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Fort Worth, Texas

Fort Worth is in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. With a population of approximately 661,000 it is Texas' 5th largest city. It is part of the Dallas/Fort Worth-Arlington metroplex, which has a population exceeding 5.7 million. Sometimes referred to as Cowtown, it is by far closer to its cowboy roots than neighboring Dallas.

Understand

Fort Worth grew from a military camp established at the close of the Mexican War by Gen. Winfield Scott, and named for Gen. William Jenkins Worth who fought in the war. Forty-two men of Company F, 2nd Dragoons, established the camp on June 6, 1849. The Fort Worth to Yuma, AZ, stage line was established in 1850. The city became the seat of Tarrant County 1860, and after the Civil War, it became a major shipping and supply depot for cattlemen.

Climate

Fort Worth
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See Fort Worth's 7 day forecast
Metric conversion
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Get in

By plane

All the major American carriers, and many international ones as well, provide scheduled passenger service into the 1 Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW IATA), located exactly 17 miles from downtown Fort Worth. This airport is one of three major hubs for American Airlines. American Airlines is also headquartered in Fort Worth.

By train

The 2 Fort Worth Intermodal Transportation Center at 1001 Jones St is the central hub for Amtrak inter-city trains and TRE commuter trains, along with Greyhound inter-city bus service and local bus service provided by the T. TRE trains also serve the more historic 3 T&P Station at 1600 Throckmorton St on the south side of downtown.

Amtrak's Texas Eagle provides daily service between Chicago, Illinois and San Antonio, Texas with stops in Fort Worth and Dallas. Also, Amtrak's Heartland Flyer provides daily service between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City, and points in between. Woefully underfunded, passenger train service in the United States is a slow but scenic way to travel, if you aren't too concerned about arriving on time.

Alternately, arrive from Dallas or DFW Airport by way of the commuter rail system known as the Trinity Railway Express (TRE). Ticket prices and maps can be found at the TRE website, and can provide a stress-free way to navigate between the cities during heavy traffic hours.

By car

Fort Worth may be easily reached via I-20 or I-30 from the east or west, or by I-35W from the north or south. I-35 splits into two branches north of the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area, the west branch going to Fort Worth and the east branch (I-35E) to Dallas. The branches rejoin to the south.

Car Rental Companies include:

By bus

Get around

Mass transit

Buses and trains link many areas of town over mid-range distances. Trinity Rail Express has commuter train service between downtown Fort Worth, DFW Airport and downtown Dallas. Service is Monday through Saturday. No scheduled services on Sundays and most major holidays.

Molly the Trolley bus service provides local public transportation in areas like downtown Fort Worth, the Historic Stockyards, and to Sundance Square during lunchtime. Hours of operation vary by route.

By bike

  • Forth Worth B-cycle. Bike sharing program with stations throughout downtown. $8/24 hours; $15/3 days; $20/week. 

See

Tarrant County Courthouse, Fort Worth

Museums

  • 1 Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, ☏ +1 817 332-8451. A collection of artwork that ranges from 3000 BC to the mid-1900's. Although the collection is small, it boasts such big names as Matisse, Goya, Mondrian and Picasso, among others. The museum building itself is a highlight of architectural modernism, designed by American architect Louis Kahn. 
  • 2 Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, 3200 Darnell St, ☏ +1 817 738-9215. The museum, located in an imposing, appropriately modern building, houses a large permanent collection and hosts many important traveling exhibitions. The buiding is designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando. 
  • 3 Amon Carter Museum, 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd, ☏ +1 817-738-1933. Extensive collection of American art and photography featuring many works by Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russel. 
  • The National Cowboys of Color Museum, 3400 Mount Vernon Ave, ☏ +1 817 534-8801. Highlights the historical influence of non-White cowboys in Texas. 
  • 5 C.R. Smith Aviation Museum, 4601 Hwy. 360, ☏ +1 817 967-1560. All you could ever want to know about the history of American Airlines. Great for kids, as it includes hands-on, interactive exhibits. 
  • 6 Stockyards Museum, 131 E. Exchange Ave, ☏ +1 817 625-5082. Located in the 1902 Livestock Exchange Building, this museum showcases the history of Forth Worth. 

