Fun Free Things | Visit Allen, TX CVB | Allen CVB, TX

THE EDGE SKATEPARK

Located on the south end of Allen Station Park, the Edge Skatepark and visitor center complex features a concrete skate park, two roller-hockey rinks, BMX track and Visitor Center. The skate park is one of the largest outdoor facilities of its kind in the state and best of all, use of the park is free!

KIDMANIA PLAYGROUND AND SPRAYGROUND

Operated by Allen Parks and Recreation, the kidMania sprayground at Celebration Park gives children aged 2 to 12 a fun place to get wet and appropriately wild. The sprayground and adjacent playground are handicap accessible, ensuring no one misses out on the fun.

DISC GOLF AND FISHING AT BETHANY LAKES PARK

Bethany Lakes Park is a 40-acre community park with tons of recreation amenities including over eight acres of fishing ponds to choose from and a fishing pier. You’ll also find a playground, covered pavilion, hike and bike trails, and the Joe Farmer Recreation Center.

CABELA’S

Take a stroll through Cabela’s for not only the best in outdoor gear to explore our outdoors but you can also explore a two-story Conservation Mountain, a 13,170-gallon aquarium, five raised wildlife dioramas, Express Cafe, world-class gun library and hundreds of wild game trophies displayed in Cabela’s trademark, bring-the-outdoors-indoors showroom. You can also try your hand with a bow and arrow in the indoor archery range.

70+ Miles of Parks and Trails

Hike, bike, jog or run along any of our scenic park trails. Allen has more than 70 miles of paved hike and bike trails and continues to develop a comprehensive city-wide trail system.

COTTONWOOD CREEK TRAIL BRIDGE

The stunning 14’ x 105’ Cottonwood Creek Trail Bridge connects east and west Cottonwood Creek Hike and Bike Trail segments, allowing access underneath Central Expressway. Artwork, titled Current Drift, was designed and installed along the bridge by local Texas artists Bill Fitz Gibbons and George Schroeder.

HISTORIC WATER STATION TRAIL

The Historic Water Station Trail gives trail-goers an opportunity to experience Allen’s history. Just off the path of the Cottonwood Creek Hike and Bike Trail, a destination bridge overlooking the Old Stone Dam connects to the crushed granite loop where interpretative panels detail information about the Historic Water Station, a Texas State Archaeological Landmark that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Old Stone dam is believed to be the only railroad water reservoir left in the United States.

AWARD-WINNING PARKS

Gold award that is. Allen is known for its outdoors - 1,196 acres of parkland, more than 70 miles of hike-and-bike trails, 60 parks and seven recreation facilities, including a municipal golf course, natatorium and one of the state’s largest outdoor skate parks. Not only is Allen focused on an extensive park and trails system, but park management is extremely important for the city. Allen Parks & Recreation holds a National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management from NRPA.

Allen has four various types of parks throughout our community. Neighborhood parks, community parks, special use parks, and greenbelts that make up an impressive spectrum of outdoor recreation.

In 2019 the City of Allen joined the ranks of elite park and recreation agencies across the country by earning accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA.) CAPRA accreditation is the only national accreditation for park and recreation agencies, and is a measure of an agency’s overall quality of operation, management and service to the community.

In 2017, Celebration Park was named a winner of the esteemed 2017 Fields of Excellence award by Pioneer Athletics, recognizing the hard work from Allen Parks and Recreation’s maintenance staff for keeping the park’s athletic fields in excellent condition year-round.

Click here for a complete list of Allen’s parks.

PUBLIC ART

Allen is proud to feature works by notable artists in a variety of ways throughout our city. From paintings to sculptures to exquisite exhibits, you’ll see that our art scene is definitely one to BE seen. You can find these works of art amongst our public parks such as Spirit Park. Bright and whimsical sculptures help welcome visitors to Spirit Park, a 75-acre park at the corner of Ridgeview Drive and Bray Central Drive. Artists created works of art throughout the park including freestanding sculptures, benches, and bicycle racks modeled after native plants.

At Windridge Park, visitors love to play, then take photos with the latest edition to the renovated park called '75 Feet of Friendship,' a collaboration between Artist Jon david De Leon and students from local schools.

ALLEN HERITAGE VILLAGE

Allen Heritage Village is a re-creation of the Allen of the 1920s and 1930s. This collection of structures includes the original St. Mary Church and the Allen Christian Church – both beautifully renovated and available to rent for weddings and special events.

HISTORIC WATER STATION TRAIL AND OLD STONE DAM

The Historic Water Station Trail gives trail-goers an opportunity to experience Allen's history. Just off the path of the Cottonwood Creek Hike and Bike Trail, a destination bridge overlooking the Old Stone Dam connects to the crushed granite loop where interpretative panels detail information about the Historic Water Station, a Texas State Archaeological Landmark. Nothing like a trail with a story!

CONNEMARA NATURE PRESERVE

Open to the public daily from dawn until dusk, the Meadow represents 72 acres of natural habitat, rich in floral diversity that is reminiscent of the tall grass Blackland Prairie that once existed here. The Meadow is made available to the public as a place to revive the spirit while teaching the importance of nature and biodiversity in the world where we live. Please note that to minimize the impact on nature, no bikes or motorized vehicles are allowed in the preserve.

THE GREEN AT WATTERS CREEK

With lush grass and a tree house-like play area, The Green at Watters Creek is another great place for outdoor fun in Allen. Surrounded by patio dining that overlooks the canopy of trees, visitors can hang out at hot spots such as Frogg Coffee Bar & Creperie, Grimaldi’s Pizza, and Cru Food and Wine Bar and enjoy all the festivities along the village green. Kids of all ages love playing on this natural, scenic play area and interacting with the fun sculptures. Events on the green include fine arts festivals, concerts, movies and more. Check the Watters Creek event calendar for events and activities.

Fun & Free