Top 10 Things to Do at the Fort Worth Stockyards

Welcome to the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, a shopping, dining, and entertainment area that will transport you straight back to the wild west of late 1800s Texas. The Stockyards are one of Texas’ most popular tourist destinations, and in this article I’ll go over my top 10 things to see and do so you get the full experience. I’ll first give you a bit of history on what the Stockyards is all about, and then we’ll get into the list - which is in no particular order, all these activities are such a great part of making the most of your day!

Welcome to the Stockyards!

A little logistics and historical context to start, just to put this place in perspective. Fort Worth is located in Northern Texas, and the Stockyards are just north of the city’s charming downtown area, a quick car or bus ride from where most tourist hotels are located - I took the bus here from downtown Fort Worth, so it is very doable if you don’t have a rental car!

When railroads reached this part of Texas in 1876, Fort Worth became an important livestock center, and the city still retains the nickname of "Cowtown" today. The Forth Worth Union Stockyards opened in 1890, and this area remained an important part of the cattle industry up until the 1950s. In 1976 it was listed on the national register of historic places, and today the Stockyards still celebrate that rich cattle industry tradition, featuring more than a hundred shopping, dining, and entertainment venues, all embracing an old western motif, providing visitors with a fun opportunity to step back in time.

Map Directory and Legend - the full map is available by clicking here

So what’s on the to-do list once you’re here? Let’s get to it!

1. Cattle Drive

We’ll start with the cattle drive, as this is what the Stockyards is probably most famous for. There are cattle drives daily at 11:30 am and 4 pm, and the best place to view the drive is from the sidewalk in front of the historic Livestock exchange building, which dates back to 1902.

Claim your sidewalk spot early, as nearly everyone will line up to watch the cattle drive!

I would recommend getting to your spot early. Nearly everyone wants to see the cattle drive, so if you want the best view, stake your claim to your piece of sidewalk at least 20 to 25 minutes early. The cattle here are the famous Texas Longhorns, an American breed of beef cattle that truly is a part of Texan culture and heritage - if you follow college sports, you may recognize them as representing the University of Texas. The horns can span over 6 feet from tip to tip, and all aspects of the cattle drive, such as the saddles and chaps and boots - are as authentic and historically accurate possible. The cattle drive itself is very cool to see, but be prepared, it is also very short. Maybe 2 - 3 minutes long, so don’t expect a lengthy experience. It's well worth seeing though!

Texas Longhorns have some serious head gear

The herd can be viewed before or after the cattle drive in their pens behind the livestock exchange building, and there are also a few of the kinder ones out and about who are willing to pose for photos. So don’t worry if you happen to miss the cattle drives, you’ll come across a Longhorn at some point.

2. Billy Bob’s Texas

I’m absolutely including this one on my list even though I didn’t personally get to go on my visit - I ran out of time (and energy, it was a summer scorcher the day I was at the Stockyards!). When I posted my Stockyards video tour on YouTube, I got so many comments about how I missed Billy Bob’s!

If I only I had read and followed the sign...

Billy Bob’s Texas is the world’s largest honky-tonk. It has a little bit of everything - it's a store, bar, restaurant, dance hall, indoor rodeo arena, private event and meeting space, and concert venue. Billy Bob's has a true authentic western vibe, and there’s live music every night of the week, featuring some of country music’s biggest stars. If you’re seeking that perfect Texas country music experience, Billy Bob’s is a must visit -  it’s even been crowned “Country Music Club of the Year” 12 times by the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association! This place is also Texas sized - nearly three whole acres under one roof! I’m absolutely going to check this place out the next time I’m in Fort Worth, but hopefully you can learn from my mistake and make sure you don’t miss it on your visit!

Look how small everything else is compared to the big white roof of Billy Bob's! Image credit Google Earth

3. Rodeo at Cowtown Coliseum

At nearly 120 years old, the Cowtown Coliseum is the home of the world’s first indoor rodeo and the world's only year-round rodeo! Rodeo is a competitive sport derived from the ranching practices and working skills of the American cowboy. It is comprised of events that test in two categories - speed (timed events) and skill (rough stock). Timed events at the Cowtown Coliseum’s rodeo include tie-down roping, breakaway roping, team roping and barrel racing. Rough stock events include bull riding, bronc riding, bareback and ranch saddle bronc riding. There’s always something happening at Cowtown Coliseum. Plenty of championship and showcase events are held here, and there are a few that are held consistently throughout the year. The Stockyard's Championship Rodeo is held every Friday and Saturday night at 7:30PM (often a Saturday matinee as well), the PBR Stockyards Showcase is every Thursday night at 7:30PM, and Ultimate Bull Fighters are select Sundays at 1:30PM. Check out the full schedule and get your tickets here!

