In the southern part of the country, Texas is one of the most critical states in the USA for its cultural and economic influence. Over the last decade, there has been massive growth in the number of people who have shifted to Texas. These people include American citizens and foreign immigrants. This drastic rise in the number of immigrants has led to Texas being the second-largest state in the country.
Some key reasons why citizens are moving to Texas include numerous high-paying jobs, affordable cost of living compared to other developed states (especially California), no state income tax, and some of the best public schools. Some people even consider Texas the new Silicon Valley of the country.
The major economies of the state come from industries like agriculture, energy, computers and electronics, biotechnology, aerospace, and petrochemicals. The state is home to the headquarters of most Fortune 500 companies in the USA (53 in total). It is said that Texas would be the tenth-largest in the world if it were a separate country.
Some of the biggest and best cities in the state include Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and the state capital, Austin. However, a city that often gets overlooked is Fort Worth. Located in north central Texas, it is the fifth-largest city in Texas and is part of the Dallas-Fortworth-Arlington area. With an area of 350 square miles, Fort Worth has many fun things to do.
During the 17th century, the major income source for the city was the cattle trade, and the Texas image of cowboys was based on Fort Worth. However, as time passed, the city became home to many major companies, including American Airlines, Radio Shack, GM Financial, Pioneer Corporation, and Bell Textron.
Apart from its diverse economy, the city has many attractions, parks, educational programs, institutes, hiking trails, art galleries, and many fun things to engage in, like museum houses, interactive exhibits, and bull riding. Despite being a modern city, Fort Worth still preserves its Western heritage and promotes itself as the city of “cowboys and culture.” This can be seen with the city’s indoor rodeo, one of the few cities in the United States. Let’s look at some fun things you can do in Fort Worth, Texas.
Things To Do In Fort Worth
1) Fort Worth Nature Center
Spanning across an area of 3000 acres, the Fort Worth nature center is one of the largest city-owned nature centers in the USA. The center includes 25 miles of hiking trails, forests, wetlands, prairies, and various animals like alligators, deer, and colorful birds. Apart from its attractive flora and fauna, the Fort Worth Nature Center offers educational programs such as evening walks and guided hikes. The Fort Worth Nature Center is an ideal place to learn about the landscape and nature of Texas.
2) Modern Art Museum Of Fort Worth
One of the most popular museums in Fort Worth, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth is home to more than 3000 exhibits, including paintings, photographs, prints, and sculptures. Located in Fort Worth’s cultural district, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth was designed by the famous Japanese architect Tadao Ando. Most museum collections include genres and movements like conceptualism, abstract expressionism, and minimalism. The artwork came from prominent artists, including Gerhard Richter, Anselm Keifer, Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, and Pablo Picasso.
3) Fort Worth Zoo
Fort Worth Zoo is one of Fort Worth, Texas’s most famous and oldest zoos. Home to over 7000 animals (including 68 endangered species), the zoo is among the best things to do in Fort Worth with your family. There are 16 different exhibits in the zoo, which are easy to navigate and consist of modern amenities. Some popular exhibits include the Raptor Canyon, the Great Barrier Reef, the world of primates, and the Texas Wild. As mentioned earlier, the zoo is home to 68 endangered species, and the Fort Worth Zoo goes the extra mile to educate visitors on the importance of animal conservation.
3) Fort Worth Museum Of Science And History
The Fort Worth Museum Of Science and History was founded in 1945 to train children in science and history through fun activities like events, projects, and interactive exhibits. An ideal place to visit if you have children, the museum exposes kids to science-based concepts like biology, zoology, and geology in a fun and interactive way. Children can learn concepts from the museum as they may get hands-on experience while learning. Some popular exhibits in the Fort Worth Museum Of Science and History include Dino Labs, Innovation Studios, Cattle Raisers Museum, and Energy Blast.
4) Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Located on the Botanic Garden Boulevard, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden features more than 2000 species of fauna and is home to 21 different themed gardens. Some of the most visited gardens include the Japanese Garden, Rock Springs, Oval Rose Garden, and the conservatory, which spans 10,000 square feet and consists of tropical flowers like orchids and bromeliads. The Fort Worth Botanic Garden also has a specially designed garden to enhance your sense of smell. As the name suggests, it is an ideal spot for nature lovers.