Attractions

  • 8 Sundance Square. Is 20 blocks of shops, bars & restaurants, brick-paved sidewalks and historic buildings. Well lit and popular with tourists and locals, Sundance Square is frequently the center for outdoor events such as concerts and art festivals. 
  • 9 Bass Performance Hall. A state-of-the-art venue presenting concerts, musicals, and theatrical performances throughout the year. 
  • 10 Fort Worth Stockyards. Just north of the downtown area is the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, where you'll find Texas style nightlife at bars like Billy Bob's. The Stockyards are also home to a weekly rodeo. Held every Friday and Saturday evening, and billed as the "World's First Indoor Rodeo," it attracts competitors from around the country [1]. The Stockyards is also home to Riscky's Barbeque, considered by locals to be the best barbeque in the area. 
Downtown convention center
  • 11 The Fort Worth Zoo, 1989 Colonial Parkway, ☏ +1 817-759-7555. M-F 10AM-5PM and Sa,Su 10AM-6PM. Come see the animals and interactive exhibits. $7 to $10.50. (Wednesdays are half-price). 
  • 12 The Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, ☏ +1 817-871-7686. The sprawling gardens includes a large flower garden, lawn, indoor tropical forest, and a beautiful Japanese garden. Admission: Free, Japanese garden $3.. 

Do

The Modern Art Museum
  • Fort Worth Cats Baseball, ☏ +1 817 226-2287. For a unique baseball experience, catch a Cats game at LaGrave Field, located just west of downtown. Ticket prices and parking are substantially less expensive than those at a Texas Rangers game, and LaGrave Field is a quaint throwback to the small ballparks of the early to mid 20th century. Seats 4,500 patrons and features a pavilion, boxed seating and excellent food. 
  • Burnett Park (Lamar and Texas streets). Located on land donated by cattle baron Samuel Burk Burnett, features sculptures, pools, and granite walkways. Vast green parks and surrounding network of major lakes offer abundant opportunities for water sports and outdoor recreation. 
  • MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts Festival. Ranked 8th in the country by the Art Fair Source Book and the Harris List, and number one in Texas, MAIN ST. hosts tens of thousands of people annually during the four-day visual arts, entertainment and cultural event. MAIN ST. showcases a nationally recognized fine art and fine craft juried art fair, live concerts, performance artists and street performers on the streets of downtown Fort Worth-stretching nine blocks on Main Street from the Tarrant County Courthouse to the Fort Worth Convention Center. (Free) 
  • Sundance Square Parade of Lights. Late November. Watch colorful illuminated floats, beautiful antique cars, marching bands, equestrian units, horse-drawn carriages and a cast of delightful characters dressed in their holiday best. The unforgettable parade and an annual visit from Santa Claus and his elves will make the Sundance Square Parade of Lights a fun-filled holiday experience for the entire family! Free. 
  • TCU Horned Frogs. The sports teams representing Texas Christian University, have successfully branded themselves in recent years as "Fort Worth's team". The Frogs are best known for their football program, a rising national power in the first part of this century. TCU now competes in the Big 12 Conference. Most of TCU's athletic venues are on campus, with the best-known being Amon G. Carter Stadium (football) and Daniel–Meyer Coliseum (basketball). 

