Overview
Fort Worth is a city in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. With a population of approximately 1,020,000, it is Texas' 5th largest city. It is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, which has a population exceeding 6 million. Sometimes referred to as Cowtown, it is by far closer to its cowboy roots than neighboring Dallas. This article also covers North Richland Hills, a neighboring community.
25 sights · 10 things to do · 22 places to eat · 10 bars & cafés · 18 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Fort Worth
Kimbell Art Museum
A collection of artwork that ranges from 3000 BC to the mid-1900s. Although the collection is small, it boasts such big names as Matisse, Goya, Mondrian and Picasso, among others. The museum building itself is a highligh…
National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame
Museum and association which honors women of the American West who have displayed courage or spirit and who have distinguished themselves while exemplifying the pioneer spirit.
National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum
Highlights the historical influence of non-White cowboys in Texas.
Sid Richardson Museum
Art museum with an emphasis on Western art (e.g. works by Frederic Remington, Charles Russell).
Fort Worth Water Gardens
A man-made watery setting to get away from the hustle and bustle downtown. For some awesome architecture, check out the 1933 Beaux Arts Style designed post office building at 251 Lancaster and Texas & Pacific Railway…
The Fort Worth Zoo
Come see the animals and interactive exhibits.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 96°F; winter lows dip to about 35°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Oct and May.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- FTW Fort Worth Meacham International Airport, Fort Worth — 5 mi away. Directions
- DFW Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Dallas-Fort Worth — 20 mi away (major hub). Directions
All the major American carriers and many international ones provide scheduled passenger service into the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), located 17 mi from downtown Fort Worth. This airport is one of three major hubs for American Airlines. American Airlines is also headquartered in Fort Worth.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $61–$209 a night (typical $100), from 10 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $12 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$90, mid-range ~$160, comfortable ~$340.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge, Lockheed Martin Plant in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning TCU, Oscar E. Monnig Meteorite Gallery, Near Southside
- Lunch King Tut
- Afternoon Fort Worth Water Gardens, Burnett Park
- Dinner Nonna Tata
- Evening The Usual
Day 2
- Morning C.R. Smith Aviation Museum
- Lunch Fred's Texas Cafe
- Afternoon Bureau of Engraving and Printing Visitors Center
- Dinner The Love Shack
- Evening Martin House Brewery
Day 3
- Morning Texas Civil War Museum
- Lunch Uncle Julio's
- Dinner Kincaid's
- Evening Panther Island Brewery
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Fort Worth is similar to many Texas cities in that there are two main food groups, BBQ and Tex-Mex. While tastes are changing and multiple options are available, these will still be your best two bets in the city. A growing food truck scene is starting to make a presence in the city, and some of the local breweries are making drinks worth recommending to friends.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Fort Worth grew from a military camp established at the close of the Mexican War by Gen. Winfield Scott, and named for Gen. William Jenkins Worth who fought in the war. Forty-two men of Company F, 2nd Dragoons, established the camp on June 6, 1849. The Fort Worth to Yuma, Arizona stage line was established in 1850. The city became the seat of Tarrant County 1860, and after the Civil War, it became a major shipping and supply depot for cattlemen.
Climate
Fort Worth is located in the American South, and has a subtropical climate with mild winters, hot summers, and a wet spring and fall in between. In winter and summer it can also be a very dry place, as it receives warmer, drier weather from the Mojave Desert in the west and the Great Plains in the north.
Winters are generally mild, with average highs in the mid to upper 50s (10-15 °C) and average lows around the freezing mark (0-5 °C). It is not uncommon for Winter days with highs in the upper 60s (~20°C) with the following days high temperature 20-30 degrees cooler. It may snow in Fort Worth a couple times a year, and occasionally winter temperatures will not get above freezing (32°F, 0 °C), but for the most part winter is just relatively dry and cool. There is, however, the danger of freezing rain and ice storms.
