I love Texas! I was reminded just how much during a winter-time visit to the Fort Worth Stockyards.
Anytime of year is a great time to visit the Forth Worth Stockyards with the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday Season being a favorite.
The Fort Worth Stockyards are all about Old West cowboy grunge. The weathered brick streets are lined with historic buildings, restaurants, saloons, and shops and the district is always alive with authentic cowboy flare.
I lived for several years about 150 miles east of Fort Worth and can confirm that for anyone wanting to experience true stereotypical Texans in real-life Texas, this is the place.
In this post, I have outlined, in an easy-to-follow format, everything…I mean EVERYTHING, you need to know to spend a day or weekend at the Stockyards and not miss out on anything!
The Stockyard’s Rich History
Between 1866 and 1890, more than four million head of cattle were driven through Fort Worth which led to the city becoming known as Cowtown. And with the arrival of the railroad, the city built the Union Stockyards.
In 1893 the wealthy Boston capitalist, Greenlief Simpson, bought the Union Stockyards and changed the name to the Fort Worth Stockyards Company.
In 1902 construction began on pens and barns, as well as the new Livestock Exchange Building, which became known as “The Wall Street of the West.”
Soon after, construction began on what is now known as the Cowtown Coliseum. The Coliseum became the home of the first-ever indoor rodeo.
During World War II, the Fort Worth Stockyards processed over 5 million head of livestock, making 1944 the peak year of the entire operation. The subsequent decline of the railroad led to the decline of the Stockyards.
By 1986, Stockyards sales reached an all-time low of 57 thousand animals leading the way for the decline of the stockyards and buildings.
Fortunately, in 1989, the North Fort Worth Historical Society opened the Stockyards Museum in the historic Livestock Exchange Building and true to history, the Stockyards still hosts the world’s only twice-daily cattle drive.
As a result, every week thousands of head of cattle are sold from the Livestock Exchange Building by satellite video. With the addition of more than a hundred new shopping, dining and entertainment venues, Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District is one of Texas’ most popular tourist destinations.
I want you, your children, your family, and your friends to enjoy the Fort Worth Stockyards as much as I do. To help make that happen, I have put together a list, along with helpful information detailing the Top, Best, and Most Amazing Things To Do at the Fort Worth Stockyards.
Table of Contents
Here we go!
Top 20 Things To Do at the Fort Worth Stockyards
Texas Longhorn Cattle Drive
Visitors line up along East Exchange Street twice daily at 11:30 am and 4:00 pm, to witness longhorn cattle drives. Here you will see drovers (experienced cowboys who move livestock) on horseback, guide the herd along the main street. Even though it is more like a cattle “walk”, you will be up close and personal, and maybe even feel slightly terrified being in such proximity to these massive animals. When not driving the herd, drovers are scattered along the street atop their horses and are available to interact with visitors, taking pictures and answering questions. No need to pre-register. There is no cost.
Legends of Texas Western Gun-Fight Reenactment
Legends of Texas is an organization that understands the value of preserving history, particularly American History between 1835 and the early 1900s. Reenactments take place every Saturday and Sunday at 11:45 am and 4:15 pm in the Stockyard Station Building. No need to pre-register. There is no cost.
Take a Picture while Sitting on Texas Longhorn
Don’t be shy. Step up and ask to set on a live Texas Longhorn. There are always a few longhorns along the street available for pictures, petting, and setting on. No need to pre-register. The cost is $5 if you snap a picture.
Ride a Mechanical Bull
If bull-riding is on your bucket list, there is a kid-friendly mechanical bull located directly in front of Stockyards Station (next to the Cowtown Cattlepen Maze). Even if you choose not to ride, it is fun to watch others. No need to pre-register. The cost is $8.
