The Newcomer’s Guide to Fort Worth

How to eat, play, talk, and dress like an honest-to-goodness Fort Worthian

by

Welcome to Fort Worth, Y’all!

We know there’re a lot of you (newcomers) out there. Last we checked, over 21,000 of you hightailed it to our great city just last year, which makes Cowtown the fastest-growing city among the 30 most populous places in the U.S. of A. And we’re hoping this handy guide will help you become better acquainted with your new home. Whether young and single, retired and loving it, or married with some youngsters, we’re about to put you on the bullet train to calling yourself a local.

Bucket List Bites

Iconic, must-try dishes

Calf fries from Riscky’s: Also called Rocky Mountain Oysters or, more bluntly, deep-fried bull testicles. That’s right, folks. It’s not hazing ’cause we’re not forcing ya, but an order of calf fries is one way to earn your Cowtown stripes. 122 E. Exchange Ave.

Chicken-fried steak from Star Cafe: Stockyard steakhouses Cattlemen’s, H3 Ranch, and Riscky’s get more attention thanks to their Vegas-inspired signage, but for our money, the best chicken-fried steak — a battered favorite in this town — is from a simple diner across North Main Street. 111 W. Exchange Ave. 

Gorgonzola cheese fries from Lili’s Bistro: Cooked-to-perfection waffle fries sprinkled liberally with large flakes of the famously pungent — and delicious — cheese. Once you scarf down a plate of these bad boys, Chick-fil-A will no longer be at the top of mind when dreaming of waffle fries. 1310 W. Magnolia Ave.  

Ice cream from MELT: The Near Southside staple is a must-visit spot on hot summer days, even if one must wait their turn for these creamy confections in a line that goes out the door. MELT has a seasonal menu, but our favorite flavor is Cup of TX: roasted coffee and cream. 1201 W. Magnolia Ave., Ste. 115 

Loaded cornbread from Smoke-a-holics: From one of the city’s best barbecue joints, you can call this menu item Fort Worth’s answer to KFC’s Famous Bowl — brisket, beans, cheese, greens, sour cream, and a healthy dose of ’cue sauce on a thick and delicious loaf of cornbread. 1417 Evans Ave.

Texas red chili from White Elephant Saloon: Don’t call it a winter meal; you can eat this dish any time of year in Cowtown. This version — the same served at chef Tim Love’s Lonesome Dove — includes ground beef, loads of spices, and, most importantly, no beans. 106 E. Exchange Ave.  

The Rebecca at Carshon’s Delicatessen: Our food editor, Malcolm Mayhew, describes this sandwich as “Perfectly sliced layers of pastrami and smoked turkey accompanied by a blanket of cream cheese and Russian dressing, all of which evenly dispersed between three pieces of grilled egg bread.” Delish. 3133 Cleburne Road

Sour Pickle Beer from Best Maid Pickles and Martin House: In an unlikely pairing, two of the city’s most well-regarded food and beverage companies combine forces to bring brew lovers the best of two phenomenal worlds: pickles and beer. Bonus: You can snag a Turtleback Boilermaker from Nickel City that pairs the beer with Jameson Black Barrel. 220 S. Sylvania Ave., Ste. 209

Tried & True Spots

Where the average Fort Worthian is a long-time patron.

Mama’s Pizza: Every town is a pizza town — New York does not have a monopoly on pies — and the best in Fort Worth is the thick-crusted slices from this multi-location joint, which has been around since 1968. Multiple locations

Tokyo Cafe: Whether you’re craving sushi, ramen, fried rice, or name-a-favorite-Japanese-dish, this quaint Camp Bowie diner is a go-to spot. Tip: Make reservations if going for dinner. 5121 Pershing Ave. 

Joe T. Garcia’s: Not just the best patio experience in Fort Worth, it’s the best patio experience, period. And the family-style enchiladas and stiff margaritas, which they’ve been serving up since 1935, are awfully good to boot. 2201 N. Commerce St.

Reata: Currently occupying a temporary spot off Sundance Square, this upscale restaurant with delicious Southwestern fare is set to move in the near future, but that won’t stop us from grabbing reservations, wherever they end up. 530 Throckmorton St.

