10 Things To Do In Fort Worth Stockyards (& What To Avoid)

You might see the Fort Worth Stockyards as a tourist trap – and that’s because most of it is. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth your time to visit.

Although the stockyards are very touristy now, it wasn’t always like that. The stockyards in Texas played a huge role in history and it’s very much worth discovering.

That being said, there are still a lot of tourist traps in the stockyards. So, after spending a day there, here are my top things to do in Fort Worth Stockyards, and what you may want to avoid!

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

When Is The Best Time To Visit The Stockyards: Weekends Only!

The Fort Worth Stockyards are no longer a functioning stockyard for cattle. Today, it’s mainly a tourist destination for the “real” cowboy experience.

Because of that, most things will only run on the weekends. This isn’t the case for popular events (like the twice daily cattle drive). But other things will only be open on the weekends (like the Fort Worth Stockyards Championship Rodeo is only on Friday and Saturday).

Of course, because certain things are only open on the weekends, that also means it is the busiest time to visit.

So, it is somewhat of a double edged sword. You have to decide what you’re interested in seeing while in the Fort Worth Stockyards.

How Long Do You Need At The Stockyards?

We actually visited the Stockyards twice: once at night and once during the day (for the entire day). We easily could have combined both visits into one, but found better seats for the rodeo on the night before.

One complete day (including staying for the evening to see the rodeo) in the Fort Worth Stockyards is all the time you need to see and more (p.s. it makes an easy day trip from Dallas too).

The Fort Worth Stockyards are small, so you can walk EVERYWHERE. All the things to do in Fort Worth Stockyards are also concentrated along the same one block: Exchange Avenue.

I will say that the Stockyards at night is worth seeing as well, but it does get even busier! It’s still nice to see everything lit up with neon signs, offering a very different experience.

Top 10 Things To Do In Fort Worth Stockyards

There are three main areas to walk around in the Fort Worth Stockyards: Exchange Ave, Mule Alley, and the Stockyard Station. You’ll end up on all of three of these streets throughout the day, to visit their shopping and dining experiences.

You’ll also find a cattle pen maze and petting zoo ( both great activities for kids), and even a mechanical bull outside on Exchange Avenue if you’re up for the challenge.

1. Go On A Heritage Walking Tour Of The Stockyards

One of the best things to do in Fort Worth Stockyards is to go on a heritage tour. Like I said, it wasn’t always a place for tourism, there is quite a bit of history on these streets.

The tours run three times throughout the day but you can’t buy tickets online, so you’ll have to arrive a few minutes early. Tickets are sold at the Cowtown Cattlepen Maze.

If you make it for the 10:00 A.M. tour, it sets you up perfectly to see the first Fort Worth cattle drive of the day (at 11:30 A.M.).

The tour gives you more of an appreciation for the history of the Stockyards in Texas – instead of just seeing it as a tourist trap.

Find updated information here.

2. Watch The Fort Worth Cattle Drive (World’s Only Twice Daily!)

This is the only twice daily cattle drive in the world. You’ll be able to see the exciting Fort Worth cattle drive along Exchange Ave. This is when they lead Texas longhorns down the street right in front of you.

Exchange Avenue was part of the old Chisholm trail which was actually used to bring the cattle from the South to the North of Texas.

The Fort Worth cattle drive is everyday at 11:30 A.M. and 4:00 P.M.. It doesn’t last very long so it’s worth stopping by to watch. Make sure you get a spot closer to Main Street to watch the cattle walking towards you.

Otherwise, you’ll be watching a lot of cow butts walking away from you if you’re too close to the start of the walk.

What You Can Avoid: The Comedy Gunfire Show

Another weekend-only stockyard event is the comedy gunfire show. It happens at the back of the Stockyard Station at 11:45 and 4:15 (right after the Fort Worth cattle drive).

But you should know what you’re getting into before you run there. It’s LOUD! They shoot fake guns that sound very much real and are loud. I noticed a few people just holding their ears shut.

I also think it’s really meant for kids. We started watching it (also didn’t have a great view behind lots of people) but didn’t stay long. It was silly jokes and really felt more like a skit for kids rather than a western gun show (which is what I had expected).

