Searching for the best things to do in Fort Worth, Texas? Look no further! Fort Worth is famous for its cowboy history, but it is also a bustling city with so much to offer!
Although Fort Worth is often overshadowed by its neighbor, Dallas, it’s a destination in its own right and has a small town meets big city vibe that will make anyone feel right at home! The friendly locals will welcome you in, but it’s the unique history, vibrant art scene, mouth-watering food, and endless things to do in Fort Worth that will make you stay!
Enjoy a fabulous night out on the town in Sundance Square or put on your boots and learn about Fort Worth’s roots at the stockyards. Art enthusiasts will enjoy Fort Worth’s world-class museums, history buffs can walk in the footsteps of famous cowboys, and night owls can party all night at the world’s largest honkey tonk. There are always exciting things to do in Fort Worth for everyone!
Whether you’re looking for things to do on a weekend getaway or are just looking for ideas for a unique night out, this list has you covered! Keep reading to discover all of the exciting things to do in Fort Worth, Texas, and see what makes it one of the most vibrant cities in Texas!
15 Best Things to Do in Fort Forth You Shouldn’t Miss
Kimbell Art Museum
Browsing the impressive art collection at the Kimbell Art Museum is one of the best things to do in Fort Worth! Located in the cultural district, this museum is famous for not only its art but also the unique architecture of the two buildings the museum is housed in.
The Kimbell Art Museum features many different types of art. You can find everything from classic Monet and Picasso pieces to African art, unique sculptures, and everything in between! The museum also frequently displays limited-time special exhibitions so you can discover something new every time you visit!
Spending the day at the Kimbell Art Museum is one of the best free things to do in Fort Worth, Texas. Admission to the permanent gallery is free, although special exhibitions require an additional ticket. Before you leave, be sure to stop by the Kimbell Cafe for a light lunch or treat yourself to an afternoon tea fit for royalty.
Fort Worth Water Gardens
The Fort Worth Water Gardens are a unique architectural wonder that can be enjoyed year-round. The gardens are one of the best things to do in Fort Worth for those looking for a unique and refreshing escape in the middle of the city!
Relax at the peaceful blue meditation pool, which features a thin sheet of water quietly flowing down the towering walls and into the pool. The main attraction of the Water Gardens is the active pool. Visitors can walk down sculptural steps to the bottom of the pool and enjoy the power and sounds of the waterfalls flowing in every direction.
Since the gardens were first built in 1972 by renowned architect, Phillip Johnson, they have been an important part of the artistic soul of the city. The Water Gardens are still one of the best Fort Worth, Texas attractions today and shouldn’t be missed. Not to mention, admission is completely free!
Amon Carter Museum of American Art
Designed by the same renowned architect that was behind the Water Gardens, the Amon Carter Museum of American Art is an architectural showpiece and houses some of the best art in the city. A visit here is one of the best things to do in Fort Worth for art lovers!
Since the museum first opened its doors in 1961, it has been a prominent part of Fort Worth’s cultural scene. The museum houses an impressive collection of paintings and sculptures from American artists. You can find everything from western art to modernism, so there is truly something for everyone!
The Amon Carter Museum is one of the many free Fort Worth activities that must be on every visitor’s list. The museum offers many special exhibitions and events throughout the year so be sure to check the website to see what’s going on.
Fort Worth Botanic Gardens
Established in 1934, the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens is the oldest botanic garden in Texas! Today, it is still one of the most popular things to do in Fort Worth and simply can’t be missed by nature lovers!
The Frt Worth Botanic Gardens boasts over 2,500 species of plant life and features many unique specialty gardens. Visit the impressive Japanese garden which features koi ponds and Japanese architecture. Stroll through the charming English-inspired rose garden or be transported to paradise in the 10,000-square-foot rainforest conservatory.
Other attractions include the cactus garden and pollinator pathway where visitors are surrounded by beautiful butterflies. There are many events held at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens throughout the year, including the Japanese festivals in the Japanese Gardens which are held every spring and fall.
