Over 20 Free Things to Do in The Colony, TX

Stretch your travel dollars with free live entertainment, outdoor adventures, cultural experiences and much more. Explore our top picks of free activities in The Colony.

Two cyclists ride along a winding dirt trail through spring greenery.
  1. Explore The Colony’s shoreline trails. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely lakeside walk or a nature-focused hike, The Colony offers two scenic trails along Lewisville Lake. The Colony Shoreline Trail features a 10-foot-wide, 3.5-mile decomposed granite path that’s ideal for walking, running or cycling, with free parking and trailheads at Stewart Creek Park and Ridgepoint Park. For a more natural setting, the Tribute Shoreline Trail winds just over three miles through 600 acres of protected habitat, where interpretive signage highlights native plants and animals. Both trails are open from sunrise to sunset and offer peaceful ways to experience the lake and local wildlife.
  2. Cast a line thanks to The Colony Public Library’s partnership with Texas Parks and Wildlife. Adult library cardholders (library cards are also free) can check out rods and tackle for up to seven days. Remember, a Texas Fishing License is required to fish on all waterways and city parks.
People relax on a lawn and watch a live outdoor concert at night, with a brightly lit stage and trees wrapped in string lights.
  1. Find a spot on the Lawn at Grandscape for weekly entertainment. With concerts, movie screenings, guided workout classes and more, something is always happening on the stage at the city’s premier indoor-outdoor destination for retail, dining and entertainment.
  2. Relax and recharge at a community park or pond. The Colony’s community parks offer plenty to explore. Cast a line at Bill Allen Memorial Park, watch the ducks play at Lions Club Park or sit back and listen to the calming breeze at Scout Park. Explore other park amenities like playgrounds, pavilions and little free libraries to keep your crew entertained for free.
  3. Pack your discs because Bill Allen Memorial Park can’t be missed. Play a round of disc golf on the beautifully maintained greens surrounded by lush trees.
Busy dog-friendly patio at The Shacks Dining and Dog Pack with people socializing and dogs playing in a dog park beneath a raised deck
  1. Set up a puppy play date at Bacon’s Dog Park. The one-acre dog park features separate areas for large and small breeds with play structures in both. The park is open to the public and connected to the expansive restaurant patio at The Shacks at Austin Ranch.
Families gather at a busy splash pad on a sunny day.
  1. Cool off at Kids Colony Splash Park & Outdoor Fitness. The Kids Colony playground is a spacious and inclusive wooden playground suitable for children of all ages, with ample seating and nearby fitness equipment for the whole family. The adjacent Splash Park provides a refreshing escape from the summer heat, featuring ground sprays and vertical splash elements open seasonally.
  2. Elevate your movie night to the big screen with Cinema Nights. In the spring and fall, the city hosts free screenings of classic hits at Galaxy Theatres.
Smiling brewer holds a flight of beers among stainless steel brewing tanks.
  1. Take a behind-the-scenes look at where Windmills crafts its specialty beers. On the first Saturday of each month, enjoy a complimentary microbrewery tour with the restaurant and jazz lounge’s brewmasters.
  2. Discover something new at The Colony Public Library. Take part in free programs and events, including story time for little ones, crafting workshops for teens and Spice Club for adults. With a free library card, you can also borrow from the Library of Things, featuring fishing equipment, pickleball gear, power tools and more, making it easy to try a new hobby or tackle your next project at no cost.
  3. Search for hidden geocaches around town and discover where modern-day treasure hunting meets outdoor adventure. Explore everywhere from scenic parks to urban centers as you look for caches, offering a fun and engaging activity for all ages.
  4. Compete with a round of pickleball or tennis at Bridges Park. The free community park has two courts marked for both games. Lights serve you well after the sun goes down. Get all the equipment you need at SCHEELS, the World’s Largest All-Sports Store, or borrow for free from The Colony’s Library of Things.
Two guitarists perform on an outdoor stage at The Shacks.
  1. Enjoy free seasonal live music at The Shacks at Austin Ranch. Sit back and relax while you and your four-legged best friend dine at one of the six delicious food concepts surrounding a dog park and patio. Additional free live music is available weekly at The Rackhouse and Truck Yard.
  2. Get your geek on with book, TV and movie trivia nights across town. Previous themes featured Harry Potter, The Office, Disney Pixar and Marvel trivia. For locations and details, check out our monthly events blog or the events calendar on our website.
  3. Experience the grandeur of NFM, the nation’s largest home furnishings store, offering more than just furniture. Check out their monthly events ranging from celebrity appearances and tech demonstrations to giveaways and photo opportunities.
Couple relaxes on a patio beneath a sign reading “Wish You Were Here.”
  1. Tour the city’s most Insta-worthy landscapes, snapping plenty of selfies along the way. Check out our roundup of some of the most photogenic backdrops across The Colony.
  2. Walk under and around the 16,000-gallon saltwater aquarium at SCHEELS. You might even see Scuba Steve inside the tank feeding the fish. And don’t forget about the animatronic sports legends found throughout the store or Wildlife Mountain, featuring a wide variety of animals, both large and small.
Families walk through a large sporting goods store featuring an indoor Ferris wheel and a tall aquarium filled with tropical fish.
  1. Play yard games like giant Connect Four, Battleship, cornhole and bocce ball at Truck Yard. This adult playground and beer garden also features free live music Thursday – Sunday and diverse eats from rotating food trucks.
  2. Warm up your vocal cords and sing your heart out at the weekly R&B Sing-Along Brunch at Twisted Bar and Grill, accompanied by a live DJ spinning the best of the 80s, 90s and 00s.
A towering illuminated public art sculpture glows with colorful geometric patterns in an outdoor plaza at sunset.
  1. View exceptional public art on display across the city. From large sculptures at Austin Ranch to digital art installations and murals throughout Grandscape, there’s something for everyone.
  2. Explore the city’s past at The Colony Public Library. The Local History Corner offers insight into events dating back to the 1800s and historical artifacts on public display.
  3. View the once roadside attraction now on permanent display in The Colony, Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum. A former master plumber’s collection of over 1,400 decorated seats is a sight to see.  This eclectic collection can be viewed any day of the week on the second floor of Truck Yard.
Texas historical marker stands beside headstones at Bridges Cemetery.
  1. Peer inside Bridges Cemetery for a look into the city’s past, dating back to 1855. Unique to most southern cemeteries, both Confederate and Union soldiers are buried there. Seasonal public tours are available through The Colony Public Library’s Local History Committee.
Live band performs beside an illuminated Ferris wheel at a nighttime festival.
  1. Time your visit to coincide with one of our many free annual events. Explore the wonders that take to the sky in the spring at Up, Up & Away! Festival of Flight. This family-focused event celebrates all forms of flight and features kites, birding demonstrations, paper airplane contests and live entertainment. Welcome summer at The Colony Summer Kickoff, featuring vendors and activities for all ages. Celebrate Independence Day with Liberty By The Lake, complete with a patriotic parade, live music, action-packed entertainment and food competitions. The American Heroes Festival pays tribute to veterans every November with a concert series, Veterans ceremony, carnival attractions and drone show finale. In early December, Holiday in the Park kicks off the most wonderful time of the year with an illuminated parade, baking contests, live performances and pictures with Santa.

For more information on events in The Colony, please visit our Special Events page. Follow us on social media for the latest news and more things to do and see around town!