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Browsing Ft. Worth
Arlington Museum of Art
Focused primarily on displaying contemporary art, this museum is a great place to go if you're looking to browse a great art collection. The museum opened in the 1980s and had its first major show in 1990, attracting donors Nona and Richard Barrett, who then became major supports and fund-raisers for the museum. You'll find a great array of pieces here, from paintings to sculptures, all displayed attractively throughout the recently renovated old JC Penney building. The museum also puts on exceptional art programs for kids and adults, ranging from silent auctions and gallery talks to youth summer art camps.
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Ball-Eddleman-McFarland House
This house originally was built in 1899 as part of the area known as Quality Hill which looks over Trinity River. This Queen Anne-style Victorian home was owned by one of the city's cattle barons. William H. Eddleman. The ornamental building was designed by architect Howard Messer, and remains largely untouched of its original construction. The turrets and gables that adorn its facade and brick and marble decorative design remain to be enjoyed today. Its rusty red color is due to its sandstone fronts and copper finials. As you move into the interior of the house, you'll find the inside matches the precision in detail as the outside. Parquet floors and handcrafted wood framework adorn the interior spaces. Only three families lived in the building since its construction and remains close to original as possible.
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Burger's Lake
Located within a 30-acre park, Burger's Lake is a great place to take the whole family to cool off on a hot day. The one-acre, spring-fed lake features two sandy beaches, hundreds of picnic tables, charcoal grills, and great shade trees for those looking to relax on the shore. The swimmers in the group will love having fun in the water with the lake's six different diving boards, 20-foot waterslide, and 25-foot trapeze. There are also certified lifeguards on duty here, so parents can feel comfortable letting the kids roam freely. Burger's Lake is definitely a must-do activity for families visiting Ft. Worth in the summer.
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C.R. Smith Museum
Showcasing the experience of flight, this American Airlines-sponsored museum is a great place to take aviation, engineering, and history buffs. It opened in 1993 and is one of the only museums in the world dedicated to commercial aviation. Visitors will get to check out a great variety of interactive and educational exhibits, ranging from restored aircraft to an exciting flight simulator. In addition to offering informative exhibits and displays, the museum also puts on great programs throughout the year, including the popular Eagle Aviation Academy, a week-long summer aviation camp for kids.
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Delaney Vineyards
The vines at Delaney Vineyards were planted in 1993, and the winery itself was completed in 1996. Sitting on 10 acres in the beautiful country surrounding the town of Grapevine, Delaney Vineyards is the perfect place to visit for a relaxing afternoon of wine tasting. Growing Cynthiana grapes, which thrive in the clay soil and heat of Texas, the winery produces a variety of wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and a number of blends. Be sure to sign up for a tour of the winery when visiting to learn all about growing grapes, harvesting, and wine making. And, top your visit off with a wine tasting, where you'll get to sample six different varieties.
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Fire Station #1
Located in a beautifully-restored 1907 fire house, Fire Station #1 is now home to a great museum full of exhibits about the first 150 years of Forth Worth history. Visitors will be treated to a wide array of exhibits, such as a scale model of 1849-era Fort Worth, displays on the Clovis people who once inhabited the area, a spotlight on Maj. General William Jenkins Worth (who the city was named after), and much more. The building's history also presents an interesting story, as it was originally used as the first city hall and mayor's office, and at the same time, was the home of the first volunteer fire department, which occupied the first floor.
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Forest Park Minature Train
This pretty, leisurely five-mile journey takes passengers from Forest Park through the woods, over trestles and under bridges, on to the duck pond at Fort Worth Botanical Gardens
Fragrant and serene, Fort Worth's Botanical Gardens offer more than 2,100 acres of trails and garden exhibits in one of the oldest and largest nature settings in North Texas. An extensive greenhouse area, housed in the garden's conservatory, showcases tropical plants and exotic birds in colorful settings. The Japanese Gardens, a popular attraction among visitors, is tranquil and perfect for relaxation or contemplation. Special events abound throughout the year, such as the annual spring Butterflies in the Garden, with its more than 6,000 butterflies adding motion and color to the already magnificent setting. Admission is $1 for adults and $0.50 for children and seniors. Admission to the Japanese Garden is $3.50 weekends/$3 weekdays for adults, $2 for children ages 4-12 and $0.50 off regular adult admission for seniors.
