A teen’s guide to free summer activities in West Dallas and beyond

Summer break in Dallas ISD stretches a full 11 weeks — this year from May 24 to August 11. Many West Dallas teens work summer jobs or spend their vacation volunteering, but what else is there to do? 

This summer, the City of Dallas and several local partners are offering more than 8,000 free activities during July and August. We found several that are easy for West Dallas teens to access this summer.

City of Dallas Teen All-Access Pass

Throughout the summer, any Dallas-area teen ages 13 to 17 can obtain a Teen All-Access pass, which allows them to access any City of Dallas recreation center and dozens of arts and entertainment venues across the city. Passes are available through July 31.

All teens need to do is visit a Dallas recreation center in person with a parent or guardian. They’ll need to show proof of Dallas residency (such as a driver’s license or utility bill), and the staff will verify your date of birth. Parents cannot pick up the pass without the teen present. 

We picked up our all-access pass at the Anita Martinez Recreation Center in the Los Altos neighborhood, but passes are also available at the Jaycee Zaragoza Recreation Center, located off Singleton and Ledbetter, and the Nash-Davis Recreation Center on Hampton Road near Singleton. Most free venue access lasts through the end of July, and some venues extend access through August.

What’s happening at West Dallas Recreation Centers?

Anita Martinez, Jaycee Zaragoza, and Nash-Davis Recreation Centers offer fun, low-cost programs for teens all summer long.

Anita Martinez Recreation Center 

3212 N Winnetka Ave, Dallas TX 75212 

(214) 670-7773

Anita Martinez offers programs such as open-gym volleyball, yoga classes, summer camps, and Tae Kwon Do for those interested in martial arts. They also host health-focused events such as free summer lunches and wellness workshops, helping you learn good food habits. The boxing gym lets you build strength — or even practice a quick one-two combo just in case you need to “give someone the biscuit!”

Facilities & Amenities:

• Full-sized basketball gym, fitness and cardio center, craft room, game room, auditorium, outdoor play area
• There is no pool on-site, but the center offers plenty of activities to keep teens engaged
• Located near the Wesley-Rankin Community Center in the Los Altos neighborhood
  

Scan QR code for full programs:

Jaycee Zaragoza Recreation Center 

3114 Clymer St, Dallas, TX 75212 

(214) 670-6188     

The Jaycee Zaragoza Recreation Center offers weekly programs such as the Creativity Club and Board Game Hour, providing opportunities to learn and engage in new activities. Additionally, the center features a Teen Tech Center, a basketball and kickball gym, and a workout room. Regular trips to places like Studio Movie Grill and the FCC Environmental Services Material Recovery Facility are also organized, along with an hour of free play.

Facilities & Amenities:

• Boxing gym and fitness center, fully equipped computer lab and meeting rooms, basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball and soccer fields, playgrounds
• There is an outdoor swimming pool as well as a “sprayground”
• The first Friday of every month is Teen Night, offering free activities from 6-9 p.m.

Scan QR code for full programs:

Nash-Davis Recreation Center

3710 N Hampton Rd, Dallas, TX 75212

(214) 670-6194

Nash-Davis offers free Teen Summer Camps for youth ages 13-17, providing an alternative to unsupervised hanging out during the summer months. The center focuses on leadership development, giving teens opportunities to help with decision-making, planning, and activity coordination. Programs include arts and crafts, sports like basketball and cheerleading, and various fitness opportunities. Teen campers engage in community service projects, attend STEM-based field trips, and participate in group and individual activities, including sports clinics, fitness sessions, cultural classes, and games.

Facilities & Amenities

• Citywide soccer league, includes learning fundamentals, weekly games, and jerseys
• Tumbling level classes conducted by Energize Allstars as part of the cheer program
• Baseball field, tennis courts, gymnasium, and outdoor basketball courts

Scan QR code for full programs:

Worth the trip: Cool spots close to home

Once you have your Teen All-Access Pass, here are a few can’t-miss places that may be outside of West Dallas but worth the trip:

• Bahama Beach Waterpark – Chill out with four free visits to this waterpark near Redbird, perfect for beating the summer heat
• Southern Skates – Practice your skating skills at this indoor rink in Highland Hills
• Samuell-Grand Amphitheatre – Catch a Shakespeare play under the stars in East Dallas with six complimentary tickets
• Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum  – Learn about world history and use technology to ask Holocaust survivors questions and hear their powerful stories through an interactive theater experience in the West End
• African American Museum – Explore one of the country’s largest collections of African-American folk art, located in South Dallas

Here is a full list of participating locations, hours, and any reservation info below so you can plan your adventures. And if you go, let us know! Share your experience or tag @dallasfreepress in your photos. We’d love to see how you’re spending your summer.