Bonnell’s: If the state of Texas had a quintessential fine dining menu, it’d look a heck of a lot like Bonnell’s, which offers Lone Star spins on classic dishes — and dang good steaks. 4259 Bryant Irvin Road

Spiral Diner: In a city called Cowtown, one would think finding solid vegan fare would be a chore. Thanks to this spot, such assumptions are dead wrong — and don’t assume meat eaters won’t love the food, too. 1314 W. Magnolia Ave.

Drew’s Place: What started as a sandwich shop in 1987 eventually morphed into one of the city’s best soul food and country cooking joints. We can’t recommend the fried chicken enough — no batter is better. 5701 Curzon Ave.

Newbies for Newcomers

If you wanna get ahead of the curve.

61 Osteria: If you’ve got an itch for some traditional pasta dishes and great cocktails in a fine dining setting, this downtown spot checks all the requisite boxes. 500 W. Seventh St.

Don Artemio: A James Beard finalist in 2023, the menu at Don Artemio offers a contemporary take on the flavors of Northeast Mexico. Tip: The Chile Hojaldrado is a chef’s kiss. 3268 W. Seventh St.

Walloon’s: The colossal Seafood Tower — a stunning collection of oysters, shrimp, and tuna — has become one of the city’s most Instagrammable sights. Oh, and everything else is darn good, too. 701 W. Magnolia Ave.

Teddy Wongs: A wide variety of delicious dumpling and wine offerings, including lobster, crab, mushroom, and chicken, have quickly made this unassuming Near Southside spot one of the city’s go-to joints. 812 W. Rosedale St.

Le Margot: We can’t claim that French cuisine is a cornerstone of Fort Worth fare, but Texans love garlic ... just not on snails. This new restaurant from Graham Elliot strikes that balance. 3150 S. Hulen St.

Heirloom Garden Cafe: Deep in the thick of the flora of nursery Archie’s Gardenland lies this food truck and well-shaded patio spot that serves an ever-changing menu of lunch and breakfast items. 6700 Z Boaz Place

Maria’s Mexican Kitchen: This spot off the Trinity River offers clever twists on classic Mexican fare, including lemon garlic rib-eye fajitas and orange-infused margaritas. 1712 S. University Drive

BBQ and Burgers

The Cowtown food group

Boston has its beans; Baltimore, its crabs; and Seattle, its salmon. There are foods that certain cities take very seriously and of which they claim ownership — don’t even think about trying them elsewhere. So, what is the culinary staple of a city called Cowtown, you may ask? Barbecue and burgers, naturally.

BARBECUE 

Railhead: In the new world of craft barbecue, these guys have stuck to the basics ... ’cause they’re dang good at it. 2900 Montgomery St. 

Heim: Ground zero of the craft barbecue boom in Fort Worth — and home to scrumptious bacon burnt ends. 1109 W. Magnolia Ave.

Angelo’s: You won’t find a bigger taxidermy collection in the city, which must mean the ’cue’s on point. 2533 White Settlement Road

Goldee’s: Named 2022’s best barbecue joint in the state by Texas Monthly. Need we say more? 4645 Dick Price Road

Panther City: Juicy meats by the pound or on your fave Mexican dish. Plus, sides on sides on sides. 201 E. Hattie St.

Smoke-A-Holics: Off-the-beaten-path joint that serves up BBQ with a soul food twist in the city’s east side.1417 Evans Ave.

Hurtado: Arlington-based restaurant that delivers excellent Tex-Mex barbecue and now has a Cowtown location.1116 Eighth Ave.

Brix: Now in a Near Southside brick-and-mortar after gaining a solid reputation serving ’cue from a chrome RV. 1012 S. Main

  • What to drink: Sweet tea  
  • Condiments: BBQ sauce, but not too sweet and just the right spice  
  • Sides: Yes, all of them
  • Do not: Wipe your hands after every rib you touch

BURGERS

Kincaid’s: A Camp Bowie favorite with communal picnic tables inside an old grocery store. 4901 Camp Bowie Blvd.

Fred’s: Thick patties with equally thick toppings on Texas-inspired menu items. 7101 Camp Bowie Blvd.

Charlie’s: The very definition of an old-fashioned burger wrapped in checkered wax paper. 4616 Granbury Road

Hooker’s Grill: Onion fried burgers with the best chili cheese fries the Stockyards has to offer. 213 W. Exchange Ave.

