Fort Worth, TX Road Trips

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. 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.

7 Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, ☏ +1 817 332-8451. 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. (updated Aug 2025) 8 Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, 3200 Darnell St, ☏ +1 817 738-9215. The museum, located in an imposing, appropriately modern building, houses a large permanent collection and hosts many important traveling exhibitions. The building is designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando. 9 Amon Carter Museum, 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd, ☏ +1 817-738-1933. Extensive collection of American art and photography featuring many works by Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russel. 10 National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, 1720 Gendy St, ☏ +1 817-336-4475. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. 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. (updated Aug 2025) 11 National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum (formerly National Cowboys of Color Museum and Hall of Fame), 3400 Mount Vernon Ave, ☏ +1 817 534-8801, [email protected]. Highlights the historical influence of non-White cowboys in Texas. (updated Aug 2025) 12 C.R. Smith Aviation Museum, 4601 Hwy. 360, ☏ +1 817 967-1560. All you could ever want to know about the history of American Airlines.

1 The Fort Worth Zoo, 1989 Colonial Parkway, ☏ +1 817-759-7555. M-F 10AM-5PM; Sa Su 10AM-6PM. Come see the animals and interactive exhibits. $7-10.50 (Wednesdays are half-price). 2 NRH2O Family Water Park, Grapevine Highway (#26) between Precinct Line and North Harwood Road (in nearby North Richland Hills), ☏ +1 817 427-6500. Taller than 48 in (1,200 mm) M-Th $20, F-Su $25; shorter than 48 in, military, senior M-Th $17, F-Su $20. 17-acre park with 23 attractions, including the country’s longest uphill water roller coaster. (updated Jul 2021) 3 Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge, 9601 Fossil Ridge Rd, ☏ +1 817 392-7410. Daily 8AM-5PM. Hiking trails and boardwalks, kayak rentals, bison herd, native prairie grasses and woodlands. $6 (over 12), $3 (over 65), $2 (ages 3-12), $1 dogs. (updated Jan 2022) 4 Eagle Mountain Park, 11601 Morris Dido Newark Rd, ☏ +1 817 335-2491. Daily 5AM-10PM. A popular hiking area with rugged terrain and views over Eagle Mountain Lake. Free. (updated Jan 2022) 5 Marion Sansom Park, 2501 Roberts Cut Off Rd. Daily 6AM-10PM. Another popular hiking area with waterfalls and views of the western half of the city and Lake Worth. (updated Jan 2022) 6 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.

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. 1 Angelo's Bar-B-Que, 2533 White Settlement Rd, ☏ +1 817 332-0357. M-Sa 11AM-10PM. 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. $10 for a full plate with one or two meats and three sides.. 2 Railhead Smokehouse, 2900 Montgomery St, ☏ +1 817 738-9808. M-Sa 11AM-9PM. Tied with Angelo's for the best BBQ in the southwest. 3 Fuzzy's Taco Shop, 2917 W Berry St (Two locations), ☏ +1 817-924-7943. Su-M 7AM-10PM, Tu-W 7AM-11PM, Th-Sa 7AM-2AM. Excellent taco dive - lots of food for cheap, great fish tacos, late hours, cheap drinks, all without leaving the affluent TCU area. Kincaid's (Two locations). M-Sa 11AM-6PM. Texas' (perhaps America's) best burgers. Original Camp Bowie location is in a kitschy old grocery story. 4 Kincaid's, 4901 Camp Bowie Blvd. (updated Sep 2021) 5 Kincaid's, 4825 Overton Ridge Blvd.

1 Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, 111 E 3rd St, ☏ +1 817 336-7468. 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. 2 Chat Room Pub (The Chat), 1263 West Magnolia Ave, ☏ +1 817 922-8319. 3PM-2AM. Good drink selection in a chilled atmosphere. 3 The Usual, 1408 W. Magnolia Ave, ☏ +1 817 810-0114. 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. 4 Our Taphouse, 1001 Bryan Ave, 76104. 50+ taps with local, regional and a few international flavors off the beaten path. Plus food. 5 Martin House Brewery, 220 S Sylvania Ave, 76111, ☏ +1 817 222-0177. Weekly Tours and Tastings Every Thursday (6-8pm) & Saturday (2-5pm). (updated Feb 2018) 6 Wild Acre Brewery, 1734 E El Paso St #190, 76102. 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 (updated Feb 2018) 7 Rahr and Sons Brewing, 701 Galveston Ave, 76104.

1 Motel 6 Ft Worth North, 3271 I-35W, ☏ +1 817 625-4359, fax: +1 817 625-8256. 2 La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Fort Worth West - I-30, 7310 Calmont Ave, ☏ +1 817 244-4777. Indoor pool and hot tub. $65 (Jan 2022). (updated Jan 2022) 3 La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Fort Worth North, 4700 North Fwy, ☏ +1 817 222-2888. Outdoor pool and breakfast. $58 (Jan 2022). (updated Jan 2022) 4 Hyatt Place Fort Worth/Cityview, 5900 Cityview Blvd (southwest Fort Worth), ☏ +1 817 361-9797. Very cookie-cutter. $101 (Jan 2022). 5 Comfort Suites DFW Airport, 4700 W. John Carpenter Fwy, ☏ +1 972 929-9097. 6 Courtyard Fort Worth Downtown, 601 Main St (Four blocks from the Convention Center), ☏ +1 817 885-8700. Renovated rooms with modern amenities. $209-249. 7 Best Western Plus Fort Worth North, 3751 NE Loop 820 (Intersection of the 35W and 820 freeways, close to the Fort Worth Stockyards), ☏ +1 817 847-0044. $99. 8 DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Worth South Hotel & Conference Center, 100 East Alta Mesa Blvd (Five miles from Downtown Fort Worth), ☏ +1 817-293-3088. Three-star hotel with amenities including indoor heated pool, restaurant, lounge, room service, fitness room, and business center. $142 (Jul 2025). 9 Sheraton Fort Worth, 1701 Commerce St (Downtown), ☏ +1 817 335-7000. 10 SpringHill Suites Fort Worth University, 3250 Lovell Ave, ☏ +1 817-878-2554, toll-free: +1-888-236-2427. Extended stay hotel located near the convention center.

All the major American carriers and many international ones provide scheduled passenger service into the 1 Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW IATA), located 17 mi (27 km) from downtown Fort Worth. This airport is one of three major hubs for American Airlines. American Airlines is also headquartered in Fort Worth. The 2 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 3 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. 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.

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. Fort Worth B-cycle. Bike sharing program with stations throughout downtown. $8/24 hours; $15/3 days; $20/week. (updated Feb 2018)

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.