Cowtown, Panther City, Funkytown — whatever you want to call it, Fort Worth is the place I call home. Just 30 miles west of Dallas, Fort Worth is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country and currently the 12th largest.
Once part of the Chisholm Trail cattle drive that drove longhorns to market from Texas to Kansas, with a booming railroad history and a bit of Wild West lore, Fort Worth has always embraced cowboy culture with a laid-back attitude.
Today, you’ll still see riders on horseback trotting through the streets and a twice-daily cattle drive in the Stockyards, but you’ll also find renowned art and history museums, miles of trails along the Trinity River for outdoor adventure, a thriving live music scene, and plenty of bars and restaurants where you’ll find everything from simple Southern fare to next-level craft barbecue and fine dining.
Here’s part two of our insider’s guide to Cowtown, covering where to shop, stay and soak in Fort Worth’s Western flair. For our insider's guide to the best bites Cowtown has to offer, click here.
Experience the West
A trip to Fort Worth isn’t complete without seeing the Stockyards, a National Historic District where the American West is alive and well.
See a live show at Billy Bob’s Texas (2520 Rodeo Plaza), the world’s largest honky-tonk. Musical greats such as ZZ Top, Ray Charles, Willie Nelson and more have performed here. Tannahill’s Tavern and Music Hall (122 E. Exchange Ave., Suite 200), is a newer music venue in Mule Alley (still in the Stockyards) with late-night slices of pizza. Created by local chef Tim Love, Tannahill’s also serves raw or grilled oysters, a juicy burger and a fried bologna sandwich. “Just grab a spot on the patio, and if it’s your first time there, go for an ‘all-in’ shot and leave a signed bandana on the ceiling,” says Love.
In January and early February each year, the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo electrifies Dickies Arena with Western rodeo traditions, including livestock shows, bull riding, mutton bustin’, saddle bronc riding and barrel racing. There are also parades, concerts, horse and cattle sales, and kids’ activities.
What to Buy
Pick out a new pair of handmade boots — or design your own custom pair — at Leddy’s (2455 N. Main St.), a fourth-generation family business open since the 1920s. Choose your leather, colors, patterns, logos and stitching for a pair that suits you perfectly. Also try Lucchese (128 E. Exchange Ave., Suite 500), which offers high-end boots in endless styles and leathers, or Tecovas (2341 N. Main St.), where you’ll find stylish and well-made options, plus complimentary beer from the “boot-tenders.” For a more budget-friendly pair, head to Ariat (128 E. Exchange Ave., Suite 600) for ready-to-wear pairs or Maverick Fine Western Wear (100 E. Exchange Ave.) for a range of boot brands.
For a custom cowboy hat, The Best Hat Store (2739 N. Main St.) in the Stockyards has been around for almost 30 years with more than 5,000 hats in inventory year-round. Staff will even help you shape your new hat for the best style and fit. Downtown, there’s Peters Bros. Hats (909 Houston St.), which has been around since 1911 and is one of the last remaining hat shops in the city. Here, they’ll help you build a custom hat with the knowledge that’s been passed down through five generations of the Peters family.
For local boutique shopping, Local Design Studios (3610 W. Vickery Blvd.) is a collab among eight local women, each specializing in a different area, such as watercolor, interior design, jewelry and clothing. MMV Boutique (1455 W. Magnolia Ave., Suite 109) is an adorable spot for trendy pieces and special occasion finds. Hale House (4900 Camp Bowie Blvd.) is an inviting pop of color with apparel and accessories, plus home decor. You Are Here (4804 Camp Bowie Blvd.) is great for casual loungewear and upscale pieces for a night out.
Hang Your Hat
Fort Worth is such a short drive that you might be tempted to make your excursion a day trip, but do yourself a favor with an overnight. The city is a primo staycation experience.
In the historic Stockyards, Hotel Drover (200 Mule Alley Drive) is an homage to the city’s Western heritage. Rustic luxury takes center stage with plush leather furniture, chunky wood accents and public spaces adored by both locals and visitors. The lobby bar is a sleek space with cowhide chairs and a curated cocktail menu, while the backyard is perfect for porch time with numerous seating areas, plus a heated pool and hot tub, cabanas, fire pits, live music, outdoor games and pop-up shopping. There’s also the on-site 97 West Kitchen and Bar, serving Texas cuisine in the form of things like chicken-fried steak, bison tenderloin and seared redfish. In 2024, Hotel Drover earned a Michelin Key, which is awarded to hotels that offer exceptional stays and are part of the Michelin Guide.
Another hotel in the Michelin Guide is Bowie House (3700 Camp Bowie Blvd.), which earned two Michelin Keys in 2024. Decidedly Western-meets-modern, Bowie House is in the Cultural District near the city’s beloved museums and Dickies Arena. Rooms are furnished in a contemporary style with artwork nodding to Fort Worth’s history, personalized bar carts, dedicated lounge spaces, hat racks, boot jacks and boot fresheners. The on-site restaurant, Bricks and Horses, serves Texan fare in a chophouse style, while The Bar is essentially the living room of the hotel, with craft cocktails and snacks. There’s also The Yard, an outdoor dining space with shareable snacks and fun drinks. Take advantage of the spa, the pool and experiences like artist talks, horseback riding, curated picnics and game nights.
Just up the street from Bowie House, The Crescent Hotel (3300 Camp Bowie Blvd.) focuses on art and the surrounding art museums, with numerous modern art pieces throughout the property. Rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows with city views, modern furnishings and marble accents. A house car can take you to attractions within a three-mile radius, and guests have access to the on-site Canyon Ranch Wellness Club and Spa, complete with state-of-the-art wellness and fitness equipment. Emilia’s, the hotel restaurant, offers Mediterranean food and fresh pasta in an upscale environment, and within Emilia’s is The Blue Room, with an elevated and exclusive fine dining restaurant.
In Fort Worth’s River District, Hotel Otto (4400 White Settlement Road) is a boutique property with eight bungalows created from shipping containers. Each standalone unit comes with a queen-sized bed, a walk-in shower, an in-room bar, a minifridge and a rooftop deck with views of the Trinity River. The backyard area has a small pool with cabanas and lounge chairs, a bocce ball court, a daily complimentary cocktail hour and a 10,000-square-foot vegetable garden. Gemelle, the property’s Italian restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, including fresh pasta and pizza, avocado toast, eggs Benedict and huge homemade breakfast biscuits with jam.
This story originally appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Local Profile. To subscribe, click here.
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