Since its founding as a military post in 1849, Fort Worth has kept a longstanding connection to the Old West. Ranch hands and outlaws once coincided here, cattle was a serious business, and part of its downtown area had once been a rowdy district named Hell’s Half Acre. While that’s all in the past, Fort Worth’s cowboy culture is only a little relaxed today, and still vibrant.
What really changed are Fort Worth’s districts. In recent decades, there has been an ongoing urban renaissance in the city’s areas, ushering in everything from museums and public spaces to craft breweries/distilleries and eclectic eateries. Let’s not forget the new bike-sharing program, something every city has to have to be considered relevant these days.
While it might be hard to keep up with this ever changing city, we’ve created a helpful checklist for visitors.
Michele is a travel/lifestyle writer who got over her fears and picky eating habits to immerse herself in destinations as far as Fiji, to date. Her work has been featured on Yahoo Travel, ShermansTravel, Budget Travel, and Epicure & Culture.
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1. The Stockyards National Historic District:
From the post-Civil War through the late 1880s, Fort Worth was the last stop for cowboys and their cargo along the Chisholm Trail, a delivery route to Kansas railheads, to get supplies--and let loose. The Stockyards National Historic District has visual reminders of its "Cowtown" legacy, including the Livestock Exchange Building where cattle trades occurred. There are also Western gear shops; watering holes like the White Elephant Saloon; The Stockyard Hotel, where Bonnie and Clyde stayed; barbecue, steak/burger, and Mexican restaurants like the popular Joe T. Garcia's, chicken-fried steak wonder Horseshoe Hill Cafe, and Billy Bob's Texas, a huge honky tonk club.
Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau
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2. Sundance Square: This section of Fort Worth's downtown area has undergone a major restoration to repurpose 19th and early 20th-century buildings while welcoming new construction. A venue that once held a gambling parlor now contains the Sid Richardson Museum, which specializes in American Western art, while Bass Performance Hall hosts opera, symphony, and ballet performances plus the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. This square's signature spot (pictured) is the Jett Building, which is the canvas for "Homage to Chisholm Trail," a trompe l'oeil wall mural facing the square's plaza. There's also a mix of dining options around here like the Bird Café, a New American gastropub with inventive apps, salads, and shared plates.
Photo courtesy of Sundance Square Management
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3. JFK Tribute:
Before making their fateful trip to Dallas, President Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy, spent the night in Fort Worth at what was originally called the Hotel Texas. The permanent monument in downtown's General Fort Worth Square marks his visit. On the morning of Nov. 22, 1963, after attending a formal Chamber of Commerce breakfast, he made an impromptu speech on the front steps of the hotel to the massive crowd gathered outside. The memorial also features photographs taken of and quotes given by him that day.
Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau
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4. Near Southside:
Also known as Magnolia, Near Southside has a happening culinary scene and the Fairmount Historic District with turn of the century private homes. West Magnolia Avenue—which inspired the neighborhood's nickname—is lined with diverse dining and drinks options. Coffee shops like AVOCA Coffee Roasters (pictured) and Brewed offer artisanal caffeinated beverages and good eats. The Bearded Lady has a ton of craft beers, and grilled cheese and burger specials. The neighborhood doesn't tuck in after dinner, though; nightlife choices include The Usual for its Prohibition-era cocktails and Kent & Co. Wines for its extensive bottle collection.
Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau
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5. Cultural District:
Fort Worth's Cultural District contains an arts center and five museums for art, science, and history. The Kimbell Art Museum features some impressive pieces such as Michelangelo's first known painting, "The Torment of Saint Anthony," and is the first American collection to have his work. The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame (pictured) gives cowgirls and pioneering women with ties to the American West their proper due in an honorary wall featuring names like Laura Ingalls Wilder and Sandra Day O'Connor, plus displays of the personal belongings of Annie Oakley and other female gunslingers.
Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau
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6. Fort Worth Water Gardens: Amid the buildings in Downtown, you might find it odd to come across a little water-inspired sanctuary, but stick with us for a minute. The Fort Worth Water Gardens are located across from the Fort Worth Convention Center on Houston Street and consists of three varying water pools, walkway paths, and surrounding trees. Houston itself has much to check out, so after a dip in the Gardens, get some grub at Reata and then later head for drinks at Thompson's, where with a secret password guests go down into a lower level speakeasy.
Photo by Erik Clapp
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7. West 7th District: Once an industrial area, the West 7th District has turned into a hip place for young urban professionals with boutique shops, high-end restaurants, and entertainment options. Some meal recs include the taqueria called Revolver Taco Lounge and FW Market + Table, a healthy fast food option. The five-block walking district runs from the southeast corner of West Seventh Street to University Drive North.
Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau
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8. Trinity Trails: Encompassing the Trinity River, Trinity Trails has about 40 miles of biking/running/hiking trails. There are also 21 trailheads that intertwine with public parks and places like the Fort Worth Zoo, both the Fort Worth Botanic and Japanese gardens, and the Stockyards, plus five areas for casting off a kayak or canoe. For biking, Fort Worth's B-cycle program has over 40 checkout stations, one of them being at the trails. By the bank of the river, in the TCU/University area, consider Woodshed Smokehouse for barbecue delight post-exertion.
Photo courtesy of Trinity Trails