Cowtown Cattlepen Maze
The Cowtown Cattlepen Maze is a kid magnet. Adults can join in too. The maze is a 5,400 square foot labyrinth made up of ever-changing wooden panels. It takes about 15 minutes to complete and onlookers can watch the fun from an observation deck. No need to pre-register. The cost is $6 and Tuesdays are half-price.
Petting Zoo
Pet and feed the friendly animals and see lots of babies during the Spring. The Petting Zoo at the Fort
Worth Stockyard is located under the big white tent at 157 East Exchange Avenue. No need to pre-register. The cost is $3 per person and $3 per cup of feed.
Stockyards Station
The Stockyards Station building is an open-air train station where livestock trains use to pass through. Much of the building is in its original state and now houses various shops and restaurants. Don’t miss the Legends of Texas Western Gun-Fight Reenactment that takes place here. There is a 1920’s Victorian Train that drops off visitors periodically as well.
Billy Bob’s Texas - The World’s Largest Honky-Tonk
Billy Bob’s Texas opened in 1981 with national attention featuring more than 30 bar stations and a Texas-size dance floor. Currently, top name entertainers perform every Friday and Saturday night, along with regional house bands playing throughout the week. There is live professional bull riding on Friday and Saturday nights as well. Check out their website to see everything Billy Bob’s Texas has to offer.
Livestock Exchange Building and Stockyards Museum
The Livestock Exchange Building was once known as “The Wall Street of the West” and continues to be used for offices, satellite cattle auctions, and houses The Stockyards Museum. The museum documents the history of the Fort Worth cattle trade from its inceptions as a stop along the Chisholm Trail and thru to the booming days of the ranching and meatpacking industries. No need to pre-register. The cost is $2 and well worth it.
The Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame
The Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame pays tribute to over 70 cowboys & cowgirls and includes interactive exhibits for kids and adults. Current Hall of Fame members include rodeo cowboys, as well as the Dallas Cowboys football team, barrel racers, and various musicians. There is also The Sterquell Wagon Collection and artifacts from Santa Anna, Comanche chief Quanah Parker, and Texas Rangers John Coffee Hays and Samuel Walker. No need to pre-register. The cost is $3 for children, $5 for seniors and students, and $6 for adults.
Stockyards Championship Rodeo at Cowtown Coliseum
The world’s first indoor rodeo was held here at the Cowtown Coliseum in 1918 and the tradition continues with the Stockyards Championship Rodeo beginning at 8:00 pm every Friday and Saturday night. This year-round rodeo features bull riding, tie-down roping, team roping, barrel racing, bronc riding, and breakaway roping, as well as calf and mutton scrambles for the kids. The two-hour rodeo maintains a strong commitment to visitors looking for an authentic western cowboy experience. Tickets can be purchased onsite or on the Fort Worth Stockyards website. During the summer months, buy your tickets early. The cost starts at $15 for children and varies depending on seating.
Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show at the Cowtown Coliseum
If you are not up for a late-night rodeo, try Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show. It is a historical reenactment of the original Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show and happens every Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm. The show features trick roping, trick shooting, trick riding, cowboy songs, live buffalo, and Texas longhorn cattle. Tickets can be purchased onsite or on the Fort Worth Stockyards website. The cost is $8 for children and $15 for adults.
Walk, Relax or People Watch
Watch for bronze inlaid stars placed in the walkways. These Texas Trail of Fame markers honor those who have made significant contributions to the Western way of life. If your legs and feet get tired, find a place to sit and relax and just people watch for a while. People watching at the Fort Worth Stockyards is an attraction within itself.
Stockyards Historic Walking Tours
If guided tours are your thing, stop in at the Visitor’s Center for information on amazing tours ranging from 90-minute walking tours for the every-day visitor to 4-hour educational tours designed for student education. The guides are knowledgeable, entertaining, and engaging. Tickets can be purchase onsite or on the Fort Worth Stockyards website. The 90-minute walking tour cost is $5 for children, $6 for seniors, and $7 for adults.