Spring and fall bring very pleasant temperatures, but spring is also known for its storms. Fort Worth is at the Southern tip of Tornado Alley, and springtime weather can be quite volatile and severe storms often occur. Summers are hot and dry - but often humid - with temperatures frequently surpassing 100 °F (38 °C).
Average precipitation in Fort Worth is 33 inches (830 mm) per year.
Neighborhoods
See TCU (Texas Christian University)
The TCU area is dominated by the campus. Some unique restaurants and boutiques are mixed with standard college fare, but the campus is beautiful and shows up in force (and in Purple) for gamedays
See Stockyards
A national historic district, the Stockyards is the iconic background for which Fort Worth is known. The backdrop is all things western from cattle drives and BBQ to country music and belt buckles. No trip to Fort Worth is complete without a quick stop here.
See The Cultural District
Home to world class museum, the stock show & rodeo as well as numerous restaurants and merchants, this area hosts many of Fort Worth's main attractions. Located across the Trinity River, 2 miles west of downtown, this area could be thought of as uptown. The area is also known as West 7th.
See Near Southside
Also called South Main and Magnolia, this is the area where artists and more liberal mindsets are welcome. The area hosts multiple of the cities micro breweries, bars and restaurants. The area is undergoing a renaissance with new building and merchants, but the growth is keeping with the vibe of the current culture.
See Southwest Fort Worth (Camp Bowie, Hulen, Clearfork)
While not a single neighborhood, Southwest Fort Worth has a collection of different shopping areas and neighborhood restaurant clusters.
Get in
By plane
All the major American carriers and many international ones provide scheduled passenger service into the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), located 17 mi from downtown Fort Worth. This airport is one of three major hubs for American Airlines. American Airlines is also headquartered in Fort Worth.
By train
The Fort Worth Intermodal Transportation Center at 1001 Jones St is the central hub for Amtrak trains and Trinity Railway Express (TRE) commuter trains to Dallas, along with Greyhound inter-city bus service and local bus service provided by the T. TRE trains can provide a stress-free way to travel between the two cities during rush hour and also serve the more historic T&P Station at 1600 Throckmorton St on the south side of downtown.
Amtrak's Texas Eagle provides daily service between Chicago, Illinois and San Antonio, Texas with stops in Fort Worth and Dallas. Also, Amtrak's Heartland Flyer provides daily service between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City, and points in between. Woefully underfunded, passenger train service in the United States is a slow but scenic way to travel, if you aren't too concerned about arriving on time.
Alternatively, arrive from DFW Airport on TEXRail through North Richland Hills, another commuter train that provides direct rail service from the airport to downtown Fort Worth.
By car
Fort Worth may be easily reached via I-20 or I-30 from the east or west, or by I-35W from the north or south. I-35 splits into two branches north of the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area, the west branch going to Fort Worth and the east branch (I-35E) to Dallas. The branches rejoin to the south.
Car rental companies include:
- Alamo Rent A Car, Toll free: +1-800-462-5266.
- Avis Rent A Car, Toll free: +1-800-331-1212.
- Budget Rent A Car, Toll free: +1-800-527-0700.
- Dollar Rent A Car, Toll free: +1-800-800-3665.
- E-Z Rent-A-Car, Toll free: +1-800-277-5171.
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Toll free: +1-800-261-7331.
- Hertz Car Rental, Toll free: +1-800-654-3131.
- Thrifty, Toll free: +1-800-847-4389.
- DFW Elite Auto Rental, +1 817-838-7368.
By bus
- Greyhound. Bus stop is at the Fort Worth Intermodal Transportation Center. Also, subsidiaries of Greyhound, such as TNM&O serve as the regional carrier.
- Megabus. Service from Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Memphis, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, and Norman. Bus stop is located at 710 Davis St in Grand Prairie. Fares $1 and up.
- Autobus Americanos. Mexican trans-border bus line with services to various points in Mexico. Bus stop is located at 5215 McCart in Fort Worth.
