Relocating to DFW

Fort Worth is the 5th most populous city in Texas and is full of history and culture. Located just 45 minutes outside of Dallas, you’ll find great food, museums, entertainment of all kinds, and so much more. If you've only got a couple of days to take it all in, here's your 48-hour essentials guide to exploring the beloved Cowtown!

P.S. if you're exploring from around the area, try taking the Trinity Railway Express!

Updated July 2023

DAY 1

Fort Worth Zoo

MORNING/AFTERNOON

You’ll want to start your first morning off with a fulfilling breakfast/brunch along a Fort Worth favorite, the Trinity River. The Trinity River offers a serene landscape on a lively trail. Choose from these picks below:

• Woodshed Smokehouse | Casual drinks and BBQ on a huge patio with satellite bars, fire pits and more

• HG Sply Co | Clean eating at window filled restaurant that overlooks the water

• Press Cafe | A trendy yet cozy patio for boozy and filling brunch 

Once the bellies are happy, enjoy the Trinity River’s nearby activities:

• Experience and shop at the Shops at Clearfork 

• Rent a Bike from Bike Mart next to Press Cafe for a picturesque ride on the trail

• Explore the Farmers Market in Clearfork (Saturdays only)

• Rent a kayak and explore via water along the Trinity River 

• Talk a lovely walk on the Trinity River trail 

• Visit the Fort Worth Zoo, ranked #1 zoo in the country

• Wander through the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens for a serene garden and lavish landscape

Now don’t be fooled by the amazing outdoor experiences of Fort Worth, there are plenty of world-renowned museums and attractions you won’t want to miss! 

• Visit the museums: The Modern, Kimbell and Amon Carter

• Tour the beautiful Bass Performance Hall (Saturdays 10:30AM)

For the lunchtime cravings or light bites, stop by any of the following for a casual and delicious meal:

• Salsa Limon | convenient delicious Mexican food in a casual setting

• Righteous Foods | yummy clean eating such as unbeatable breakfast bowls in an earthy atmosphere

• Local Foods Kitchen | gourmet or build-your-own salads and a case of fresh gourmet food for the picking

• Dutch’s | delectable burgers on sweet Hawaiian buns across from the TCU campus, Go Frogs!

AFTERNOON/NIGHT

Any time spent at the Stockyards is going to be a good time! Whether you want incredible food, to wander the district, or get your two-step in, the Stockyards has it all. You’ll start by exploring the area:

• Experience and shop the Fort Worth Stockyards for your new cowboy boots or western hat 

• Walk around Mule Alley and explore the recently restored, curated collection of trendy stores, fun bars and delicious restaurants

• If you make it to the Stockyards by 4pm, don’t miss the daily Cattle Drive, a historic tradition from which Fort Worth gets its nickname, Cowtown!

• Explore the stunning Drover Hotel, Autographic Collection, a lavish hotel with a great outdoor bar for drinks, pool area for lounging, and don’t miss the top notch interiors and smell of leather as soon as you step into the lobby!

Next, make sure you visit any of these amazing eateries for dinner or apps!

• Joe T. Garcia's | authentic Tex-Mex with a picturesque patio. Cash only! 

• Tim Love’s Love Shack | quintessential Texan burger joint with tons of live music

• Taco Heads | Instagrammable taco joint with classic Tex-Mex tacos, both hip and casual!

• Ático | swanky rooftop bar + tapas-style menu

Finally, while the night is still young hit up these infamous Stockyard bars + live music halls:

• Get your two-stepping in and listen to live music from an array of artists at Billy Bob's Texas (the world’s largest Honkey Tonk!) 

• Grab creative cocktails + root beer on tap at Second Rodeo Brewing, a lively and massive bar garden

• Enjoy craft cocktails all named after famous cowgirls at Side Saddle Saloon

• If you’re looking for something a little more authentic to the stockyards, try White Elephant Saloon a true Texas watering hole to break out those dancing boots

DAY 2

Mule Alley, Fort Worth Stockyards

MORNING

Rise and shine! Grab your cup of joe or a lite bite at any of these go-to coffee houses:

• Ampersand a Gen-Z-esque trendy coffee shop with a good brew

• Avoca a slow morning stop for some artisan-roasted coffee, great for a place to read or get some work done

• Brewed an eclectic and homey coffee shop and diner with drool worthy chicken and waffles

• Common Grounds a go-to place for a wide range of coffee drinks with occasional live music

• Fort Worth Coffee Co previously known as Craftwork Coffee, a small but mighty coffee stop

Make your way to beautiful downtown Fort Worth for some breakfast/brunch:

• Reata | Texas cuisine + buffet options with big patio and historic interiors

• Salsa Limon | filling breakfast burritos in casual setting

• Del Frisco Grille | upscale new American cuisine

While you’re in the neighborhood, you won’t want to miss out on the beautiful architecture that makes up downtown:

•  Explore Sundance Square shops and outdoor patio for a lovely morning walk

• Visit the Fort Worth Water Gardens an area of unique design and quiet meditation amongst the busy downtown

AFTERNOON

If you’re getting hungry then you’ll want to make your way to University Park Village, where you have great options to grub at: 

• Pacific Table is a delicious and hip seafood restaurant with great vibes tucked away in University Park Village shops 

• Maria’s Mexican Kitchen is a stunning and preppy restaurant serving up authentic family recipes  

• Courtside Kitchen, while a great place to to work on your game, serves up incredible fresh and “country club-eqsue” dishes in a white pickett fence atmosphere

• If you’re looking to watch a game or enjoy a beer with lunch, visit Rogers Roundhouse Grill right behind University Park Village this industrial building has got you covered on the drinks and Tex-Mex 

EVENING

No Fort Worth weekend is complete without a visit to TCU, also known as Texas Christian University. This private university was established in 1873 and has recently been the only school to make it to the college sports playoffs for Football, Basketball and Baseball! Explore the yellow-brick campus, beautiful Frog Fountain and it’s impressive sports hall of fame for the afternoon! 

After getting your purple on at TCU, you’ll want to make your way to Magnolia Street to finish off your “Fo Wo” weekend! Magnolia Avenue is a great street to walk around, casually shop, stop in to sip a drink or two or dine. Many of the shops are small businesses with a passion for serving the city. Reflect on your great couple of days at any of these delicious restaurants:

• Heim BBQ an order at the front style BBQ place with quality meats “farm to smoker”

• Lili’s Bistro an eclectic restaurant with global guisine and an intimate wine bar settoing

• Ellerbe Fine Food, Southern food with a modern twist, specializing in seasonal menus

• Cane Rosso pick between a variety of wood-fired Neopalitan pizzas

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