Fuego: Tip: When you order a burger from Fuego, order it with grilled cheese or don’t order it at all. 4400 Benbrook Blvd., Ste. 108

Rodeo Goat: Not your standard patty and bun, this joint’s inventive variations get pretty wild. 2836 Bledsoe St.

Big Kat: Giant, made-to-order creative concoctions (PB&J burger?) from a food truck in the Near Southside. 200 Bryan Ave.

M&O Station: Greasy, finger-licking burgers tucked away in the city’s Foundry District. 200 Carroll St., Ste. 110

  • What to drink: Coke (and by that, we mean any kind of soda) 
  • Condiments: Mustard only
  • Sides: Fries, onion rings, etc. (anything deep-fried and consumed with fingers, really)
  • Do not: Eat with a fork and knife

Why Fort Worth Has the Best BBQ

It's just a fact.

Once upon a time long ago in a small Texas town, Fort Worth barbecue empresario Walter Jetton smoked the only American state dinner not held at the White House.  

The “Spareribs Summit Meeting” between West German Chancellor Ludwig Erhard and Lyndon Johnson at Stonewall High School earned Jetton international recognition. 

Fast-forward to 2024: It’s now Fort Worth barbecue that is earning international acclaim. In fact, we’d go so far as to call it the best damn barbecue on God’s green earth.  

The barbecue capital of the world has moved up Interstate 35 from Central Texas, settling in quite nicely here thanks to smoked brisket innovators who have given Cowtown a whole new context.  

Goldee’s, Panther City BBQ, and Hurtado have all earned recognition by Texas Monthly as among the Top 50 barbecue joints in Texas. Goldee’s, in fact, was ranked the best in the state. Panther City enjoyed a place in the Top 10.  

Heim is clearly a people’s choice award, its craft fare now gobbled up in four locations in Fort Worth-Dallas.  

The New York Times tapped Smoke ’N Ash in Arlington as one of 2022’s best new restaurants.  

We’re not exactly simply top heavy, either. The bench is as deep as it’s ever been. This barbecue team has incredible depth. BBQ on the Brazos, Brix, Jambo’s, and Smoke-a-holics merely a few of many, including the venerable establishments, Angelo’s, Cousin’s, and Railhead, which remain dependable staples. 

What has made it so good is a Fort Worth kind of passion and enthusiasm for the craft, great beef in the tradition of the famed cattle ranchers of yesteryear, and a unique blend of old-fashioned technique, excellent ingredients, and cultural influences sprinkled in. 

Carry on, Smokers. — John Henry

Watering Holes

Whether sucking down some suds or sipping craft cocktails, these are your spots.

DIVE BARS

Basement Bar: Below the deck of Star Cafe on the west side of Exchange Avenue is where you’ll find no-frills, stiff drinks, and a sign that reads “World’s Smallest Honky Tonk.” 105 W. Exchange Ave.

Showdown: An old-fashioned saloon right off the boujie bricks of Camp Bowie Boulevard with cheap drinks and a couple pool tables to boot. 4907 Camp Bowie Blvd.

Chat Room: Friendly, neighborhood watering hole where, according to legend, Harrison Ford once took a single step in and walked right back out.

1263 W. Magnolia Ave.

TRADITIONAL BARS

Down n’ Out: Popular spot off West Rosedale with a killer karaoke night and the presence of an ever-changing, and always delicious, pop-up or food truck.

150 W. Rosedale St.

White Elephant Saloon: Legendary drinking spot in the heart of the Stockyards. Its origins date back to 1884 and the infamous Hell’s Half Acre, so they’re doing something right.

106 E. Exchange Ave.

Nickel City: In the heart of South Main, this Austin-based establishment serves cheap boilermakers, high-end cocktails, and excellent two-patty sliders.

212 S. Main St.

COCKTAIL BARS 

Thompson’s Bookstore: Inspired cocktails at a literary-themed spot. Don’t forget to trek up the numerous flights of stairs for a speakeasy. 900 Houston St.

The Usual: Unassuming joint off West Magnolia with a well curated menu of ever-changing, seasonal cocktails and spacious seating. 1408 W. Magnolia Ave.

Sidesaddle Saloon: A quaint cocktail lounge among the hustle and bustle of Mule Alley. Main menu’s concoctions, which include heavy pours, are named after famous cowgirls.

