Fort Worth is the tenth-largest city in the United States, with just over a million residents. Four major museums sit within walking distance of each other in the Cultural District. That is the city’s real card. The Stockyards are the other draw, and most visitors give them more time than the museums, which is the wrong way round for anyone who cares about buildings or paintings.
Fort Worth is an amazing travel destination in Texas. Here is our hand-picked list of the top activities and attractions in Fort Worth, Texas, so you can make the most of your time there. Scroll down for the best things to do in Fort Worth, Texas, and the best places to visit in Fort Worth, Texas.
Amon Carter Museum of American Art
Some of the finest American art from the 19th and early 20th centuries is on display at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art.
It is undoubtedly one of the top 10 museums in Fort Worth, Texas.
You will see a variety of publications, exhibitions, events, and activities that make a visit fascinating for any art enthusiast.
This Fort Worth museum receives countless visitors yearly thanks to its 150,000 items devoted to American history, culture, and art.
You will find some paintings by artists like Thomas Cole, John Singer Sargent, Alexander Calder, and Georgia O’Keeffe.
Additionally, you will also be delighted with the museum’s photographic exhibits.
There is certain to be something for you, whether you enjoy paper pieces, sculptures, illustrated books, or paintings.
To top it all off, the museum has a fantastic restaurant. It will offer you delectable cuisines, specifically delicious desserts.
Every tour is always free. You can enjoy public tours of the libraries, archives, and galleries, including those hosting special exhibitions and the Carter collection. Fascinating.
The good news is that admission to the Amon Carter Museum of American Art is free. So don’t miss out.
Address: 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, United States
Free to enter, which changes how you use it. This is a museum you can walk into for forty minutes on the strength of one painting. You do not have to justify a whole afternoon. The collection runs from the 18th century to the present.
Burger’s Lake
The best water parks are those produced by nature itself; forget the artificial ones.
Burger’s Lake, a spring-fed watering hole on Fort Worth’s outskirts, is a perfect example.
Burger’s Lake in Fort Worth, Texas, provides outdoor recreation all summer long.
This historical swimming area has a lot to offer.
To start with, you will find activities for swimmers of all ages, including sandy beaches and many diving boards.
In addition, you can also enjoy a 20-foot-high slide and a 25-foot swing that swings over the water.
The 30-acre park offers swimming as well as tennis and volleyball facilities. Fascinating.
You will also find grills, picnic tables, and food stands. Burger’s Lake will allow you to experience a hassle-free vacation.
Also, you don’t need to get worried about your kids in the water. Burger’s Lake has many staffs with lifeguards that will assist you.
Meanwhile, this aquatic treasure justifies the journey despite the short distance from Dallas.
Weekday mornings are recommended for visiting to beat the crowds and find a good parking spot.
The ideal place to escape city life for an afternoon is Burger’s Lake.
Burger’s Lake provides countless hours of traditional family entertainment. Have fun.
Address: 1200 Meandering Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76114, United States
A spring-fed swimming lake rather than a water park, running seasonally through the summer. That is the distinction worth knowing. No slides, no lines for rides, just water and a diving tower.
Cutting Edge Haunted House
Cutting Edge Haunted House is a real haunted attraction in Fort Worth, Texas.
Cutting Edge is a spooky attraction with spectacular special effects, frightful live actors, and fantastic monsters.
If you want to bring home an extraordinary experience, this place is for you.
One of the top haunted houses in the country, Cutting Edge Haunted House is a terrifying, multi-story, multi-themed haunted attraction packed with spooky details and unreal scares.
The Old West meat packaging machinery is still in use but is now a two-story room for processing people.
You will see a conveyor system transports the butchered corpses back to the first level.
Meanwhile, on the second level, you will find moving, realistic-looking human mannequins through the full meat-packing process. Scary.
The former meat-packing facility in the heart of Fort Worth makes a terrific home for the amazing special effects that our devoted patrons have grown accustomed to.
You can explore Cutting Edge Haunted House for 55 minutes. This scary house that you can walk around is quite realistic.
One of the top haunted homes in the nation, Cutting Edge Haunted House has developed a solid reputation.
One of America’s best and biggest haunted houses is the Guinness World Record-holding Cutting Edge Haunted House.
Explore the new horrors hiding in Fort Worth’s twisted tunnel of the Cutting Edge Haunted House.