Learn

Eat

Budget

  • Angelo's Bar-B-Que, 2533 White Settlement Rd, ☏ +1 817 332-0357. Mon - Sat, 11:00A - 10:00P.. Tied with Railhead (below) for the best BBQ in the southwest. A Fort Worth classic. This is in an old wooden barn, which adds a great atmosphere to the dining experience. The pork ribs were very tasty and the large cold beers were particularly nice. They actually bbq on premises which some of the other place don't. It's about a 5 min drive out of the downtown area. 
  • Railhead Smokehouse, 2900 Montgomery St, ☏ +1 817 738-9808. Mon-Sat 11AM-9PM. Tied with Angelo's for the best BBQ in the southwest. 
  • Fuzzy's Taco Shop, Two locations: 2917 W Berry and 2719 Race St. M-W 10:30AM-midnight, Th 10:30AM-1AM, Fr-Sa 10:30AM-3AM, Su 10:30AM-8PM. Excellent taco dive - lots of food for cheap, great fish tacos, late hours, cheap drinks, all without leaving the affluent TCU area. 
  • Kincaid's, Two locations: 4901 Camp Bowie Blvd and 4825 Overton Ridge Blvd. Mon-Sat 11AM-6PM. Texas's (perhaps America's) best burgers. Original Camp Bowie location is in a kitschy old grocery story. 
  • The Love Shack, 110 Exchange Ave (In The Stockyards), ☏ +1 817 740-8812. Sun-Tues: 11AM-9PM, Wed-Th: 11AM-10PM, Fri-Sat:11AM-11PM. Excellent Unique Hamburger created my celebrity Ft. Worth chef, Tim Love. Daily Flavored Milk Shakes. Live music. (Possible Cover Charge on Weekends) Cash Only. 

Mid-range

  • Nonna Tata, 1400 W. Magnolia Ave. Lunch Tue-Th 11AM-3PM, Dinner Mon-Thu 5:30PM-9PM, Fri 5:30PM-10PM. Certainly one of Fort Worth's smallest restaurants, Nonna Tata is also one of its best. With only 21 seats indoors and another 30 outdoors, the restaurant fills up early and often develops long waits on weekends. Absolutely amazing authentic Italian food, with a menu that changes weekly and amiable service. BYOB, cash only, no reservations. $15-30. 
  • Central Market, 4651 West Freeway, ☏ +1 817 989-4700. 7AM-9PM Daily. DFW's best gourmet grocery also has a formidable cafe attached, with amazing, huge custom sandwiches, cheap and great pizzas and international noodle dishes made for you, a mind-boggling prepared food section and $15 meals for two bagged and ready to go. Any kind of food you could want, done extremely well, for grocery story prices, plus a generous selection of wine and beer. $5-15. 
  • Chef Point Cafe, 5901 Watauga Rd., ☏ +1 817 656-0080. Mo-Th 11AM-9PM, Sat 7AM-10PM, Sun 11AM-8PM. Fine dining in a Conoco station. 
  • Fred's Texas Cafe, 915 Currie St, ☏ +1 817 332-0083. Mon-Sat 10AM-midnight, Sunday Brunch. The "Outlaw Chef" cooks genuine Southern/Texican food in one of the most unique and exciting ways you'll find in Fort Worth. Super laid-back setting, with genuine Texas food and genuine Texas music. Happy hour before 6 and whenever it's raining. $8-12. 
  • Hunter Brothers' H3 Ranch, 109 E Exchange Ave, ☏ +1 817 624-1246. For the cowboy tourist. A strong cowtown theme predominates in this Stockyards-area steakhouse. Come for the atmosphere first, the food second. $18-30. 
  • Joe T. Garcia's, 2201 N. Commerce St., ☏ +1 817 626-4356. A Fort Worth legend, dine family style in a large converted mansion or in its beautiful expansive gardens with lush vegetation and calming pools; choose from one of two menu options nightly. There is frequently a line around the block in good weather, so arrive early or be prepared to wait. Great margaritas. Cash only (ATM on site). 
  • La Familia, 841 Foch St., ☏ +1 817-870-2002. M-F 11AM-10PM, Sat 10AM-10PM, Closed Sunday. Mexican restaurant locally renowned for their excellent Tex-Mex and friendly owner (Al) and staff. 
  • King Tut, 1512 West Magnolia Ave., ☏ +1 817 335-3051. M-F 11AM-2PM & 5PM-9PM, Sat 5PM-9PM, Closed Sunday. Egyptian Restaurant with excellent Middle Eastern cuisine. 
  • Piranah Killer Sushi, 335 W 3rd St., ☏ +1 817 438-0206. The best sushi in Fort Worth, downtown. 
  • Spiral Diner, 1314 W. Magnolia, ☏ +1 817 3-EATVEG (328834). Tue-Sat 11AM-10PM, Sun 11AM-5PM. The only strictly vegan restaurant in Fort Worth, Spiral Diner has an eclectic menu that will not let you down on taste. One of Fort Worth's finest restaurants regardless of dietary restriction. 
  • Uncle Julio's, 5301 Camp Bowie Blvd, ☏ +1 817 377-2777. Excellent and diverse Tex-Mex menu, friendly staff, decent happy hour before 6PM. $8-$30. 

