20 Things To Do In Fort Worth

Fort Worth began its rise to one of the largest cities in Texas during the late 19th century when it became a trading post for cowboys at the end of the Chisholm Trail. Today, the city is a cultural hub of music, art, and history, famous for its Stockyards District (and Texas Longhorn cattle trade) and multiple museums.

The city’s motto is “Crossroads of Cowboys & Culture”; some of its main nicknames include Cowtown, Funkytown and Panther City. With names like those, don’t be surprised to find lots of fun things to do in Fort Worth, Texas.

Fort Worth, Texas

20 Things To Do In Fort Worth

1- Visit The Fort Worth Stockyards

Nothing says Fort Worth quite like the historic Fort Worth Stockyards District.

Here, you can try to escape the Cowtown Cattle Pen Maze, watch the famous Stockyards cattle drive through the city (twice a day!) and even catch a rodeo in the massive arena.

For a festive twist, why not attend the annual Christmas rodeo? Or a Stockyards history tour and pub crawl, where you can learn about its past over a cold beer.

The Stockyards is also home to an extensive range of stores and restaurants, so be sure to pick out the perfect cowboy hat (and boots!) during your visit.

The Fort Worth Stockyards is at 131 E Exchange Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76164. This Fort Worth Highlights Tour will take you to the Stockyards.

2- Spend Time In Sundance Square

Sundance Square is not only the heart of the city of Fort Worth but also a cultural, artistic and culinary hub.

Some businesses in or around Sundance Square include AMC Palace 9 Theater, Bass Performance Hall, Circle Theater, Del Frisco’s Grille, Hyena’s Comedy Club and Istanbul Grill.

Around Christmas, the square is home to a stunning Christmas tree and festive lighting.

Sundance Square is at 420 Main St, Fort Worth, TX 76102. Join the Fort Worth Highlights tour to explore Sundance Square and other iconic spots.

3- Get Inspired By Art At The Modern

The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (also known as The Modern) was founded in 1892 and opened to the public in 2002.

Over 3,000 pieces of art call this museum home, including works by artists such as Peter Blake, Richard Haas and Jeff Koons.

The museum specialises in international modern and contemporary art.

The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth is at 3200 Darnell St, Fort Worth, TX 76107.

4- Party At Billy Bob’s Texas

Billy Bob’s Texas is a country nightclub located in the Fort Worth Stockyards that is the self-proclaimed “World’s Largest Honky Tonk”, with 100,000 square feet (9290 sqm) of space.

‘What is a honky tonk?’ According to the Oxford dictionary, a honky tonk is a “cheap or disreputable bar”.

While the first part of that statement may be true, Billy Bob’s is arguably the most reputable fun night out in the area.

Practice some basic two-stepping before you go to have the best experience.

Billy Bob’s is at 2520 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth, TX 76164. Book your tickets here.

5- Visit The Fort Worth Museum of Science & History

The Fort Worth Museum of Science & History opened in 1945 as the Fort Worth Children’s Museum and was to its current location in 1954, changing its name in 1968.

The museum includes the Noble Planetarium, the Omni Theater, DinoLabs, the Galaxy Park Playground and the Star Cafe.

It’s known for its hands-on, interactive approach to education and is guaranteed to be entertaining and informative to guests of every age.

Fort Worth Museum of Science & History is at 1600 Gendy St, Fort Worth, TX 76107.

6- See The Exhibits At The National Cowgirl Museum

The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame was established to pay tribute to the brave and extraordinary women of the Old West.

Some permanent galleries include the Hall of Fame Honoree Gallery, the Into the Arena Gallery, The Kinship with the Land Gallery, and the Claiming the Spotlight Gallery.

A rotating gallery has hosted exhibits such as No Glitz, No Glory, Texas Flags and The Cowgirl Who Became A Justice: Sandra Day O’Connor, as well as works of the famous painter Georgia O’Keefe.

National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is at 1720 Gendy St, Fort Worth, TX 76107.

7- Step Back Into History At Log Cabin Village

Log Cabin Village is a recreation of a typical Texas 19th-century village using cabins that date back to the 1800s and have since been restored.

The village opened to the public in 1966 and has multiple staged cabins, a schoolhouse and a blacksmith shop.

Actors roam the village, explaining and demonstrating how life would have been for villagers during the 19th century.

The Log Cabin Village is at 2100 Log Cabin Village Ln, Fort Worth, TX 76109.

8- Explore the Trinity Trails

The Trinity Trails include 70 miles of trails alongside the picturesque Trinity River.

These trails are available for joggers, bikers, hikers and horseback riders, allowing multiple different means of transport to view the charming natural beauty of the river and its surroundings.

Some areas you can access via the Trinity Trails are Downtown, the Texas Christian University Campus, the Zoo, the Stockyards and the Cultural District.

During the warmer months, check out Backwoods Paddlesports for kayaks, canoes and paddleboards to use on the river for a day of relaxation.

After a day on the river, stop by the Woodshed Smokehouse for a refreshing beer, live music and background games.

The Trinity Trails can be accessed at many different points, one of these being Trinity Park Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76107.

9- Get A Rush At iFly Fort Worth

Thrill seekers will enjoy the iFly of Fort Worth experience of the rush of indoor skydiving in a wind tunnel.

The experience lasts less than two hours and anyone age three and up (with restrictions on height and weight) can fly.

iFly Fort Worth is at 663 NE Loop 820, Hurst, TX 76053. Skip the line and reserve your tickets here.