- Turimex Internacional. Mexican trans-border bus line with services to various points in Mexico. Bus stop is located at 3620 Hemphill St.
Get around
Mass transit
Buses and trains via Trinity Metro link many areas of town over mid-range distances. Trinity Rail Express has commuter train service between downtown Fort Worth, DFW Airport and downtown Dallas. Service is Monday through Saturday. No scheduled services on Sundays and most major holidays.
Blue Line bus service provides local public transportation in downtown Fort Worth, including Sundance Square.
By bike
See
Museums
See Kimbell Art Museum
A collection of artwork that ranges from 3000 BC to the mid-1900s. Although the collection is small, it boasts such big names as Matisse, Goya, Mondrian and Picasso, among others. The museum building itself is a highlight of architectural modernism, designed by American architect Louis Kahn.
See Bureau of Engraving and Printing Visitors Center
Tours open to the public of the money creation factory - see pallets of dollar bills created below your feet from a suspended walkway snaking through the facility. One of two in the nation (other in DC). Self-guided tour takes approximately 1 hour. Gift shop on site.
Attractions
See Fort Worth Stockyards
Just north of the downtown area is the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, where you'll find Texas style nightlife at bars like Billy Bob's plus the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Stockyards Museum, John Wayne: An American Experience, The Fort Worth Longhorn Herd, and the Cowtown Cattle Pen Maze. The Stockyards are also home to a weekly rodeo. Held every Friday and Saturday evening, and billed as the "World's First Indoor Rodeo," it attracts competitors from around the country. The Stockyards is also home to Riscky's Barbeque, considered by locals to be the best barbeque in the area. One block away, Coopers Old Time Pit BBQ offers excellent fare at fair prices.
See Fort Worth Water Gardens
A man-made watery setting to get away from the hustle and bustle downtown. For some awesome architecture, check out the 1933 Beaux Arts Style designed post office building at 251 Lancaster and Texas & Pacific Railway Station at 221 Lancaster (across the street from the south edge of the water gardens).
See Burnett Park
Located on land donated by cattle baron Samuel Burk Burnett, features sculptures, pools, and granite walkways. Vast green parks and surrounding network of major lakes offer abundant opportunities for water sports and outdoor recreation.
Do
Zoological Parks and Theme Parks
Hiking and Natural Areas
Do Marion Sansom Park
Another popular hiking area with waterfalls and views of the western half of the city and Lake Worth.
Sports
Do TCU Horned Frogs
The sports teams representing Texas Christian University, have branded themselves as "Fort Worth's team". The Frogs are best known for their football program, a rising national power in the first part of this century. TCU now competes in the Big 12 Conference. Most of TCU's athletic venues are on campus, with the best-known being Amon G. Carter Stadium (football) and Schollmaier Arena (basketball).
Events
Do Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival
Ranked 8th in the country by the Art Fair Source Book and the Harris List, and number one in Texas, Main St. hosts tens of thousands of people annually during the four-day visual arts, entertainment and cultural event. Main St. showcases a nationally recognized fine art and fine craft juried art fair, live concerts, performance artists and street performers on the streets of downtown Fort Worth-stretching nine blocks on Main Street from the Tarrant County Courthouse to the Fort Worth Convention Center.
Do Sundance Square Parade of Lights
Late November. Watch colorful illuminated floats, beautiful antique cars, marching bands, equestrian units, horse-drawn carriages and a cast of delightful characters dressed in their holiday best. The unforgettable parade and an annual visit from Santa Claus and his elves will make the Sundance Square Parade of Lights a fun-filled holiday experience for the entire family! Free.
- NAS JRB Wings Over Cowtown Air Show, at the NAS JRB military base (restricted entry, but viewing available from nearby). Features air stunts and formations like the Blue Angels. July.