Address: 1701 E Lancaster Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76102, United States
Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Fort Worth Botanic Garden is one of the fascinating things to do in Texas.
The state’s oldest botanical garden, established in 1934, draws tourists with its 110 acres of gorgeous blossoms and well-kept grounds.
Spend an afternoon with your family exploring this beautiful botanical garden.
It features many wooded areas and a 10,000-square-foot conservatory that showcases amazing tropical displays of orchids.
In addition to the impressive things you will see are bromeliads, unique trees, and a seven-acre Japanese garden with three koi fish ponds. Fascinating.
You can also explore some of its majestic waterfalls, bridges, teahouses, pagodas, cherry trees, and Japanese maples.
The Oval Rose Garden is the other set piece in the Botanic Garden. You will be amazed by its numerous roses.
Additionally, you can visit Rock Springs, which includes ponds. This is the best area to capture beautiful scenery in the garden.
Meanwhile, you can also enjoy a picnic with your loved ones or eat at a well-stocked restaurant in the garden.
Fort Worth Botanic Garden works for a family stroll or for the quiet freshness of the surroundings.
Address: 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, United States
Established in 1934. The garden describes itself as the oldest major botanic garden in Texas, and the qualifier is worth keeping.
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
Stopping by the most famous Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is a must.
This museum, located in Fort Worth’s Cultural District, is home to various fascinating and educational features.
The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, which focuses on material related to teaching children, was founded in 1945 and housed several interesting projects and exhibitions.
This museum has a ton of fantastic educational, hands-on displays, from its science center to its theater.
The museum runs interactive and immersive exhibitions aimed at children and adults alike.
Discover the Noble Planetarium, which offers night sky and galaxy views.
Catch a show at the cutting-edge IMAX dome as well.
Kids may discover how a pinwheel works, why a beach ball floats, and everything there is to know about shadows, light, and reflections in the special science section.
There is also an area with lots of Legos and art supplies.
There is a place for dressing up dolls, doctors, firemen, and even an ambulance with a siren, not to mention the family’s younger members.
The science center, which has great information about space, will captivate the older children.
Everyone will surely be pleased with the entertaining dinosaur slide. Book your trip to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History today.
Address: 1600 Gendy St, Fort Worth, TX 76107, United States
The fourth Cultural District museum, and the one built for children rather than around them. Its Omni Theater reopened in December 2024 after a long renovation, so older guides describing the previous film dome are out of date.
Fort Worth Stockyards
The Fort Worth Stockyards are packed with fascinating events.
This historic area in Rodeo Plaza, known for its Wild West history, has a variety of enjoyable activities.
The famous Cattle Drive, interactive displays at the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, bull riding at Billy Bob’s, and riding a real horse are all available.
The Stockyards trade on cowboy history, with live entertainment that includes rodeos, gunfight performances and concerts.
When you visit the Fort Worth Stockyards, the cowboy-country staging is thorough and deliberate.
You will begin to understand how things were in the late 1800s. Very historical.
Meanwhile, more than four million head of cattle had been tracked through the city, as you observe the drovers chasing down the cattle along the Chisholm Trail to the railheads.
The Union Stockyards were built once the train arrived, and the city soon became a significant livestock shipping hub.
Even though every structure has been renovated, it has kept the appearance of vintage saloons and pubs.
There is a lot to see and do in this area, and you can still taste the “wild west,” from meeting the cowboys to browsing the numerous genuine, original shops.
Address: 131 E Exchange Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76164, United States
The district is genuine, listed on the National Register in 1976, and the buildings are the real ones. The daily cattle drive is a heritage demonstration rather than a surviving working drive. Knowing that makes it better rather than worse. The Herd walks at 11:30 and again at four.
Fort Worth Water Gardens
Are you looking for special free activities in Fort Worth?
Put the Fort Worth Water Gardens at the top of your list of things to do in Fort Worth as a favor to yourself.
This peaceful area, located in the heart of Fort Worth, will amaze you and leave you speechless.
The Fort Worth Water Gardens, established in 1974, are among the most fascinating places in the world.
These gardens, created by the renowned Philip Johnson, are a sight to behold and a true architectural achievement.
Spend some time enjoying its modern ponds, terraces, and flowing waterfalls on the plaza in the center.
The Active Pool is the centrepiece, and it needs a warning rather than an invitation. On June 16, 2004, four members of one family drowned in it, and the Texas Court of Appeals record describes it as the most prominent as well as the most hazardous feature of the gardens, with unprotected edges at the stepping stones. Look at it from the top. Do not treat the steps as a way in.
