Frisco is a city in Texas noted for solid public–private partnerships that helped it become one of the state’s fastest-growing cities.
The city’s phenomenal growth has contributed much to creating many free things to do in Frisco.
It also helped that this city is part of the dynamic Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and straddles Denton and Collin Counties.
Frisco was founded in 1908, but its history can be traced back to 1860.
That year, the community of Lebanon emerged from the cattle trade along Preston Trail (which later became Preston Road).
The residents of this community moved to present-day Frisco in 1902, drawn by the development of the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway in the area.
Initially, their settlement was named Emerson but was later changed to Frisco to avoid confusing it with Emberson in Lamar County.
Since then, the city has grown by leaps and bounds, eventually creating a trademark of high-level art, sports, and technology for Frisco.
Discover the city with the following list of free things to do in Frisco, Texas.
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Visit Frisco in the last week of August to catch the Dallas Cowboys Training Camp.
These season-openers of the famous football team are free and open to the public.
The Star at the Ford Center on Cowboys Way hosts these open practices, traditionally held from late afternoon to early evening for two consecutive days.
Besides watching the Cowboys in scrimmages, this event includes team interaction with their fans, like meet-and-greet and autograph signing.
Other activities include interactive games, a live D.J., and a Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders performance.
Catch your favorite ND.J. players at the Dallas Cowboys Training Camp at Ford Center.
Take a walking tour of the Frisco Rail District, its historic downtown.
Most of the city’s picture-perfect murals are in the Frisco Rail District.
This walking tour ideally goes from west to east on Main Street, starting near 2nd Street.
One of the most eye-catching murals along this corridor is “Frisco: Past and Present,” a rendition by freelance illustrator Joshua Boulet.
This bright and bold artwork is a collage of Frisco’s history and the diversity of its culture and people.
It features an interactive spot where the viewers can meld into the mural.
Other noteworthy murals gracing Main Street include “Frisco Train WIP,” “Let the Show Begin,” “Dolly Parton,” and “Willie.”
These four are paintings by famed muralist Patrick Ganino whose past creations included celebrities, athletes, and showbiz personalities.
The Frisco Art Gallery, housed in the Frisco Discovery Center on Dallas Parkway, offers two gallery spaces for art lovers.
There’s always something new in this gallery’s sections, as their exhibits’ themes and art genres rotate regularly.
In addition, the Frisco Art Gallery features Texas artists and those from across the U.S. and worldwide.
The gallery’s main hall impresses visitors with its contemporary décor, high ceilings, brightly colored walls, and a sophisticated rail and cable for hanging exhibits.
An 855-square-foot Reception Gallery, just off the main hall, provides a more intimate exhibition space.
Two-dimensional media, including painting and photography, are the dominant displays in the Frisco Art Gallery.
The Dash’s Track Disc Golf Course is one of the top attractions of the 117-acre B.F. Phillips B.Fmunity Park off Lebanon Road and Teel Parkway.
Dash’s course is an 18-hole championship-style layout on a natural setting on 4th Army Memorial Road.
A round here plays at par 54 over 3,325 feet, with players throwing discs from concrete tees and aiming at DISCatcher targets at each hole.
Other recreational facilities at B.F. Phillips B.Fmunity Park includes biking/walking trails and ballfields.
Dash’s Track Disc Golf Course also provides a kids’ playground, picnic tables, and restrooms.
The Taychas Trail stretches over 2.2 miles along the woodlands bordering West Rowlett Creek.
From the south, it starts from Limestone Quarry Park and onward to Rolater Road and Independence Parkway.
The Taychas Trail, which is accessible to pedestrians as well as bikers, features several creek overlooks.
Several interpretive signs on local history dot the trail as well.
This trail traverses the Harold Bacchus Community Park, then extends north to Main Street.
Trail users dropping by this park can enjoy several facilities, including picnic tables, benches, and a playground.
Although small at just 17 acres, Limestone Quarry Park boasts several gems, including a waterfall where you can take a dip below.
Located on Maltby Drive near Custer Road and Highway 121, this park next to West Rowlett Creek also draws attention in its public art installation, “Blackland Prairie.”
This art mosaic near the entrance of Limestone Quarry celebrates the Blackland prairie and forest remnant in the park’s location.
Interpretive signs about local history have also been installed at the park’s points overlooking the creek.
Other visitor park facilities include a basketball court, picnic tables, a barbecue grill, a pavilion, and a playground.
In addition, the Limestone Quarry Park connects to the 2.2-mile Taychas Trail leading northward to the Harold Bacchus Community Park.
Anglers visiting Frisco can enjoy nine fishing spots from within the city limits.
One of the most convenient fishing spots in the city is Boyd Park, located on Stonebrook Parkway near FM 423.
The 9.8-acre Boyd Park features a three-acre pond, a fishing pier, benches, and trails.
The lake at the Warren Sports Complex on Eldorado Parkway is another good choice for fishing in Frisco.
