The city of Fort Worth was the second stop on our round trip through Texas after Dallas. We were particularly looking forward to the Fort Worth Stockyards, where modernity meets the Wild West. The famous Cattle Drive can be admired here twice a day, attracting thousands of visitors to the city all year round.
Table of contents
Things to know about the city of Fort Worth
The city of Fort Worth is located in the north of Texas and is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan region, one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States. The town was founded in 1849 and played a key role as a military post. Fort Worth originally served as an important trading post for cattle, which earned the city the nickname “Cowtown”. With the development of the railroad and the cattle trade, the town grew rapidly and became a central location for cattle traders and ranchers. Even today, the city’s history is still reflected in its cultural life and the heritage of the Wild West.
Fort Worth is one of the largest cities in Texas with an area of around 774 square kilometers. It is home to around 935,000 inhabitants (as of 2023), which also makes it one of the fastest growing cities in the USA. The city benefits from its location in the economically up-and-coming north of Texas and offers its residents and visitors a mixture of urban life and traditional Texan flair. The rapid expansion of the city in recent decades has contributed to the creation of new residential and commercial centers and made Fort Worth a major economic hub.
One of the most famous attractions in Fort Worth is the Stockyards National Historic District, where visitors can experience a living reminder of the cowboy era, including regular cattle drives and western shows. Also popular are the Kimbell Art Museum, which offers a collection of works of art from different eras and cultures, and the modern Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. The Fort Worth Botanic Garden, the oldest botanical garden in Texas, also invites visitors to linger and offers a green oasis in the middle of the city. The Fort Worth Zoo, one of the best zoos in the USA, also attracts numerous tourists every year and is a particular highlight for families.
The city of Fort Worth in Texas
Downtown Fort Worth
We first parked our rental car in a central parking garage and then walked through Fort Worth from here. The architecture in Downtown offers an interesting mix of historical and modern architecture. Historic buildings such as the Tarrant County Courthouse and the Flatiron Building are reminiscent of the heritage of the Wild West and the beginnings of Fort Worth, while modern high-rise buildings complement the cityscape.
Everything in the city center was within easy walking distance, so we were able to get a good overview of the most interesting places in the city in just under two hours. There really aren’t that many of them… but we still found some nice places 😉
Sundance Square, Square Pavilion & JFK Tribute
On our tour of the city, we really enjoyed Sundance Square. Sundance Square is located in the heart of downtown Fort Worth – just steps from the Tarrant County Courthouse – and spans more than 35 city blocks. The lively district is home to many stores, restaurants, galleries and theaters. The central square regularly offers live music, open-air events and is beautifully illuminated, especially in the evening.
Our older daughter really enjoyed the large water fountains at Sundance Square: You can play in the water here every day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and have lots of fun. The Sundance Square Pavilion of the same name is a very green venue and invites you to linger during the day. Live music concerts, public film screenings, art events and seasonal festivals take place here regularly.
The “disco cowboy hat” is a real eye-catcher on the square. Since the beginning of 2023, the giant, mirrored sculpture has been standing on a pedestal in the middle of the square and attracts many visitors and locals as a selfie and Instagram spot.
Fort Worth Water Gardens
South of the city center, we visited the Fort Worth Water Gardens, which are located between Houston and Commerce Street next to the Fort Worth Convention Center and have become one of the city’s most popular attractions. They were built in 1974, cover an area of 1.7 hectares and are often described as a “cooling oasis in the concrete jungle” of the city center.
The gardens include three pools – the Active Pool, the Quiet Pool and the Aerating Pool – and a terraced hill that shields the park from the rest of the city. The Active Pool is the most impressive and dynamic pool at Fort Worth Water Gardens. In this area, the water flows down in various cascades along terraced steps and flows into a central basin. We were able to climb down the steps into the middle of the pool and were surrounded on all sides by the rushing water. Standing in the middle of this waterscape was a very special experience.
Fort Worth Stockyards
The absolute highlight of Fort Worth is located around four kilometers outside of downtown: the Fort Worth Stockyards, a historic district that is deeply rooted in the history and culture of the Wild West. Originally founded as a cattle market and important transshipment point for the cattle industry, the Stockyards are now a popular tourist destination and a living monument to Texan cowboy culture. Here, history meets modernity – with a mix of attractions, museums, stores and events that keep the city’s Western heritage alive.
Fort Worth National Historic District
End of the 19. and beginning of the In the 20th century, the Fort Worth Stockyards were one of the largest and most important cattle handling areas in the United States. Herds of cattle were driven through here on their way from Texas to the northern markets, and Fort Worth was nicknamed “Cowtown“. As the cattle industry grew, Fort Worth also became a hub for the meat processing industry. In the 1970s, however, cattle market activity declined sharply and the decision was made to preserve the Fort Worth Stockyards Historic District as a historic neighborhood and turn it into a tourist attraction.