122 E. Exchange Ave., Ste. 240

Cowtown Cocktails

Dreamsicle Fizz from Blackland Distillery Bourbon, vanilla cream soda, aromatic bitters, orange ice. 2616 Weisenberger St.

Pecan Old Fashioned from TX Whiskey Ranch TX Whiskey, pecan simple syrup, bitters. 2601 Whiskey Ranch Road.

Beth Dutton from Sidesaddle Saloon TX Whiskey, Licor 43, Ancho Reyes, spicy apple cinnamon syrup, lemon 122 E. Exchange Ave., Ste. 240 

Local Brews

The city’s best hoppy beverages

Salty Lady: From Martin House Brewery — Sour | Traditional Gose | 5% ABV

Adios Pantalones: From Rahr and Sons — Lager  | 4.5% ABV 

Feisty Redhead: From HopFusion Ale Works — Golden Ale | 8.67% ABV  

Nick’s Cold Black Heart: From Cowtown Brewing Company — Stout | 11.4% ABV 

Raspberry Fields: From Maple Branch Craft Brewery — Fruit Beer | 5.9% ABV 

An Ode to TX Whiskey

TX Whiskey and I were love at first taste. Not that I recall the time and place. 

But that it left a memory as I sent it swirling around my palate — its sweet flavor stimulating every point of my taste buds, which worked in harmony to savor the moment — there is no doubt.  

That I wanted a return date, there was no doubt.  

The award-winning mashup is a homegrown creation of Fort Worth business partners Leonard Firestone and Troy Robertson, who founded the distillery in 2010. Their TX Blended Whiskey won distinction as “Best American Craft Whiskey” in 2013 and later that year double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.  

That kind of exposure sent it on a rocket ship-like trajectory that soon had the business outgrowing its original location.  

An ambitious brand with iconic dreams needs an iconic location, so, the distillery moved to the site of the former Glen Garden Country Club, onetime workplace of legendary golfers Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson.  

Whiskey Ranch is a 112-acre refuge for lovers of TX Whiskey, now owned by Pernod Ricard. — John Henry

Where to Perk Up

Places to get your caffeine fix 

*Local roaster 

Ampersand — The place to: Drink coffee by day and liquor at night. 3009 Bledsoe St. 

Avoca* — The place to: Work from a coffee shop (née home). 1311 W. Magnolia Ave. 

Black Coffee* — The place to: Ask about their playlist. 1714 Vaughn Blvd.  

Casa Azul — The place to: Study while you eat a concha. 300 W. Central Ave. 

Cherry* — The place to: People-watch on West Magnolia. 1121 W. Magnolia Ave. 

Sons* — The place to: Interact with fellow caffeinated patrons. 250 W. Lancaster 

Love Local — The place to: Shop for gifts while sipping a cold brew. 4612 SW Loop 820 

Fort Worth Coffee Co. — The place to: Grab a top-notch seasonal drink. 4731 Camp Bowie Blvd. 

If Married With Kiddos

Go to the Fort Worth Zoo to see a whole lotta baby animals: Consistently ranked one of the nation’s top zoos, this home to over 542 species of critters has also experienced a baby boom, with 11 young tykes one can see. 1989 Colonial Parkway 

Go to The Herd to experience a real-life cattle drive: Like Old Faithful, twice every day (at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.), drovers lead a herd of longhorns down the bricks of the crowded East Exchange Ave. It’s quintessential Fort Worth. East Exchange Avenue 

Go to John Wayne: An American Experience to learn to talk low and slow: The biggest and best museum dedicated to America’s biggest movie star. It’s over 10,000 square feet of nothing but the Duke ... and Roy Rogers’ horse. 2501 Rodeo Plaza 

Go to the Museum of Science and History to see (skeletons of) dinosaurs: There are a whole lotta oohs and aahs when one visits this massive museum — which includes plenty of hands-on experiences — with the kiddos. 1600 Gendy St. 

Go to the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame to wonder why there isn’t a movie about Nellie Cashman: The sidesaddle gets its due with this incredible 33,000-square-foot museum that honors the contribution of the cowgirl and over 200 Hall of Fame inductees. 1720 Gendy St. 

Go to Six Flags Over Texas for an adrenaline rush: If a good time for you and your family includes a thrill, no place does it better than this Arlington theme park, which has 14 roller coasters. 2201 Road to Six Flags St. E., Arlington 

Go to the Weekly Rodeo at Cowtown Coliseum to get your twang: The world’s only year-round rodeo (Friday and Saturday nights) — roping steers and bucking bulls and broncos — takes place in the heart of the Fort Worth Stockyards. 121 E. Exchange Ave. 