10- Experience An Escape Room Adventure

In recent years, escape rooms have taken Texas by storm, popping up in every major city (and almost every smaller city too).

Luckily, this means there are many diverse options and themes.

The Secret Chambers Escape Room in Fort Worth includes The Train Heist Adventure, The Mafia Adventure, The Witch’s Tower Adventure, and a Rage Room.

Other popular escape rooms in Fort Worth are Mind Maze LLC (with their Mad Scientist, Secret Agent, and Wild Wild West Rooms) and EscapeXperience (with their Lock Me If You Can Adventure).

11- Join A Cowtown Cycle Party

The Cowtown Cycle Party is a 16-person bring your own beer (BYOB) bike that tours the sights of Southside and Downtown Fort Worth.

The bike is pedal powered (with the assistance of a pedal-power motor), and so this is a fun and quirky way to get some exercise, get your booze on and experience all of the city’s top spots.

Groups of 8-16 adults can rent the bike for a two-hour tour with a provided driver.

All attendees must be 21+ with valid identification if you wish to drink aboard. For a non-alcohol trip, riders must be 18+.

Cowtown Cycle Party is at 129 W Leuda St, Fort Worth, TX 76104.

12- See The Animals At SeaQuest

If the Fort Worth Zoo doesn’t satisfy your appetite for the majestic creatures of this world, consider checking out those from the deep blue at SeaQuest Fort Worth.

SeaQuest is home to 1,500 species, including stingrays, sloths, reef sharks and tropical fish.

The interactive attraction allows you to feed many animals, so check out their schedule for feeding times.

SeaQuest Fort Worth is at 1974 Green Oaks Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76116.

13- Watch A Movie At Coyote Drive-In Theater

Be transported into the past (without missing anything from the present) at the classic Coyote Drive-In Theater that plays all of the most recently released movies.

The drive-in is a popular attraction for locals and a unique way to go to the movies.

Ticket prices are also only $8 for adults and $5 for kids (with a special offer on Wednesdays where everyone only pays $5), which makes the Drive-In an affordable alternative to traditional movie theatres.

The Coyote Drive-In Theater is at 223 NE 4th St, Fort Worth, TX 76164.

14- Have Fun At Free Play Arcade

Free Play Arcade provides a refreshing, modern twist on the classic arcade experience.

Here, you can enjoy a thirst-quenching cocktail on the patio, eat dinner with family and friends, and play the night away on an incredible range of arcade games.

Classic games include pinball, Ms Pac-Man, Mortal Kombat, Big Buck Hunter and Guitar Hero.

Everyone is guaranteed to find a game they love, from the kids to grandma.

Free Play Arcade is at 1311 Lipscomb St, Fort Worth, TX 76104.

15- Watch The Racing Cars At Texas Motor Speedway

The track of the Texas Motor Speedway measures 1.5 miles and includes two 20-degree turns (turns 1 and 2) and two 24-degree turns (turns 3 and 4).

Some major events hosted at this track include the NASCAR Cup Series, the NASCAR Infinity Series, and the IndyCar Series.

The Speedway has earned the nickname of “The Great American Speedway” as it is one of the largest motorsports venues in the world (able to host 200,000 spectators), proving that everything truly is bigger in Texas.

The Texas Motor Speedway is at 3545 Lone Star Cir, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

16- Admire Famous Artworks At Kimbell Art Museum

The Kimbell Art Museum has an impressive range of artworks spanning multiple periods and styles.

Some notable artists displayed within this museum include Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Edgar Degas.

The museum recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and hosts special events throughout 2022 to honour its Golden Anniversary.

Check the museum website for information about its constantly rotating exhibits alongside the permanent collection.

The Kimbell Art Museum is at 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107.

17- See The Animals At Fort Worth Zoo

If you’re looking for fun for the entire family, look no further than the Fort Worth Zoo.

The zoo has a plentiful choice of different restaurants and gift shops, as well as attractions such as the Country Carousel, Wild West Shooting Gallery, and the Hall of Wonders.

Some animals housed by the zoo include rhinos, hippos, meerkats, king cobras, elephants, kangaroos and flamingos.

The Fort Worth Zoo is at 1989 Colonial Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76110.

18- Stroll Around Fort Worth Botanic Garden

Take a stroll in the peaceful beauty of nature at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.

The garden is one of the largest botanical research centres in the United States and spans 120 acres (48 ha).

The Fort Worth Botanic garden is also the oldest significant botanic garden in Texas and was created in 1934.

There are 23 specialty gardens, including a tropical conservatory, a Japanese garden (with koi-filled pools) and a forest boardwalk.

Fort Worth Botanic Garden is at 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107.

19- Find Serenity In The Japanese Garden

The Fort Worth Japanese Garden is a magical expanse of 7.5 acres (3 ha) filled with gorgeous cherry trees, stunning Japanese maple trees and towering bamboo.

The scene is complemented by lovely bridges and ponds filled with over 1,200 koi.

The garden blooms mainly in the spring, as plants and flowers are seasonal.

The Fort Worth Japanese Garden is at 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107.

20- Relax In The Fort Worth Water Gardens

Matching the Botanic Garden in beauty, even if not in size, the Fort Worth Water Gardens are composed of three pools of water: the aerating pool, the quiet pool, and the active pool.

The gardens are open year-round, regardless of weather, and often are the site of special occasions such as proposals and wedding photography.

Consider seeing other sights, such as Sundance Square, while in the area and stopping for a snack at a nearby restaurant.

Fort Worth Water Gardens is at 1502 Commerce St, Fort Worth, TX 76102.