Splurge

  • Bonnell's, 4259 Bryant Irvin Rd, ☏ +1 817 738-5489. Lunch Tue-Fri 11AM-2:30PM, Dinner Tue-Sat 5:30PM-9:30PM. Award-winning chef Jon Bonnell's southwest-themed masterpiece. 
  • Del Frisco's Steakhouse, 812 Main St, ☏ +1 817 877-3999. M-Th 5-10PM; F-Sat 5-11PM; Sun. 5-9PM. One of the finest steakhouses in the world, with an excellent wine list. It is, however, extremely expensive, and you will have to wait a little while even if you have a reservation. Don't come here for anything other than steak, but if you are looking for steak, it is hard to beat. $50+. 
  • Lanny's Alta Cocina Mexicana, 3405 W. 7th St, ☏ +1 817 850-9996. Lunch Tue-Fri 11:30AM-2PM, Dinner Tue-Sat 5:30PM-10PM. Merges the finest of high-class Mexican dining with the most refined New American aesthetic for an unparalleled culinary experience. The most interesting and diverse wine cellar in the city. $60++. 
  • Reata Restaurant, 310 Houston St, ☏ +1 817 336-1009. Lunch 11:30AM-2:30PM, Dinner 5PM to 10:30PM daily. One of the most widely acclaimed restaurants in Texas, and one of the first to bring "Cowboy cuisine" to the forefront of the refined American palate. Online reservation system. 
  • Sapristi, 2418 Forest Park, ☏ +1 817 924-7231. Dinner Tue-Sat, Brunch Sun. Eclectic Continental fare makes for some of the best dining in Fort Worth. 
  • Saint-Emilion, 3617 W 7th St, ☏ +1 817 737-2781. Tue-Sat 6PM-9PM. The best French country food in Fort Worth, and a cozy dining experience. $25-$50. 
  • Vidalia's, 222 Main St., ☏ +1 817 210-2222. 6AM-10PM Daily. Located inside the Renaissance Worthington, this high-end establishment fuses traditional upscale Southern and Cowboy cuisine in a remarkably low-key fine dining establishment. 

Drink

  • J&J Blues Bar, 937 Woodward St, ☏ +1 817 870-2337. For the real Texas experience, this place is amazing. Live music and good energy. 
  • The Ginger Man, 3716 Camp Bowie Blvd. Extremely laid-back beer pub with around 70 beers on tap and well over a hundred in bottles. Decent prices, Large indoor and outdoor seating area, and you can actually relax and have a conversation with friends without shouting. 
  • Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, 111 E 4th St, ☏ +1 817 336-7468. The gameroom offers a place to play a game of pool, chess or darts. The shiny, faux-rock floor throughout is enhanced by the vast collection of vintage dinnerware adorning every wall. They have the largest selection of beer (225 varieties) around. Menu selections include Creamy Beer Cheese Soup, the Build-Your-Own Sausage and Cheese Plate, spicy sausage quesadillas and traditional bratwurst with German potato salad. 
  • 1 Chat Room Pub (The Chat), 1263 West Magnolia, ☏ +1 817 922-8319. 3PM-2AM. Good drink selection in a chilled atmosphere. 
  • The Usual, 1408 W. Magnolia Ave, ☏ +1 817 810-0114. A high-end craft cocktail bar popular with the hip Magnolia Avenue set. A somewhat mixed, gay-friendly spot with very modern decor and a nice but small patio out back. This is the place to go for expensive but very well-mixed takes on the classics, and an inspired cocktail menu. Try the Montpelier, which mixes bourbon, smoked maple syrup, Jamaican rum, and Italian vermouth. 