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Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
This delightful collection of tactile displays encourages learning by children and adults alike. A ferocious dinosaur offers greetings in the front walkway; from there, attractive and enticing exhibits branch out in all directions. There are nine permanent galleries with themes ranging from Texas history to computers to fossils. Two of these include Dino Dig and KidSpace, specifically designed for younger children. One of the most popular attractions is the Fort Worth Nature Center & Wildlife Refuge
Located 10 miles northwest of downtown Fort Worth is this 3,500-acre refuge for animals and indigenous plants. Part of the Greer Island Nature Center, this area has unique trails, scenic pastures and educational exhibits. Herds of buffalo and white-tailed deer roam the refuge. Other animals residing inside the refuge include a "town" of prairie dogs.The trip is ideal for a day-long outdoor family adventure. Admission is $4 for adults, $2 for children (ages 3-17), and $3 for seniors.See website for seasonal hours. More »
Fort Worth Water Gardens
Fort Worth's Water Gardens is a spectacular man-made creation. A crown jewel of Fort Worth, it is often used as a site for business, professional, wedding and tourist pictures. Architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee were appointed by the Amon G. Carter Foundation to create this masterpiece in the late 1960s. Covering over four blocks of downtown space, the Water Gardens offer outstanding sightseeing opportunities. More than 500 types of plants and trees adorn this 4.3-acre park.
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Fort Worth Zoo
The nationally acclaimed Fort Worth Zoo is a pioneer in using natural habitats to showcase animals. Exotic animals are kept out of cages and left to freely roam in a natural environment. At most exhibits, visitors are separated from the residents by only a river or a waterfall! Special exhibits include the World of Primates, African Savannah, Asian Falls and Texas Wild. An onsite restaurant serves hamburgers, fries, pizza and BBQ, while a canopy of magnificent oak trees provides welcome shelter from the hot Texas sun.
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Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
This exotic ranch is a bit like flying to Africa and heading off on safari to see wild animals up close and personal; except you never have to leave Fort Worth. Embark on the 9.5-mile self-guided tour where you will see giraffes, rhinos, tigers, ostriches, zebras, and a variety of other animals roaming savannas, wooded hills and valleys. Picnic areas with a playground, nature trails, a cafe and petting pasture are sure to delight those both young and old. Admission for Adults is $14.95; senior citizens (age 62 & up) $11.95; children (age four-11) $9.95. Children under age four is free.
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Grapevine Historic Main Street District
With its avenues of restored buildings and quaint houses rich in Texas heritage, the Grapevine district's historical significance is well known. It is home to a wide variety of eateries, specialty and antique shopping opportunities, art galleries and historic buildings. Grapevine considers itself the wine capital of the world, presenting you with some of Texas' best wines at CapRock, Delaney, Homestead, La Buena Vida, La Bodega and North Star Winery/Tasting Rooms. First settled in 1844, Grapevine is Tarrant County's oldest city and was named for the wild mustang grapes that grew in the area.
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Kimbell Art Museum
Architect Louis I. Kahn won an award from the American Institute of Architects for this building's striking design, which uses a series of arched glass ceilings to let in natural light and enhance the presentation of the many important pieces in the museum collection. Artworks come from all over the world and range from ancient times to present day, with such masters as Renoir, Picasso, Rubens and Rembrandt represented. Those desiring more exotic artworks will enjoy the Asian, African and Mediterranean collections. The Buffet Restaurant is open daily, offering different kinds of light fare depending on the time of day. Museum tours take place Wednesdays at 2p and Sundays at 3p. Admission is free to the museum's permanent collection. Price for special exhibitions varies by event.
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Log Cabin Village
Located in a very woodsy section of Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
Often referred to as the state's oldest art museum, this facility has been in existence since 1892. It now houses more than 2,800 sculptures, paintings, prints, photographs and other artworks created since World War II. The collection includes pieces by such luminaries as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Andy Warhol. Tours are open to the public every Saturday at 2p. The gift shop offers books, magazines, posters and other artistic memorabilia as well as educational toys. The museum hosts various art classes for patrons of all ages throughout the year.
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National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Museum
Begun in 1975 in the small panhandle town of Hereford, this museum moved in 2002 to a grand new home in Fort Worth?s renowned Cultural District. Inside are five galleries, including interactive exhibits with artifacts and archival photography, traveling exhibits pertaining to life in the American West, three theaters, a research library, and a gift store. The museum?s aim is to showcase the work of women who settled the west and those who continue to share the spirit of the cowgirl. Among more than 175 women who have been honored in the hall of fame are artist Georgia O?Keefe, singer Patsy Cline, actress Dale Evans Rogers, hat maker Sheila Graves Kirkpatrick, barrel racer Martha Josey, former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O?Connor. Admission price includes admission to the Museum of Science and History.
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Noble Planetarium
Since 1949, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History (then known as the Children's Museum) has had a planetarium. It's grown dramatically since that time, and now offers astronomy programs with a Spitz AP3 star projector. The exhibits and programs change about twice a year.
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River Legacy Living Science Center
River Legacy Living Science Center serves as the gateway and portal to the natural experience of River Legacy Parks. The River Legacy Living Science Center is operated by the nonprofit River Legacy Foundation, a unique public/private partnership charged with preserving and enhancing the forest floodplain along the Trinity River as an extraordinary natural educational and recreational amenity. Inspired by a simple fort crafted by the hands of children using broken tree limbs and fallen leaves, the 12,000-square-foot center is an icon of sustainable, ecological construction. The center houses terrariums, aquariums, interactive exhibits, a gift shop, and environmental education programs. Saturdays at the Science Center feature a variety of free family activities.
