An in-depth guide to making your Fort Worth trip memorable & fun!
Fort Worth is located in North Texas and is the 5th largest city in Texas, just short of 1 million in population, and one of the fastest-growing cities in the Lone Star State. Fort Worth is also known for its history, art, culture …and cowboys (the real ones)! Today, the city has become known for its eclectic mix of restaurants and live music venues but has never veered from its cowboy culture, rich history, and good vibes – a great mix in my book! Here is Texas Travel Talk’s Fort Worth Travel Guide.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area is full and wide with towns in between and shares some of the same glory – DFW Airport and the Dallas Cowboys!
John Wayne Museum at the Fort Worth Stockyards
Fort Worth Travel Guide
The city of Fort Worth is home to Texas Christian University (TCU), Pacific Railway, Fort Worth Convention Center, American Airlines, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Texas Wesleyan University (TWU), many tourist attractions, entertainment venues, and the oldest zoo in Texas.
2. Must-sees in Fort Worth
15 Things you can’t leave Fort Worth without seeing or visiting.
- A longhorn
- Longhorn cattle drive
- Billy Bob’s Texas
- A gunfight (it’s fake)
- A real cowboy
- Trinity River
- The beautiful Fort Worth Courthouse
- John Wayne Museum
- A rodeo at the Cowtown Coliseum
- Stockyard Station
- Buc-ee’s (I-35 & Hwy 114)
- Sundance Square during the holidays
- The General Store (Stockyards) A Texas souvenir store.
- Fort Worth Water Gardens
- Joe T. Garcia’s (a Fort Worth restaurant icon)
Barbara Case from Pixabay
3. Fort Worth’s Neighborhoods
Explore Fort Worth’s Best Neighborhoods
Top Attractions in Fort Worth
- Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District.
- Fort Worth Zoo.
- Kimbell Art Museum
- Fort Worth Botanic Garden
- Fort Worth Water Gardens
- Amon Carter Museum of American Art
- Sundance Square
- Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
1. Downtown Fort Worth
There are many great things to do in downtown Fort Worth. Panther Island on the Trinity River can be accessed downtown. Rent a kayak or another water sport, and listen to live music on the weekends. Eat good food and have fun. Downtown is entirely walkable, with many restaurants, hotels, bars, and shops.
• Sundance Square
Sundance Square is a 35-block commercial, residential, entertainment, and retail district in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. A walkable part of downtown and a hip place to spend the day into night for the whole family. It sets itself apart from the downtown area. Parking is plentiful, and some sites are free to park if you get there early. Otherwise, there are parking garages that may or may not be free to park. They used to be free.
This area also includes many restaurants with patio seating overlooking Sundance Square Plaza (an excellent place for people-watching), many on the square, and all walkable.
• Sid Richardson Museum
A museum located in historic Sundance Square that features paintings by Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell and other late 19th and early 20th-century artists who worked in the American West.
• Bass Performance Hall
Catch a play or see The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.
• Fort Worth Water Gardens
Next to the Fort Worth Convention Center, you’ll find beautiful water gardens that are free to walk around.
More places worth noting downtown:
The Bookstore Bar and Cafe
T&P Tavern
The Attic Bar & Bistro – Fort Worth
Wild Salsa
The Bearded Lady
Texas Jamm Band BBQ
2. Stockyards National Historic District
The Fort Worth Stockyards is a historic Fort Worth district established in 1849. It’s home to the Fort Worth Cattle Herd – a cattle drive that takes place twice daily, except Sunday, right on E. Exchange St. The drive begins at 11 am and 4:30 pm each day and lasts about 30 minutes. The street is blocked off from cars, and visitors can watch from the sidewalk alongside the herd as it passes through the street.
The Stockyards National Historic District is a significant part of Fort Worth and my favorite area to take friends to when they visit. The Stockyards is home to rodeos, museums, the twice-daily cattle drive, the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, and Billy Bob’s, among others.
You’ll also find plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars all up and down Exchange St. and Main Street.
3. Fort Worth Cultural District
The Cultural District is a collection of museums and theaters in Fort Worth. It is home to the Will Rogers Memorial Center *.
- Amon Carter Museum of American Art
- Kimbell Art Museum
- National Cowgirl Museum Hall of Fame *
- Modern Art Museum Texas
- Omni Theater *
- Fort Worth Museum of Science & History *
- Fort Worth Botanical Gardens – one of the top 10 botanical gardens in Texas **
- Japanese Gardens **
- Lower Rose Gardens **
- Casa Manana
* All four places are within walking distance from one another.