We parked our car in one of the large paid parking lots (location in Google Maps) and explored the neighborhood from there. It didn’t take long before we came across the first riders with their horses – that gave us a real cowboy feeling. Many tourists were out and about, strolling along the main promenade or lingering in the numerous stores and souvenir stores. A short time later, we saw one of the famous longhorn cattle on the footpath, ready to be photographed. For 10 USD you could sit on the cattle and have your photo taken.
Stockyards Cattle Drive
Around 11 a.m., the footpath on both sides of the road slowly filled up as many wanted to secure good spots for the first Cattle Drive. Twice a day you can watch the famous Stockyards Cattle Drive, where cowboys drive real Texas longhorn cattle through the streets. This cattle drive, which takes place in the late morning (11.30 am) and afternoon (4 pm), is unique in the USA – and completely free of charge. First there was a short introduction with interesting information, until the herd was finally driven through the street. The spectacle was over within a few minutes, but it was totally impressive.
Fort Worth Stockyards Station
The Fort Worth Stockyards Station is a historic neighborhood within the famous Fort Worth Stockyards and a popular meeting place for visitors who want to experience the charm of the Wild West. Stockyards Station is located along the historic tracks and is home to a variety of boutiques and stores specializing in western wear, cowboy boots, hats and handmade crafts. Many visitors stock up on typical clothing and walk around in boots and cowboy hats. There are also numerous restaurants, attractions and entertainment options in the district.
A ride on the historic train that departs from here is a highlight for many tourists. The Stockyards Trinity River Excursion is a 45-minute train ride along the Trinity River, Montgomery Plaza and Trinity Park. This excursion is ideal for families with small children or for those who simply want to enjoy the experience of a train ride. Tickets are available online from 10 USD per person.
Billy Bob’s Texas – The World’s Largest Honky Tonk
Known as the “world’s biggest honky tonk“, Billy Bob’s is a legendary bar and music venue that offers a huge dance floor, live music and even indoor bull riding. Famous country musicians perform here regularly, and it’s a great place to immerse yourself in country music and the Texan lifestyle. We paid 4 USD entrance fee to have a look at the bar. When events are held here, the admission prices are correspondingly higher.
Other sights & photo spots
During our stroll through the Fort Worth Stockyards, we were able to discover many other sights.
The Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame Museum is dedicated to the Texas cowboys and cowgirls who became famous for their achievements and courage. The exhibition includes numerous artifacts and tells the story of famous Texan cowboys, from rodeo stars to ranchers.
The Stockyards Museum is located in the old Livestock Exchange Building and offers an insight into the history of the stockyards and Fort Worth’s role in the cattle industry. With many old photographs and historical documents, including cowboy artifacts, the museum is a real treasure for history buffs.
The Fort Worth Petting Zoo was the highlight for our children. For 3 USD per adult/child you can pet sheep, goats and small calves. If you want to feed the animals, you can buy a portion of food at the entrance for an additional 3 USD. Unfortunately, the animals were all in the enclosure the whole time, which we didn’t expect at a petting zoo.
Map with sights in Dallas & Fort Worth
On the following Google MyMaps map we have once again marked the most important sights & photo spots in Dallas and Fort Worth. We always use a map like this ourselves to find our way around a foreign city and make sure we don’t miss any spots 🙂
Places of interest in Dallas & Fort Worth
Round trip through Texas - Our travel route & reports
We did a lot of research for our round trip through Texas and in the end we probably put together a "typical" round trip where you explore the best-known cities and regions. We started our trip in Dallas and Fort Worth, then went on to the capital Austin, then to Fredericksburg and San Antonio, from there to the Gulf Coast to Galveston and finally we visited Houston. All in all, a really beautiful and varied route that you can do very well in 3 weeks with 2 small children 🙂
Our itinerary & travel reports:
➥ Dallas - Sights, Attractions & Photo Spots
➥ Fort Worth - Cowboy feeling in the Wild West
➥ Fossil Rim Wildlife Center - A safari in Texas by car
➥ Austin - Sights of the Capital of Texas
➥ Fredericksburg - The most German city in Texas
➥ San Antonio - Top 10 attractions: River Walk, Alamo & more
➥ San Antonio - SeaWorld & Aquatica Water Park
➥ San Antonio - Mission (UNESCO World Heritage)
➥ Galveston Island - relaxing on the Gulf Coast
➥ Houston - Our highlights and activities
➥ Houston Space Center - Dive into the world of space travel