Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Fort Worth, TX
Year Listed: 2009
The Stockyards in Fort Worth, Texas.
Credit: Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau
In its youth, Fort Worth was a frontier town, home to the brave and the brawling. Today, it is known as the "City of Cowboys and Culture," shaped by its revitalized downtown, world-renowned cultural arts district and well-preserved Western heritage. This unmistakable mix of historic resources and 21st-century city living appeals to both young and old, distinguishing it as one of the great southwestern urban centers.
The Stockyards
One focal point, the Fort Worth Stockyards, named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, is composed of 15 blocks where visitors can experience the authentic American West. It is a one-of-a-kind location with a variety of attractions that make history come alive. The Stockyards is home to the Fort Worth Herd, the world's only daily cattle drive, where Texas Longhorns are driven down East Exchange Avenue by cowhands in period dress. Rodeo action and Wild West shows take place year-round in the Cowtown Coliseum and live music is featured at Billy Bob's—the largest honky-tonk in the world.
Art & Culture
Another defining aspect of Fort Worth is its renowned cultural institutions. In the cultural district, Museums abound and feature masterpieces from past to present, as well as western heritage and Fort Worth's colorful history. Superlative collections of art can be found at the architecturally significant Amon Carter Museum, the Kimbell Art Museum and the Museum of Modern Art - designed by internationally renowned architects Philip Johnson, Louis Kahnand Tadao Ando, respectively. For a change of pace, the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is not to be missed. It honors women who embody the spirit of the American West, from Annie Oakley and Sacajawea to Laura Ingalls Wilder and Dale Evans. Nearby is the Will Rogers Memorial Center, home to the oldest stock show and rodeo in the country. Additionally, the city is home to the Texas Civil War Museum, which displays more than 3,000 artifacts and 70 flags.
Fort Worth’s thriving downtown area—Sundance Square—is a 35-block entertainment district named for the Western outlaw Sundance Kid, who along with Butch Cassidy, spent time in the city. Strolling the brick-paved streets, visitors can enjoy an interactive architectural view of the past by exploring the many shops, galleries, restaurants, theaters and hotels occupying the turn-of-the-century buildings that line the square.
Interested in visiting Fort Worth? Check out their Convention & Visitors Bureau.