You can also explore an oxygen pool, where 871 gallons of water are sprayed via 40 nozzles per minute.
In addition to the fun things, you can enjoy the meditation pool with a tree border and waterfalls flowing serenely down the wall sides.
Alternatively, you could take a relaxing break surrounded by nature at this picturesque location.
The Water Gardens are worth an hour of anyone’s downtown time, walked rather than waded. Philip Johnson and John Burgee designed them, and they were dedicated on October 19, 1974.
Address: 1502 Commerce St, Fort Worth, TX 76102, United States
Philip Johnson and John Burgee designed it, and it was dedicated on October 19, 1974. The honest caution is the Active Pool. Four members of one family drowned there in June 2004, and the court record calls it the most hazardous feature of the site. It rewards looking from the top, and nothing else.
The four Cultural District museums are the thing to plan around, because you can do them on foot. The Kimbell is the one architects come for. Louis Kahn finished it in 1972, and Renzo Piano added a pavilion in 2013. The Amon Carter holds American art and charges nothing at the door. The Modern occupies a Tadao Ando building from 2002, though the institution behind it was founded in 1892, which makes it the oldest museum in Texas. The Museum of Science and History completes the group. That density is unusual for any city.
Fort Worth Zoo
Fort Worth Zoo is one of the top attractions in Fort Worth, Texas.
The zoo had only six animal species, including rabbits, when it first opened in 1909.
Today, the zoo is home to thousands of animals. It is a dependable family day out in Fort Worth.
The zoo was founded in 1909 and is the oldest continuous zoo site in Texas, which is the durable fact about it.
This is one of the most thrilling Fort Worth attractions for the whole family, with great shade to stroll in, clear and simple walkways, and modern amenities.
The zoo has 16 permanent exhibits, each with a particular themed habitat created to make the animals as comfortable as possible.
Discover the zoo and get up close to your favourite animals.
Other well-liked animals include penguins, African lions, hippos, elephants, giraffes, and cheetahs.
They make for enjoyable touring trips because each location makes you feel you’re being transferred somewhere new.
Everyone can benefit from the zoo’s ongoing efforts to educate you about animal conservation.
Then, see the zoo’s many family-friendly attractions, including the Texas Wild ride and the Safari Depot.
You can also explore the miniature train, the hurricane simulator, and the rock climbing wall.
Additional attractions include a 40-foot iguana monument, the Country Carousel, a petting zoo, and the Yellow Rose Express Train.
Fort Worth Zoo has many immersive experiences you can enjoy.
Address: 1989 Colonial Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76110, United States
Grapevine Lake
Grapevine Lake is not in Fort Worth: it lies northeast in Grapevine, between Dallas and Fort Worth, and it is a metro day trip rather than a city outing.
Lake Grapevine is your one-stop shop for organizing a day of water sports in Grapevine.
The picturesque lake is well-known for its options for adventure, and it is a cozy area to set up a tent for the day.
Wondering what other outdoor adventures you can enjoy? Grapevine Lake has a lot to offer.
Kayaking, hiking, swimming, fishing, biking, and paddleboarding are popular activities in the area.
You may hire inflatable tubes, paddle boats, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards near the park entrance.
Along the entire shoreline, there are relaxing areas with private parking places, shade pavilions on rocky cliffs over the lake, and many open beaches.
Take a trip on one of the more than 19 miles of forest paths if your kids need to get some energy out.
Meanwhile, as you watch the sun drop below the horizon, making reservations for a trip to Grapevine Lake is a must.
Grapevine Lake is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, whose office is on Fairway Drive in Grapevine, and access arrangements are set by them rather than by Fort Worth.
It’s the vacation you’ve always desired, full of surprises that will make you happy long after you leave.
Address: 3600 Pilot Point Road, Grapevine, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
Worth knowing before you set out: this is a Grapevine trip rather than a Fort Worth one. The US Army Corps of Engineers manages it for flood control and water supply as well as for recreation.
Kimbell Art Museum
Small and unusual, the Kimbell Art Museum is among the attractions Fort Worth, Texas is known for.
This art gallery is unique in that the interior natural light always presents the pieces in a way that brings out their best features.
Additionally, the humidity is cleverly managed to maintain the artwork in optimum condition.
