22 Best Things to Do in Fort Worth, Texas

By VI Staff on January 7, 2020

Fort Worth, Texas is a vibrant city with an impressive selection of things to see and do. Best things to do in Fort Worth, TX for couples include the Kimbell Art Museum, an Opera or Symphony Orchestra performance at Bass Hall, The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and Sundance Square. Fun family attractions in Fort Worth, TX include the Fort Worth Zoo and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.

1. Fort Worth Botanic Garden

Established in 1934 and located on Botanic Garden Boulevard, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden is the oldest botanic garden in Texas and features over 2,500 species of native and exotic plants in 21 specialty gardens. Some of these beautifully manicured gardens include a “Back Yard Vegetable Garden,” a beautiful vegetable garden that hosts a variety of community-based educational programs, a 10,000-square-foot conservatory which houses tropical species such as orchids and bromeliads, and a unique Fragrance Garden that the visually-impaired can enjoy.

The Fort Worth Botanic Garden is one of the best things to do in Fort Worth for families and couples. Special gardens include the 7-acre Fort Worth Japanese Garden with koi ponds, bridges, waterfalls, pavilions, a Zen Garden, and a teahouse, as well as the Lower Rose Garden, which was inspired by an ancient villa in Italy. An admission fee is charged for the Conservatory and Japanese Garden; the other gardens are free.

3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, Phone: 817-392-5510

2. Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Fort Worth Stockyards is a historic district in the heart of Fort Worth as well as a testament to the livestock industry in Texas. Once the last major stop for rest and supplies for the cattle drovers heading the cattle up the Chisholm Trail to the railheads, Fort Worth served as a major center for the livestock industry with the Fort Worth Stockyards at its center.

Today, the 98-acre (40 ha) district celebrates this long and historical tradition with a variety of attractions focused on the cattle industry for the public to enjoy, from championship rodeo and Longhorn cattle drives to gunslinger shows and stagecoaches.

500 N.E. 23rd Street, Fort Worth, TX, Phone: 817-626-7921

3. Kimbell Art Museum

The Kimbell Art Museum is a comprehensive art museum that houses a small, but superb collection of 350 works of art, as well as an extensive research library and various educational programs. Designed by renowned architect Louis I. Kahn, the building is recognized as a significant work of architecture, particularly for the natural, silvery light that flows across the vaulted gallery ceilings.

The museum’s collection consists of European works from the classical period, including Gainsborough, Fra Angelico, and Mantegna, as well as antiquities from Egypt, Greece, and Rome. An Asian collection features paintings, sculptures bronzes, and ceramics while famous works by Picasso, Monet, Matisse, and Mondrian make for a special treat. The museum boasts a substantial research library that consists of nearly 60,000 books, periodicals, and auction catalogs, resources that are readily available to faculty members, graduate students, and art historians.

3333 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas, Phone: 817-332-8451

4. Fort Worth Zoo

Established in 1909 with only a few animals to show, the Fort Worth Zoo has since transformed into a nationally ranked facility and is now home to over 7,000 native and exotic animals in a variety of habitats. Texas’ oldest zoo has more than 16 permanent exhibits, including Texas Wild! – An eight-acre complex that houses seven distinct exhibits related to the fauna and flora of Texas.

Other habitats and exhibits include Raptor Canyon, World of Primates, Meerkat Mounds, Parrot Paradise, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Museum of Living Art (MOLA). The zoo features state-of-the-art facilities, as well as pleasant walkways, shade structures, walkways, picnic areas, and some food outlets.

1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas, Phone: 817-759-7555

5.Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall

The Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall provides a state-of-the-art location for the various major performing arts organizations of Fort Worth, as well as a premiere venue for other events, shows, and attractions for the public to enjoy.

The Hall is home to resident companies, including the Fort Worth Opera and Symphony Orchestra, the Cliburn, and the Texas Ballet Theater, and it hosts a range of traveling performance throughout the year. If you are looking for romantic date night ideas in Fort Worth, watch a performance at the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall. The owners of Bass Hall, Performing Arts Fort Worth, offer educational and community-based projects at no cost to children in grades one through twelve to inspire and encourage an interest in the arts.

