There are a few areas in the US that can compare to the authentic American West heritage that Fort Worth, Texas, has.
This bustling city is part of the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metropolitan area, located right in the heart of the Lone Star State.
It’s the 13th biggest state in the country, too.
With its rich history, vibrant, iconic culture, and sheer size, the city has an abundance of attractions and destinations.
There is something for the young and old alike.
So for your next vacation, why not travel here and enjoy yourself in this friendly and lively city?
Here are the 15 best things to do in Fort Worth, TX:
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For art lovers with more contemporary tastes, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth is a great alternative.
The facility houses work by national and international artists, focusing on those that were produced after the Second World War.
With its paintings, sculptures, avant-garde installations, and a permanent collection of more than 3000 works, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth offer many intriguing pieces for visitors.
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The reflecting pond and the Japanese architecture-inspired building invites a sense of serenity and sophistication.
While there, you can dine at the museum’s restaurant that serves delicious and satisfying Texan cuisine with modern and international touches.
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Starting with only a few animals in 1909, Fort Worth Zoo has grown into one of the biggest facilities in the country.
Today, it houses more than 7,000 species of animals from all over the world, attracting thousands of visitors each day.
It’s been ranked as the top zoo in the US by numerous magazines, media outlets, and award-giving bodies.
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But if you’re not persuaded yet, there are exhibits featuring endangered animals from exotic locations.
This might be your once-in-a-lifetime chance to see these rare species.
Other cool exhibits in the zoo include penguins, elephant enclosures, avian habitats, and tanks with crocodiles and hippos.
It’s fun for both kids and adults!
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Kids and adults who love aquatic animals will have a swell time at SeaQuest Fort Worth.
The hands-on aquarium promises a fun, interactive, and memorable experience with the many exhibits and collections of marine wildlife.
You can snorkel with stingrays, play with friendly otters, feed baby turtles, and explore themed exhibits featuring animals from various parts of the world.
It’s also open for celebrations and special events, where your child can have an unforgettable birthday party.
With the all-day admission, you’ll have plenty of time exploring all the underwater wonders that SeaQuest Fort Worth has in store.
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No trip to Fort Worth is complete without a visit to the Fort Worth Stockyards Station.
This Old West-themed destination gives an ambiance much like those old cowboy movies, with wooden corals, brick roads, and classic saloons.
Since Fort Worth Stockyards Station is a historic district, there are tours, sights, and events that let you see a glimpse of life and traditions from the past.
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You’ll see amazing cattle drives, gunfight shows with men in cowboy costumes, and herding exhibitions every week.
There are also restaurants serving classic American staples that are sure to satisfy any craving.
Shops like King Ranch and Cross-Eyed Moose offer cowboy memorabilia and themed products that you can bring home as souvenirs for your trip.
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In a city as big as Fort Worth, there are many established restaurants that are magnets for locals and visitors alike.
Ellerbe Fine Foods sources fresh and seasonal ingredients to prepare elegant and tasty dishes, such as seared fish, grilled steak, salads, and pork chops.
At Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine, you’ll get a taste of authentic Texan dishes with their pepper-crusted bison tenderloin, shrimp and grits, and pan-roasted chicken breast.
Eddie V’s offers seafood dishes, with fresh oysters, caviar, scallops, and fish from the Gulf among the many options on their menu.
Texas de Brazil, another popular restaurant in the city, offers a Brazilian steakhouse experience with dishes such as herb-marinated pork loin, Brazilian cheesecake, and picanha.
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Art lovers will have a grand time at the famous Kimbell Art Museum.
This world-renowned facility houses important works from past and contemporary artists, with paintings, sculptures, and exhibits displayed on the immaculate halls.
The building itself is a work of art, becoming a significant architectural masterpiece by Louis I. Kahn.
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Because of the way it’s designed, the museum lets in lots of natural light that add a sophisticated ambiance to the interiors.
This lighting is quite fitting for the modern masterpieces and special exhibitions that have come all the way from Europe and Asia.
It’s a stunning sight to behold for those who have a love for the arts.
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North of Fort Worth lies another favorite destination for nature lovers.