Every February, this lake is stocked with rainbow trout for a kids’ fishing event called “Trick A Trout.”
Frisco Commons Park on McKinney Road and the Northeast Community Park on Honey Grove also have stocked ponds for fishing.
The Frisco Skate Park, at more than 47,000 square feet, is the largest in North Texas.
This skating facility in the Northeast Community Park on Honey Grove Drive caters to skateboards, bikes, scooters, and in-line skates.
The skate park’s features include terrain and a street course with multiple rails, lines, bowls, and half pipes.
The Frisco Skate Park provides a one-acre, custom-designed terrain that can accommodate riders of all levels.
Its host, the Northeast Community Park, provides a slew of other delights to non-skaters.
Visitors can also access cricket pitches, picnic facilities, playgrounds, game fields, and trails.
As a haven for mountain bikers, the Frisco DORBA Trail is at the Northwest Community Park.
You can find it on Teel Parkway near the eastern terminus of Gloryview Road.
The Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association (DORBA) spearheaded its development.
The 5.6-mile trail is also open to runners and hikers.
This meandering Frisco DORBA Trail is a single-track course with its main/outer loop stretching over 2.8 miles.
It also features a two-mile Coyote section and a 0.80-mile Wolverine stretch, both for more extreme riding.
Bike riders go counter-clockwise from the trailhead, while runners and hikers take the clockwise route and have the right of way along the trail.
You might encounter wildlife inhabiting the 164-acre Northwest Community Park.
Frisco has spray parks conveniently located across the city and opens free to the public from mid-May to end-September.
These facilities may close due to maintenance protocols, water restrictions, or during cool weather.
The J.R. Newman Spray Park is one conspicuous choice, with its water-tower-shaped sprayer off Twin Falls Drive.
Its home ground, the 11-acre J.R. Newman Park, also provides a basketball court, pavilion, benches, picnic tables, and public art.
Another great choice in Frisco is the Shepherds Glen Spray Park in Shepherd Hills.
Its splash pad and playground are equipped with flower-shaped buckets and sprayers.
The Shepherd Glen Park, where these facilities are located, also features a playground, practice field, pavilion, and walking trail.
Join the Frisco StarFest, which hosts every second Saturday of each month.
This unique event takes place at the grounds of the Frisco Commons Park on McKinney Road.
Telescopes are provided during this monthly stargazing party.
The Texas Astronomical Society will guide guests in observing the stars and planets visible in the night sky.
They also help those interested in buying or building a telescope for stargazing.
Go to Frisco StarFest early to enjoy the other free amenities at the 63-acre Frisco Commons Park.
The park’s facilities include a bike trail, a playground, picnic shelters and tables, a barbecue grill, and an amphitheater.
The lawn of Simpson Plaza on Frisco Square Boulevard comes alive each Friday night in June with Music in the Square.
The Frisco Square Property Owners Association presents this annual summer event in front of City Hall.
The family-friendly Music in the Square features some of the top-performing artists in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
Look forward to the e, cutting-edge during the city’s Annual Frisco StrEATS Gourmet Food Truck & Music Festival.
This event is traditionally held sometime in early May at 4th and Elm Streets.
Free music concerts also count among the activities during Frisco Uncorked, a food and wine festival set yearly in Frisco Square in late April.
The Warren Sports Complex spans over 105 acres off Eldorado Parkway, offering visitors a slew of functional features.
The Warren Sports Complex has two sand volleyball courts, two tennis courts, two basketball courts, four baseball/softball fields, and seven lighted football/soccer fields.
It also boasts a playground, a pond fully stocked with fish, BBQ grills, picnic tables, and a large pavilion.
Enjoy strolling on its walking trails and nature garden.
The parking lot of this sports complex also hosts free movie showings.
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Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is accessible via West Parker Road in Plano, Texas, 12 minutes from Frisco.
This preserve spreads over 200 acres, a vast area of natural beauty for hiking, walking, jogging, orienteering, and other outdoor activities.
The Arbor Hills Nature Preserve provides an observation tower enabling visitors to enjoy spectacular views of Plano and its pristine surroundings.
Bikers visiting this preserve have a 2.8-mile stretch designated for off-road cycling.
Robert Nunnally from Allen, TX, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
On the other hand, pedestrians have exclusive access to unpaved natural trails of about three miles and another three miles of paved recreational pathways.
Visitors can expect to spot bobcats and coyotes.
They can check the preserve’s interpretive trail marker system for information about the park and its specific points of interest.
The city of Colony, southwest of Frisco, offers visitors the chance to walk the shore of Lewisville Lake.
The ten-foot wide trail stretches over 3.1 miles and starts near the park’s public golf course off Lebanon Road.
Besides the trailhead, the amenities include parking, picnic tables, benches, and restrooms.
The trail also features interpretive signage about flora and fauna around Lewisville Lake.
Enjoy memorable experiences at Frisco, thanks to the city’s wide-ranging life and leisure facilities.
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