Stockyards Ghost Tours
If the paranormal is your jam, the Fort Worth Stockyards are the place for you. Paranormal activity here is some of the most written about in the United States. The Ghost Tour takes you on a 90-minute walking tour through the Stockyards detailing the history of Bordello’s, shoot outs, and hangings. Some of the stops include The Cadillac Hotel, Miss Molly’s B & B (as seen on the Discovery Channel), and The Stockyards Hotel. Tours are offered each Friday and Saturday at 7:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased onsite or on the Fort Worth Stockyards website. The cost is $10 for children, $17 for seniors and students, and $20 for adults.
Stagecoach Rides
Take a ride in an 1800’s Concordia Stagecoach Replica, or enjoy one of the open-top carriages. No need to pre-register. Tickets can be purchased next to the Petting Zoo at 157 East Exchange Avenue The cost is $5 for children and $15 for adults.
Horseback Riding
Take a ride on horseback along the Trinity River, down the historical Old Chisholm Trail. If you have never ridden a horse, this is the perfect opportunity. The cost for Trail Rides is $40 for a 30-minute ride, and $70 for an hour ride (Trail Ride departure times vary depending on when the group is ready.) 10-minute Arena Rides are also available for $20 per person. Tickets for Trail Rides and Arena Rides can be purchased next to the Petting Zoo at 157 East Exchange Avenue. For more information see the Fort Worth Stockyards Stables website.
Grapevine Vintage Railroad 1-Hour Trinity River Ride Excursion
The hour-long Stockyards Trinity River Ride excursion crosses both channels of the Trinity River, travels through Trinity Park, and briefly stops in the historic rail yard at 8th Avenue. The tour begins at the Stockyard Station building at 2:45 pm and returns there at 3:45 pm. Due to excessive freight train traffic along the Cotton Belt Route, at times tickets can be purchased on a walk-up basis only beginning at 1 pm at 140 East Exchange (inside the Stockyard Station Building). Otherwise, tickets can be purchased at the Grapevine Texas website. The cost is $10 for Touring Class and $15 for First Class.
Grapevine Vintage Railroad 5-Hour Excursion
For those who want to spend only a few hours at the stockyards, try arriving by a beautifully restored 1920’s Victorian Train. The train excursion starts in Downtown Grapevine, an area suburb, at the Cotton Belt Depot. Passengers ride along the rails through six different cities in Tarrant County before ending in the Fort Worth Stockyards. Once there, riders will have the opportunity to explore the Stockyards before re-boarding to return to Grapevine. The train operates most Saturdays and Sundays between early March and mid-November. Check-in is around noon at the Grapevine Cotton Belt Depot. The train arrives at the Stockyards around 2:30 pm, departs the Stockyards around 4:15 pm, and the excursion ends back at the Grapevine Cotton Belt Depot around 5:45 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the Grapevine Texas website. The cost ranges between $18 and $26.
Grapevine Vintage Railroad North Pole Express
During the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday Season at Forth Worth Stockyards, don’t miss the North Pole Express Train! Tickets can be purchased at the Grapevine Texas website.
Buy a Hat and a Pair of Boots…and Dance
Three things visitors most often regret after leaving Texas is not buying a hat and boots…and dancing Texas-style. If you feel you might be one of those regretful visitors, the stockyards are the place to find all three. For a huge selection of hats and boots, I recommend Cavender’s Stock Yards. Cavender’s is located at 2601 N Main Street and is an easy 5-minute walk from the main stockyard activities. After you get your hat and boots, head to any of the Fort Worth Stockyard bars to find a dance floor. Fort Worth locals and visitors are a friendly bunch so I know someone will be glad to show you the two-step. Dance lessons are offered at a few of the area establishments though mostly on Sundays or weekdays.
Fort Worth Stockyards General Information
Historical District Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Most Store Hours: 10 am – 7 pm
Most Restaurant Hours: 11 am – 10 pm
Most Bars have extended hours on weekends: Open until 2 am
Admission: Free (except for specific attractions.)