The museum offers educational activities, touring art exhibits, a comprehensive research library, and a modest but good collection.
It is a world-famous museum with a collection of works by painters like Goya, Rembrandt, and Matisse.
Admire the museum’s permanent collection, which is frequently recognized as among the finest anywhere.
The variety on offer, including paintings, bronzes, ceramics, and sculptures, provides an engaging encounter.
Kimbell Art Museum will also offer you to explore its unique library.
It includes about 60,000 resources, including books, magazines, and catalogs.
Its materials are accessible to faculty members, students, and historians generally.
You can also explore a gift shop filled with prints, books, souvenirs, jewelry, and other impressive things.
Kimbell Art Museum is a good spot to take your kids to get them started. Have fun.
Address: 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, United States
Architects come here for the building rather than the pictures. Louis Kahn finished it in 1972, and the way daylight is bounced off the vaulted ceilings is why it is taught in schools. Renzo Piano added a second pavilion in 2013. Look up as often as you look at the walls.
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
Are you stuck in Fort Worth on a cold or rainy day? Come and visit the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
This concrete and glass structure, inaugurated in 2002, holds a collection of significant pieces of art.
More than 3,000 distinct exhibition objects are on display, which you will find interesting.
Most exhibits date from 1945 to the present and include anything from sculptures to prints to paintings to photos.
Enthusiasts of contemporary art will admire the magnificent works that span movements like New Image Painting.
And even if modern art isn’t your thing, you’ll still adore the museum’s remarkable architecture.
Explore the museum’s special exhibits and take a moment to admire pieces by well-known artists like Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock.
After that, sip coffee over a picturesque reflecting pond in the dining area.
The Modern Art Museum wants to showcase artists’ ideas and creations so that you and other visitors would be more interested in learning about their work.
It will allow you to experience learning opportunities, including instructional programs, workshops, lectures, lessons, and entertaining exhibitions.
This is one of the better places to go if you want to learn more about modern art, generally outside of the Texas bubble.
Address: 3200 Darnell St, Fort Worth, TX 76107, United States
Tadao Ando designed the 2002 building, and it sits directly across from the Kimbell, which makes the pair a single walk. The institution was founded in 1892 and is the oldest museum in Texas. That surprises people, given how modern the building looks.
NRH2O Family Water Park
NRH2O is owned and operated by the City of North Richland Hills, northeast of Fort Worth, and has run since opening in 1995.
The park, spread across 17 acres, has more than twenty-two water slides.
Imagine the adventures you can experience in this unique water park.
You will also find a 660-foot endless river, a 12,000-square-foot wave pool, and a kiddie pool with a five-level water playground.
Meanwhile, the Green Extreme, the largest uphill water coaster in the world at over 1,100 feet long and 81 feet high, is also located at NRH2O.
Aside from rides, you may also swim in a 5,300-square-foot pool and play volleyball on a beach with white sand.
In addition, you are always welcome to bring your own coolers, and parking and tubes are always free.
One of the top city-run water parks in the country, NRH2O Family Water Park provides the best value for your money.
You can also watch out for weekly events, including movie evenings under the stars and music festivals.
This is the perfect place if you are travelling with your special someone. Enjoy a romantic moment through their fireworks displays.
Address: 9001 26 Blvd, North Richland Hills, TX 76180, United States
River Legacy Parks
River Legacy Parks runs alongside the Trinity River.
The Legacy Nature Center offers weekend activities like monthly nature walks and free educational festivals.
This 1,300-acre park on the west fork of the Trinity River, in the Dallas suburb of Arlington, is more evidence of the region’s green space.
It is a section of the 75-mile-long greenbelt parkland that runs from east Dallas to west Fort Worth.
The park has plenty of opportunities to see wildlife, eight miles of paved hiking and biking paths, and a 10-mile mountain bike trail.
This playground features two tree houses with slides, ladders, and suspension bridges that wind through the trees.
If you are looking for an incredible playground your kids can explore, the River Legacy Parks has it all.
Also, don’t forget to visit the River Legacy Nature Center.
You will have the chance to see the engaging exhibits highlighting the wildlife found in the Trinity River’s forests and along its banks.
You will also see lovely trees, a large space, and picturesque surroundings.
Additionally, many picnic tables, seats, and grills make the park great for a family lunch.