** The three gardens are right next to each other, and you can pay one price to see all three.
4. Near Southside
A historic, mixed-use district located just south of downtown Fort Worth.
Restaurants on Magnolia Avenue include many cuisines on our continent:
- Flying Carpet
- King Tut
- Nonna Tata
- The Radler Biergarten
- Gus’s Fried Chicken
- Paco’s Mexican Cuisine
- Salsa Limon
- Yucatan Taco Stand
- Ober Here
- Shinjuku Station
- Wabi House
- Spice by Thai Select
- Heim BBQ
This restaurant list came from Visit Fort Worth’s online newsletter for May 2023.
5. Historic Camp Bowie District
Red brick roads, businesses, restaurants, shops, and more.
6. West 7th
Dinner at Joe T. Garcia’s is a must. Cash only – no credit cards or checks. Yes, this is true. It’s been that way since day one of opening.
7. North Fort Worth
Tanger Outlet Mall
Texas Motor Speedway
Buc-ee’s on I-35 & Hwy 114
Alliance Shopping Center (both sides of I-35)
All are located off I-35.
4. Seasonal Events in Fort Worth
There Is Always Something Happening In FTW
Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo (early February) – A legendary event since 1896.
National Day of the American Cowboy – July
Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival
Fort Worth Opera Festival
Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering & Western Swing Fest
Lone Star International Film Festival
Mayfest – first weekend in May at Trinity Park
Fort Worth Botanic Gardens
5. Planning Toolkit for Fort Worth
Everything you need to know about visiting Fort Worth
High season – Summer
Weather – relatively warm to hot, but can get down to freezing, and sometimes below.
Average flight price – $398 – January is the cheapest month to fly into DFW.
Average hotel price – $212 per night
Travel restrictions – none
Getting to and from Fort Worth
There is no shortage of ways to take you to the city – by plane, train, automobile, and bus. Public transportation is available in the city. Fly into DFW Airport. It’s an easy drive from Dallas.
Find the perfect stay in Fort Worth.
From cozy, traditional BnBs in historical neighborhoods to mega-hotels featuring the latest modern amenities, Fort Worth has many accommodations to choose from.
6. Once you’re in Fort Worth
Getting around Fort Worth
This trendy city has public transportation options available to efficiently whisk you around – from taxis to Ubers and more.
Renting a car and driving around Fort Worth
Wheeling your way around in a rental allows you to explore the city on your own terms. You control your schedule from the comfort of a family van or a red-hot convertible—your choice—with many rental companies to choose from.
Driving in the city is excellent—no fast-paced drivers like in New York.
Diverse flavors from every corner of the city
Fort Worth tantalizes taste buds with mouth-watering street food, local treats, and sweets, and it’s a destination renowned for its world-class culinary connoisseurs who consistently dish up a five-star fare. Everywhere you go, you’ll find American food, Mexican flare, and all international cuisine. Fort Worth is very diversified,
7. Things to do
Fort Worth Travel – The Ultimate Family Destination
From live plays to animal encounters at the zoo, dedicated children’s museums, childminding services, and full-of-fun kids’ clubs, Fort Worth have plenty of child-centered activities. Here are some of the favorite places to visit among locals and tourists.
Casa Manana
Casa Manana is a great venue for the family to enjoy live entertainment.
Omni Theater
A 3-D or 4-D theater that makes you feel like you’re actually in the movie. It features many films about science, art, history, and adventure.
Fort Worth Zoo
An amazing place to see hundreds of species from around the world and participate in lots of fun learning activities. The Fort Worth Zoo has been ranked as the #1 and #2 zoo in the nation by USA Today.
Dicky’s Arena Concert Hall
Dicky’s Arena concert hall is a great venue for seeing live music and other performances.
Fort Worth Botanic Garden
It offers over 2,500 species of native and tropical plants in its 21 specialty gardens.
Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame
Preserves and promotes the heritage of Texas—many stories of the old cowboys who used to roam the area.
Bass Performance Hall
Bass Performance Hall provides a variety of entertainment that includes Broadway musicals, stars from the classical music world, popular music concerts, comedy shows, family events, and more.
Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge
Dedicated to conservation through education, research, and advocacy, and providing opportunities for recreation, environmental education programs, nature-based volunteer projects, and wildlife rehabilitation for injured or orphaned animals.
Fort Worth Museum of Science & History
This museum features hands-on experiments and activities that will teach you about science. Kids love it here. I would take my toddler here at least every other month when we had a museum pass. It’s worth the $75 or $100 bucks for a pass.
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth is the largest in Fort Worth. It features over 20,000 pieces, including paintings, sculptures, and photographs. The museum has several different exhibits that change throughout the year.
