Looking for an escape from the trendy city slickers of Dallas? Head on West to the city of Ft. Worth. Affectionately referred to as "Cowtown," Ft. Worth is a big city with a small-town vibe. Plan to spend an entire day, as there is much to do - you may even want to plan a follow-up trip to finish seeing everything you didn't have time to do the first time.
Sundance Square
Sundance Square — Photo courtesy of Sundance Square
Start off your day at Sundance Square in the heart of downtown Ft. Worth. This popular spot is the home to a wide variety of annual festivals, including the Lone Star Film Festival, Ft. Worth Main Street Arts Festival and many others. It also features some of Cowtown's best restaurants, including Mi Cocina (Tex-Mex), Reata at Sundance Square (Southwestern), Mercury Chop House (steak) and Cowtown Diner (Southern). If you're in the mood to party, visit Frankie's Sports Bar, the Flying Saucer, Scat Jazz Lounge or the Lone Star Nightclub. This part of Ft. Worth is also home to several great shops, from antiques to quaint clothing boutiques.
Ft. Worth Stockyards
A day trip to Ft. Worth wouldn't be complete without a stop at the legendary Ft. Worth Stockyards. This area is home to many restaurants, rodeos, historical landmarks and shops. This fun spot has real-life cattle drives that are fun for the whole family to watch. Want to get in on the action yourself? You can actually ride a horse or ride in a stagecoach along the historic Chisholm trail.
Billy Bob's Texas
Billy Bob's Texas — Photo courtesy of Billy Bob's Texas
Want to see a real-life rodeo? Go to the largest honky tonk in the world, Billy Bob's Texas. This fun place is huge, and it features daily rodeos, live music, dancing, a mechanical bull and more. It should definitely hold a spot on your day trip itinerary.
Other Notable Ft. Worth Institutions
Bass Performance Hall — Photo courtesy of Bass Performance Hall
Ft. Worth is known for much more than rodeos and cattle drives. The Ft. Worth Zoo is the oldest zoo in the Lone Star State, and it is open 365 days a year. If you're already in the neighborhood, swing on by the beautiful Fort Worth Botanic Garden. This spot also has history - it is the oldest botanic garden in Texas, and it features 110 acres of gardens and exhibits. If you're a culture lover, you can also plan to take a show at the Bass Concert Hall, located in downtown. Wrap up at day of fun at one of Ft. Worth's favorite restaurants, Joe T. Garcia's. This Mexican restaurant has a great outdoor patio and is known for its family-style menu, margaritas and salsa.
