Known as the City of Cowboys & Culture, Fort Worth Texas is the 17th largest city in the U.S. and offers visitors everything from music, dancing, good food, art and outdoor experiences.
Here’s a list of 7 Must Dos for families visiting Fort Worth, Texas for the first time.
1. Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District
If you want to experience cowboy culture (rodeos, country music, saloons, cattle drives), the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District is the place to be.
Full of attractions, restaurants and stores, you can easily spend an afternoon or an entire day here. There is a petting zoo for little ones, a cattle-pen maze for older kids (and adults) and of course the twice daily (11:30AM and 4PM) longhorn cattle drive up Main Street.
If you happen to visit on the weekend, try to stop in at Billy Bob’s Texas (the world’s largest honky tonk) and get tickets to the rodeo.
With the exception of a few attractions, it’s very walk-able here. The streets are wheelchair and stroller friendly too.
Also, if you’re in the market for cowboy boots, this would be the place to get them. There are several stores here that sell boots.
I regret not getting a pair for myself (the prices are reasonable compared to leather boots at home) and will have to right this wrong the next time I’m in Fort Worth.
For more Fort Worth Stockyards travel tips, check out this post I wrote for Moms & Munchkins.
Time Needed: Half to Full Day
Recommended for: All Ages
2. Stockyards Rodeo
Living in Toronto, I don’t see bull riding, cattle roping or barrel racing often. Well, actually never.
The Stockyards Rodeo is a professional rodeo where competitors from all over the world come to show off their skills every Friday and Saturday night at the Cowtown Coliseum.
This is a family friendly event that provides first time Fort Worth visitors with a true Texan experience. My first rodeo was so much fun, I can’t wait to take my kids next time.
While food and drink is available for purchase during the show, Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que is just steps away from the coliseum (see our What to Eat in Texas post here) so I’d highly recommend filling up there first before heading to the rodeo.
Time Needed: 2 hours
Recommended for: All Ages
3. Fort Worth Zoo
The Fort Worth Zoo is the oldest one in Texas and houses over 500 species of animals.
A 13,000-square-foot completely shaded outdoor theater gives zoo visitors entertaining and educational encounters with live animals. For guests who really want to get up close, Texas Wild! Petting Corral has goats, a Texas longhorn calf, an opossum, an armadillo, Texas tortoises and corn snakes for kids to touch.
Time Needed: Half to Full Day
Recommended for: Tweens or younger
4. National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame
An inspiring place to visit, the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is for anyone interested in learning about the influential women of America West.
There’s many displays of riding and rodeo artifacts as well as two interactive exhibits where visitors can ride a bronco or take a photo on a pony.
This museum is located right next to the Museum of Science and History and is also steps away from two art museums. So if you happen to be in the Fort Worth Cultural District and have an aspiring cowgirl in your family, make sure to stop in here.
Time Needed: 1 hour
Recommended for: All Ages
5. Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
Recommended for families with younger children, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon.
The museum has an outdoor dinosaur dig, a 10,000-square-foot exhibit celebrating the cattle industry, a 9/11 Tribute Exhibit, a giant sized Lite Brite and a 30-foot model of a drilling apparatus to help teach little learners about regional and alternative energy sources.
Time Needed: 2 hours
Recommended for: Tweens or younger
6. Sundance Square
The heart of downtown Fort Worth is Sundance Square – a 35-block area filled with restaurants, shops, galleries and performance venues. This is the place to visit if you’re interested in the arts.
It is a very walk-able neighborhood and families can spend an entire day (or several) exploring the area.
Play in the water fountains, visit the JFK Tribute, grab a bite to eat, people watch under the enormous umbrellas (which I hear are beautiful when they are lit up at night), or take the free bus shuttle to and from downtown hotels and other Fort Worth hot spots.
Time Needed: Full Day or more
Recommended for: All Ages
7. Fort Worth Water Gardens
The Fort Worth Water Gardens is an urban park where families can relax at three different pools – aerating, quiet and active.
An oasis in the middle of downtown (about 15 minutes walking from Sundance Square) near the Convention Center and Bass Performance Hall, it’s a great spot to rest your feet and take some photos.
It’s free and open year round and if you happen to be a guest at the Sheraton Fort Worth Hotel you can visit every day and night as it is only a few steps away from the hotel. You can read more about what we thought about the Sheraton Fort Worth here.
Time Needed: 1 hour
Recommended for: All Ages
Have a few extra hours or days free?
Make sure you check out some of our Dallas and Grapevine recommendations – both are a short drive away from Fort Worth.
I’ve never been to Fort Worth but I’ve wanted to visit since I heard about the Stockyards. Sundance Square looks like someplace I’d enjoy exploring as well. I love that mural!