Guide to Fort Worth, TX

The historic Fort Worth Stockyards is a destination in and of itself. Twice a day everyday there is a cattle drive down main street. The hands explain the history of the original stockyards and the cattle that they once ran and sold through the yards.

You can get your picture taken on a real live longhorn, and every Friday and Saturday night at the Cowtown Coliseum you can take in a rodeo! This is the only rodeo in the country that runs every weekend, all year long.

The John Wayne Experience is a new and really neat nod to the film icon. It gives you a tour of his life, from his childhood to his entire film career.

For a true honky-tonk experience, check out Billy Bob's. For over 40 years, it's been hosting live music almost seven nights a week. You can two-step, throw back a few drinks and even ride the mechanical bull.

The Stockyards also offer plenty of unique shopping (design your own cowboy hat), fun outdoor bars and a petting zoo or maze for the kids, too.

Once you head downtown to the cultural district, a few things to see are:

Sundance Square: This is the focal point of the downtown area. There is always something going on. Whether it be live music or an arts fair, it's there. This area and the few blocks in each direction are a good place to wander around and do a little shopping or have lunch.

The Fort Worth Water Gardens are a beautiful series of architectural waterfalls and pools located on the southern side of downtown. It's fun to take a walk through each of them and then stretch out to relax next to one in the sun for a few hours.

The Fort Worth Botanic Garden is also a really great place to spend time roaming around in. It has several beautifully different themed gardens and offers many events throughout the year.

The Fort Worth Zoo is a big hit for children. Especially with features like feeding the giraffes and the bird aviary.

If you want to take in a play, Bass Performance Hall is a beautiful historic building to enjoy the theater arts in.

In the cultural district, there are three great museums you don't want to miss:

The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame honors the women of the American West and is one of my favorite museums!

The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is another stand-out for children. Complete with its dinosaur dig and cattle museum on the second floor.

The Fort Worth Modern Art Musuem is also a popular way to spend an afternoon.

Lastly, an honorable mention for the Clearfork area if you are looking for luxury shopping and a fun outdoor center with excellent restaurants and bars.

Clearfork also has a robust Farmers Market on Saturday mornings, which is fun to browse through for local produce and handmade items.

Gemelle: The cutest Italian restaurant that is a little off-the-beaten-path but is worth the trip for its Instagrammable vibe and Aperol Spritz. There is even a pool! This is one of Fort Worth's local Chef Tim Love's restaurants and the food does not disappoint.

Lonesome Dove Western Bistro: Another one of Tim Love's restaurants, but this time in the Stockyards. The front of this place is very unassuming, but once you get inside it is rustic and cozy and is the perfect place for a delicious date night.

Reata Downtown: A well-known restaurant that offers true Texas cuisine. The carne asada topped with Reata's cheese enchiladas is chef's kiss. Their rooftop bar is fun, too!

Waters Restaurant: Great seafood in Northern Texas can be hard to come by. But Waters delivers some of the best seafood around.

Second Rodeo Brewing: This is a fun brewery in the stockyards that has a large outdoor area where you can listen to music, play games and order wood-fired pizza alongside other bar-type foods. It's a fun place to hang out with friends while also being family-friendly, too.

Fixe Southern House in Clearfork: Homemade southern-style biscuits with honey butter. Oh, and a mimosa!

Provender Hall: A modern comfort-food restaurant in the stockyards, making it a great place for dinner. Get the deviled eggs!