Location: 32.43 North Latitude, 97.19 West Longitude
Central Time Zone

Click Here for Things to See and Do Around Town



Last Updated: 9 February, 2005
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Fort Worth's Nicknames
  • Cowtown (from the cattle trade of old),
  • Panther City (at the turn of the century, a Dallas newspaper reported that a panther had been seen sleeping in Fort Worth's Main Street at noon. Intended to paint Fort Worth as a sleepy little burg, in contrast to the "megopolis" to the east). Panthers are depicted over the doors of the Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC) .
History
Grew from a military camp established by Gen. Winfield Scot at the close of the Mexican War. Named for Gen. William Jenkins Worth who saw action in the war.
Forty-two men of Company F, 2nd Dragoons established the camp on June 6, 1849.
Fort Worth to Yuma, AZ, stage line was established in 1850.
Became seat of Tarrant County in 1860.
After the Civil War, became a major shipping and supply depot for cattlemen.
Over the years the city has hosted the famous and infamous .
General

Today Fort Worth is a major city, and is home to a wide range of companies including:
The Fort Worth Convention Center spans an area of 14 downtown blocks, built on what was once known as "Hell's Half Acre" in reference to the bawdy atmosphere of the frontier days. Culturally, Fort Worth is now known for an outstanding group of museums, plus a season of summer musicals, winter theater, symphony concerts, opera, ballet, and art galleries.

The city is home to a wide range of architectural styles. Click Here to visit the "Architecture in Downtown Fort Worth" web site. Vast green parks and surrounding lakes offer abundant opportunities for water sports and outdoor recreation. Burnett Park (downtown at Lamar and Texas Sts.), on land donated by cattle baron Samuel Burk Burnett, features four sculptures by Henri Matisse entitled "Backs"; a restful spot with fountains, pools, and granite walkways.

There is a calendar full of annual events including the Southwestem Exposition and Live Stock Show and Rodeo in late Jan. - early Feb. (one of the nation's best); Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival in April; Mayfest early in (when else?) May; The MasterCard Colonial Golf Tournament in mid-May; Chisholm Trail Roundup & Chief Quanah Parker Comanche Pow Wow in June; Pioneer Days in September, and Oktoberfest (in October, usually).
Government
Fort Worth's City Government draws strongly from the community at large and from the neighborhoods. Its operation is characterized by a progressive and civil approach to improving the lives of the diverse population. The City Council Members are easily contacted.
Civic Involvement
The health of any city can be measured by citizen involvement and interest. Current topics in the city include the future of transportation, growth management, and continued development of a healthy city core. Visit the FORWARD pages for more information. An internet forum that was started to discuss Fort Worth architecture is popular for discussing many city issues: http://pub32.ezboard.com/bfortworthforum

Public Transportation
The Fort Worth Transportation Authority, also known as The T, operates busses, van-pools, and other services in Fort Worth, Richland Hills, and Blue Mound.
The Trinity Railway Express (TRE) is commuter rail that connects downtown Fort Worth and downtown Dallas and also serves DFW Airport. The line was built and is operated jointly by The T and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART ). Tickets purchased for travel on the TRE also provide access to the bus and light rail systems of both The T and DART.

Bicycling
Texas is a strong center for recreational cycling as well as racing. The largest ride in the U.S. is the "Hotter'n Hell Hundred" (August in Wichita Falls, TX) drawing 11,000 riders annually, half of which are from the Fort Worth / Dallas Metroplex.
Miles of paved bike trails pass through Fort Worth, allowing riders to traverse the city without ever crossing a road at grade level. Cyclists on the trails enjoy a close communion with the river, especially the abundance of wading birds (Great Blue Herons, various Egrets) and Red-tailed Hawks that call the Trinity River area home. Trail access points include Trinity Park (University Drive & I-30), and University Drive just North of the Fort Worth Zoo. See Greg's Bikepage for information about riding in the Fort Worth / Dallas area.
Colleges and Universities
Fort Worth is the home of

Things to See and Do
(Click on an item for description, location, etc.)

