The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Fort Worth Stockyards

Visiting the Fort Worth Stockyards is a great weekend getaway destination. Whether you are traveling with your family, your girlfriends, or your partner, there is fun to be had for everyone.

The Stockyards are a historic part of Fort Worth and take you back to the days of the Old West and cowboy towns.

A Little History about the Stockyards

In the late 1800s, Fort Worth became a major shipping hub for livestock. The livestock business exploded and Fort Worth became the place to be if you were in the livestock world.

In the early 1900s, construction started on the new Livestock Exchange Building, which became known as “The Wall Street of the West’.

The Stockyards became very successful and an indoor facility to show off the livestock was much needed. This is when The Cowtown Coliseum was built. It would host many livestock shows, and later held the first indoor rodeo.

Both of these buildings still stand at The Stockyards today and the rodeo still takes place at the Cowtown Coliseum. The Livestock Exchange Building is now home to the Stockyards Museum.

Things to do at the Stockyards

The Fort Worth Stockyards is now a historic landmark and a fun place to visit for people of all ages. Everything is walkable and it is nice to just get out and walk around the brick paved streets that are filled with cute western shops and restaurants.

You can take a ride on the stagecoach through the streets. There are also twice daily cattle drives that still take place everyday at 11:30 AM and 4:00 PM.

The rodeo at Cowtown Coliseum is also something that you cannot miss if you are there when they are hosting an event. Most weekends have a rodeo so be sure to check out the schedule. They will also host PBR events, bullfighting, and more.

Another fun way to see the Stockyards are through different tours. They have walking tours that have a guide to tell you the fun history of the Stockyards, ebike tours, pub crawls and more.

Visit the world’s largest honky tonk, Billy Bob’s. This venue has several dance floors and on select nights, live music from some big stars. So get your cowboy boots on and line dance the night away.

There is also tons of shopping. Great western stores line the streets. You can create custom cowboy hats, buy some Wranglers and sink your feet into a brand new pair of Tecovas or Luccheses.

Where to Stay at The Stockyards

There are several hotel options available at the Fort Worth Stockyards. Most of them are within walking distance. The closest ones to The Stockyards would be Hotel Drover, Stockyards Hotel, Hyatt Place, and Courtyard Marriott.

Mid-Range Hotels
Courtyard by Marriott Fort Worth Stockyards
Stockyards Hotel
Hyatt Place Fort Worth Stockyards
Springhill Suites Fort Worth Stockyards

Budget Hotels
Avid Hotels
Hampton Inn and Suites Fort Worth Downtown
Holiday Inn Express Fort Worth Downtown

Where to Eat at The Stockyards

When it comes to dining at the Stockyards, you will have a plethora of choices to choose from. There are restaurants serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Try The Biscuit Bar for a fun breakfast or lunch option. So many biscuit sandwich options. Almost anything you can think of, they will put on a yummy biscuit.

If you are wanting some great Tex Mex options, then check out the newer Paloma Suerte, located in Mule Alley in the Stockyards. Or check out the classic Joe T. Garcia’s. Be prepared to wait here as Joe T’s does not take reservations.

If you are wanting a good Texas steak, then check out Cattleman’s. It has been around for decades and never disappoints.

For more upscale, modern dining in a beautiful setting, try 97 West located inside Hotel Drover.

And after dinner, don’t forget to stop and get some incredible ice cream at Melt.

More Things to Do in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Fort Worth is located just about 30 miles from Dallas. If you would like to take a quick drive to Dallas here are some things you may want to check out.

Take in a professional sports game

Dallas is a sports lovers heaven. They have it all: baseball, football and basketball. Head to Arlington where The Texas Rangers and The Dallas Cowboys literally share a parking lot. You can see ATT stadium where the Cowboys play and Globe Life Field, home of the Rangers. If you time it right, you may even be lucky enough to be in town when both teams are playing. And if basketball is more your thing, then be sure you attend a Mavericks game.

Things to do with kids in Dallas

Dallas is a great place to take kids on trip. The Perot Museum of Science and Nature is incredible. My kids loved this museum. You could literally spend hours in here. Dallas also has an amazing aquarium, Top Golf, indoor go-karts, and more.

More Dallas must do’s

Dallas has some great shopping if you have a professional shopper in the family. Head to Highland Park for some upscale boutiques and luxury brands. Head to the North Park or Galleria Mall for amazing stores all in one place.

If you have a history lover in the group, check out the 6th Floor Museum that takes a look into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy Jr.

If you are wanting a fun weekend getaway idea, then I cannot recommend visiting the Fort Worth Stockyards enough. There is so much to do in the area, and it is fun for people and groups of all ages. You can make it a girls trip, a couples trip or a family travel. There is something to do for everyone.

Want to know my favorite travel essentials. Check out my post HERE where I list all of my favorite travel essentials.