Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Fort Worth, TX
Year Listed: 2009 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. 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. 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.
The Stockyards in Fort Worth, Texas.
Credit: Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau The Stockyards
Art & Culture
Interested in visiting Fort Worth? Check out their Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Now it's your turn! Share your experiences or impressions of this Distinctive Destination: Unique restaurants, sights, family-friendly activities, hang outs, art galleries... tell visitors what they shouldn't miss!
Submitted by santos at: October 5, 2009
u need more info about fort worth... such as crops,landform,info about it,nd econony...it will help alot of ppl more
Submitted by Frankie at: August 14, 2009
Right now I'm living in Fort Worth. Although there are a few nice pockets in town, there seems to be no control over the sprawl. Miles and miles of the same old big box stores that you find everywhere. From the construction I see going on, there will be even more cookie cutter stores soon. Fort Worth needs some kind of plan to control the sprawl.
Submitted by Lulu at: April 3, 2009
Consider the Trinity Trails, an ever expanding network of hiking and biking trails that run along the river. Also see some of the historic houses such as Thistle Hill and the nearby Ball-Eddeleman-McFarland home. You may tour both of these for a small fee.
Submitted by Rena Lawrence--Log Cabin Village at: January 22, 2009
Don't forget about Log Cabin Village, the Fort Worth Zoo, and the Botanic Gardens...all great destinations with rich history!
Submitted by Fort Worth Renaissance Blog at: January 20, 2009
Don't miss our museum district and our steakhouses. The Kimbell (European art) the Carter (American art) and the Modern (Modern art) are our flagship museums. For steak, try Saltgrass Steakhouse or Del Frisco's or really any of them. Our Texas Steak really is better.
Submitted by Fort Worth guy at: January 20, 2009
Fort Worth is a distinctly urban city with a small town feel; everyone is friendly. The downtown area is clean and safe, even at night. Catch a sporting event at TCU, the opera at Bass Hall, the cattle drive in the Stockyards, or even explore world-class museums!
Submitted by Dallas Photoworks at: January 20, 2009
I am a freelance photographer based in the Fort Worth area...you can learn more about the city of Fort Worth and its surroundings on my blog: http://dallasphotoworks.com - you will find photos and postings about people and places in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, including those mentioned in this story on Preservationnation.org. Dave