The Ultimate Guide to Earth Day in Dallas

Experience the sustainable side of Dallas, contributing to the protection of our green areas and planning your travel itinerary with an eco-friendly impact. Embrace Earth Day festivities by finding hotels and restaurants which implement energy-saving and recycling techniques. Create unforgettable green experiences when volunteering and maintaining wetlands and gardens.

Updated April 2025

The Cedar Ridge Preserve is a sprawling hidden treasure with lush greenery, native plant nurseries, and hiking trails. With a picnic area and a visitor center, 640 acre-spot is the perfect outdoor getaway from the lively streets of the city, offering idyllic activities during Earth Day. Try an easy hike like the Cattail Pond Loop, a 2.4 journey that is a dog-friendly path and yields breathtaking views. Nature enthusiasts will also enjoy moderate trails in this nature preserve like the Cedar Ridge Outer Loop, a 5.5 mile challenge that unveils colorful wildflowers during this time of year.

Looking for a place to stay in Dallas? Fortunately, our city offers a variety of green-friendly accommodations with modern amenities, budget-friendly comforts, and close proximity to our must-visit attractions. The Fairmont Hotel is a certified green business by Dallas’s Department of Sanitation, offering recycling places throughout the hotel, recycling kitchen grease, and harvesting locally sourced honey. Renaissance Dallas is another certified green business that implements recycling areas, as well as energy- and water-efficient practices.

It’s no secret that Dallas is a foodie’s paradise, thriving with sensational restaurants, local eateries, and picturesque cafes. Mixt and Full City Rooster are just some of the culinary spots that value eco-friendly techniques throughout their daily operations. For more food-centered ways to celebrate Earth Day, check out our array of vegetarian and vegan places to eat. Relish authentic vegan street tacos at El Palote, or try Da Munchies’s meatless comfort food.

Combine green passion with action by volunteering at a local park or nature center in Dallas. Contribute to the maintenance of the Trinity River by volunteering at the Trinity Park Conservancy by ridding the wetlands of debris, planting new vegetation, and preserving native plantlife. The Trinity River Audubon Center is an additional way to maintain and support natural environments with habitat restoration activities. Seeking more green opportunities? The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden offers various programs, where you can become a garden guide, a horticulture volunteer, and more.

Dallas is burgeoning with a variety of local thrift stores and second-hand shops in neighborhoods such as Deep Ellum and the Bishop Arts District. Whether you’re looking for retro styles or seeking unique art pieces, there are plenty of vintage spots that are brimming with eye-catching goods and clothes. Peruse through handcrafted and stylish clothing at Flea Style. Browse through gently used designer pieces at To Be Continued or My Secret Closet. For more thrift recommendations, look through our guide on secondhand shopping in the city.

Traverse across the city with car-free transportation, visiting the most iconic landmarks and hotspots without increasing your carbon footprint. The M-Line Trolley offers budget-free traveling with a name-your-fare commute, reaching popular destinations such as the American Airlines Center, Dallas Museum of Art, Sixth Floor Museum, and Nasher Sculpture Center. Why not make an outdoor adventure of your M-Line Trolley experience? Plan for a picnic at Klyde Warren Park, capture an Instagram-worthy photo at the Giant Eyeball, and embark on a leisurely stroll through the Katy Trail.