Once an army outpost, then later at the hub of Texas Longhorn cattle trade, Fort Worth is an exciting city with plenty to keep kids of all ages entertained. Family holidays in Texas should definitely include Fort Worth – here’s ten reasons why Fort Worth is great for families.
1. The Fort Worth Stockyards
Railroads and cattle markets helped to build Fort Worth throughout the late 19th century. You can explore this colourful legacy by spending a day in the high-spirited Stockyards District, a warren of vintage shops, restaurants, and museums that include the Stockyards Championship Rodeo, the Stockyards Museum, and the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.
2. Twice daily Cattle Drive
Led by seasoned cowhands, the Cattle Drive brings a bygone era to life, with the jingle of spurs, cattle bawling and the rhythm of the hoof beats as The Herd passes by.
3. National Cowgirl Museum
The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is the only museum in the world dedicated to honouring and documenting the lives of women who helped shape the American West. Kids will love the interactive Bronc ride and visiting everyone’s favourite animated cowgirl, Jesse from Disney’s Toy Story.
4. Hit the trails on horseback
With a long history of cowboys, Fort Worth is a great place to try out riding horses and local stables offer organised rides to visitors.
5. Fort Worth Water Gardens
The Fort Worth Water Gardens is a refreshing oasis next to the Fort Worth Convention Centre and features three pools of water: the aerating pool, the quiet pool and the active pool.
6. Kimbell Art Museum
With over 350 works spanning various art periods and movements throughout history, the Kimbell Art Museum is great place to inspire your child’s inner artist. Check out their website for events made for a younger crowd like the Teen Artist Workshop.
7. Fort Worth Zoo
With over 5,000 animals, the Fort Worth Zoo is one of the largest in the state. Offering daily animal encounters for visitors and plenty of viewing platforms to see animals up close.
8. Cowtown Cattle Pen
Consisting of over 5,000 square feet of sneakily connected wooden pathways, the Cowtown Cattlepen Maze resembles the cattle pens of the old west, minus the efficiency. Participants race against the clock and other competitors as they try to find the quickest route through this tricky jumble of paths.
9. Cowtown Segway Tours
There’s no better way to see any city than on the back of a Segway, allowing you to cover a lot of ground with little effort – and it’s a much more intimate experience than riding in the back seat of the car. Cowtown Segway has a range of tours that loop downtown, the Trinity Trails, and the Stockyards.
10. Hit the fountains in Sundance Square
There’s plenty happening in Sundance Square all the time. Home to several streets of fountains, shops, and frequent festivals, this is one of the liveliest places in town.