The front exterior of historic Cowtown Coliseum

If you can’t catch a live event, don’t worry - you can still experience Cowtown Coliseum. When there isn’t an event in session, the coliseum is open for you to walk through, though you can’t enter the arena floor of course. It’s a fun place to wander around if you’ve never been to a historic rodeo building before, and can also be a nice spot to take a break from that intense Texas sun. The interior concourse area reminded me a bit of Fenway Park in Boston - except instead of a baseball field in the center, it’s a bull riding arena!

Exploring the inside on my own - really nice the coliseum is open for visitors to wander through when events aren't in session

4. John Wayne Experience

Perhaps no Hollywood star personifies the American West more than John Wayne. In this 10,000 square foot museum featuring over 400 pieces of memorabilia, the John Wayne: An American Experience exhibit takes you through the life story of “The Duke”.

Museum exterior, just off the main Stockyards drag of East Exchange Avenue

In his 50+ year acting career he appeared in about 175 films, and starred in some of the most iconic classic Westerns to have ever graced the silver screen. His most famous ones include The Searchers, Rio Bravo, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Red River, Stagecoach, and True Grit - for which he won an Academy Award for best actor in 1970. Visitors can also explore the 4,000 square foot retail shop which features fine art photography, limited edition items, and western gifts and accessories.

1969's True Grit (l) and 1959's Rio Bravo (r): Two of The Duke's famous westerns

5. Stockyards Station

Stockyards Station is a covered retail and event space, located in a 100 year old building. The structure was originally used to house hog and sheep pens. The livestock were held here until they were delivered to nearby meatpacking plants. Today these pens have been converted into a retail, restaurant, and entertainment spaces, forming a charming western themed hub of activity. There are tons of cute places to poke around in here, both for merchandise, snacks, and tasty Texan cuisine. The Grapevine railroad also stations here, and tracks lead straight through all the action!

Lots of nooks and crannies to explore in here! Watch those train tracks...

6. Grapevine Railway - Stockyards Trinity River Excursion

The Grapevine Railway's Trinity River Excursion is a 45-minute round-trip train ride with period costumed staff providing live onboard entertainment. It departs right from the historic Stockyards Station. The route travels south from the Stockyards, crosses the Trinity River, passes the Montgomery Plaza shopping complex, continues through the 250 acre Trinity Park, and then returns to the Stockyards. Several stops are made along the way, as you ride in your carefully restored century-old coach pulled by an authentic locomotive.

I know I'm a bit of a train nerd, but this thing was friggin cool!

You’ll take in the views from old fashioned wooden seats, the clickety-clack of the train wheels rolling along the tracks as the soundtrack to your journey. The trains are so magnificent, and it’s such a fun way to immerse yourself in the old west. Even if you can't take the train journey, make sure you at least dedicate some time to watching the train pull into the Stockyards Station. There’s no separate platform, as the tracks and Stockyard Station shopping area are all one and the same - it’s a unique opportunity to get up close and personal to working old-fashioned trains!

The train heading back out, opening up the main passageway once again for shoppers

7. Have a Drink at an Old Fashioned Bar or Saloon

Texas is hot - you’ll want to cool down, and what better way to do so than by enjoying a cold drink at an old western pub or saloon? There are a ton of fun places to try at the Stockyards. Billy Bob’s, highlighted earlier in its own solo spot on the top 10 list, is definitely a great spot to grab a drink, as they have over 30 bar stations, but here are a few other local watering holes well worth checking out:

• White Elephant Saloon - Operating since 1884, this is one of Fort Worth’s most iconic and legendary bars, as well as its oldest. White Elephant was voted one of the 100 best bars in America by Esquire, making it a true must see!

  

  Over 140 years old!

• Booger Red’s - The go-to for tequila lovers, featuring the one-of-a-kind “Anita-Rita” margarita and signature “Buffalo Butt Beer”.

• Filthy McNasty's Saloon - Great for cold drinks along with local music and nightly entertainment.

  

  I think this one wins for best name

• Hell’s Half Acre Saloon -  For good times rooted in the rowdy spirit of Fort Worth’s historic district!

• Longhorn Saloon - Open since 1910, this historical spot is very popular with both tourists and locals. Come for the cold drinks, stay for the music and dance lessons!

  

  

(l) The classic Longhorn legs & butt chairs and (r) the exterior of the saloon

• Pearl’s - Another historical saloon, dating back to 1914. Karaoke, dancing, and live music all week!

• PR’s Saloon - Known for being a great singles bar and solid celebrity hideout... Keep your eyes peeled for famous faces while you’re here...