If Young, Single, or Both

Go to Billy Bob’s Texas for two-steppin’: 100,000 square feet, 30 bar stations, two stages with Texas-size dance floors, and pro bull riding. It ain’t the World’s Largest Honky-Tonk for nothin’. 2520 Rodeo Plaza

Go to Curfew for clubbing: In the basement of a downtown skyscraper, an ominous Zoltar leads patrons to a neon-infused dance floor with a hoard of disco balls and fog machines. 350 W. Fifth St.

Go to Four Day Weekend for laughs: Call it Cowtown’s version of Chicago’s famed Second City, where the best improv troupe west of the Mississippi puts on a comedic clinic three times a week. (Note: Moving from current location after July). 312 Houston St. 

Go to Free Play Arcade or Cidercade for playing arcades while libating: Proof that pinball, Skee-Ball, basketball, and other games that don’t include a ball — Pac-Man, for instance — get more fun when cocktails (or cider) are involved.1311 Lipscomb St. / 1813 W. Bowie St., Ste. 101

Go to Scat Jazz Lounge for loud trumpets: One of the coolest alleyways in Fort Worth takes you to a classic lounge with candle-lit cafe tables and live jazz Thursday through Sunday. 111 W. Fourth St.

Go to Second Rodeo Brewing for chatting in lawn chairs while libating: A sprawling brewhouse with indoor/outdoor seating and the occasional local act serenading 20-somethings. It’s about the best time in Mule Alley. 122 E. Exchange Ave., Ste. 340

Go to Studio 80 for dancing the night away: It may be 80s themed, but that doesn’t mean its music selections aren’t as diverse as the patrons themselves. You’ll find old and young alike cutting a rug on this dance floor. 500 Taylor St.

5 Steps for Two-Steppin'

Since it’s incumbent upon the gents to lead, the following is aimed at you, cowboys. Just remember, always look up, stand up straight, and lead with confidence. 

1. On the first beat, quickly step forward with your left foot while the lady follows suit by stepping back with her right. 

2. On the second beat, quickly step forward with your right foot while the lady steps back her left. 

3. On the third beat, slowly step forward with your left foot while she mirrors you with her right. 

4. You’re almost home free, cowboy. On the fifth beat (since you stepped slowly on the third step, it should’ve taken an extra beat), slowly step forward with your right foot to complete the pattern. 

5. Hold for a beat and give the lady a twirl. 

Art Row

Museum guide

Having an institution where local residents can view priceless works of art is an essential part of any city. And Fort Worth has three such institutions. Located side-by-side in the city’s Cultural District, each museum offers its own distinct collections in structures designed by world-renowned architects (Louis Kahn, Philip Johnson, and Tadao Ando). The museums themselves are works of art. 

Amon Carter Museum of American Art 

  • What to call it: The Amon Carter 
  • What they have: Everything that spans American artistic creativity: paintings, sculptures, photographs, and works on paper. Significant piece: “A Dash for Timber” by Frederic Remington
  • Current exhibition: “Moving Pictures: Karl Struss and the Rise of Hollywood”
  • If the museum were a music genre: Folk —3501 Camp Bowie Blvd.  

Kimbell Art Museum

  • What to call it: The Kimbell
  • What they have: Everything. Antiquities, European art, Asian art, art of the Ancient Americans, and African and Oceanic art.
  • Significant piece: “The Torment of Saint Anthony” by Michaelangelo
  • Current exhibition: “Art and War in the Renaissance: The Battle of Pavia Tapestries”
  • If the museum were a music genre: Classical — 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd. 

Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

  • What to call it: The Modern
  • What they have: It’s in the name. Abstract expressionism, pop art, minimalism, post minimalism, and conceptualism.
  • Significant piece: “Clean Slate” by KAWS
  • Current exhibition: “Surrealism and Us: Caribbean and African Diasporic Artists Since 1940”
  • If the museum were a music genre: Ambient — 3200 Darnell St. 

Live Theater

With plenty of options, there’s rarely a night a Fort Worthian can’t catch a performance.