4th and Calhoun Streets, Fort Worth, Texas, Phone: 817-212-4325

6. Cowtown Cycle Party

Cowtown Cycle Party offers a unique and fun way to experience Fort Worth. The Cowtown Cycle Party is a multi-seated bar on wheels that can be rented by groups of up to 16 people who can ride around town, check out all the best attractions, and make new friends at the same time.

There are no set routes on the two-hour tour, but it often covers popular areas of the city such as Sundance Square Plaza, Magnolia Avenue, and the Fort Worth Water Garden, where you can experience a variety of historical and cultural points of interest, beautiful architecture, and an array of restaurants, bars, and cafés.

565 South Lake Street, Fort Worth, Texas, Phone: 682-422-9253

7.Sundance Square

Spanning 35 blocks in Downtown Fort Worth, Sundance Square is one of the finest entertainment and shopping districts in the Southwest. Made up of over 40 buildings both modern and historic that house an array of entertainment, retail, and dining venues, the Square offers myriad things to see and do, from enjoying casual coffee in a sunny courtyard to fine dining in an elegant restaurant.

Home to a range of museums and art galleries, the Square also allows visitors to enjoy live music, live theater, and other outdoor and indoor events that are held there throughout the year. Sundance Square also offers a range of business and hospitality services, including financial, health, and personal services.

8. Velvet Taco

Velvet Taco is a forward-thinking taqueria with excellent food, sublime margaritas, and late night hours. Offering all-time Mexican favorites such as handmade tortillas and tacos made with real corn and packed with pulled, slow-roasted chicken, pure beef burgers, shrimp and grits and freshly-made salad accompanied by a range of handcrafted margaritas and sangrias using fresh fruit and sorbets, Velvet Taco is the go-to place for early diners and late-night revelers alike. Grab a whole rotisserie chicken with delicious sides of nachos, roasted potatoes or crisp tots for a night in with friends. Next read; TX beaches

2700 W. Seventh St., Fort Worth, Texas, Phone: 817-887-9810

9. Things to Do in Fort Worth: Amon Carter Museum of American of Art

The Amon Carter Museum of American Art is dedicated to showcasing masterpieces of American art through a diverse array of exhibitions, displays, programs, and publications. Established by Amon G. Carter Sr. over 60 years ago to house his collection of paintings and sculptures by Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell, the museum has since become a tribute to the finest examples of American art.

The permanent collection is made up of paintings, sculptures, illustrated books, photographs, and works on paper, and the museum showcases a range of temporary exhibitions throughout the year. The Amon Carter Museum of American of Art is one of the best things to do in Fort Worth for art lovers. Complementing the museum’s excellent art collection is a research library that offers an extensive range of materials on American art, photography, and history from the early nineteenth century to the present.

3501 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas, Phone: 817-738-1933

10. The Modern

The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth is dedicated to the presentation of artworks from the post–World War II era until today and features over 3,000 objects, ranging from paintings, sculptures, and videos to photographs and prints. Consisting mainly of works collected between between 1945 and the present, the museum’s collection represents genres and international movements such as Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism and Post-Minimalism, Conceptualism, and American Pop, with a particular focus on Pop, Minimalism, and German Art.

The museum endeavors to promote understanding and interest in art and the artists behind the masterpieces through an array of outstanding exhibitions, displays, educational programs, classes, lectures, and workshops.

3200 Darnell Street, Fort Worth, Texas, Phone: 817-738-9215

11.Bird Cafe

Located in Sundance Square Plaza, Bird Café is a newly renovated split-level restaurant that serves brunch, lunch, and dinner. Boasting beautiful views over the Plaza with a large outdoor patio, the restaurant offers delicious small plates created by Chef David McMillan, who brings a wealth of experience to the Fort Worth dining scene.

