Guide to Fort Worth, Texas: Plan Your Perfect Visit to “Cowtown”
Planning a trip to Fort Worth, Texas? Nicknamed “Cowtown,” Fort Worth is one of the top travel destinations in Texas, offering a nice blend of Western culture, family attractions, nightlife, and so much more.
You can’t go to Fort Worth without visiting the Fort Worth Stockyards, one of the cities number one attractions. There are is also a top rated zoo, beautiful botanical gardens, and amazing food.
In this Guide to Fort Worth, Texas, you’ll discover some of the best things to do, recommended places to eat, how to get here, and so much more to make the most of your trip to Fort Worth.
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Best Time to Visit Fort Worth
The best times of year to visit Fort Worth is during spring (March – May) and/or fall (September – November).
Summers get hot in Fort Worth and it can get humid. Summer temperatures can get up to 95°F+ (35°C+).
Winter is relatively dry but can be cold around 40 – 60°F (4 – 16°C).
Spring months offer pleasant weather with comfortable temperatures, perfect for any outdoor activities.
Fall, you can also expect comfortable temperatures around 70 – 85°F (21 – 29°C).
Getting to Fort Worth
By Plane: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is located between Fort Worth and Dallas, so flying to Fort Worth or Dallas is very convenient.
American carriers and International flights are serviced out of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
By Train: The Texas Eagle (Amtrak) does make stops at Dallas Union Station and Fort Worth Central Station.
For schedules, times, and additional information, check out the Amtrak website.
By Car: Getting to and around the Fort Worth area is easiest by car, either personal car or rental.
From Austin, it’s about a 3 hour drive north on I-35.
From Houston, it’s about a 4 hours drive northwest on I-45.
From Oklahoma City, it’s about a 3 hours drive south on I-35.
For Rental Cars, I always recommend booking through Rentalcars.com.
Top Attractions to Visit in Fort Worth
There are no shortage of things to do and attractions in Fort Worth, Texas. I spent a week in Fort Worth and was busy sightseeing daily and trying to fit in as much as possible. In detail, here are a few attractions in Fort Worth that are a must.
Fort Worth Stockyards
Every guide to Fort Worth will mention the Stockyards. If you want a true taste of the Wild West, the Fort Worth Stockyards are the perfect place to start.
Catch the Fort Worth cattle drive along East Exchange Ave. Twice a day at 11:30 and 16:00. The cowhands ride alongside a herd of Texas Longhorns ending at the Livestock Exchange Building.
At the Fort Worth Stockyards you can also visit the Stockyards Museum, go to the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, browse the rustic shops, enjoy Texas BBQ, and go to legendary venues like Billy Bob’s.
Fort Worth Zoo
Known as one of the best zoos in the United States, the Fort Worth Zoo is a must-visit attraction. Whether you are visiting alone, with family, or in a group, the Fort Worth Zoo needs to be added to your itinerary.
Home to over 7,000 animals from around the world, you can surely spend an entire day at the Fort Worth Zoo.
Personally, I liked the African Savanna and Texas Wildlife exhibits, although all were great! The zoo was very walkable with a lot of places to eat, drink, and rest.
For families with kids, the Fort Worth Zoo had a Petting Zoo.
Botanic Gardens
One of Fort Worth’s most underrated attractions is the Botanical Gardens. In the United States, this is one of the most beautiful botanic gardens I’ve visited.
Spanning 120 acres and home to over 2,500 plant species, the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens have themed areas like the Rose Garden, Fragrance Garden, and the beautiful Japanese Garden.
The Japanese Garden at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens is honestly just as nice as some of the gardens you’ll see in Japan.
The botanic gardens is the perfect spot to add to your Fort Worth itinerary, offering seasonal events, year-round blooms, and so much more.
Day Trips from Fort Worth
Although there is plenty of things to do and see in Fort Worth, there are must-visit attractions and places to see just outside the Fort Worth area. Afterall, Arlington and Dallas are less then an hour away.
Arlington Medal of Honor Museum
One of the best day trips from either Fort Worth or Dallas includes traveling to Arlington to visit the Medal of Honor Museum. This must visit destination is located near the AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field and is less then a 30-minute drive.
The National Medal of Honor Museum is a newer Museum, opened in March, 2025.
Learn about the extraordinary acts of real heroes through interactive exhibits and informative galleries.
Sixth Floor Museum
The most recommended day trip from Fort Worth, is probably a visit to Dallas to go to the Sixth Floor Museum, which is about a 30 – 45 minutes drive.
Visit the Sixth Floor Museum and learn about President John F. Kennedy and his assassination that took place on November 22, 1963.
Dallas
A day trip to Dallas from Fort Worth is a must. Not only to see the Sixth Floor Museum, but there is a lot to do and see in Dallas. The best thing yet, is Dallas is a short drive from Fort Worth.
Dallas is famous for it’s Arts District, Dealey Plaza, the Deep Ellum Entertainment District, and so much more. There are also a log of great restaurants and bars in the Dallas area.
Recommended Places to Eat
When it comes to places to eat in Fort Worth, the city is a foodie paradise with everything rom Texas BBQ to upscale dining. In my opinion, you have to try Tex-Mex and BBQ, when visiting Texas.
My Guide to Fort Worth includes food recommendations. I spent a week in Fort Worth and tried everything from Texas BBQ and Tex-Mex to seafood restaurants and local diners. Here are some of my recommended restaurants to try in Fort Worth.
Uncle Julio’s Fort Worth – Uncle Julio’s is a great Tex-Mex restaurant with a huge menu, fantastic food, and a fun atmosphere.
Olivella’s Pizza and Wine – For great pizza and drinks in the Fort Worth area, Olivella’s Pizza and Wine is a must. I loved the pizzas from the wood-burning pizza oven.
Ol’South Pancake House – If you are looking for a 24/7 breakfast diner, then I recommend the Ol’South Pancake House. When visiting Fort Worth, I had to check out a local diner and this restaurant did not dissapoint.
Hudson House – I visited the Hudson House for appetizers and a main dish and really loved it here. They have nice outside seating and delicious food choices.
HG Sply Co. – HG Sply Co has locations around the Dallas-Fort Worth area. I liked the location right along the Clear Fork Trinity River. They serve American food.
Natty Flat Smokehouse – If you are looking for good Texas BBQ in the Fort Worth area, I recommend driving just outside of town to Natty Flat Smokehouse.
Paloma Suerte – An amazing Tex-Mex restaurant at the Fort Worth Stockyards is Paloma Suerte.
Conclusion
Fort Worth, Texas was a great destination to travel to. The cowboy culture in Fort Worth was what I imagined it to be like and it did not disappoint!
In Fort Worth, you truly get that Old West and modern charm. Visiting the historic Stockyards is a must but there is so much more to Fort Worth. I loved visiting the botanic gardens and even walking around downtown Fort Worth.
If planning to visit Fort Worth for the first time, use this guide to plan your perfect Fort Worth itinerary. If you like Fort Worth as much as I did, let me know what you think or if you have any recommendations.
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Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️ 🇺🇸
Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖
For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com
Activities and Tours 🏖️🚁
Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.
In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘
I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
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