8. Have Some Authentic Texas Steak or BBQ!

The Stockyards has no shortage of culinary indulgences, but when in Texas, the meats are a must! Once again, Billy Bob’s is a great choice to get some authentic western grub, but here are a few others worth checking out:

• Cattlemen’s Steakhouse - Open since 1947, Cattlemen's is known for their signature Heart o' Texas rib-eye.

  

  You'll definitely find beef on the menu here.

• Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que - Home of the original world famous "Big Chop".

They cook their Texas BBQ “cowboy style” over live mesquite coals and serve it to you right off the pitt.

• Hunter Brothers H3 Ranch - Named one of the best steakhouses in the Fort Worth/Dallas area, featuring a variety of steaks, ribs, trout, and spit-roasted pig.

• Riscky's Barbeque - Turning 100 in 2027! Known for their "Riscky dust" rubs, this place is a Fort Worth institution.  Live bands every Friday and Saturday as well!

• Riscky’s Steakhouse - The fine dining version of Riscky’s barbeque.

Bring your appetite

9. Family Fun Attractions

This one is a little bit of a cheat, because I’m going to mention a few activities to put under the umbrella of “family fun”, so I hope you’ll forgive me!

• Cowtown Cattlepen Maze - This large wooden maze is a true labyrinth, and even has elevated viewing platforms so you can watch those below you try to navigate their way out of the 5,400 square foot design.

  

  

This maze is crazy complicated! There are a couple of viewing platforms if you don't want to attempt it yourself.

• Texas Longhorn Photo Op - Put yourself in the saddle and pose with one of the stars of the Stockyards, a Longhorn steer.

  

  Texas Longhorns look a little intimidating, but they're actually pretty calm and chill animals

• Pony Rides - A classic pony ride to make the littlest Stockyards visitors feel like true wild west Texans.

• Beltline Express Mini Train - A mini version of the Grapevine Vintage Railroad! This mini train takes the youngest visitors on a ride through Stockyards Station and down through the Mule Alley area.

  

  Tiny train for tiny western ranchers. A cute kids option if you can't do the Grapevine.

• Mechanical Bull - Inspired after watching a rodeo and think you can do it too? Here’s your chance. Fun for all ages, as the bull is set to be kid-friendly.

  

  Really nice that this isn't one of those crazy mechanical bulls that tries to catapult you off into outer space. Challenging, but kid friendly.

• Petting Zoo - A classic petting zoo experience where kids can interact with goats, sheep, and occasionally even camels or kangaroos! Feed is available for $3.

Located across from Stockyards Station

10. Shopping for Authentic Western Merchandise

There’s no better place in Fort Worth to pick up amazing local crafts, beautiful Texan art, traditional cowboy gear, or anything else western your heart desires than the Stockyards. Whatever you're looking for, chances are you can find it here. There are so many interesting shops to browse, and you can find them all on the Stockyards map, but here are a few to highlight across various retail categories:

• Beef Jerky Experience - Over 200 different kinds of jerky plus sausages, popcorn and peanut butter. Great snack stop to fuel your day at the Stockyards.

• Fenoglio Boot Co. - Local hand-constructed boots with beautiful craftsmanship.

• Fincher’s Western Wear - 120 year old shop offering hats, boots, jeans, shirts, blouses, dresses, suits, and rough stock riding equipment.

  

  So you can bring a piece of the Stockyards home

• Jersey Lilly Silver & Stone - Unique hand made jewelry shop specializing in sterling silver and semi-precious stones.

• King Ranch Saddle Shop - Saddles and related accessories for ranchers and cowboys, or those who aspire to be one.

• Maverick Fine Western Wear - Boutique featuring men’s and women’s western wear along with homeware and gifts.

  

  

  (l) The mural on the building's side and (r) the front of the shop

• Rios Interiors - Handmade and customizable furniture inspired by the hacienda and ranch lifestyle.

Rios was one of my favorite shops. They also have some merchandise outside, like these gorgeous wooden benches.

• The Best Hat Store - One of the nation’s leading specialty hat shops, featuring an inventory of over 4,000 hats in hundreds of styles.

• Will Leather Goods - Luxurious leather craftsmanship featuring bags, journals, belts, and wallets.

So there you have it! My top 10 things to do at the Fort Worth Stockyards.

In Case You Finish the Top 10 Things to Do at the Fort Worth Stockyards...

While the above list will certainly keep you busy, there’s even more here to see and do if you have the extra time - there are ghost tours, historic guided walking tours, the Stockyards Museum, stagecoach rides, etc… the list goes on! It was hard to pick my top 10, this place really is a fun spot with so much to experience!

Fort Worth Stockyards - The Video

Check out my video tour to see more!