The Eagle Mountain Lake is a scenic attraction with numerous parks, hiking trails, picnic tables, and marinas.
You can stay for a day to explore the wilderness or set up camp at the many sites in the area.
You’ll have more time exploring the panoramic vistas visible on the hills and mountains that stand guard around the lake.
For those who like to fish, there are many species of game swimming in the depths of the lake.
You can bring your equipment, but many outfitters offer boat and gear rentals for your convenience.
The lake is a great addition to your itinerary if you have more days to spare.
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Established in 1934, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden is one the oldest gardens of its kind in the state.
The sprawling area houses more than 2,500 species of flora housed in 21 themed gardens.
Plant lovers will have a memorable time viewing and interacting with the gorgeous plants and flowers as they bloom during certain seasons of the year.
There is a native plant garden, a Japanese garden, a conservatory with rare orchids, a rose garden, and rock springs with elevated walkways over ponds.
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With the magnificent landscaping and xeriscaping work, Fort Worth Botanic Garden also features scenic views that are perfect for relaxing or photoshoots.
Come spring or fall, this location will never lose its beauty.
It’s a must-see destination for all visitors!
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The River Legacy Parks is another nature-themed attraction located in Arlington, a city sitting right next to Fort Worth.
It’s a vast green space with around 1,300 acres of land.
Within the park, there are different features, such as a science learning center, large ponds, paved bike, and hiking trails, as well as playgrounds for kids.
There are also many picnic tables, benches, and grilling areas where you can cook and eat delicious meals under the sun.
Just make sure to watch out for wild animals.
Since it’s a park, coyotes, snakes, and birds, and other wildlife have used it as a refuge from the bustling cities around the region.
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For those who are bringing kids and those simply interested in science, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is the place to be.
Much like the other destinations in Fort Worth, the facility has been around for a long time.
It was established in 1945 and has now grown into one of the most visited museums in the city.
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Housing planetariums, nature exhibits, and historical collections, the facility has something for everyone!
Kids will get to learn concepts related to biology, geology, physics, and other areas as they explore the many interactive exhibits.
There is also an IMAX theater where everyone can watch 3D films with mind-blowing visuals and educational topics.
Here, the fun in learning never stops!
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A 30-minute drive from Fort Worth to Grand Prairie will allow you to visit the latter’s premier destinations, including Lone Star Park.
Lone Star Park is a haven for horse race lovers.
This large racing track and entertainment destination hold many events during fall and spring, with numerous spectators coming in to bet on their favorite horses.
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You don’t need to gamble, however.
It’s perfectly alright to just find a spot in the 8000-seater grandstand and watch as the equestrians and their horses gallop their way to the finish line.
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Fort Worth Water Gardens is a unique and unusual attraction in Fort Worth created by Philip Johnson and John Burgee.
Within the 4.3-acre land, pools and water features with odd and futuristic designs sparkle and babble with their flowing fountains and waters cascading over terraces.
The most iconic and awe-inspiring of these features is the biggest pool, located at the facility’s heart.
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It isn’t so much a pool as it is a waterfall, with waters flowing down from the top, over a series of steps, and into a central pool in the middle.
Visitors can even traverse these steps to reach the bottom.
At night, this and most of the other pools light up, evoking a sense of wonder for those who waited long enough to see the display.
Within the city, the Fort Worth Water Gardens is truly one of the most unique places to visit.
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The Fort Worth Water Gardens may not be enough for those looking for thrilling water-related activities.
If that’s the case, then stop by at NRH2O Family Water Park.
Located in the nearby North Richland Hills city, this large facility houses many attractions for the whole family, such as towering slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and artificial beaches.
Birthday parties and other special occasions can also be celebrated in the rental cabanas.
Parents will never have to worry, as the facility is kept clean and hygienic at all times, and attentive lifeguards are always on the lookout for any dangers and hazards.
For those who get hungry after hours playing in the water, there are food places within the park that offer delicious snacks.
Kids (and maybe you too) will never want to leave this place!
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When the bustling city becomes too crowded and noisy for your taste, a stop at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge is the perfect way to relax and experience nature.
It is a preserve located between the Lakeside and Lake Worth, and it offers a glimpse of what the area looked like before the city of Fort Worth was established.
