We visit Texas quite a bit as Doug’s family lives around the Dallas/Fort Worth area. And though we have been there many, many, times in our 9 years together, not once did we go out and explore. I decided to change that on our last trip and, with the help of the lovely ladies at the Fort Worth CVB, took my family on a whirlwind tour of Fort Worth.

Fort Worth- It’s Not Dallas 

I often think of the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth as sisters. Dallas is the younger, flashier sister. The one people think of first. Fort Worth is the sister who holds her beauty a bit closer, inviting you to take some time to get to know her and charming you with her secrets. We fell in love with this “quiet sister” as she enchanted us with her people, history and (of course) food.

8 Things For Your Family to Do in Fort Worth

Fort Worth Stockyards 

Cattle Drive Down Exchange Avenue

Plan 3.5 hours 

The Stockyards National Historic District is really the birthplace of Fort Worth. Though “Hells Half Acre” is much more tame than it was in it’s early days you’ll get a feel for the blood, sweat and tears that built Fort Worth.

Kids will love the longhorn cattle drive (twice daily at 11:30 am and 4 pm) and following stars along the Texas Trail of Fame. Souvenir shopping is a must; just try to leave without a fabulous cowboy (or cowgirl) hat. The handmade cowboy boots at Leddy’s are true works of art.

Steaks rule at the saloons lining Exchange Avenue, but you’ll find other tasty treats if your appetite isn’t quite so large.

Eat at Joe T. Garcia’s 

Poolside Dining on the patio at Joe T Garcia's

Plan 1 to 1.5 hours 

Joe T. Garcia’s is Fort Worth’s legendary restaurant for Mexican food. Sitting on the patio is magical; my daughter said it was like eating in a castle. The lunch menu is small but every item is perfected. The kids’ menu includes the largest nacho I’ve ever seen.

Spend an Afternoon at the Fort Worth Zoo 

This little ape was so playful- we could have watched him for hours

Plan at least 3 hours

Over 500 species of animals fill this zoo and it will take an entire afternoon to see them all. Twelve permanent exhibits take your from Africa to Australia and Texas- and most places in between. The Museum of Living Art showcases some of the most exotic reptiles and amphibians in a habitat that is natural to them.

Texas Wild! was a family favorite. Touring Texas in under an hour can’t be done otherwise and we learned just how varied this huge state is.

Fort Worth Museums and Galleries 

The Fort Worth Cultural District is home to 10 museums and galleries. You’ll find everything from modern art to classic masterpieces, a museum dedicated to Leonard’s Department Store, the National Cowgirl Museum and the Museum of Science and History. Because everything in the Cultural District is near each other this makes a great partial or full day outing.

Don’t Miss 

National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame 

The kids will love Bronc Riding

Plan 1.5 hours

This charming museum showcases the cowgirl, an often overlooked -but vital- part of Western history. Kids will be entranced by the push-button rotating display of rodeo outfits and their opportunity to ride a bucking bronc. More hands on displays include mini-jukeboxes playing classic country western music and the theater with saddle seats. A particularly favorite display features Jessie, the sassy red-headed cowgirl from Toy Story 2 & 3.

The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History 

I call this "sneaky education"

Plan 2 hours

Inside the Museum of Science and History is the Fort Worth Children’s Museum with plenty of hands on “educational play”. The fun outdoor water stations were especially attractive to my girls.

You’ll also find exhibits like DinoLab where you’ll see Texas’ official state dinosour, Energy Blast where you learn how electricity is created and the Fort Worth History Gallery which features an ever-changing series of stories from Fort Worth’s history.

The Cattle Raisers Museum

Plan 1.5 hours 

Cattle ranching fills the history of Texas. Here you’ll “meet” some of the biggest ranchers in the state as well as the famed “Texas Rangers” who have been catching cattle thieves for over 100 years. The branding irons and spurs are sure to spark conversations.

Dine on a Rooftop

Delicious food, beautiful presentation

Plan 2 hours 

You’ll have to make your reservations in advance if you want to dine on the rooftop at the fabulous Reata in downtown Fort Worth but the view of downtown, lit at night, is beautiful. Add to that the delicious food and incredible staff and you’ll have the perfect evening to finish your visit to Fort Worth. Just a tip: don’t skip the desserts!

Fort Worth is filled with family friendly activities- I can’t wait to see what our next visit will reveal!

Family Rambling would like to thank the Fort Worth CVB for planning an exciting itinerary for our visit to Fort Worth!

Fort Worth’s growth really began with it’s Historic Stockyards District.  Today families can visit the Stockyards, watch a cattle drive and absorb Texas’ cowboy heritage.

Top 6 Things to do in Fort Worth’s Historic Stockyards District

Watch a Cattle Drive

Smiling Horse and Drover

You can see a team of drovers guide spectacular Texas Longhorns down Exchange Avenue twice daily, at 11:30am and 4pm.  The afternoon drive is the larger of the two.  While the cattle seem quite tame they can be easily spooked- and with those long horns they can be dangerous.  Be sure to stay on the sidewalks.  Be sure to stop in the Stockyards Visitor Center to learn more about the Chisholm Trail and the cowboys who drove the cattle.