Parking: There is street parking if you can find it, and several paid parking lots surrounding the Stockyards.
Printed walking maps and brochures are available at the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center is a bit hard to find, located inside shops a short way down the Rodeo Plaza alleyway next to the Cowtown Coliseum rodeo arena.
Where to Eat and Drink
- Nestles Toll House Café
140 east exchange (inside the Stockyard Station Building)
Besides freshly baked cookies and custom cookie cakes, the bakery offers pastries, freshly brewed coffee, ice cream, and real fruit smoothies. The café also has a selection of savory lunchtime and snack options with paninis, crepes, flatbreads, and much more. - Riscky’s Steakhouse
120 East Exchange Avenue
Riscky’s Steakhouse serves up Texas-sized steaks and Texas-sized sides and is where I discovered I like calf fries, aka Rocky Mountain Oysters, aka…well, you know. - Riscky’s BBQ
140 East Exchange (inside the Stockyard Station Building)
Riscky’s BBQ in Stockyards Station has been around for over 75 years and serves up the “best darn BBQ this side of anywhere.” - Trailboss Burgers
140 East Exchange (inside the Stockyard Station Building)
The newest addition to the Riscky’s family serving a variety of burgers.
- Love Shack
110 East Exchange Avenue
An open-air space that offers a unique Western spin on classics like the Texas Angus burgers and hand-cut fries. The signature burger, the Dirty Love Burger, has been named by critics as “one of the best in America”. - Horseshoe Hill
204 West Exchange Avenue
A cozy authentic restaurant specializing in fresh cowboy food made from scratch. Specialties are Chicken Fried Steak and Steaks. - H3 Ranch
105 East Exchange Avenue
Named one of the best steakhouses in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Hunter Brothers’ H3 Ranch offers a wide variety of steaks, rainbow trout, ribs, chicken, spit-roasted pig, and much more. - Star Cafe
111 West Exchange Avenue
A family-owned cafe opened in the early 1900s and an iconic Texas hot spot. It offers original charm and nostalgia from the olden days. Offerings include burgers, steaks, chicken, sandwiches, and salads. - Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que
301 Stockyards Blvd
A classic BBQ joint serving brisket, ribs, and more. ALL pulled straight from the pit. Coopers features a live music stage, a rooftop garden, and oak-shaded back patio. - Los Vaqueros
2629 North Main Street
Delicious Tex-Mex cuisine. Open for brunch, lunch, dinner, or cocktails. - Cattlemen’s Fort Worth Steakhouse
2458 North Main Street
Offering quality cuts of meat as well as great wine and beer in an authentic western environment. The Heart o’Texas rib-eye steak, cooked over an open fire in the center of the dining room, is a favorite. - Filthy Mcnasty’s Saloon
114 West Exchange Avenue
A tavern for live entertainment and dancing found one block west of Main Street. Food offerings include sandwiches and nachos. - Billy Bob’s Texas Honky-Tonk Kitchen
2520 Rodeo Plaza
Selections from burgers and BBQ to Chicken Fried Steak, or Ribeyes and salads to Vegetarian plates. - White Elephant Saloon
106 East Exchange Avenue
Offering live music every night of the seek, a real wooden dance floor, vintage brass rail bar, billiards, shuffleboard, beer, wine, liquor, and food (Foodservice from Love Shack.) - Niles City Hall
112 Exchange Avenue
A speakeasy bar with a prohibition, period-correct style in a historic gambling hall space that dates back to 1911. Offerings include an extensive cocktail menu featuring classic and modern craft cocktails. - Basement Bar
105 West Exchange Avenue
Known as “The World’s Smallest Honky-Tonk” and registered as the oldest bar in Fort Worth. A unique underground hot spot, with live music and dancing. - Rodeo Exchange
211 West Exchange Avenue
A nightclub and dancehall offering a fun atmosphere and dance classes.