Amphibian Stage: Small troupe on South Main that specializes in innovative, experimental performances and an annual festival dedicated to the performance arts. If the theater were an actor: Parker Posey  — 120 S. Main  

Bass Performance Hall: Home to hit Broadway musicals, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Texas Ballet Theater, and performances from Grammy-winning artists. If the theater were an actor: Hugh Jackman  — 525 Commerce St. 

Casa Mañana: Dome-shaped theater that boasts family-friendly performances and a separate cabaret space in the heart of the Cultural District. If the theater were an actor: Kevin Hart  — 3101W. Lancaster  

Circle Theatre: Two blocks from Bass Performance Hall, this 125-seat theater brings avant-garde plays and musicals to Sundance Square. If the theater were an actor: Miles Turner  — 230 W. Fourth St. 

Hip Pocket: Outdoor theater located near Lake Worth produces locally created, innovative works that promise theatergoers a quirky experience. If the theater were an actor: Dennis Hopper  —1950 Silver Creek Road 

Jubilee Theatre: The original home of Black theater in North Texas, Jubilee creates and presents works that reflect the African American experience. If the theater were an actor: Viola Davis — 506 Main St. 

Stage West: Just south of Interstate 30, this small-capacity theater regularly puts on performances that are simultaneously funny, entertaining, and challenging. If the theater were an actor: Greta Gerwig — 821 W. Vickery Blvd.

Music: Essential Fort Worth Playlist

From rock to jazz to funk and folk, Cowtown artists create more than amazing country music. But our country is, indeed, amazing. 

FEATURING: Leon Bridges, Toadies, Bobby Day, Van Cliburn, Abraham Alexander, Summer Dean,  Lou Charle$, Pat Green, Vincent Neil Emerson, Kelly Clarkson, The Cush, Simon Flory, Bob Wills, The Unlikely Candidates.

Click here to listen to the entire playlist.

Music Venues

Billy Bob’s Texas - Country, rock

The World’s Largest Honky-Tonk. When country music’s biggest acts tour, you better believe Billy Bob’s is on their schedule. — 2520 Rodeo Plaza 

The Cicada - Local music, singer-songwriters

Small bar and venue that’s become one of the city’s go-to spots to catch local bands and singer-songwriters. —1002 S. Main St. 

Dickies Arena - Pop, rock, top-40, legacy acts

Giant arena — named one of the top venues in the world — that seats over 14,000 and brings big names to the Fort. — 1911 Montgomery St. 

Panther Island Pavilion - Electronic dance music, festivals

Home to the annual EDM festival Ubbi Dubbi, this outdoor stage next to the Trinity specializes in multi-act events. — 395 Purcey St. 

Tannahill’s Tavern and Music Hall - Rock, country, indie, legacy acts

Chef Tim Love opened this 1,000-person capacity venue in 2022, which brings country and non-country acts to Mule Alley. — 122 E. Exchange Ave. 

Tulips - Indie, punk, folk, rap, hip-hop, etc.

The city’s top venue for national touring indie acts. And it has a killer bar, Low Doubt, and patio in the back. —112 St. Louis Ave. 

Music Events

Concerts in the Garden: Though suspended in 2024 as the Fort Worth Botanic Garden constructs a new stage, this summer concert series brings the music of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra to larger community spaces. 

Fort Worth Music Festival: This marked the second year of the Live Nation music festival, which prominently featured Texas-based artists performing in several venues in the Fort Worth Stockyards. 

Friday on the Green: A monthly community concert series held at Magnolia Green in the Near Southside, where local musical acts play in the fall and spring. 

Southside Spillover: Fort Worth gets a taste of Austin’s annual South by Southwest, when music festival acts head to Cowtown to play Tulips for two days in March. 

homeTOWNESfest: For 11 years, Fort Worth has honored the late Townes Van Zandt (who was born and is buried in Fort Worth) with a two-day music festival at Southside Preservation Hall. 

Ubbi Dubbi: Prominent electronic music acts take the stage at Panther Island Pavilion for this annual festival that features pulsating beats, light shows, and a whole lotta hair dye.

Outdoor Activities

We’re going to be real with you, if you’re someone who considers themselves an “outdoorsy” type — those who regularly visit REIs and own tents that cost as much as used cars — Fort Worth might not be for you. That said, the city does offer plenty of options for those who enjoy an active lifestyle. The Trinity Trails is a system with over 100 miles of running and biking trails. Lake Worth and nearby Burger’s Lake offer boating, swimming, and diving opportunities. If you enjoy a good hike, Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge, Marion Samson Park, and Westworth’s Airfield Falls Trail, all give you a chance to try out your hiking boots or trail runners. 