Texas Motor Speedway
Texas Motor Speedway is a popular speedway. It boasts a reputation as one of the fastest circuits in the country and hosts two NASCAR races and a popular round of the IndyCar Series.
Trinity River
The Trinity River area is an excellent place to visit, no matter what time of year you’re in the city. It’s located just south of downtown and has plenty of green space for walking and biking, with lots of wildlife to spot along the way.
To get there from downtown, head south on Main Street (US 183) until it ends at Houston Avenue; turn right onto Houston Avenue, then left onto Berry Street, which leads straight into the park grounds.
There are 12 TX Travel Information Centers Locations in Texas, with three closest to Fort Worth – Gainesville, Denison, or Wichita Falls coming from Oklahoma on I-35 North. There is also one in Amarillo coming from Colorado/New Mexico. If you’re coming from the south or Texas Hill Country area, stop at the one in Austin.
I hope you found this Fort Worth Travel Guide worth your while. Please let us know if there is anything you need to know to have a wonderful trip to Fort Worth.
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FAQs
Fort Worth Travel Guide? ›
You can get the most out of your visit to Dallas and Fort Worth in the spring (March-May) or fall (September-November) when the milder temperatures help accommodate some of the best events—from the Deep Ellum Arts Festival in April to the State Fair of Texas in October.
What time of year is best to visit Fort Worth? ›You can get the most out of your visit to Dallas and Fort Worth in the spring (March-May) or fall (September-November) when the milder temperatures help accommodate some of the best events—from the Deep Ellum Arts Festival in April to the State Fair of Texas in October.
Is it better to visit Dallas or Fort Worth? ›The city is known to be welcoming, friendly, and home to outstanding arts and culture. Unlike Dallas, Ft. Worth is more spread out and takes on that “big city” energy while still feeling like authentic Texas culture. In case the cowboy culture isn't up your alley, keep in mind that it isn't citywide.
What are the best months to visit Fort Worth Texas? ›The best times to visit Fort Worth are March to May and September to November. Both comfortable seasons bookend the city's scorching summer, when high temperatures rest in the 90s and families capitalizing on the school break crowd top attractions. The cheapest time to visit is in the winter, from December to February.
How do you spend a day in Fort Worth? ›- Attractions. Fort Worth Zoo.
- Attractions. Dining. Hotels.
- Fort Worth Zoo. National Cowgirl Museum. Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.
- National Cowgirl Museum. Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.
- Music.
- Camp Bowie. Downtown/Sundance Square. Stockyards. West 7th. Clearfork.
- Sports.
- Tours.
Fort Worth Walkability. Fort Worth ranks 41st of the most walkable large cities in America, with a walkability score of 34.
What is the rainiest month in Fort Worth? ›...
Fast Climate Facts:
- Hottest Month: July (96 degrees F / 36 degrees C)
- Coldest Month: January (33 degrees F / 0.5 degrees C)
- Wettest Month: May (5.2 inches)
Fort Worth is known to be more casual and easy-going than Dallas, has less traffic and is easier to navigate. Dallas tends to be more expensive, urban and busy. Most visitors and residents don't have the same “Texas feel” in downtown Dallas as they might in Fort Worth.
Why is Fort Worth so popular? ›It's known as the city of cowboys and culture. Some of the things Fort Worth is most famous for are TCU, the Fort Worth Zoo, and its Western heritage.
What is Texas Fort Worth known for? ›Fort Worth — the most typically Texan of all Texas cities — began as a tiny outpost on a lonely frontier. Today, this metropolitan area of more than 900,000 people blends its cattle and oil heritage seamlessly with an ever-growing, diverse array of new businesses and industries.
What months are cheapest to go to Texas? ›
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Texas
High season is considered to be June and July. The cheapest month to fly to Texas is January.
May is typically the wettest and stormiest month of the year in Central Texas and it's usually our wettest month by a lot. No other month of the year averages more than four inches in a month and May averages a little more than five!
How far apart is Dallas and Fort Worth? ›There are 31.05 miles from Dallas to Fort Worth in west direction and 32 miles (51.50 kilometers) by car, following the I-30 route. Dallas and Fort Worth are 32 minutes far apart, if you drive non-stop . This is the fastest route from Dallas, TX to Fort Worth, TX. The halfway point is Arlington, TX.
Do you need a car in Fort Worth? ›Thanks to the city's robust bus and trolley services, it's totally possible to get around Fort Worth without a car. That being said, the entire DFW area is laid out on a grid with several interlocking freeways and major highways; in other words, it's definitely car-centric.