Within the 3,621-acre land, there are wetlands, beautiful meadows, and forests that all seem unaffected by human influence.
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You can go hiking in the many trails snaking the refuge and spot wild animals, such as bison, owls, alligators, and turtles.
The area also abounds with native Texas flora, such as cottonwood trees, oaks, and sycamores.
You can also visit the Hardwicke Interpretive Center located within the preserve.
Here, you’ll learn facts about the local animals and plants and the efforts being done to conserve the rich biodiversity and habitats of the area.
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One of the most famous destinations in Fort Worth is the Texas Motor Speedway.
This race track has a total length of 1.3 miles, with a stadium that can seat more than 180,000 people.
Visitors from all over the state and the country come to the location to watch cars racing against each other in events such as the NASCAR Cup Series.
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It’s a pulse-raising experience unlike any other—and you’re not even part of the race!
However, there are some tours that will let you take a few laps around the circuit.
So make sure to add this to your itinerary.
If you want to catch the competitions, check out their schedules and plan your vacation around those days.
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While in Fort Worth, don’t forget to stroll around Sundance Square.
This 35-block residential and entertainment zone in downtown Fort Worth is jam-packed with interesting activities for everyone.
The area has an incredible array of shopping, dining, and recreation alternatives, including museums, art galleries, and theaters.
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Children may also cool down in the surrounding water gardens on a hot day.
Shop till you drop, have a delicious dinner, and sip beverages at the area’s most popular spots.
Moreover, take a leisurely stroll in the pleasant environment at Sundance Square.
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Trinity Park is a sizable urban sanctuary full of fun activities for kids and families.
You may enjoy plenty of outdoor enjoyment and entertainment at this 252-acre park.
Trinity Park has many fantastic activities that keep you engaged and occupied for hours.
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With its duck pond, water fountains, kid-friendly playgrounds, miniature railway, and reputation as having the greatest biking and hiking paths in the area, this well-liked destination is ideal for families to explore and have fun.
Adults will adore the numerous walking paths, picnic tables, bike rentals, and basketball courts.
Explore Trinity Park, a destination well-liked by locals and tourists alike.
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The Amon Carter Museum of American Art, situated in the center of Fort Worth’s Cultural District, examines the complexities of American creativity.
Although it first opened its doors in 1961, its origins date considerably earlier.
With pieces dating from the eighteenth century to the present, the Museum compiles the finest illustrations of American artistic inventiveness by some of the most illustrious figures in art history.
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They provide visitors with fresh opportunities to experience and comprehend American art through their extensive collection.
They host top-notch exhibits, broadcast vibrant events, ignite cutting-edge research, and more.
Tour their galleries and see paintings, sculptures, photos, and works on paper.
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A historical and cultural museum, Log Cabin Village is run and managed by the City of Fort Worth.
The Village is committed to preserving the frontier lifestyles and traditional architecture of the 19th century.
Through various displays, Log Cabin Village allows visitors to experience the views, sounds, and scents of Texas in the 1800s.
This living Museum provides a variety of eye-opening and informative interactive activities, including a blacksmith shop and real 19th-century buildings.
Its original relics, which include a schoolhouse, gristmill powered by water, and garden area, provide visitors an in-depth understanding of the 19th century and capture pioneer life.
It is a fantastic educational opportunity for the entire family.
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Amon G. Carter Stadium, the home field of the TCU Horned Frogs football team, is an outdoor football stadium based on the Texas Christian University grounds.
It bears the name of Amon G. Carter, a well-known newspaper publisher, businessman, and supporter of the city of Fort Worth.
It’s a popular athletic venue because of its reputation for welcoming people, inexpensive tickets, and tasty snacks.
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A bouncy house, live music, and a variety of entertaining freebies are just a few kid-friendly activities available at the Stadium.
Try arriving early to take in the gorgeous common space and exquisite bronze fountain.
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With the city’s sheer size, the number of things to try in Fort Worth is endless.
From engaging museum trips to exhilarating car races, there’s something for everyone.
Follow the destinations on this list, and you and your family will have a grand time discovering this bustling metropolis.
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