National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame
The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is one of the most interesting things to do in Fort Worth, Texas! It is the only museum in the world dedicated to women who exemplify the pioneer spirit of the West.
The museum houses artifacts of famous cowgirls, rodeo stars, and other trailblazing women. Step back to the wild west and learn about famous cowgirls like Annie Oakley. See original saddles, cowgirl clothing, historic photographs, and more as you browse this unique museum.
The National Cowgirl Hall of Fame honors not only cowgirls but past and modern-day women from all backgrounds who have shown extraordinary courage. Big names like Reba McIntire and Miranda Lambert are honored alongside the famous female heroes of the wild west.
Fort Worth Stockyards
They don’t call Fort Worth “Cowtown” for nothing! Once home to the cowboys and cattle drivers that first put Fort Worth on the map during the late 1800s, the Stockyards are now a bustling historic and entertainment district and one of the can’t-miss things to do in Fort Worth!
Take a tour or visit a museum to learn about the history of the Stockyards or watch one of the famous daily cattle drives. Browse the unique collection of shops and pick up some old-fashioned candy or cowboy-themed souvenirs. Sample authentic Texas BBQ or enjoy the unique nightlife at a saloon.
Visiting The Stockyards is one of the best things to do in Fort Worth for kids with fun activities such as the cattle pen maze and petting zoo. There is something for everyone to love at the Stockyards whether you are looking for history, nightlife, or family fun!
Joe T. Garcia’s
Joe T. Garcia’s is way more than just a fantastic Tex-Mex restaurant. It is an institution that attracts both locals, tourists, and even celebrities! Dining at Joe T. Garcias is one of the best things to do in Fort Worth for foodies!
The restaurant first opened its doors in 1935 with a small seating capacity of 17. Today, the restaurant can seat up to 1,000 hungry visitors and there are often long waits to get in the door! Joe T. Garcia’s is where to go to find authentic Fort Worth style Tex-Mex and delicious homemade tortillas.
Keep an eye out for familiar faces while you dine, as Joe T. Garcia’s is a favorite for celebrities that come to town! Even Michael Jackson once dined at this Fort Worth institution. Dinner under the stars on Joe T. Garcia’s patio is one of the most romantic things to do in Fort Worth!
Sundance Square
If you’re looking to find the center of the action in downtown Fort Worth, Sundance Square is for you! Dining, shopping, and strolling around Sundance Square are some of the most essential things to do in Fort Worth!
This 35-square-block entertainment district is packed with endless things to see and do! Dine at one of the high-class restaurants, watch the whimsical water fountain show, visit a museum, or soak up the nightlife at a comedy club or dualling piano bar.
Downtown Fort Worth is a beautiful mix of historic buildings and towering skyscrapers that showcases the blend of old and new. It is a very walkable urban oasis that visitors can easily spend all day getting lost in. Sundance Square is a great place to visit any time of day, but it is one of the best things to do in Fort Worth at night!
Bass Hall
Looking for a classy way to spend an evening? Catching a show at the famous Bass-Hall in Sundance Square is one of the most upscale things to do in Fort Worth, Texas!
Voted one of the top 10 opera houses in the world, the stunning Bass Hall is guaranteed to impress. You’ll know you’re at Bass Hall when you see the iconic giant angels with trumpets carved into the side of the building. The incredible art deco interior will make your jaw drop with impressive marble floors and gold detailing.
Whether you want to catch a classic broadway show, enjoy the musical masterpiece of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, or channel your inner child at the Nutcracker Ballet, there are plenty of shows to choose from! Catching a show at the iconic Bass Hall is one of the most fun things to do in Fort Worth for all ages!
Bureau of Engraving
Learning how money is made at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is one of the most unique things to do in Fort Worth! Here you can learn all about how money is made and even watch it being printed.
Over half of the United State’s currency is printed in Fort Worth, with the other half being printed in Washington DC. Visitors can take a free self-guided tour of the facility. The tour offers a clear view of coins and bills being printed from a suspended walkway right over the production floor.