5) Kimbell Art Museum
Another fun place for art lovers to visit is the Kimbell Art Museum. If you visit the museum for the first time, you will be amazed by the building’s eye-catching design. The beautiful architecture of the Kimbell Art Museum can be credited to Louis Kahn, the famous architect known for designing marvels like the Yale Museum Art Gallery and Park Towne Place.
The museum is home to more than 350 pieces of art ranging from sculptures, bronzes, ceramics, and paintings. The museum also has a library that has over 60,000 resources, ranging from catalogs, books, and periodicals. So it’s a place for art lovers and those who are into history and research.
6) National Cowgirl Museum And Hall Of Hame
If Fort Worth had a unique selling point in terms of tourism, then the National Cowgirl Museum would be its USP. As mentioned earlier, Forth Worth takes pride in its heritage of cowboys and cowgirls.
The National Cowgirl Museum is dedicated to the famous cowgirls and women during the 17th century. In the beginning stages, the museum was established as the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Western Historical Society in 1975. The museum exhibits explain in detail about famous women like Kay Whittaker, Annie Oakley, and Mary Jane Colter.
7) Amon Carter Museum
The Amon Carter Museum is the dwelling place of some of the greatest American art. The museum was established by Amon G. Carter, a famous publisher also known as the creator of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He set up the museum to store the sculptures he collected from Fredric Remington and Charles M. Russel.
Eventually, the collection grew, and he had to expand the museum’s capacity to store collections from famous artists like Thomas Cole, John Singer Sargeant, Alexander Calder, and Georgia O’Keefe. Compared to the other museums in Fort Worth, Texas, the Amon Carter Museum consists of many programs, exhibitions, activities, and publications.
8) Log Cabin Village
While other museums in Fort Worth touch upon the history of Fort Worth, the Log Cabin Village will transport you to a living history museum! The Log cabin village was the brainchild of a few committees in Texas that were anxious about the disappearing log cabins.
The village consists of half a dozen restored log cabins from the middle of the 17th century. Different types of structures that can be found in the Log Cabin Village include a gristmill, a schoolhouse, and a blacksmith shop.
9) Sid Richardson Museum
Located in Sundance Square, the museum is named after Sid Richardson, an American businessman and philanthropist. Established in 1982, the museum attracts about 40,000 visitors annually.
Compared to other museums, the Sid Richardson Museum focuses on the work from Texas and the American West. The artworks provide fun, romantic, idealistic, and even realistic views of the West. The Sid Richardson Museum also has educational programs and theme-guided tours.
10) Trinity Park
Trinity Park is an excellent location if you love nature or don’t fancy the sophisticated features. With an area of more than 200 acres, Trinity Park hosts many visitors and locals alike. Whether on a solo trip or bringing your family to Fort Worth, the park has fun activities like playgrounds, parks, and multiple trails. Popular attractions within Trinity Park include a miniature railroad, water fountains, picnic pavilions, a duck pond, spots for fishing, sports courts, and bike rentals.
11) The Nancy Lee And Perry R. Bass Performance Hall
Regarding the performing arts scene in Texas, Fort Worth does not fall behind! Founded in 1998, the Performance Hall was named after its generous donors. The bass performance hall is a European-style opera house in Sundance Square.
It is popular for its hosted acts, including the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the Texas Ballet Theater, and the Fort Worth Opera. The Bass Performance Hall also conducts educational programs for students who want to pursue their passion for performing arts. The hall is also a treat for architecture fans as it has a regal interior design, giant sculpted angels, and an 80-foot dome.
12) Fort Worth Water Gardens
Designed by Philip Johnson, the Fort Worth Water Gardens are a treat for the eyes as they cover an area of four acres with futuristic patterns and pool shapes. At the heart of the garden is a large vortex-like pool that is 38 feet long and consists of steps and platforms. The garden also includes an aeration pool that sprays over 800 gallons of water through 40 nozzles each minute, a mediation pool, and waterfalls pouring down the wall.