Learn
Buy
- Sundance Square
Shopping Malls
Other
Eat
Fort Worth is similar to many Texas cities in that there are two main food groups, BBQ and Tex-Mex. While tastes are changing and multiple options are available, these will still be your best two bets in the city. A growing food truck scene is starting to make a presence in the city, and some of the local breweries are making drinks worth recommending to friends.
Budget
Eat Angelo's Bar-B-Que
Tied with Railhead (below) for the best BBQ in the southwest. A Fort Worth classic. This is in an old wooden barn, which adds a great atmosphere to the dining experience. The pork ribs were very tasty and the large cold beers were particularly nice. Meats melt in the mouth and beans are awesome. They actually bbq on premises which some of the other place don't. It's about a 5-min drive out of the downtown area.
Eat Railhead Smokehouse
Tied with Angelo's for the best BBQ in the southwest.
Eat Fuzzy's Taco Shop
Excellent taco dive - lots of food for cheap, great fish tacos, late hours, cheap drinks, all without leaving the affluent TCU area.
Eat Kincaid's
Texas' (perhaps America's) best burgers. Original Camp Bowie location is in a kitschy old grocery story.
Eat The Love Shack
Excellent unique hamburger created by celebrity Ft. Worth chef, Tim Love. Daily flavored milk shakes. Live music. (Possible cover charge on weekends.) Cash only.
Eat Green Vine Market
Hamburgers, daily flavored milk shakes, live music (Possible cover charge on weekends). Cash only.
Mid-range
Eat Nonna Tata
Certainly one of Fort Worth's smallest restaurants, Nonna Tata is also one of its best. With only 21 seats indoors and another 30 outdoors, the restaurant fills up early and often develops long waits on weekends. Absolutely amazing authentic Italian food, with a menu that changes weekly and amiable service. BYOB, cash only, no reservations.
Eat Central Market
DFW's best gourmet grocery also has a formidable cafe attached, with amazing, huge custom sandwiches, cheap and great pizzas and international noodle dishes made for you, a mind-boggling prepared food section and $15 meals for two bagged and ready to go. Any kind of food you could want, done extremely well, for grocery story prices, plus a generous selection of wine and beer.
Eat Fred's Texas Cafe
The "Outlaw Chef" cooks genuine Southern/Texican food in one of the most unique and exciting ways you'll find in Fort Worth. Super laid-back setting, with genuine Texas food and genuine Texas music. Happy hour before 6 and whenever it's raining.
Eat Hunter Brothers' H3 Ranch
For the cowboy tourist. A strong cowtown theme predominates in this Stockyards-area steakhouse. Come for the atmosphere first, the food second.
Eat Joe T. Garcia's
A Fort Worth legend, dine family style in a large converted mansion or in its beautiful expansive gardens with lush vegetation and calming pools; choose from one of two menu options nightly. There is frequently a line around the block in good weather, so arrive early or be prepared to wait. Great margaritas. Cash only (ATM on site).
Eat La Familia
Mexican restaurant locally renowned for their excellent Tex-Mex and friendly owner (Al) and staff.
Eat King Tut
Egyptian restaurant with excellent Middle Eastern cuisine.
Eat Spiral Diner
The only strictly vegan restaurant in Fort Worth, Spiral Diner has an eclectic menu that will not let you down on taste. One of Fort Worth's finest restaurants regardless of dietary restriction.
Eat Uncle Julio's
Excellent and diverse Tex-Mex menu, friendly staff, decent happy hour before 6PM.
Splurge
Eat Bonnell's
Chef Jon Bonnell's southwest-themed masterpiece.
Eat Del Frisco's Steakhouse
One of the finest steakhouses in the world, with an excellent wine list. It is, however, extremely expensive, and you will have to wait a little while even if you have a reservation. Don't come here for anything other than steak, but if you are looking for steak, it is hard to beat.
Eat Reata Restaurant
One of the most widely acclaimed restaurants in Texas, and one of the first to bring "Cowboy cuisine" to the forefront of the refined American palate. Online reservation system.