  • American Airlines C. R. Smith Museum - This is an "airline" museum, not an "aircraft' museum, dedicated to C. R. Smith, the "father of American Airlines." Through interactive displays, films, videos, and hands-on exhibits, visitors see the operation of an airline‹today and in the past. Open Wed. - Sun. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Adjacent to American Airlines Flight Academy at Texas 360 and FAA Rd. southwest of D/FW Airport. (817) 967-1560.
  • Amon G. Carter Museum Web Site - Fabulous collection of pictures, sculptures, books and objects of American art, featuring permanent collections of Remington and Russell, plus frequent traveling exhibits. Open Tues. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sun. 1- 5:30 p.m. At 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd.
  • Bass Hall The Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall is the last great performance hall of the Twentieth Century. Opened in 1998, drawing upon the collective experience and wisdom of venues throughout the world, it is an acclaimed success in its setting for concert, dance, and stage performance.
  • Billy Bob's Texas - World's largest honky-tonk with a 4,800-sq.-ft. rodeo area, 600 feet of bar rails, a 1,650-sq.-ft. stage for country/Western entertainment with top stars, shops, games, and restaurants. 2520 Rodeo Plaza in Stockyards Area. Open daily: hours vary.
  • Botanic Garden - A showcase of 150,000 living plants representing 2,500 species, displayed in both formal and natural settings. 10,000-sq.-ft. glass conservatory planted with more than 2,500 tropical plants native to Central and South America. Small waterfalls, ponds, and pathways throughout give visitors an idea what might be encountered in tropics. Garden Center open daily 8 a.m. -11 p.m. Conservatory open Apr. - Oct. Mon. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun. 1- 6 p.m.; Nov. - Mar. same hours but close at 4 p.m. on Sat., Sun. In wooded southwestern section of Trinity Park. Conservatory at 3220 Botanic Dr. open daily. Entrance to botanic gardens free; fee for conservatory.
  • Caravan of Dreams - CLOSED (Still listed for historical purposes) - Small-venue Nightclub that routinely attracts prominent Jazz, Folk, and a wide range of other performers. Murals depicting the history of jazz cover the walls. Cabaret seating for about 300. 312 Houston St. in the heart of Sundance Square 817 429-4000.
  • Casa Mañana Playhouse - Under a geodesic dome, one of nation's most notable theaters-in-the-round. Setting for drama, musical comedies. 3101 Lancaster. 817 332 9319
  • Cattleman's Museum - History of the colorful Texas ranching industry portrayed in film, photos, and cowboy memorabilia. Open Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. -4:30p.m. 1301W.7thSt.
  • Eddleman McFarland House - Elegant Victorian residence. Open for tours 1st & 3rd Sun. each month. 1110 Penn St. Fee.
  • Fire Station No. 1 - "150 Years of Fort Worth" traces city's colorful history. Open 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Second & Commerce Sts.
  • Fort Worth Cats Web Site - Minor League Baseball with a skyline view. Just north of downtown at LaGrave Field, 301 NE 6th Street. Convenient public transportation from downtown and the Stockyards on bus Route 1 . 817 226-2287.
  • Fort Worth Championship Rodeo - Top-notch rodeo cowboys and cowgirls compete most Saturday nights in air-conditioned comfort of Cowtown Coliseum in the Stockyards (see Stockyards below).
  • Fort Worth Museum of Science & History/Omni Theater Museum Web Site - 100,000 artifacts and specimens for research, exhibition. Traveling exhibits, and permanent areas that include Man and His Possessions, Human Physiology, History of Medicine, Calculators and Computers, Geology and Paleontology, and Texas Histon. KIDSPACE is an indoor discovery area designed for young museum visitors age two to six years. Through activities such as Puppet Theater, Water Works, and Build-a-House, children learn about science by doing. Omni Theater's curved screen engulfs viewers' entire field of vision to plunge beneath ocean, soar through clouds, or possibly witness the awesome launch of a space shuttle; 50 varying shows a week. Astronomy programs are presented in the Noble Planetarium. For information and schedule for Omni Theater and Noble Planetarium call 817/732-1631. Shows are presented regularly; during school year theater and planetarium periodically closed to public for school children. DinoDig allows visitors to the museum to become amateur paleontologists and dig for dinosaur bones in large outdoor discovery area. Three dig areas, bones range in size from a four inch vertebra of a Tenontosarus to a six foot leg bone of a large sauropod. Museum is open Mon. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tues. - Thurs. 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., Fri., Sat. 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sun. noon - 8 p.m. Wheelchair accessible. 1501 Montgomery St. Admission.
  • Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge - Growing from 35-acre Greer Island Nature Center, current 3,500-acre refuge offers interpretive center, hiking and self-guided nature trails. Bison herd intermingled with white-tailed deer often seen. Prairie dog town offers excellent opportunity to observe these little animals in their communal setting. Open Tues. - Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun. noon - 5 p.m.; 10 miles nonhwest of downtown (2 miles past Lake Worth bridge) on Texas 199.
  • Fort Worth Zoo - Mammals, birds, and reptiles from around the world; featured exhibits include: African Savannah at edge of a forest with groups of endangered black and white rhinos, giraffes, and African birds in a natural setting. TEXAS!‹a new look at old Texas features a one-room school house, reconstructed ranch house, an operating blacksmith shop and livestock corral. Prairie dogs, javelina, pronghorn antelope, and American bison, along with rural livestock are in this unique exhibit. Includes multipurpose center, Yellow Rose Saloon. Herpetarium acclaimed for naturalistic exhibits and collection of frogs, turtles, crocodiles, and hundreds of snakes. Asian Falls, carved out of existing hillside, is natural setting of grassy hills, waterfalls, and trees, where guests stroll along raised boardwalk to view Sumatran tigers, including the zoo's famous white tiger, "Neela." Exhibit also includes bears. World of Primates has representatives of all Great Apes species and includes indoor tropical rain forest housing lowland gorillas and colobus monkeys and free-flying tropical birds. Connecting outdoor exhibit features various primates including chimpanzees, orangutans, gibbons, bonobos (pygmy chimpanzees), and others. Raptor Canyon features seven species of raptors including andean condors, king vultures, bateleur eagles, and bald eagles. Asian Rhino Valley includes Asian greater one-homed rhinos, cranes, and deer. Open daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; extended hours seasonally. Forest Park. Admission. For information, 817/871-7050. and also browse to the Fort Worth Zoo Page
  • Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra - The FWSO brings excellent classican works to the stage of Bass Hall and attracts the best touring talent. Several subscription series are offered, but tickets to individual performances are generally available. For information, 817/665-6000, and also browse to the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Website
  • Japanese Garden - An enchanting six-acre garden of Oriental design featuring a pagoda, moon-viewing deck, teahouse, and meditation garden amid lush exotic plants. Open Nov. - Mar. Tues. - Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Apr. - Oct. 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. At 3220 Botanic Garden Dr. Admission.
  • Kimbell Art Museum - Based on philanthropist Kay Kimbell's collection of 18th Century portraits and old masters, multimillion-dollar collection now includes works from prehistoric to Picasso. The $6.5-million innovative building of cycloid vaults by architect Louis Kahn provides unexcelled lighting and display areas. Open Tues. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; closed holidays. 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd. Kimbell Web Site
  • La Buena Vida Vineyards - Vineyards and winery are near Springtown, some 20 miles north on Texas 199. Wine tasting room, visitors center and gift shop open daily 11 a.m.- 5 p.m., Sun. noon - 5 p.m. are at Texas 199 at F.M. 1886, just north of the Lake Worth bridge.
  • Lakes (nearby) - Arlington, Benbrook, Eagle Mountain, Grapevine, Joe Pool, and Worth.
  • Log Cabin Villiage - Seven authentic pioneer homes built during 1850s. Frontier tools, implements, furnishings. Open Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Sat. 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Sun. 1- 4:30 p.m. University Dr. and Colonial Parkway in Forest Park. Admission.
  • Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth - Established in 1892, is the oldest art museum in Texas. Permanent collection contains modern and contemporary American and European art (1945 to present), including painting, sculpture, works on paper and international contemporary photography. The new building for the Modern Art Museum was designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando and opened December 14, 2002. Free admission. Wheelchair accessible. Free parking. Open Tues-Sat, 10am - 8pm; Sun; 12 noon - 5pm. University Drive at Camp Bowie Boulevard. (817) 738-9215. Website is at: Modern Art Museum
  • Sid Richardson Collection of Western Art - Free downtown museum featuring 55 paintings from collection of the late Texas oil man, Sid Richardson, whose favorite artists were Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell. Open Tues. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sun. 1- 5 p.m. Closed holidays. 309 Main St. in Sundance Sq.
  • Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo - Formerly the "Fat Stock Show" until fat went out of style. Over 100 years of tradition and progress make this one of the premier showcases for livestock, farm and ranching technique, and a first-rate rodeo. Web Site