Sleep

Budget

Mid-range

  • Radisson Fort Worth South, 100 East Alta Mesa Blvd (Five miles from Downtown Fort Worth), ☏ +1 817 293-3088. Three star hotel with amenities including indoor heated pool, restaurant, lounge, room service, fitness room, and business center. 

Splurge

  • The Ashton, 610 Main St, ☏ +1 817 332-0100. Well-liked luxury hotel in a renovated historical building. Very helpful, attentive staff. $250. 
  • Hilton Fort Worth, 815 Main St, ☏ +1 817 870-2100. A clean, quiet place to stay, with good service. The building and decor could use an update. $95. 
  • Renaissance Worthington, 200 Main St, ☏ +1 817 870-1000. The city's only 4-diamond hotel, since opening in 1981 with all the expected amenities. Especially well-regarded for efficient yet friendly staff. $199. 

Lockheed Martin Plant

Options ideal for travel to the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics plant: 200 N Grants Ln, adjacent to the Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base (JRB, formerly Carswell Air Force Base):

  • Hampton Inn, 2700 S Cherry Ln (2 miles from plant), ☏ +1 817-560-4180. Clean, good breakfast buffet. 
  • Holiday Inn Express, 2730 Cherry Ln (2 miles from plant), ☏ +1 817-560-4200. 
  • Residence Inn by Marriott, 1701 S University Dr (adjacent to Trinity Park and riverfront walking path, 7.2 miles from plant), ☏ +1 817-870-1011. 
  • Spring Hill Suites, 3250 Lovell Ave (Off University Drive, approximately 6.8 miles from plant), ☏ +1 817-878-2554. 

Connect

Good Cellular phone coverage by all major providers throughout the city and all major roadways. Internet hot-spots available at most Starbucks Coffee locations, DFW Airport, and FedEx Kinko's offices.

Daily newspaper:

Stay safe

As with any other large city, be vigilant in Fort Worth. The city's central arts and entertainment district is well policed, however, as so long as you make sure you lock your car and hide any valuables inside, all that you need is a little extra awareness of your surroundings. The city's freeways can be quite dangerous if you are not accustomed to driving in such high volumes of rapidly moving traffic; keep this in mind when you are planning a trip.

Cope

Gym workout

  • 24 Hour Fitness and LA Fitness (which now includes Ballys) have many locations throughout the area. If you have a regular membership with either of them from back home your membership is good here. Note that some memberships are only good for one location and will cost extra to access a different gym/club than the one you normally go to at home. Ask before leaving. Otherwise day passes range from $10 - $20. Bring a lock and towel.

Go next

  • Mineral Wells, home to Lake Mineral Wells State Park
  • Bridgeport, 30 miles to the northwest has a nice lake for boating and fishing.
  • Weatherford, 20 miles west of downtown Fort Worth.
  • Grapevine has a nice historic main street area and numerous wineries.
  • Glen Rose 50 miles southwest has Dinosaur Valley State Park and Fossil Rim Wildlife Center.
Routes through Fort Worth
Oklahoma City ← Gainesville ←  N  S  → END
St. Louis ← Dallas ←  NE  SW  → Temple → San Antonio
Midland ← Weatherford ←  W  E  → Arlington → Dallas
Midland ← Weatherford Template:Ltarrow Merges into ←  W  E  → Arlington → Dallas
Oklahoma City ← Denton ←  N  S  → Hillsboro → Waco
Chickasha ← Decatur ←  N  S  → END
Wichita Falls ← Decatur ←  N  S  → Arlington → Beaumont
Del Rio ← Granbury ←  S  N  → Denton → Stroud



This city travel guide to Fort Worth is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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