Fort Worth Stockyards

We went to Texas last summer to visit friends and obviously had to check out the Stockyards because you can’t go all the way to Fort Worth and skip the cowboy stuff. It was insanely hot- like “I questioned every life choice that led me here” hot- but somehow the breeze between the buildings saved us from fully evaporating. The whole place is just full-on Texas energy. Brick streets, longhorn cattle, actual cowboys doing actual cowboy things, and you kind of feel like you’ve fallen into a country music video… without the hair and makeup budget. We had three kids with us and somehow it still worked. There’s tons of food, drinks, ice cream, shady spots to crash, and stores to duck into every time someone (okay, me) needed air conditioning. The kids were happy, the grownups survived, and nobody needed carried- 10/10. Seeing the cattle and all the history was a bucket-list thing for me and it lived up to it. You really get that “this is Texas and proud of it” vibe without doing anything more strenuous than walking and trying not to trip on the cobblestones. Hot? Yes. Worth it? Completely. I would 100% go back.. maybe just not in full blast-summer season 😂🤠

I have been wanting to go to the Stockyards for some time, so we finally made it down there. Perhaps i should have read more reviews. I enjoyed the cattle drive even though it was short. I heard many, including my husband, state they wish there were more cattle. I would have liked to see more, but we were there on a weekday and as many people that were still present and did NOT listen to the announcements, I would hate to see the drive be longer and the handlers have to walk through more people. It takes just one stupid person to stress out one long horn for there to be chaos. What I did not like is being there a little over 3 hours and pay almost $25 for parking. I thought I read $12.50 for a Tuesday, which was still higher than I expected for the short time there. Then we ate at a hamburger place, which received positive reviews. I wasted money on that too. I was not happy with the food, but I will give them a separate review. Again, I expected higher prices because it is a “tourist” place, but I would have preferred to buy something from the shops, not on parking. If you go, download the app. Review the “rewards”. There was a free parking code, but the lots were too far for my husband to walk. But they may be worth it for someone else.

Amazing to be in this historic spot. Some touristy stuff but loaded with history. Some great saloons and restaurants and of course the cattle drive is a must see. If you have never seen the size of one of these steer in person, they are massive and their horns are huge. It's a great relaxed atmosphere and part of the old West and the formation of this country.

We spent the whole day at the Fort Worth Stockyards yesterday and still couldn’t get enough of it! The best New Year’s Eve experience ever! Highly recommend, especially if you want to experience a truly authentic historic Texan district! Oh, and don’t miss the cattle drive- it was so much fun!

Fort Worth Stockyards is an absolute must-see! Be sure to plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time — there is so much to do and experience. Definitely catch a rodeo if you can, walk through all the shops, and make sure you’re there to see the Longhorn cattle drive down the street — it’s such a cool, iconic experience. The food is great, there’s live music everywhere, and the shops are fun and unique. This place truly captures the Texas vibe. Highly recommend taking your time and soaking it all in!