  • Stockyards Collections & Museum - Photos and memorabilia from early stockyard days, including sections on the Swift and Ammour packing companies. Small railroad display emphasizes connection with stockyard. Women's area features crown and scepter of 1920 Stockshow Queen and quilt made from satin costumes female performers wore in 1936 centennial show. Sesquicentennial artifacts collected by wagon train through Texas in 1986 also featured. Open Mon. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Jun. - Aug. open Sun. noon - S p.m.) In Livestock Exchange. Building at 131 E. Exchange Ave.
  • Stockyards Historic Area - Feel of the Old West recaptured by merchants along Exchange Ave. on city¹s North Side. Renovated Westem-style stores and restaurants front traditional boardwalks. In season, Old West Amusement Park features a 1930s cowboy carousel. Stockyards Station, a 165,000-sq.-ft. market center includes stop for Tarantula Railroad (see below) and Westem festival market in the renovated hog and sheep pens. There are restaurants, shops, and galleries featuring a variety of western and Indian crafts. 140 E. Exchange Ave. A Visitor Information Center provides details about area features, shopping and dining opportunities, along with Cowtown Rodeo schedule. Info center open Mon. - Fri. 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sat. 9:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Sun. noon - 6 p.m. 130 E. Exchange Ave.
  • Sundance Square Web Site for Sundance Square - Named for the Sundance Kid, who with Butch Cassidy once hid out in Cowtown. The downtown renovation project of turn-of-the-century architecture features dining, art gallery, movie and live theatres, other entertainment, and horse-drawn carriage rides. Bounded by Second, Fourth, Commerce and Throckmorton Sts.
  • Tandy Archaeological Museum, A. Webb Roberts Library - On campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Archaeological items from the Holy Land including artifacts uncovered at Tel Batash-Timnah; interpretation of early Biblical periods. Seminary history area. Open Mon. - Sat. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 2001 W. Seminary Dr.
  • Tarantula Railroad Tarantula Train Website - Steam excursion line connects 19th century Stockyards Historic Area Station with Grapevine with excursion runs to Eight Avenue Yard in south Fort Worth. Special excursions to Granbury. Ticket offices in Stockyards Station at 140 E. Exchange Ave. and at the Grapevine Station, 707 South Main, just North of Dallas Road. 817-763-8297 and 800-952-5717.
  • Teatro Main Steet - Founded in 1996, this tiny preparatory theatre focuses on Latin playwrights. 1541 N. Main Street. 817-626-1969.
  • Texas Motor Speedway - New in 1997, this tri-oval track handles NASCAR, Indy Car, and other classes of racing, as well as hosting major concerts. Web page .
  • The Last Supper - A life-size wax figure interpretation of the Last Supper. At the Radio and Television Commission of the Southem Baptist Convention. Open Mon. - Sat. noon - 5 p.m.; Sun. 1- 5 p.m. 2500 Ridgmar Plaza.
  • Thistle Hill - Last surviving mansion of cattle baron era, restored to 1910 appearance. Opulent decor. Open Mon. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Sun. 1- 4 p.m. 1509 Pennsylvania. Admission. Renovation may vary days open.
  • Trinity Meadows Race Track - Pari-mutuel racing is held during spring and fall just minutes from Fort Worth. Take 1-30 west to Willow Park and Trinity Meadows. For racing information, 817/441-9240.
  • Water Garden - Spectacular park features water in all its aspects: sparkling, gurgling, bubbling, flowing, sprinkling, pouring fountains, channels, cascades and pools amid geometric architectural features. Seen in the movie "LOGAN'S RUN". Adjacent to Convention Center downtown.
  • Will Rogers Memorial Center - Complex is site of Fort Worth's major exhibitions and one of nation's premiere equestrian centers. Mounted statue of Will Rogers, famous cowboy humorist, on entrance grounds. Amon Carter Sq.
  • William Edrington Scott Theater - A showcase for the performing arts; features modern technical equipment to complement drama, jazz, chamber music, and ballet. A four-and-a-half level theater with main auditorium seating nearly 500. On Amon Carter Sq. adjacent to Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
  • Visitor Centers - The Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau operates visitors centers offering abundant details about local events, accommodations, dining, and points of interest. Visit the information center at 415 Throckmorton in the historic Sanger Building in Sundance Square, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon. - Fri., or in Stockyard Historic area at 130 E. Exchange Ave.
Additional Links for the Fort Worth Area

The T Public Transportation
North Central Texas Council of Governments
Fort Worth Star-Telegram The Daily Paper
Fort Worth Weekly The "Alternative" Press in Fort Worth
Fort Worth Independent Schools
Birdville Independent Schools
Mapping Program - Find the Street!

Please send comments, corrections, updates, etc. to Greg: email address for greg: greg.fw at webpages4u.com

This Fort Worth Page is based on work from 1996 by Chuck Vanderberg, Richard Finley, and Michelle Linden while they were students at the University of Texas in Austin .
I have added to it since then.