Family Travel Guide to Fort Worth, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas is known as a “cow town.” With city amenities, Western flair, and a small-town feel, it's the perfect place for families looking for a luxurious, laid-back vacation. Fort Worth has the same big-city amenities as its neighbor (Dallas) about 30 minutes to the east, but it has a more relaxed atmosphere, which we love. As a native Texan, I've always said that Fort Worth and Dallas are like night and day.

The climate is mostly mild, but it can get cold during the winter. Vacations can therefore be planned at any time of the year, depending on the customer's preferences.

First-time visitors to Fort Worth will want to know about the Fort Worth Stockyards, Sundance Square (downtown Fort Worth), and the Fort Worth Cultural District. All in all, these are the three best places to experience this city. (Blue jeans approved!)

fort worth stockyards

Have you talked to a real cowboy recently? The Fort Worth Stockyards is the perfect place to experience the Old West cowboy atmosphere that Fort Worth is known for. Thanks to a mix of upscale hotels, upscale restaurants, and upscale shops with a Western feel, families can enjoy the city's lively yet laid-back atmosphere, where you'll find a cowboy girlfriend or two. There is no doubt that you will run into people.

Families can spend the day walking East Exchange Avenue from end to end, visiting many iconic sites from the Wild West. Stop by the Stockyards Museum. It tells the story of the Chisholm Trail that passed through Fort Worth many years ago. There is also a John Wayne: American His Experience museum and retail store where visitors can learn about Wayne's life and see memorabilia he once owned or used in movies.

Then, each day at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. (weather permitting), travelers can take up positions on East Exchange Avenue and watch “real” cowboys navigate the streets on horseback, leading a herd of Texas longhorns. You can see how it goes. For $10 per person, families can ride a bull and have their photo taken, and kids can enjoy a merry-go-round ride with real ponies and pet animals at Stockyard Barnyard Petting Coral .

Continue the cowboy vibe at Billy Bob's Texas, the world's largest honky-tonk. Listening to country music, enjoying a beer or two, and riding a mechanical bull are the highlights of the day. For some adult time, parents can check out the headliners performing at the concert.

Another option to explore the city is on a walking tour. Our Historic Walking Tour takes you through the Stockyards National Historic District, soaking up the history and culture of Fort Worth's famous cattle trails and his 1800s ranch. The whole family will leave with a vivid understanding of this important period in Texas history.

For dinner, enjoy a steak at Cattlemen's Steakhouse, one of the Fort Worth Stockyards' famous steak restaurants. Or you can send your customers to Risky's Steakhouse, a haven for cowboys and ranchers since the 1920s. If you're in the mood for barbecued ribs, head to H3 Ranch on the corner of East Exchange Street and Main Street or the small, family-run restaurant on the east end of the Stockyards.

Be sure to stop by Joe T. Garcia's, a famous 100-year-old Tex-Mex restaurant near the Stockyards. His is one of Fort Worth's staple and iconic restaurants. He only offers his two options: enchiladas or fajitas (and an average margarita). Encourage your clients to sit outside on your patio. It is beautiful and many weddings take place there. (Travel Tip: Bring cash to the Stockyards; credit cards are not accepted.)

The Stockyards has several luxury hotels, all within walking distance of restaurants and attractions. The newest is Hotel Drover, part of Autograph Collection Hotels, and the oldest is Stockyards Hotel. If your family is looking for a chain restaurant, Hyatt Place Fort Worth Historic Stockyards is within walking distance.

Downtown Fort Worth – Sundance Square

Downtown Fort Worth offers festivals, fairs, live entertainment, and more for the whole family. Sundance Square is at the heart of it all. This area has streets lined with boutique hotels, unique shops, and restaurants. Customers can explore murals, fountains, fine dining, live music, theatrical productions, outdoor concerts, splash fountains, kid-friendly treats, and more throughout.

Omni Fort Worth Hotel offers spacious Texas-themed suites with separate living rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, mini-fridges, wet bars, and pull-out couches. There is also a bar, restaurant and outdoor pool on site. This property is located across the street from the beautiful Fort Worth Water Gardens, which are free to enter and explore.

Fort Worth goes all-out for the holidays, playing holiday music and decorating the streets with wreaths, ribbons, and wreaths. Sundance Square has plenty of activities for kids, including hot chocolate, concession stands, and photos with Santa.

For outdoor recreation, visit the Trinity River (adjacent to downtown and near the Fort Worth Courthouse). Here, families can swim, rent kayaks, canoes and pedal boats, and listen to outdoor music.

Fort Worth Cultural District

The Fort Worth Cultural District is comprised of many major attractions, including the Kimbell Art Museum, Forth Worth Museum of Modern Art, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, and Fort Worth Botanical Gardens. In the gardens, little ones will love exploring the Forth Worth Japanese Garden, the Rose Garden, and the children's natural play area. (It is also the oldest public botanical garden in Texas.)

Complementing Fort Worth's Western theme, the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame celebrates the historic women of the American West. Interactive exhibits allow young guests to imagine themselves as cowgirls and learn about cowgirls and pioneering women's contributions to rodeo, art.

Just south of the Cultural District is the Fort Worth Zoo, repeatedly ranked among the top zoos in the nation. There are over 7,000 native and exotic animals, and the merry-go-round and mini-train are also popular with children.

With its family-friendly attractions, rich history, diverse culture, and Wild West celebrations, Fort Worth welcomes families for an upscale yet laid-back vacation.