7 Fun Things to Do in Fort Worth, Texas

In Fort Worth, Texas, there’s no such thing as either/or—this city is all about and. Cowboy culture and top fashion. Barbecue and Tex-Mex. The great outdoors and art museums. To put it another way, there are plenty of things to do in Fort Worth—all you have to remember is to give yourself enough time to explore it all!

Visit the Fort Worth Stockyards

Check out the mighty herd at the daily cattle drive held at Fort Worth Stockyards. Photo Credit: Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau

Dust off your boots and see how Fort Worth earned its “Cowtown” nickname at the Fort Worth Stockyards. Definitely one of the most unique and fun things to do in Fort Worth, this area, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, honors the city’s roots and is home to everything from a year-round rodeo to the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. There’s even a twice-daily cattle drive, which will transport you back to the Lone Star State in the 19th century.

Discover what’s brewing around town

As the country’s craft beer scene continues to grow, there’s no shortage of spots where you can enjoy a cold one in Fort Worth. But the suds at Martin House Brewing Company are an especially sure bet. Sip the True Love, a raspberry sour ale, or celebrate the end of the work week with the Friday IPA. Looking to sample a few more brews? Try the Texas Red amber ale at Rahr & Sons Brewing Company or check out Revolver Brewing, located in nearby Granbury, and taste their popular Blood & Honey, an unfiltered brew featuring hints of blood orange peel and Texas honey.

Get artsy

The Kimbell Art Museum aims to display special works of “definitive excellence.” Photo Credit: Robert Polidori

When you’re looking for fun things to do in Fort Worth, you may not realize the city is home to a thriving arts scene, and the city’s many museums are a great way to dive into some culture. Although the Kimbell Art Museum collection is small (about 350 pieces), it packs in plenty of big names, from Caravaggio to Monet to Mondrian. And the building, designed by notable architect Louis Kahn, is a work of art in itself. Down the street, the Amon Carter Museum of American Art features free admission and an impressive collection that includes works from artists like Winslow Homer and Georgia O’Keeffe.

Enjoy the great outdoors

Vibrant Japanese maple trees are just a small sample of the lush plant species to be found across the 109 acres of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.

Green spaces dot Fort Worth’s landscape, including the expansive Trinity Park and the Fort Worth Water Gardens, an urban park with unique water features. With more than 2,500 plant species to discover, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden is one of the more fun things to do in Fort Worth and another ideal way to spend time outside. The Cactus Garden provides a little Southwestern flair, while the picturesque Japanese Garden, with its cherry trees, Japanese maples and 1,200-plus koi, is another highlight.

Explore Sundance Square

Gather among the fountains at Sundance Square Plaza, site of a number of city festivals and events. Photo Credit: Sundance Square

Near a variety of hotel rooms in Fort Worth and stretching across 35 downtown blocks, Sundance Square packs in everything from delicious food and inventive cocktails to amazing concerts and first-rate shopping. Not sure where to start? Put yourself in the center of the action with a trip to Sundance Square Plaza, which boasts fountains, a stage and a number of seasonal events. Right off the square, you can browse local boutiques like Willow House, try something sweet at FunkyTown Donuts and Drafts, and grab dinner at Bird Cafe, a New American restaurant with plenty of patio space.

See a show

The 2,042-seat Bass Performance Hall is home to the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra as well as Broadway touring shows and dynamic concerts. Photo Credit: Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau

Whether you’re in the mood for a concert, the symphony, a musical or the ballet, you’ll find it at Bass Performance Hall. Just off Sundance Square, this venue, with its prominent limestone angels, is easy to spot. Or, if you’re looking for more fun things to do in Fort Worth related to music, enjoy live performances along the Trinity River at Panther Island Pavilion, an outdoor venue that frequently hosts local music festivals.

Chow down, Texas-style

Check out the spread from Joe T. Garcia’s—fajitas, fresh chips and salsa, oh my! Photo Credit: Joe T. Garcia's

Finally, and not surprisingly, one of the most fun things to do in Fort Worth—and in all of Texas, if we’re being honest—is eat great food! Since 1935, Joe T. Garcia’s has been serving up delicious Tex-Mex dishes and its trademark salsa picante. Don’t forget your cash—this Fort Worth institution is still cash-only—or their margaritas, best enjoyed on Joe T.’s expansive, plant-filled patio. And, of course, no visit to Texas is complete without barbecue. If you want ribs, there’s no better spot than Angelo’s BBQ, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2018. Or swing by Heim BBQ, known for its bacon burnt ends and expansive selection of whiskeys.