Eat Saint-Emilion
The best French country food in Fort Worth, and a cozy dining experience.
Sweets
Eat Melt Icecream
Tiny ice cream parlor serving creative flavor combos frequently with lines out the door at multiple times in the day
Drink
Drink Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
The gameroom offers a place to play a game of pool, chess or darts. The shiny, faux-rock floor throughout is enhanced by the vast collection of vintage dinnerware adorning every wall. They have the largest selection of beer (225 varieties) around. Menu selections include Creamy Beer Cheese Soup, the Build-Your-Own Sausage and Cheese Plate, spicy sausage quesadillas and traditional bratwurst with German potato salad.
Drink Chat Room Pub (The Chat)
Good drink selection in a chilled atmosphere.
Drink The Usual
A high-end craft cocktail bar popular with the hip Magnolia Avenue set. A somewhat mixed, gay-friendly spot with very modern decor and a nice but small patio out back. This is the place to go for expensive but very well-mixed takes on the classics, and an inspired cocktail menu. Try the Montpelier, which mixes bourbon, smoked maple syrup, Jamaican rum, and Italian vermouth.
Drink Our Taphouse
50+ taps with local, regional and a few international flavors off the beaten path. Plus food.
Breweries & distilleries
Drink Martin House Brewery
Weekly Tours and Tastings Every Thursday (6-8pm) & Saturday (2-5pm).
Drink Wild Acre Brewery
Shares a location with Silver Star Vodka. Not the best area of town, but the brewery is safe and the beer is worth the stop
Drink Rahr and Sons Brewing
Brewery tour & tasting Sa 1PM - 3PM, W 5PM - 7:30PM
Drink Panther Island Brewery
F 5PM – 9PM, Sa noon – 5PM, Su 2PM – 7PM
Drink HopFusion Ale Works
Taproom and microbrewery, though you can find their cans at a few local shops and stores
Drink Firestone & Robertson Distillery (Whiskey Ranch)
Home to the blended TX Whiskey and the Texas locally distilled and aged TX Bourbon. Set on the grounds of a golf course Byron Nelson played as a youth, more than just a stop for a drink.
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Lockheed Martin Plant
Options ideal for travel to the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics plant: 200 N Grants Ln, adjacent to the Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base (JRB, formerly Carswell Air Force Base):
Stay Spring Hill Suites
Stay safe
As with any other large city, be vigilant in Fort Worth. The city's central arts and entertainment district is well policed, however, as so long as you make sure you lock your car and hide any valuables inside, all that you need is a little extra awareness of your surroundings. The city's freeways can be quite dangerous if you are not accustomed to driving in such high volumes of rapidly moving traffic; keep this in mind when you are planning a trip.
Areas to avoid after dark are the East Side, Southeast Side (especially in the Stop Six section), the Como neighborhood, and the Trails/Calmont neighborhood, as these places have high rates of gun crimes from armed robberies to shootings.
The Stockyards bar and club district can get rowdy on Friday and Saturday nights, but the nightlife at Sundance Square in Downtown is more laid back.
Go next
- Mineral Wells, home to Lake Mineral Wells State Park
- Bridgeport, 30 miles to the northwest has a nice lake for boating and fishing.
- Weatherford, 20 miles west of downtown Fort Worth.
- Grapevine has a nice historic main street area and numerous wineries.
- Glen Rose 50 miles southwest has Dinosaur Valley State Park and Fossil Rim Wildlife Center.
Nearby
Arlington
City / town · 38 listings · 13 mi away
Bedford
City / town · 2 listings · 13 mi away
Mansfield
City / town · 4 listings · 17 mi away
Southlake
City / town · 10 listings · 17 mi away
Grand Prairie
City / town · 16 listings · 19 mi away
Grapevine
City / town · 18 listings · 19 mi away
Irving
City / town · 31 listings · 23 mi away
Coppell
City / town · 1 listings · 23 mi away
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