Menu favorites include freshly made soups and salads, Prince Edward mussels, homemade pot pies, and stick meats such as seared sirloin and ahi tuna. A range of non-alcoholic beverages accompanies the menu, including refreshing delights such as basil-lime coolers, Saint Arnold root beer, and house-brewed iced tea.

155 E. 4th and Commerce, Fort Worth, Texas, Phone: 817-332-2473

12.Sid Richardson Museum

Located in the historic Sundance Square, the Sid Richardson Museum features a collection of permanent and special exhibitions of paintings from the American West, including works by premier Western artists such as Charles M. Russell and Frederic Remington. Opened in 1982 to celebrate the extensive collection of Sid Richardson, the museum aims to inspire, educate, and engage audiences through exceptional works that reflect both the romance and reality of the American West.

Other featured artists of the collection include Edwin W. Deming, Peter Hurd, Frank Tenney Johnson, and Peter Moran. The museum welcomes over 40,000, visitors annually, and admission to the museum is free.

309 Main St., Fort Worth, TX, Phone: 817-332-6554

13. Clay Pigeon

Clay Pigeon is a casual restaurant that serves a seasonal, locally sourced menu of delightful made-from-scratch cuisine for lunch and dinner. The expert team of Chef Marcus Paslay and his wife manage the restaurant, and they strive to make everything in-house, from the freshly baked bread to the house-made charcuterie and ice cream.

Menus include small plate dishes such as fire-roasted bone marrow and foie gras torchon, while lamb chops, grilled duck breast, and prime cut steaks serve as some of the delectable main dishes. Enjoy your meal with a handcrafted cocktail or a specially chosen local wine from the comprehensive wine list.

2731 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth, TX, Phone: 817-882-8065

14.Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge (FWNC&R)

The Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge (FWNC&R) is a beautifully preserved wilderness comprised of forests, prairies, and wetlands that offer the public a relaxing environment in which to appreciate nature and the great outdoors. One of the largest city-owned nature centers in the United States, the center spans over 3,600 acres and features over 20 miles of hiking trails for walking, jogging, hiking, and mountain biking.

Bursting with natural fauna and flora, the FWNC&R offers a variety of educational programs for the whole family, including lectures on the natural history of North Central Texas, nature photography classes, guided hikes and canoe trips through the wilderness, and exhilarating evening walks.

9601 Fossil Ridge Road, Fort Worth, TX, Phone: 817-392-7410

15.Doc B’s

What started in 2013 in Chicago as a counter-service grill grew quickly into a mini-chain of elegant table-service modern restaurants, with two in Chicago, three in Florida, and three in Texas. The Fort Worth spot is one of the newest, a lively, bright place with clean lines, a long line of banquettes, and a lovely oval bar topped with stone. The kitchen is visible through the glass. The tables are topped with a butcher block that adds warmth. The walls are decorated with stunning black and white photos of old Chicago. The eclectic menu includes everything from large, complex salads and interesting sandwiches to meatballs and wok bowls. Leave some space for the house Key lime pie.

5253 Marathon Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76107

16.Log Cabin Village, Fort Worth, TX

The Log Cabin Village is a living history museum devoted to the preservation of Texas heritage. The Village consists of six beautifully restored log cabins that date back to the mid-1800s and offer an inside look at life on the nineteenth-century North Texas frontier.

Log cabins are furnished with authentic artifacts to display different aspects of pioneer life, and exhibition structures include a quaint schoolhouse, a water-powered gristmill, a blacksmith shop, and several log home settings surrounding a herb garden. Aiming to encourage an interest in history and build a connection between the present and past through the collection and preservation of artifacts, the Log Cabin Village provides a fantastic sensory experience that should not be missed.