3. Check Out Custom Hat Shaping At M.L. Leddy’s (And Maybe Buy Your Own!)

Even if you don’t buy yourself a cowboy hat or boots (which I don’t recommend… see why here), you have to check out M.L. Leddy’s. This is a Fort Worth establishment from the 1920s.

Their boots are all handmade and you can find all your other cowboy apparel here. It’s worth checking out all the different styles.

One of the best part about M.L. Leddy’s is watching the craftsmen shape cowboy hats to fit someone’s head. I had no idea they did this!

I thought you could simply walking in, buy a hat, and wear it. Nope! These are custom shaped hats to fit your head. They form the rim to the curve of your liking, and shape the top indents to fit perfectly to your head. They do this using steam and shear force.

You can watch them do this at the counter at M.L. Leddys. Plus, like I said, you can do some shopping or even window shopping while you’re here.

P.S. read more about why I didn’t buy cowboy apparel while in Texas, and I’ll give some other souvenir recommendations.

4. Say ‘Hi’ To The Famous Texas Longhorns

You don’t have to wait for the cattle drive to see the longhorns in the Fort Worth Stockyards.

They hang out next to the parking lot in large cattle pens. Each one has a name and you can try to find them in their pen.

There’s also an alley next to the stables you can walk through to see more cattle, longhorns, and horses.

5. Watch The Rodeo At The Cowtown Coliseum (Friday & Saturday Only)

If there’s anything you have to do while in the stockyards in Texas, it’s to go to the rodeo.

I actually thought it was very interesting that it was mostly Texans at the rodeo. Very few people sounded like they were from out of State (although maybe Texans just know how to yell the loudest!).

The Fort Worth rodeo is really something else. Although I will warn you, sometimes it’s hard to watch the animals.

The Stockyards Rodeo is also the only year-round rodeo in the world. That means, it doesn’t matter what time of year you’re visiting, just make sure to visit the Stockyards on Friday or Saturday so you can catch a rodeo.

The rodeo is really more like a performance. They have horse bucking, bull bucking (which was actually started in Fort Worth), and roping events.

Buy tickets here.

6. What To Do In Fort Worth Stockyards: Go On A Trail Ride

If you’re interested in going horseback riding in Texas, perhaps one of the most convenient places to go is at the Fort Worth Stockyards.

Of course, you won’t get the full ranch experience here, but it’s still pretty western (also very convenient might I add!?).

We didn’t end up going horseback riding at a ranch or at the Stockyards but we did consider both!

We actually signed up for a trail ride at a ranch (Marshall Creek Ranch) but they were cash only and it was very time consuming just to get there.

Horseback riding in the Stockyards is very easy. You can also sign up in advance online, or pay at the booth with a credit card. Plus, it was the same price as most ranches anyway.

The trail ride takes you out of the Stockyard to the Trinity River Trail. Apparently, if you can wait for sunset, those trail rides are the best (but they don’t sell advance tickets for it)!

I will give you a heads up that it takes a good 10-15 minutes to leave the actual Stockyards. So I recommend the full hour trail ride so you have enough time to enjoy the Trinity river. And you’ll most likely be in a larger group than if you went to a ranch. They had a lot of horses here!

7. Grab A Snack & Beer At Second Rodeo Brewing (Visit Mule Alley)

Second Rodeo Brewing isn’t just about the beer. You can come here for lunch, or if you need an afternoon break with a beer and snack. They have live music and a gorgeous terrace.

Plus, it will give you the opportunity to walk through Mule Alley.

8. Escape The Crowds And Walk Along The Marine Creek

Sometimes the Fort Worth Stockyards can be a bit much, with the heat and number of people.

For a little break, you can head out behind Second Rodeo Brewing down to Marine Creek trail. It’s a peaceful and very quiet walk. It offers a very nice break from the crowds.

P.S. pick up a beer from Second Rodeo Brewing and take it to go to walk along the creek. You’re allowed to drink on the streets in the stockyards in Texas.

9. Go On A First Class Train Tour

You may have noticed the train tracks going through Stockyard Station. These were actually installed after it had already been a cattle pen and they wanted to convert the space for shopping and dining.

The train tracks were only built in 1980 to bring people to the shops and restaurants here.

