: 502 Ferry Rd, Galveston, Galveston Island, TX 77550-3146
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#7. Sea Turtle, Inc.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (3,121)
- Type of activity: Nature & Wildlife Areas
- Address: 6617 Padre Blvd P. O. Box 3987, South Padre Island, TX 78597-7742
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,733)
- Type of activity: Hiking Trails
- Address: Lady Bird Lake Lady Bird Lake, Austin, TX 78701
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#5. Mission San Jose

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (3,466)
- Type of activity: Historic Sites • Missions
- Address: 6701 San Jose Dr, San Antonio, TX 78214-2715
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#4. Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (5,431)
- Type of activity: Historic Sites • Historic Walking Areas
- Address: 2501 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth, TX 76164-8212
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#3. Texas State Capitol

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (7,980)
- Type of activity: Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
- Address: 1100 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704-1728
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#2. The Alamo

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (19,560)
- Type of activity: Historic Sites • History Museums
- Address: 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205-2606
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#1. San Antonio River Walk

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (26,887)
- Type of activity: Scenic Walking Areas
- Address: 849 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205-3939
- Read more on Tripadvisor