2100 Log Cabin Village Ln., Fort Worth, TX, Phone: 817-392-588

17.Toasted

Toasted is a delightful Fort Worth eatery opened in 2019 by Bob Sinnott, a veteran of restaurant industry favorite chains like Chili's and Macaroni Grill. The cafe and bar is known for its gourmet toast offerings, which are topped with sweet and savory toppings like avocado, banana, cocoa, strawberries, or salmon. All toasts are prepared on house-baked bread, which is also used for savory breakfast and lunch sandwiches like the restaurant's Plucking Good chicken sandwich or veggie-infused Aru-Goo-La-La. Specialty soups, salads, and desserts are also served up throughout the day, along with a menu of locally-roasted coffee and tea beverages. Craft beer, wine, and house cocktails are available to complement all meals.

Toasted Coffee + Kitchen, 2972 Crockett Street, Fort Worth, TX 76107, Phone: 972- 925-0512

18. C.R. Smith Museum

Named after aviation pioneer and former president of American Airlines Cyrus Rowlett Smith, the C.R. Smith Museum was built to honor his accomplishments in the field of aviation. Opened in 1993, the museum’s collection consists of a variety of artifacts on permanent display, the centerpiece of which is the beautifully restored 1940 Douglas DC-3, Flagship Knoxville. The museum also features the Flightlab, and the History Wall, among other exhibits.

The museum hosts special exhibits throughout the year, some of which have included LEGO Travel Adventure, Super Kids Save the World, and Zulu Patrol. In the new theater, visitors can enjoy a screening of the original film An American Journey, which documents the lives of American Airlines/American Eagle personnel and their contributions to the airline industry.

4601 Texas HWY 360 at FAA Rd, Fort Worth, TX, Phone: 817-967-1560

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19.Pho District

Located on 7th Street, Pho District pays homage Vietnamese food by creating a unique culinary fusion which bursts with flavors and regional influences from France, China, India, and South East Asian. The menu features a range of Vietnamese specialties, including Banh Mi, Pho, vermicelli, rice plates, spring rolls, and a special vegan menu. Desserts are sweet and sticky while the happy hour menu offers a variety of small plates and an extensive list of cocktails, wine, and craft beer.

2401 W 7th Street, Fort Worth, TX, Phone: 817-862-9988

20. Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is an outstanding science and history museum that aims to provide the community with an extraordinary learning environment in which visitors can appreciate an array of outstanding geological, biological, and zoological collections.

Designed by famed architects Legoretta + Legoretta of Mexico City, the museum plays host to a range of exhibits such as DinoLabs and DinoDig, Innovation Studios, the Children’s Museum, Energy Blast, and the CattleRaiser’s Museum, as well as interactive, hands-on exhibits like DinoDig, ExploraZone, and KIDSPACE. Visitors can also take in a show at the state-of-the-art IMAX theater and find extensive material for research purposes in the William Green Memorial Library. If you are looking for fun things to do in Fort Worth, Texas with kids, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is a great place to visit.

1600 Gendy Street, Fort Worth, TX

21.Grace, Fort Worth, Texas

Grace offers its patrons an unrivaled dining experience in the heart of Fort Worth. Managed by Adam Jones, the city’s renowned hospitality and service host, the restaurant serves a menu of classic modern American fare. Award-winning Chef Blaine Staniford creates sophisticated dishes with seasonal flavors that emphasize purity and simplicity – think chilled carrot soup or fresh scallops with caviar butter sauce – which are complemented by an outstanding wine list. Relax on the lovely outdoor terrace as you sip handcrafted cocktails and enjoy something from the simple snack menu, or enjoy a bottle of Old and New World wine from the temperature controlled wine cellar.

777 Main Street, Fort Worth, TX, Phone: 817-877-3388

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22.Four Day Weekend

Based in Sundance Square, Four Day Weekend is the longest-running show in the Southwest. This critically-acclaimed, award-winning comedy show runs every Friday and Saturday night at a theater on Houston Street in downtown Fort Worth. It is astoundingly popular and has been voted as one of “Fort Worth’s Greatest Ambassadors.”

The show is linked to a training center, which was founded to nurture and develop a growing interest in the art of improvisation and aims to develop the improvisation skills of all its participants. The show runs for about an hour and 45 minutes with a 15-minute intermission, and the theater has a full bar service; drinks can be enjoyed during the show (Phone: 817-226-4329).

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