For the Gram

The city’s built-in selfie stations 

  • Water Gardens 
  • Sundance Square 
  • Botanic Garden 
  • Stockyards (sign) 
  • Mule Alley

Sports

Our rooting interests

TCU Horned Frogs

  • Sport: All (but football reigns supreme)
  • Why you should root for them: Get used to wearing purple on Saturdays, unless you’re keen on violent stares. 
  • Where they play: Amon G. Carter Stadium 

Texas Rangers

  • Sport: Baseball
  • Why you should root for them: The team came to Arlington in 1972 and has always been a Tarrant County ball club. Also, Nolan Ryan.
  • Where they play: Globe Life Field 

Dallas Wings

  • Sport: Women’s basketball
  • Why you should root for them: Caitlin Clark has made the WNBA a hot item.
  • Where they play: College Park Center, UTA

Panther City Lacrosse

  • Sport: Lacrosse
  • Why you should root for them: Technically, Fort Worth’s only top-tier professional sports team.
  • Where they play: Dickies Arena 

Dallas Cowboys

  • Sport: Football
  • Why you should root for them: Despite the town to the east being in their name, the Cowboys have always been America’s Team.
  • Where they play: AT&T Stadium 

Vaqueros

  • Sport: Soccer
  • Why you should root for them: While it’s an amateur club, it’s still nice to know the world’s most popular sport has a Cowtown representative.
  • Where they play: W.O. Barnes Stadium 

Must-Do Events

Mark your calendars

The Places You'll Go

Districts and hoods we're sure you'll frequent.

TCU: The college district is full of old money, beautiful homes, an award-winning zoo, a golf course that hosts a PGA Tour event, an Apple store, and phenomenal bars, burger joints, and taco shops. 

Near Southside: A catch-all term for the area that includes Magnolia, South Main, and Fairmount. It’s where you’ll find artists living in bungalows and 20- and 30-somethings frequenting bars, restaurants, and coffee shops. 

River District: Recent development has added a bevy of urban-style apartments full of amenities to this lush area along the Trinity. It’s an up-and-coming area where there appears to be a lot of investment. 

Clearfork: Gucci, Neiman Marcus, and Louis Vuitton all have shops in this master-planned community and shopping center that opened in 2017. It’s where people with disposable dough can eat, shop, and live. 

Foundry: In an area northwest of downtown, rows of warehouses have been repurposed into creative office spaces — with murals all about to boot — and boutique restaurants and shops.  

Stockyards: The manifestation of Fort Worth’s nickname, Where the West Begins. Saloons, steakhouses, western wear shops, and longhorns walking down the street make for one heck of a good time. 

Cultural District: Like the name suggests, this is where you’ll find culture in the form of museums, live musical and theatrical performances, hotel lobby bars, and bucking bulls come January. 

West 7th: If you’re on the prowl for loud music, crowded streets, and liquor that flows like the Trinity, this is the spot for you. If not, we recommend avoiding the area after 9 p.m. 

Camp Bowie: Also called 377, Camp Bowie Boulevard is a road that stretches west of downtown from University Drive to a traffic circle at the intersection of Southwest Boulevard (183). Along this stretch are boutiques, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops out the wazoo. 

River East: Tucked away in the city’s northeast side is an area that encompasses the budding Race Street, Oakhurst, and Sylvania Avenue, which contains a two-mile long stretch of road with some of the best taquerias in the state. 

Poly: The budding area in East Fort Worth that feels like it’s on the precipice of becoming a go-to spot in the city. The area includes Texas Wesleyan University, which recorded its highest enrollment since 2012. 

Talkin' Fort Worth

How to speak — and write — the lingo

The Amon Carter: Amon Carter Museum of American Art. Many a Fort Worth structure carries the name of one of the city’s most renowned residents — and champions — but when someone says his name prefixed with “the,” they’re referring to the museum. 

The Bricks: The area along Camp Bowie Boulevard between Interstate 30 and University Drive. So called for its brick road. 

Coke: Any soft drink. What others call “soda” or “pop.” 