Today, the train tracks still exist but has become a tourist train. You can jump on a 45 minute ride on a vintage train (and yes you can actually book first class seats for the journey!).

This is another great way to get off your feet for a bit. Find out more here.

10. Dance Away The Night At A Honky Tonk

Just outside the historical Stockyards is the Rodeo Exchange – and this has nothing to do with the rodeo.

It’s actually a dance hall! If you’re looking for something to do at night that isn’t the Rodeo, you can come here for dance lessons on Wednesday and Thursdays.

Or join them for live music on Friday and Saturday.

P.S. if you show up on Friday before 8:00 P.M. there’s no cover charge! Find out more here.

Popular Things To Do In The Stockyards You Can Easily Miss…

There are a few popular things to do in Fort Worth Stockyards that are either a waste of time, money, or both.

We unfortunately did most of them, while others we just peeked inside and could tell that it was not worth it.

John Wayne: An American Experience

This was quite possibly the worst museum I’ve ever been to… and I’ve been to some pretty bad museums in my travels. I just felt scammed.

I thought this was going to be about John Wayne and the western films he made. Instead, it was about how he was such a great American… which was a bit odd to visit as a Canadian.

They also completely glanced over his scandalous marriage (by the way he got married three times and divorced twice).

And it was just really overpriced coming to almost $50 for two people!

Billy Bob’s Honky Tonk

I think at night this might be a fun activity – it is the world’s largest honky tonk after all! But, during the day, it was just depressing and dark.

There are a few restaurants inside, a bull riding pen, and a dance floor. But, no one was dancing and the music hall was closed.

It’s $3 to go inside during the day (which it should be free in my mind). At night, the cost varies based on the performer. On the night we were visiting, it went up to $18/ticket.

11. Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame

Do not confuse this with the National Cowboy Hall of Fame – that’s in Oklahoma. This is just the Texas Cowboy Hall Of Fame (see the difference!?).

Anyway, this was just a bunch of memorabilia that Texas cowboys brought over to the museum and they set up in display cases.

If you want a cowboy museum in Texas, stop by the Texas Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame. It was amazing!

12. History Museum At The Stock Exchange

The History Museum is in the Lives Stock Exchange building, which is worth going inside. We peeked at this museum though (which isn’t expensive – costing only $2!), but it looked like so much random stuff.

It honestly seemed like someone’s hobby project and collection of random Texas things. I was overwhelmed just looking at it.

I mean you know it’s bad when the promotional sign says to come see the *second* longest burning lightbulb ever…if that’s not a warning sign I don’t know what is!

Should You Stay At The Fort Worth Stockyards?

You don’t need to stay in the stockyards while you’re visiting. Downtown Fort Worth is only a 10 minute drive away – which offers a very nice escape from the touristy crowds of the stockyards.

We stayed outside the stockyards in downtown Fort Worth at the Hampton Inn & Suites Fort Worth. It was one of the best Hampton Inns I’ve stayed at – with a bar in the lobby! Plus, we can also never say no to a free breakfast in the morning! For room rates & availability, click here.

If you are interested in staying in the Fort Worth Stockyards, we walked by Hotel Drover, Autograph Collection and it looked like a true western escape. It was towards the end of the stockyards and looked out onto Marine Creek. Plus, the outdoor pool was a real haven. For room rates & availability, click here

A more affordable option in the Stockyards is the Hyatt Place Fort Worth Stockyards. Just off of Exchange Ave, it still offers a bit of a break from the crowds as well. For room rates & availability, click here

For more hotels in Fort Worth Texas, click here.

Booking.com

Parking In The Stockyards In Texas

If you aren’t staying in the Stockyards, you’ll most likely be driving to the stockyards for the day.

You don’t need your car once you’re there, so you can park wherever you find a spot.

There are tons of parking lots in the stockyards, we had no issue finding a spot both times we visited. It’s a flat rate of $15 / day to park.

You’ll pay for parking through the barcode on the signs that are set up in the lots. You’ll need a credit card, license plate number (and phone data!) to pay.

There are two smaller lots just after the cowtown coliseum and two large lots at the end of the stockyards.

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Last update on 2024-04-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API