Where to Stay
The choices are endless for accommodations. I chose to stay at the Hilton Garden Inn in Hurst, Texas which is located halfway between Fort Worth and the DFW Airport.
Here are 3 great options that will place you right smack dab in the middle of the Stockyards:
- Courtyard By Marriott Fort Worth Historic Stockyards
2537 North Main Street, Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas
The Courtyard by Marriot is located across the street from the fantastic Billy Bob’s Texas Honky-Tonk and THE best western store ever, Cavenders. I love this hotel’s up-to-date amenities and colorful modern western décor. - Hyatt Place Fort Worth Stockyards
132 East Exchange Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas
The Hyatt Place Fort Worth Stockyards is located behind the Stockyards Visitor Center, as close to the stockyards as it gets. This historic hotel has all the charm of the true west as well as modern and comfortable amenities.
- Stockyards Hotel
109 East Exchange Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas
The Stockyards Hotel, built in 1906, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and offers Old West charm. It is within walking distance of all Stockyard activities and restaurants. And the fabulous H3 Ranch Restaurant is attached!
How To Get There
Fort Worth is about 35 miles from the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, 35 miles from the Dallas Love Field Airport, and 45 miles from Downtown Dallas. Keep in mind that this could mean a 45-minute drive or a 2-hour drive depending on the time of day and traffic delays.
- Rideshare
Uber and Lyft are great options for getting around as local drivers are often aware of shortcuts, especially during rush hour traffic. Be cautious and use all advertised rideshare safety measures. - Rental Car or Personal Car
If you plan to rent a car, compare prices and book in advance to ensure availability.
To get to the Stockyards, simply enter “Fort Worth Stockyards” into your navigation app. Choose your app’s avoid tolls option, if you like. If you are lucky, you might find a free parking space along East Exchange Avenue. If not, there are several paid parking lots throughout the area ranging in cost between $5 and $10. - Public Transportation
Check out Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) for schedules. - Shuttle Service from DFW International Airport
Go Airport Shuttle-DFW International Airport offers service from DFW to Fort Worth or Downtown Dallas. - Shuttle Service from Dallas Love Field Airport (to Downtown Dallas only)
Go Airport Shuttle-Love Field Airport offers service from Love Field to Downtown Dallas only.
Expand Your Texas Experience A Few Miles Beyond The Stockyards
For adventure beyond the Stockyards try these FANTASTIC options:
- Fort Worth 4-Hour Small-Group Tour
Perfect as an educational experience for all ages, especially a school/home education outing. You and your small group will depart from JFK memorial to begin your 4-hour tour with a historian as your guide. Reaching back into the past, when cowboys would stop at Fort Worth’s “Hell’s Half Acre.” - VIP Guided Dallas Cowboys Stadium Tour and City Sightseeing
Go big and tour the home of America’s team AND see Dallas! - Dallas JFK Assassination and Sixth Floor Museum Tour
JFK’s assassination still captivates our hearts and minds. You will not regret the experience of being in the place where it all took place and follow the path of a pivotal time in history.
I cannot express how much I enjoyed my time in the Stockyards. There is just so much culture, history, kindness, and laughter. The locals and the visitors are all there to enjoy life. And it shows.
Now, just a few things to remember before heading to the Stockyards...
- Check the weather before you go and always pack for comfort and versatility.
During my February visit to the Stockyards, it was sunny and 70 degrees during the day and only slightly chilly at night. But you can never know about the weather in the Dallas/Fort Worth area (or anywhere else, really.)
- A few all-weather favorites I take wherever I go are my Asics GT-2000 shoes (I can go for miles in these shoes without a plantar fasciitis flair-up), my North Face Aphrodite 2.0 pants (lightweight for warm weather or layered up for cold), my Kuhl hiking pants, and my Patagonia ultra-lightweight down jacket that can roll up and fit into my crossbody travel bag and has served as a pillow on many flights. The two best crossbody travel bag brands I have found are Baggallini and Travelon. Both companies offer high-quality, all-weather bags designed for travelers. I have carried these bags for years and NEVER leave home without one of them.