Address: 701 NW Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, TX 76006, United States
Also not in Fort Worth. River Legacy is an Arlington city park on the west fork of the Trinity, east of here. It belongs on a metro list rather than a Fort Worth one.
Sid Richardson Museum
Sid Richardson Museum is one of the top attractions in Fort Worth, Texas.
In the center of Fort Worth’s downtown, in Historic Sundance Square, you’ll find the Sid Richardson Art Museum.
Old West art enthusiasts should visit the Sid Richardson Museum after seeing the more significant Amon Carter Museum.
The impressive museum has recently reopened following a year-long renovation by famous architect David Schwarz.
60 paintings by two late-19th- and early-20th-century Western art giants—Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell—are included in this small but focused collection that belonged to a Fort Worth oilman.
The facade and exhibits of the museum have been updated.
This may not be your cup of whiskey if you don’t enjoy depictions of Native Americans riding horses and wagon paths in bright colours. Still, the museum does contain a few great seats with silver decorations.
You can organise a docent-guided museum tour for your group of 10 to 50 individuals, including school tours.
Every guided tour lasts about an hour.
The Sid Richardson Art Museum also has a studio classroom where tour groups can engage in hands-on activities that complement docent-led tours.
The Fort Worth Convention Center, Bass Performance Hall, and Sundance Square Plaza can all be reached on a stroll from the museum, as can the top dining and entertainment options in Fort Worth.
Address: 309 Main St, Fort Worth, TX 76102, United States
Free, small, and pointed at one thing: Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell. If the Stockyards left you wanting the version of the West that painters sold to the rest of the country, this is the room that explains it. It sits on Main Street downtown.
Texas Motor Speedway
One of the country’s more well-known Fort Worth attractions is the Texas Motor Speedway.
It’s the finest method to enjoy the fun rush of watching fast automobiles compete in various races.
The AAA Texas 500 and the Duck Commander 500, two NASCAR Spring Cup races, are held at the Texas Motor Speedway, where a thrill a minute is assured.
As if that weren’t enough, it hosts the WinStar World Casino & Resort 350.
In addition to the exciting things is the WinStar World Casino & Resort 400, which occurs the same weekend as the Indycar Firestone 600.
Take the family to one of the exciting meets for a wonderful treat. 4 seat family packages are extremely reasonably priced.
The speedway track is 1.5 miles long and has an oval shape with corners banked 24 degrees for added excitement.
You can even complete a few laps if you take a tour to get a sense of how it feels to make those great turns. An extremely thrilling trip for the whole family.
You’ll be drifting down to the track in no time because it’s located in a large complex with more amenities than simply racing.
You can visit souvenir stalls, gift shops, restaurants, and bars. Don’t miss out.
Address: 3545 Lone Star Cir, Fort Worth, TX 76177, United States
The postal address says Fort Worth, but the track sits far north of the city, so treat it as its own outing rather than something folded into a downtown day.
Frequently asked questions about Fort Worth, Texas
Can you swim or wade in the Fort Worth Water Gardens Active Pool?
No, and it matters. Four members of one family drowned in the Active Pool on June 16, 2004. The Texas Court of Appeals record describes the pool as the most prominent as well as the most hazardous feature of the gardens. Treat the Water Gardens as something to look at rather than something to enter.
Is the Fort Worth Stockyards cattle drive a real working cattle drive?
It is a daily heritage demonstration rather than a surviving working drive. The Fort Worth Herd walks East Exchange Avenue at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., driven by real cowhands, and it is free to watch. The historic district around it is genuine, listed on the National Register in 1976.
Which Fort Worth museums are free to enter?
The Amon Carter Museum of American Art and the Sid Richardson Museum both admit visitors without charge. The Amon Carter covers American art from the 18th century to the present, while the Sid Richardson holds Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell. Both sit within a short walk of museums that do charge.
Are Grapevine Lake and NRH2O actually in Fort Worth?
Neither is. Grapevine Lake sits in Grapevine and is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. NRH2O is owned and run by the City of North Richland Hills, and River Legacy Parks is in Arlington. All three are metro trips rather than Fort Worth ones.
How old is the Fort Worth Zoo?
The Fort Worth Zoo was founded in 1909 and is the oldest continuous zoo site in Texas. It began with one lion, two bear cubs, an alligator, a coyote, a peacock and a few rabbits, which is a better fact about the place than any modern ranking of it. The site has been in continuous use ever since.
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