United States · May 2026
Overview
Fort Worth is where the West begins, as locals say. It feels more relaxed and more Texan than Dallas: cowboy boots are normal, longhorns walk down the street twice a day and there is a rodeo every weekend. At the same time it has some of the best art museums in the country, and most of them are free.
Fort Worth started in 1849 as a US Army outpost on the Trinity River. After the Civil War it became a stop on the Chisholm Trail, where cowboys drove millions of cattle north to Kansas, which gave it the nickname "Cowtown". The railroad arrived in 1876, and in the early 1900s the Fort Worth Stockyards became one of the biggest livestock markets in the US. Oil money later paid for the city's great museums.
How long to stay: 1 to 2 days, or a day trip from Dallas.
Last updated: October 2026
Quick Facts
Location
North Texas, about 50 km west of Dallas, with Arlington between them.
Budget
Per person, per day.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed | $60–90 | $140–220 | $300+ |
| Food | $30–45 | $60–90 | $120+ |
| Activities | $0–25 | $40–80 (rodeo, Billy Bob's) | $100+ |
| Daily total | $90–160 | $240–390 | $520+ |
Things to Do
The Stockyards National Historic District has brick streets, saloons, western-wear shops and old livestock pens. Twice a day, at 11:30 and 16:00, cowboys drive a herd of Texas longhorns down Exchange Avenue, the only twice-daily cattle drive in the world.
Price: free · Tip: arrive 15 minutes early to get a spot on the curb in front of the Livestock Exchange Building.
A real rodeo with bull riding, barrel racing and roping, every Friday and Saturday night in the Cowtown Coliseum, where the first indoor rodeo was held in 1918.
Price: about $25–40 · Time needed: 2 hours.
Opened in 1981 in a former cattle barn, it calls itself the world's largest honky-tonk, with a dance floor, live country music and a small indoor bull-riding arena.
Price: daytime entry a few dollars; concerts extra · Tip: take a free two-step lesson on some evenings.
The restored 1910s mule barns of the Stockyards, now full of western shops, restaurants and the Hotel Drover.
Price: free.
A small but world-class museum in a building by Louis Kahn (1972), with works by Michelangelo (his first known painting), Caravaggio, Rembrandt and Monet. The newer pavilion is by Renzo Piano (2013).
Price: permanent collection free; special exhibitions extra · Hours: closed Monday.
The Modern, by Japanese architect Tadao Ando (2002), seems to float on a reflecting pool. Across the street, the Amon Carter Museum of American Art (free) has paintings of the American West by Remington and Russell.
Price: Modern about $16 (half price on Wednesdays); Amon Carter free.
A concrete water park designed by Philip Johnson (1974) with a large "active pool" where water falls 12 m into a pit. It appears in the film Logan's Run.
Price: free.
The downtown square with fountains, restaurants and the Chisholm Trail mural.
Price: free · Tip: ride the free Molly the Trolley around downtown.
The oldest botanic garden in Texas (1934), with a Japanese Garden full of koi.
Price: about $15.
Transit Tips
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From DFW Airport: TEXRail to downtown Fort Worth in about 50 minutes, or Uber about $40–60.
From Dallas: the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) connects Union Station in Dallas with downtown Fort Worth in about 1 hour; the $9 regional day pass covers it.
Uber and Lyft are easiest between the Stockyards, downtown and the Cultural District.
Trinity Metro buses link the three areas.
The Stockyards, downtown and the Cultural District (museums) are about 10 to 15 minutes apart by car. Plan one area at a time.
Helpful Words
A few basics in English can make everyday conversations much easier.
Where to Stay
Plan & Book
Explore accommodation options and open hotel details directly from the map.
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