- Don’t forget travel insurance!
Travel insurance covers unexpected events such as re-booking flights due to airline cancellations, replacement of belongings when luggage is lost, replacement of stolen items, or emergency travel home due to accident or illness. I recommend World Nomads, an insurance provider trusted by seasoned travelers worldwide. - Check out my road trip packing list.
Be prepared and be safe out there...y'all
- Trust your senses.
- Trust your gut.
- If you’ve planned well and it feels right, do it!
- If it doesn’t feel right, don’t.
I hope this travel guide was helpful. I would love to hear about your experiences at the Stockyards or in the greater Fort Worth area!
If you would like to read a condensed version of the time I spent at the Stockyards and get to know a bit about my fearless-ish side, take a look at my mini-post, Fort Worth, Texas Stockyards National Historic District – A Destination For The Fearful Or Solo Traveler.
32 thoughts on “Top 20 Things To Do At The Fort Worth Stockyards in Fort Worth, Texas”
Wow I had never heard of this before, and yet there is so much to do! I definitely would like to stop at the Nestle Tollhouse place! 🙂
It truly is a great place! For families…and chocolate lovers!
Omg wow! What a great post! I had no idea there was so much to do there. I would love to check out the maze and ride a mechanical bull! Sounds awesome.
Thank you! It truly is an awesome place!
Great post! I use to go there when visiting my grandparents. It’s a great place for families.
Thank you! I love that you visited with your grandparents! What fun memories!
I’ve only ever been to Austin – would love to explore more of Texas!
Texas has so much to offer! I would love to spend time in Austin!
This is a great post. You nailed the Stockyards for sure. We were born and raised in Fort Worth and love to visit often!
Thank you! What a great place to call home!
What a great round up of everything you’d need to know before you visit the Fort Worth Stockyards! I honestly had no idea that there was so much great stuff to see, do (and eat) here. I’m definitely saving this for a future trip to Texas, thank you!
Thank you! I hope you get to visit! I just love Texas!
I have not been yet in Texas looks there is so much to do and see and great fun I bet would be a fun activity to ride a Mechanical Bull 😁
Oh, I wish I would have been brave enough to ride a mechanical bull! It looks so fun!
What a comprehensive guide! I’d really love to take a picture with a Texas longhorn, join one of the tours, and finish the day off on the dance floor. Thanks for the restaurant recommendations too.
Thank you, Ummi! The portions are huge. You would not go hungry!
Thank you for such a detailed post, Your enthusiasm really shows through your writing and it made me excited about a place that I had never heard of! The stockyards sound like a lot of fun!
Thank you so much, Megan!
I’ve been to Fort Worth but apparently I need to go back! This sounds amazing.
There is just so much to do in Fort Worth. I hope you make it to the Stockyards!
This sounds like a fun place to visit! I love country dancing, so I would love going there just for that! Thanks for sharing!
Dancing at the Stockyards is the best!
I have never heard of the stockyards. It looks so fun!
It truly is a fun place!
Seems like a real charming and quirky place. Thanks for an excellent guide!
Thank you! Charming and quirky for sure.
The ghost tour sounds fun, as does the vintage railroad tour. I love those kinds of things, too experience a bit of history. What a cool looking place
It truly is a cool place. Yes, so much history!
My first time in Texas had me visiting the Stockyards, and I have to say, it sure did make me feel like I was not in Kansas (well, really North Carolina) anymore! Very interesting place!
I love it! You describe the Stockyards (and Dallas/Fort Worth area) perfectly!…”not in Kansas” and “very interesting.”
This trip sounds so exciting!!
It is an exciting and interesting place, for sure!