9 cowboy & culture activities for families in Fort Worth

 

If you’ve ever dreamed of having a full-on Texas experience that lives up to that image created by old Westerns, cartoons and cowboy shows, Fort Worth is your place. Historically, it’s a cowtown on the Old Chisholm trail and these days it’s all about that cowboys and cattle heritage, with a bit of countryside thrown in.

The folks at Fort Worth invited Jenography.net to come and discover the fun activities for family there. The city is very accessible for Brits — you can fly directly into Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) Airport or drive up the Interstate from Austin, an easy 2 and a half hour drive.

Here, are our top 9 things to do in Fort Worth as a family. For the expanded version, including my tips and recommendations, see the full post on Jenography.net.

 

1. Eat barbecue

Barbecue in Fort Worth ranges from cafeteria style, eaten off waxed paper, to modern riverside dining, starting with grilled artichoke. Plan to eat all kinds.

What we loved: The variety in atmosphere and style. At Coopers Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que, the brisket with vinegary sauce was polished off, along with macaroni cheese and peach cobbler. At the Woodshed, I ate pork rib tamales for the first — but hopefully not the last — time.

What we didn’t love: It can get messy. Don’t wear white, and grab a handful of the wet wipes on offer to avoid that sticky-all-day feeling.

Info: Coopers Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que, 1125 Texas 337 Loop, New Braunfels, TX 78130 http://www.coopersbbq.com/; The Woodshed Smokehouse, 3201 Riverfront Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76107 http://www.woodshedsmokehouse.com/

 

2. Stroll around Sundance Square

This plaza in the middle of downtown Fort Worth is the place to come to eat, drink, and people watch.

What we loved: Families, groups and couples stroll the area or sit at one of the tables to enjoy a drink or a bite in the evening. The vibe is chilled and fun.

What we didn’t love: We drove by in the afternoon to contemplate a frolic in the fountains but in the heat of the day the square looked deserted.

Info: 401 Calhoun St, Fort Worth, TX 76104 www.sundancesquare.com You can walk from downtown hotels or park in nearby garages – it’s free after 5pm on weekdays and all day and night on weekends, free weekdays with validation from Sundance Square merchants.

 

3. Visit the museums of the cultural district, including the Cowgirl Hall of Fame

The Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame celebrates in style the women of the American West — trick riding, singing, working the ranch and more. Who will love it: Wannabe cowgirls who think anything boys can do they can do better.

What we loved: The bucking bronco, where you video yourself on a horse and download the video from their site. I loved the listening station where you could hear popular singing cowgirls from the early 1900s to the present.

What we didn’t love: I would have liked a few more interactive exhibits. Sadly, one of the stations — where you could pose like a cowgirl — was out of order.

Info: National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, 1720 Gendy Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76107 http://www.cowgirl.net/

 

4. Marvel at the Kimbell Museum

The Kimbell hosts a small but excellent collection of 20^th century art. It also features strikingly cool architecture, both in the original 1972 building by Louis I. Kahn and the new Renzo Piano Pavilion opened in 2013.

What we loved: Everything and free entry for regular collections.

What we didn’t love: That we hadn’t allowed more time to explore more of the exhibits and the building.

Info: 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Forth Worth, TX 76107 https://www.kimbellart.org/

 

5. Kayak/Paddleboard on the Trinity River

One way to cool off is to get out onto the water in a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard in downtown Fort Worth. There is a sandy beach entry, friendly rental folks and a calm stretch of water – perfect for paddling then stopping to jump in and swim.

What we loved: Easy paddling without battling a current, worrying about the conditions in the water or scads of other folks on the water. There is parking near the rental trailer so it’s easy to access and children from babies to teens are welcome as long as parents are on the water too.

What we didn’t love: The scenery from the banks is typical of the region but not teeming with wildlife or striking vistas. Go for easy fun on the water, not an extraordinary nature experience.

Info: Backwoods Paddlesports at Panther Island Rentals, 480 N. Taylor St, Fort Worth 76102 http://www.kayakfortworth.com/

 

6. Mosey around the Fort Worth Stockyards

When you go to Cowtown US, you have to visit the Stockyards. The Friday and Saturday night rodeos are just one activity in this historic district, with an old-west feel and loads of shopping, eating and family activities. There is a twice daily cattle drive down the cobbled main street (a small but impressive herd of longhorn cattle), stables which run horse rides along the old Chisholm Trail, a petting zoo, a cowboy hall of fame and more.

What we loved: The Cowtown Cattlepen Maze is an old west version of a hedge maze, in which you time yourself to find all the clues amid the turns and blind alleys. The grown-ups raced the kids in our group and I’m happy to say the grown-ups won.

What we didn’t love: We ate at Riscky’s Steakhouse (there is also Riscky’s Barbecue in the Stockyards), which was friendly and loaded with kitschy wild west appeal, but our steaks were disappointing.

Info: 500 NE 23rd St, Fort Worth, TX 76164 http://www.fortworthstockyards.org/

 

7. Cheer at the Rodeo

Every Friday and Saturday night cowboys and cowgirls take to the ring to ride bulls, rope calves and barrel race at the rodeo in the Stockyards district. This rodeo has all the over-the-top patriotism, pageantry and down-home appeal as any I’ve attended. It’s a highlight of any trip to Fort Worth.

What we loved: The action in the ring was fast-paced and left our kids wide-eyed. There are two activities for children, in which under-8s and then 8-12-year-olds chase a mutton or a calf to grab a piece of tape on its back. Yes, this is a thing and my daughter loved it.

What we didn’t love: Nothing, really.

Info: Cowtown Coliseum, 121 E.Exchange Avenue, Fort Worth. TX 76164 http://stockyardsrodeo.com

 

8. Splash down in Hurricane Harbour

This big waterpark is part of the Six Flags Over Texas theme park. It’s based in Arlington, about a 20-minute drive, between Fort Worth and Dallas.

What we loved: The kids loved the thrilling water slides, many of which you can do as a family — racing against each other or riding in twos, threes or fours. There are wading and splash pools for younger kids, 2 body boarding surf machines, slides too scary for me to contemplate, a wave pool and a lazy river. We all welcomed the chance to cool off in sizzling temperatures.

What we didn’t love: The park felt a little tired in general and could do with a meaningful lick of paint. Like all theme parks, concessions are exorbitant.

Info: Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, 1800 E Lamar Boulevard, Arlington, TX 76006 https://www.sixflags.com/hurricaneharbortexas/

 

9. Boot scoot at Billy Bob’s

Hailed as the world’s biggest honky tonky, Billy Bob’s was made famous in Urban Cowboy, which the kids probably haven’t seen — but it’s still a pretty awesome sight and a certifiable slice of Texana. There’s a wide stretch of coin-operated pool tables and arcade games, free Thursday night 7pm line dancing lessons and unlike anything you’ve seen. Afternoons are family-friendly for a drink, snack and games. Friday and Saturday night there’s indoor pro bull riding (extra entrance fee)

What we loved: Kids under 11 don’t pay the $2 entrance fee Sunday-Thursday.

What we didn’t love: The food we tried was pretty mediocre. You’re better off going across the street to Coopers Bar-B-Que, for tasty brisket and mac cheese.

Info: 2520 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth, TX 76164 http://billybobstexas.com/

 

For more information about visiting Fort Worth go to http://www.fortworth.com/ and follow #HowdyFortWorth on Twitter.

See the full post, including tips and pictures on Jenography.net.