Visit the World’s Largest Honky Tonk

You don’t have to boot-scoot to enjoy a stop at Billy Bob’s Texas.  This massive building can hold 6000 people and has live bull riding on the weekends.  It’s a family friendly place and has a full service restaurant and plenty of fun souvenirs in its shop.  Really, you can’t be so close and not go.

Enjoy a Rodeo

Every Friday and Saturday night the historic Cowtown Coliseum hosts the Stockyards Championship Rodeo.  You’ll see calf roping, barrel racing, and bull riding as well as special kids events.  It’s a special thing to see a rodeo in the place the first indoor rodeo was held.

Follow the Texas Trail of Fame

Texas Trail of Fame

Look down at the sidewalk and chances are you’ll see a star memorializing contributors to the “cowboy way of life”.  You’ll likely know quite a few: John Wayne, Teddy Roosevelt and John Stetson to name a few.   But a few more, with their own interesting stories, are waiting to be discovered.  Amanda Burks is believed to have been the first female drover, “Bigfoot Wallace” was a Texas Ranger and “Booger Red” Privett  was a renowned cowboy who owned his own Wild West show.  Check out Texas Trail of Fame website to see the stars and get their incredible bios!

Eat a Big Steak

Texas Sized Steaks

It’s no surprise that beef is on the menu in the Stockyards, and you can expect a Texas-sized serving!  Not in the mood for steak?  You’ll find Tex-Mex and barbecue here, as well as a lovely cupcake shop.  Not far up the road is the fabulous Joe T Garcia’s; my girls said it was like eating in a castle!

Buy a Cowboy (or Cowgirl) Hat

Fabulous Cowgirl Hats

Really, I don’t know that you can visit here and leave without a fabulous cowboy hat.  It may be illegal.  You’ll find every size, from utilitarian to rhinestone bedazzled, here.  And if you’re in the market for some mind-blowing handmade cowboy boots make a stop  at Leddy’s.  Their boots are like works of art.

Handmade Cowboy Boots at Leddy's

Tips for Visiting the Historic Stockyards District

Plan on 3 hours, minimum, for your visit.  This will give you time to explore all the historic buildings, watch the cattle drive and do a bit of shopping.  If you plan to eat here add another hour.  For evening meals, especially at Billy Bob’s or Joe T. Garcia’s, inquire about a reservation in advance.

Pick up a map of the stockyards at the visitor’s center.  It’s a deceptively large area and you could miss a lot of it without a guide.

Take time to explore the history here.  Both the Cowboy Hall of fame and the Stockyards Museum are filled with incredible artifacts and cowboy tales worth hearing!

Have you visited the Fort Worth Stockyards?  What was your most memorable experience?

Family Rambling would like to thank the Fort Worth CVB for arranging our itinerary and meeting with the cattle drovers.

Live like no one else so later you can live like no one else.
~Dave Ramsey

It may seem a bit peculiar at first glance for a traveler to visit a place where debt is dumb and cash is king.  After all, many people run up credit card bills to take the vacation of their dreams.  We were once the same.

I was recently in Nashville for a conference and couldn’t resist making the short drive out to Brentwood to meet Dave Ramsey and see him do the radio show live.

Before you go I strongly suggest contacting Financial Peace Plaza to make sure Dave will be in when you want to visit.  The office building is very easy to get to, though I was a bit nervous before heading in.  It’s not everyday you meet someone who has impacted your life as much as Dave has impacted ours.

Walking into the building is almost like entering a coffee shop.  Tables, chairs,and even a couch are set up to make the area inviting for visitors.  You can watch Dave in his studio through a large window or on a television, which also shows the line up of callers and how much time before commercial break.

To complete the coffee shop feel enter “Martha’s Place”.  Drinks and tasty goodies made by Martha Thompson,director of guest relations, are the perfect accompaniment to Dave’s financial advice.  Or take some time to wander around the small shop.  All of Dave’s books are available here, as are his financial tools, accessories and books he recommends from other authors.

If she isn’t too busy take time to chat with Martha.  Her warm personality will instantly draw you in.  Martha is very interested in hearing your “coming to Dave” stories and your tales of debt- and, hopefully, of your freedom from debt.  In all honesty I think I may have enjoyed my time with Martha more than I enjoyed meeting Dave.  Of course I spent much more time with Martha…  She exudes southern charm and hospitality and you can feel that you are an honored guest.

The day I visited Martha had a few minutes and gave me a tour.  First stop : the control room and a quick introduction to Blake, Matt and Laura.

The timing was perfect and Dave was getting ready for a break.  Martha took me around the corner and slowly opened the door.  Getting the “ok” from Dave, she led me into the studio and I got to meet Dave Ramsey.  It was, obviously, a short meeting.  I *think* I thanked Dave for all his advice and teaching.  Before leaving Martha snapped a picture of me with Dave.

Martha then continued the behind-the-scenes tour showing me photos, employee areas, sharing perks of working at LAMPO and pointing out Dave’s new Marconi Award.

Behind the reception desk in the lobby are a selection of Dave’s favorite quotes.  If you listen to either of Dave’s shows you are sure to know a few of them.

While Financial Peace Plaza isn’t a destination on everyone’s Nashville itinerary it’s definitely a great stop for a boost of inspiration and a kick in the pants if you are working to become debt free.

For an amazing stay in Nashville I highly recommend the Opryland Hotel.  It’s in no way a “budget” hotel but it is incredible.