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River Legacy Park
A multi-purpose park on Green Oaks Boulevard in north Arlington, River Legacy Park has something that someone in your group will like. Eight miles of paved trails loop through this 1,300 acre greenbelt along the Trinity River. With help largely in part to the River Legacy Foundation and the city of Arlington in 1988 helped develop and expand greenbelts extending from Dallas to Fort Worth. Expansion projects have helped make this area a place that preserves the natural environmnet while also providing a place for people to enjoy throughout the year. Come hike, jog, bike, or skate through the thick forests and pathways, or enjoy a picnic on the grass or vantage points of the river. Mountain bikers can explore the three mile single track trails rolling through the home of various plants and animals. When the indoors beckons you, take a visit in the River Legacy Living Science Center for interactive displays and a hands-on look at the river ecosystem.
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Sid Richardson Museum of Western Art
In a place where the real west is immortalized through the works of some of the most prominent artists featuring western art such as Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell, The Sid Richardson Museum is a permanent exhibit that explores the time period of the Wild West. Focusing on active depictions of the West as opposed to landscapes, Richardson collected a vast array of paintings to try and capture an authentic representation of the expansion and growth of the American West. The museum is located in a 1895 replica building in Sundance Square giving visitors a feeling of historic Texas. The museum helps immortalize Richardson's dream by providing a cultural center for not only the people of Texas but others from around the country.
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Stockyards Museum
Preserving the history of the Fort Worth Stockyards, this museum is a result of efforts made by the North Fort Worth Historical Society. The museum is housed in the Stockyards National Historic District
This is a great way to experience Fort Worth's history. The Stockyards was once the second-largest cattle market in the world. Renovated for tourism in 1976, the district brims with entertainment, including restaurants, shopping and Wild West performances. Annual events include the Chishold Trail Round-up, held annually in June, and the Fort Worth Stockshow and Rodeo, held annually beginning in January. Visit Stockyards Station
Up and down Stockyards Station's narrow streets you'll find storefronts from the late 1800s, which were renovated for tourism in the 1970s. Stores are full of Western memorabilia including paintings, leather goods, books, glassware and hundreds of other treasures. Wild West performances are staged frequently at the Sundance Square
Situated in the heart of downtown, this mercantile and entertainment district features 16 blocks of renovated storefronts from the turn of the century. The nostalgic buildings and red brick streets pay tribute to Fort Worth's heritage and provide a very popular place to find great shopping, food and live performances of all kinds. Green sightseeing trolleys make it easier to take in all the sights, while horse-drawn carriages might be the ride of choice for those wanting to add a Victorian flair to their tour. A tourist information center provides the inside scoop on the best the town has to offer. Visitors on weekends and evenings will find a nice surprise—parking is free after business hours.
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Tarrant County Courthouse
This breathtaking hall was constructed in 1893, slightly northwest of the site where the original 1849 fort marked the city's beginning. This is the third courthouse to be built on this site; the first burned in 1876, while the second was demolished to make way for a larger building. When it was constructed, the building's $500,000 price tag so angered the citizens that they voted the county commissioners out of office. The building itself, with its red granite walls and four-faced Seth Thomas clock in the tower, was designed by the Kansas City firm Gunn & Curtis. It was restored in 1983 and still functions as a courthouse. The public may request free tours.
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Thistle Hill
Lavish elegance and opulence are the foundation of this Georgian Revival house. Built in 1903 during the Cattle Baron Era of the West, this house was designed and occupied by Electra Waggoner—daughter of cattleman William T. Waggoner—and her husband. Today it is considered a historic landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.The house contains 18 rooms, each filled with turn-of-the century furnishings, some of which are originals. Oak-paneled halls and solid granite pillars are just a few of the fine craftsmanship details. The house is known as much for its architectural design elements as it is for the families who occupied it. Guided tours are offered to provide insight on the family and the house's design and creation, as well as on local history. Tours, which start every hour on the hour, include a tour of both Thistle Hill and The Ball-Eddleman-McFarland House.
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Trinity Park
Traveling through Fort Worth near downtown and the cultural district, Trinity Park winds along the river of the same name. Shakespeare's plays are presented in an amphitheatre just off Seventh Street in a large area where amid healthy trees, slopes and serene water. The Fort Worth Botanic Garden is on the opposite side of University Drive, a few blocks north of I-30.The 32 miles of trails that span the entire park have played host to such annual events as the American Heart Walk and Mayfest. The paved multi-use hiking/biking trail serves joggers, skaters and runners. There are also many playgrounds, shelters, picnic areas and restrooms scattered throughout.Entry to the park is free, but admission to the events/festivals varies.
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