There are so many things to do in Fort Worth! This city is like strapping on your cowboy boots and stepping back to where the West began.
Once a vital stop on the historic Chisholm Trail, the Fort Worth Stockyards are steeped in Southern heritage.
This isn’t Dallas with her quirky hoods or Austin tattooed in breweries; this is sweet tea and cut-off shorts territory. My Fort Worth Travel guide will show you how and where to experience all that this Texas city offers!
Here’s what to do in Fort Worth:
When to visit Fort Worth
Spring
Wildflowers, pollen, + some of the best weather = Spring in Fort Worth. March and April are wildflower seasons. I highly recommend all first-time visits to Texas be in the spring.
Summer
Ok, it’s hot. It’s really, really hot. Luckily, there are a ton of things to do indoors.
Fall
Late fall has the best weather and usually the highest prices on flights and hotels.
Winter
Texas is a desert- the winters can be pretty cold in Fort Worth, even without snow. Yes, some places in Texas, like Palo Duro Canyon, do get snow!
Where to Fly into Fort Worth
While Fort Worth has a few smaller airports, your best bet for reasonable flight prices is to fly into Dallas.
DFW airport is one of the largest in the country and consistently has cheap flights; the other major airport is Dallas Lovefield.
Where to Stay
Best Luxury Stays
- The Stockyards Hotel‘s western-themed rooms were once visited by Bonnie and Clyde.
- The Worthington is a luxurious fixture of Fort Worth’s downtown area with a history of colorful characters.
Best Budget Stays
- Radisson Hotel Fossil Creek is 5 miles from the city center and provides all the basics. Beware of heavy traffic during business hours!
- Quality Inn is clean and central to amenities.
How To Get Around in Fort Worth
Fort Worth is much smaller than her big sister, Dallas (about the same size as Austin) – with fewer neighborhoods but still many walkable attractions from the downtown area.
Due to its massive size, renting a car is the best practice when in Texas.
While traveling between the downtown area to the Stockyards, you can use Molly the Trolley, an adorable vintage trolley that runs through downtown.
When you don’t have a rental car
If you don’t have a rental car and are staying in Dallas, this tour will pick you up, show you the best of Fort Worth, and drop you back off.
Things to Do in Fort Worth
The Stockyards
Of all the Fort Worth places to visit, The Stockyards are the most essential.
For the cowboys heading longhorn cattle in a northerly direction from southern Texas by way of the Chisholm Trail, Fort Worth was the last settlement.
Today, the stockyards consist of entertainment venues, shopping outlets, restaurants, a rodeo, and Billy Bobs.
If you really want to go western, check out The Fort Worth Herd -the world’s only twice-daily cattle drive, held every day at 11:30 AM and 4 PM in the Stockyards.
If you like your yee-haw with a little bit of spooky, check out the super affordable Cow Town Ghosts Tour.
Billy Bobs at The Stockyards
No visit to the Stockyards is complete without Billy Bobs.
First built in 1910 as a barn used to house prize cattle for the Fort Worth Stock Show, Billy Bobs is a Stockyards staple, complete with live music and dancing- AKA, a honky tonk.
For the last 40 years, Billy Bob’s has hosted the biggest stars in country music. You can tour Billy Bobs the Texas way.
The Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame celebrates women who helped shape the West. You’ll learn about historical figures and also recognize modern-day celebrity faces.
The Fort Worth Water Gardens
The Water Gardens are icons of Fort Worth and have been in many music videos, graduation photos, and social media posts.
Frequently photographed for good reason, stark colors and sharp, futuristic angles make this place great for the ‘gram.
You can also learn more about the Fort Worth Water Gardens and Sundance Square via a guided walking tour.
The Kimball Art Museum
The Kimbell Art Museum is well-known for its Asian and European collections and for being designed by the great Louis Kahn.
Sundance Square
This is the most walkable of all the Fort Worth places to visit.
Sundance Square is a busy downtown district packed with clothing chains, western-wear shops, food, and sports bars. This area is also where Fort Worth does most of its seasonal events, such as the Christmas tree lighting.
If you’re really into Sundance Square, learn about the history, architecture, and food via guided tour.
Sid Richardson Museum
While shopping at Sundance Square, stop by this little museum full of Western art. Admission is free, and learning is guaranteed!
Find it on Google.
Where to Hike + Nature
The Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge
Fort Worth’s Nature Center has over 3,000 acres of buffalo, deer, and alligators with 20 miles of hiking trails. Find it on Google.
Trinity Trails at Trinity Park, on the Trinity River
The park so nice they named it thrice. Trinity River parks are paved, perfect for walking and biking along the river. Find the Main trailhead.
Pro tip: Texas is hot, and it has bugs, come prepared.
Where to Get the Best Photos
Fort Worth Botanical Gardens
Imagine thousands of acres of foliage that change with the season, plus massive amounts of butterflies.
The most popular photo ops are The Fuller, Rose, and Japanese Gardens; the gazebos in the Rose and Fuller Gardens are perfect for romantic, floral photography.
General Admission is free, minus the Japanese Gardens, which require a small fee but are 100% worth it!
Coyote Drive-in
Coyote Drive-in is one of the best places to get lifestyle photos, with downtown Fort Worth in the distance.
This place is also great for a girl’s night/date night.
Oh, and, um, movies.
There are movies at the drive-in movie theatre.
Photo-Worthy Neighborhoods
The Foundry District
The Foundry District is entrepreneurial and supports small businesses. The district is made up of wall and sidewalk murals, cute boutique shops, and yummy plant-based eats.
Plan ahead and view an entire list of artwork.
Magnolia Street | Hospital District
My favorite Magnolia Street in the hospital district is a trendy hipster area full of murals and cute buildings (not to be confused with Magnolia Market in Waco).
West 7th
Known as “7th Street,” this area is a popular place to bar hop. West 7th is excellent for lifestyle photos and has some swank-looking restaurant and bar areas.
I would describe the vibe as “cowboy classy” or ‘High-End Western.”
- Find the West 7th Area on Google.
The Stockyards
Come here for those classic western, cowboy culture backgrounds that Fort Worth does best.
- Find The Stockyards on Google.
Budget Tips
- If you plan to visit several Texas State Parks and/or have a larger group, consider buying a Texas State Parks pass.
- Consider using the train for day trips between Dallas and Fort Worth if you aren’t renting a vehicle. Texas’s public transit sucks, so plan for delays.
Bonus
- Ampersand is an absolute can’t-miss stop for any coffee fanatic.
- Get the Black Rose, iced, large size. You’re welcome.
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Time to put this Fort Worth city guide to good use- go out and explore, and when you do, tell me about it below!
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