13) Vintage Flying Museum
One of the coolest things to do in Fort Worth is to visit the vintage flying museum. With an impressive collection of aircraft and planes, the museum is an absolute delight for aviation enthusiasts! Some of the most popular aircraft that the museum hosts include the B-29 Superfortress, Piasecki CH-21B workhorse, Douglas A-26B Invader, Stinson Reliant Model 77, and the Boeing PT-17. Even if you are not an aircraft fan, you can still enjoy the DC3 exhibit about the Second World War.
14) Sundance Square Plaza
Considered the pride of downtown Fort Worth, the Sundance Square plaza is filled with fun activities and interesting places to visit, like restaurants, shopping centers, art galleries, museums, and many more. The Sundance Square plaza covers 35 blocks and has over 40 different buildings, and there are various ways that people can spend their time, regardless of their age. Some popular spots include the Sid Richardson Museum, Cowtown Cycle Party, Buffalo Bros, and Mi Cochina.
15) Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District
As mentioned earlier, Fort Worth is a city that gives away the ‘wild west’ vibes, including elements like cowboys and rodeos. The city takes pride in its legacy, and the Fort Worth Stockyards represent that legacy. Established as early as 1866, the fort worth stockyards was once a spot for distributing livestock.
Eventually, the stockyards were created by a wealthy businessman named Greenlief W. Simpson. Mr. Simpson wanted to capitalize on the growing demand of the beef industry. Although the livestock business declined due to the development of highways and industrialization, the Fort Worth Stockyards remain relevant and are one of Texas’s most visited tourist spots.
16) Fort Worth Aviation Museum
Another fun thing to do in Fort Worth for aviation enthusiasts. The Fort Worth Aviation Museum is home to over 30 well-preserved jets and Lockheed Martin (Texas-made aircraft). The museum also hosts annual events like Bronco Fest and the Aviation Book Fair. A few miles from the Fort Worth Meacham International Airport, the museum consists of two points of interest: the Forward Air Controllers Museum and the B-36 Peacemaker Museum.
17) Texas Civil War Museum
The American Civil War between 1861 and 1865 was an important turning point in the country’s history. The main cause of the war was whether slavery would be permitted to expand in the western territories. Given the significance of the American Civil War, it is a crucial landmark in U.S. history. The Texas Civil War Museum explains in detail the war and the important events that occurred in it. Visitors can also explore the Judy Richy Victorian dress collection, a movie theatre, and an extensive research library.
18) C.R. Smith Museum
The C.R. Smith Museum was built in 1993 and named after Cyrus Rowlett Smith, the former president of American Airlines. The museum was established to showcase fascinating exhibits related to aircraft. Apart from aircraft-based exhibits, the museum has a theatre showcasing a documentary on American airline personnel and the American eagle. The museum also has a history wall and a flight lab.
19) Texas Motor Speedway
A more well-known Fort Worth destination, the Texas Motor Speedway is popular with fans of motor racing events like Formula 1 and NASCAR. The speedways have hosted popular events like ‘Duck Commander 500’, ‘WinStar World Casino and Resort 400’, and the ‘A.A. Texas 500’.
20) Forest Park Miniature Railroad
The Forest Park miniature railroad offers a 40-minute ride on a miniature train into the most scenic places of Fort Worth. Such places include the duck pond, the clear fork of Trinity Park, and small parts of the Fort Worth Zoo. The ride also covers the forest depot and crosses six bridges.
Takeaway
Fort Worth is the pride of Texas and is one of the key reasons Texas is called the Lone Star State. Being the center for cattle trade during the 17th century, the city is why Texas has a cowboy image. Setting aside its wild west image, there are many fun things to do in Fort Worth, including visiting Fort Worth’s cultural district, museums that display American and contemporary Western art, interactive exhibit galleries, and authentic artifacts. There are also local sporting events, Trinity trails, and downtown Fort Worth, which consists of shopping districts and myriad dining options.