Cowtown, Funkytown, Panther City, Where the West Begins: All legitimate things to call Fort Worth. More on this later. 

Dallas: An East Coast city dropped in North Texas that, figuratively, doesn’t come anywhere close to Fort Worth. So don’t you dare refer to Fort Worth as Dallas. 

DFW: This is the airport. This is not the name of a city or all-encompassing area. For that, see “Metroplex.” Legitimate requests to change the name to FWD have gone largely ignored. 

Fixin’: Substitute for the word “about.” Folks in Fort Worth are always “fixin’ to do something.”  

Fort Worth: Not Ft. Worth or Forth Worth. 

Howdy: The best way to say hello. 

Joe T.’s: Best margarita-infused patio in the world. Not Joe’s or Garcia’s or Joe T. Garcia’s. It’s Joe T.’s. 

Metroplex: The combined area that stretches from Benbrook to McKinney and Denton to Mesquite. To Fort Worthians, it’s THE Metroplex. All other metroplexes are simply big cities. 

Y’all: A logical contraction of “You” and “All.” Not “you guys” or “you fellas.” Better get used to it, ’cause y’all will hear this a lot. 

Stock Show: Colloquialism for the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo as a whole. When one refers to the “rodeo,” they are speaking of that specific event within the FWSSR. 

Tips for Getting Around

  1. Got a flight to catch out of DFW? Use the Trinity Metro’s TEXRail, which has stations downtown, T&P Station, and the Northside. Parking at stations is free and $2.50 will get you to Terminal B.  
  2. Don’t be afraid to hop on the Chisholm Trail Parkway if headed out of town south. One would be wise to avoid the perpetual traffic of I-35. It’s worth the future extra bucks one has to pay.  
  3. If parking downtown, all meters are free on weekends and after 6 p.m. on weekdays. Also, there is free self-parking after 6 p.m. on weekdays and all weekend long in Sundance Square Garage No. 3 (345 W Third Street). 
  4. Use Molly the Trolley to get around downtown Fort Worth during the day. The vintage-style trolley, which runs every 15 minutes, makes a loop from the Fort Worth Convention Center to Sundance Square. 

How to Dress Like a Fort Worthian

Unless you’ve been living under oversized shoulder pads, you know that Western wear has never been more “in.” Of course, in Fort Worth, it’s never been out.

Must-Own Items: 

  • Felt cowboy hat (winter) 
  • Straw cowboy hat (summer) 
  • Pearl snap 
  • Any tee or hat with Fort Worth or any of its number of nicknames on it (we love to rep our city) 
  • Jeans with a relaxed fit or a boot cut 
  • Western belt buckle with a semblance of an ornate design 
  • Cowboy boots (cowhide, ostrich, or alligator preferred) 

Questions & Answers

Why do I see Amon Carter’s name everywhere? From museums to schools to stadiums to streets, there’s admittedly a lot of Carter in Fort Worth, and for good reason. The founder of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Carter was the city’s biggest marketing tool during the 1920s and ‘30s, becoming a boot-wearing, traveling spokesperson who sold the city as “Where the West Begins.” That’s it in a nutshell. Fort Worth wouldn’t be the same without him. 

What’s with the Horned Frogs? It’s weird, we know. And dare we say this quirkiness embodies the city? Absolutely. The scraggly-looking lizard, that also happens to be the state’s official reptile, appeared as the name of the school’s yearbook in 1887. How it made its way to the athletic department to become the mascot 10 years later depends on which story you choose to believe. Some say the yearbook name was picked because of a group of “horny toads” that showed up during the football team’s first practice. So, becoming a mascot appears a logical next step. Others say the dean at the time selected it to replace the former mascot, the Fightin’ Preacher Boys. We’ll let your imagination run wild. 

Is Fort Worth a fort? At one time, yes. The city was initially founded as an army outpost in 1849 by Maj. Ripley Arnold, who named the newly established fort after Maj. Gen. William Jenkins Worth. While nothing remains of the initial fort, the military has maintained a strong presence in the city, as it’s currently home to a Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, which was previously Carswell Air Force Base. 

What’s with all the nicknames?  No, Fort Worth does not have an identity crisis. However, there’s no doubt it takes a unique city to embrace nicknames that range from Cowtown to Funkytown. And, while here, you’ll find parts of this city that proudly represent each distinct epithet — all of which are equally amazing.