There are also two floors of interactive exhibits to learn about the history of U.S currency and interesting facts about how money has changed throughout the years. After touring, pick up unique money-themed souvenirs at the gift shop that can’t be found anywhere else.
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
The Modern Art Museum is one of the essential things to see in Fort Worth for art or architecture lovers! It simply cannot be missed especially considering its convenient location nearby the many other museums in the cultural district.
The building itself is a showstopper, with a contemporary facade and reflecting pool. Inside, browse the museum’s collection of thousands of post-WWII artworks. Everything from Andy Warhol classics to unique modern sculptures can be found here.
Spending a day at The Modern Art Museum is one of the best things to do in Fort Worth and should be at the top of every visitor’s list. There are frequently special exhibitions and special events held at The Modern, as the locals call it, so be sure to check the website ahead of time to see what’s new.
Trinity Park
Located in the heart of the city, Trinity Park is an urban oasis and one of the best things to do in Fort Worth, Texas for nature lovers! There are plenty of adventures waiting at Trinity Park for every age group!
Trinity Park encompasses a staggering 232 acres of tranquil nature in the middle of the city. There are over 100 miles of walking and biking trails to explore as you soak in the incredible skyline views. During the summer, bring along a kayak and enjoy a day out on the Trinity River followed by a picnic at one of the park’s many pavilions.
Trinity Park is one of the best things to do in Fort Worth with kids! There are multiple impressive playgrounds, a mini-train, and a duck pond that visitors of all ages will enjoy! Trinity Park is the perfect quick escape from the urban jungle any time of year.
West 7th Street-
After you’ve shopped, dined, and walked until you dropped at Sundance Square, West 7th Street is the next exciting district worth checking out!
West 7th Street is one of the best places to go in Fort Worth if you’re looking for unique shopping and dining options. This 5-block pedestrian village has quickly become one of the trendiest places in the city. It is the perfect place to spend a day for tourists and locals alike!
Catch a movie with a meal at the Movie Tavern, enjoy a relaxing treatment at a spa, or browse the eclectic mix of shops. If you’re looking for the best things to do in Fort Worth to see the city like a local, West 7th Street should be at the top of your list!
Take a Ghost Tour
Getting up close and personal with the city’s undead residents is one of the most unique things to do in Fort Worth at night! Given Fort Worth’s bloody wild-west history, it’s no surprise that many ghosts may have remained!
Whether you are a true believer in the paranormal or just want to hear a unique side of the city’s history, the 90-minute walk through the stockyards at night is sure to make for an entertaining evening! Hear stories of cowboys, shootouts, outlaws, and more as you learn the dark history behind the Stockyard’s most famous residents and landmarks.
Cowtown Winery, The Cadillac Hotel, and Miss Molly’s B&B are just some of the haunted locations the tour includes. Find out why the Stockyards are one of the most haunted places in Texas! The Stockyards Ghost Tours are offered by Cowtown Winery and tickets must be purchased in advance online.
Billy Bob’s Texas
Country music fans and those interested in country music history simply can’t miss the world’s largest honky-tonk! Billy Bob’s Texas is one of the most touristy things to do in Fort Worth, but is worth seeing at least once!
Billy Bob’s is massive at over 100,000 square feet. There are over 30 bar stations to satisfy thirsty customers, a mechanical bull riding station, and a hall of handprints from famous visitors. Look out for the handprints of stars such as Jonny Cash, Ringo Starr, Willie Nelson, and many more!
There are always events going on at Billy Bobs from big-name concerts of every genre to Texas line dancing lessons. Billy Bob’s is one of the best things to do in Fort Worth and is worth a least a short visit for everyone. Whether you are a country music fan or simply want to pop in to see the impressive famous handprint gallery, you won’t be disappointed!
Fort Worth, Texas is a unique city with so much to offer! There are plenty of things to do in Fort Worth for every kind of traveler. We hope this list convinced you to plan a visit to Fort Worth. For more Texas travel inspiration, read our article on the best weekend getaways from Dallas!
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