What time is the cattle drive in Fort Worth? ›Every day at 11:30AM and 4PM (weather permitting), the cattle drive travels through the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards on East Exchange Avenue in front of the Livestock Exchange Building.
What is an interesting thing about Fort Worth? ›One of Bonnie and Clyde's hideouts from the law was the historic Stockyards Hotel in Fort Worth. It is now one of the city's most haunted spots. 3. USS Fort Worth (LCS-3) is the first ship of the United States Navy named after the city.
Where not to stay in Fort Worth? ›- Southside.
- South east.
- north side.
- Western Hills-Ridglea.
- Eastside.
- Arlington heights.
- Westover Hills.
- Overton West.
- Mira Vista.
- Arlington Heights.
By the late 1880s, Fort Worth citizens had grown tired of the Wild West within their own city. Hell's Half Acre accounted for about half of the city's crimes. Prostitution, violence, and regular suicides were especially embarrassing for leaders seeking city growth.
What is the coldest month in Fort Worth TX? ›Dallas-Fort Worth's coldest month is January when the average temperature overnight is 34.0°F. In July, the warmest month, the average day time temperature rises to 95.4°F.
Is Fort Worth always humid? ›
The climate of Dallas/Fort Worth is humid subtropical with hot summers. It is also continental, characterized by a wide annual temperature range. Precipitation varies considerably, annual values ranging from less than 20 inches to more than 50 inches.
Is Fort Worth muggy? ›In Fort Worth, the summers are hot and muggy, the winters are cold and windy, and it is partly cloudy year round.
Is there a train that runs from Dallas to Fort Worth? ›TRE offers premier commuter rail service between Fort Worth and Dallas. Jump aboard the Trinity Railway Express as we connect these two great cities and all points in between. Each city has its own unique attractions and events – all easily accessible.
Which is better San Antonio or Fort Worth? ›If you're looking for that Texas western feel with access to a major city, Fort Worth is the place for you. For more natural beauty and outdoor activities, with both Spanish and Mexican influences, I'd recommend San Antonio. So, which would you choose? Happy exploring!
How far is Dallas-Fort Worth airport from the city? ›How far is Dallas airport to downtown? Fort Worth airport is located a short 31 km away from downtown Dallas; it takes 25 minutes to reach by taxi or by car.
Why is Fort Worth so cheap? ›The majority of Texas is rural, where land is often affordable. As in every other state, land values rise as you go away from major metropolitan areas. However, since these towns are so rare and separated, Fort Worth, Texas has a lower average property price.
Why is Fort Worth called Funky Town? ›(aka Funkytown) ... as a true product of hip-hop culture.” The nickname came to the Southside in the 2000s, when new shops on West Magnolia Avenue wanted a rallying slogan for unique local culture similar to “Keep Austin Weird,” created in 2000 by the late Austin librarian and Fort Worth native “Red” Wassenich.
How many millionaires live in Fort Worth? ›In 2022, Dallas-Fort Worth had 92,300 high-net-worth individuals, an increase of 3% over 2021. These are individuals with investable assets of $1 million or more. It also had 4,340 multi-millionaires ($10 million or more), 211 centi-millionaires ($100 million or more) and 18 billionaires ($1 billion or more).
What is the richest town in Fort Worth? ›As its own city, Westover Hills is one of the wealthiest towns in Texas. The population is only about 700 people, but the houses are huge. Properties offer elevated landscapes that have views from the east and west.
Does Fort Worth Texas have a beach? ›Twin Points Park Beach | Fort Worth, TX 76135.
Which is bigger Austin or Fort Worth? ›
The numbers are the census bureau's latest estimates for 2020 and its final count has not been released. Fort Worth's population is now just behind Austin (978,763) and just ahead of Jacksonville, Florida (population 823,146).
What is the best time of year for Fort Worth Botanical Gardens? ›Obviously, the spring time is the very best time to go to the gardens and see all the blooming beauty. The second best time is the month of June until July 4th.
What is the hottest month in Fort Worth? ›| High °F | Low °F | |
|---|---|---|
| 94 | 75 | July |
| 94 | 75 | August |
| 87 | 68 | September |
| 77 | 56 | October |
The best time to visit Fort Worth Zoo is as soon as they open for the day. Early in the morning, animals are most active and visible. As the day progresses and the temperatures rise, the animals recede to shaded areas and become hard to spot. After 11 am, the queues at the counters and the exhibits get longer.
What month does it snow in Fort Worth Texas? ›Historically, North Texas sees snow in February, according to the NWS. The snowiest month of the year in Fort Worth is February, where the average snowfall is 1 inch, Fano said.