Fort Worth, Texas surprises many people because of the variety of entertainment and culture that it offers. Visitors can experience its many museums with exhibits showing the western heritage of Fort Worth, art galleries, and its old West history at the Stockyards. Race fans can even attend a top tier NASCAR race at Texas Motor Speedway. It's proximity to Dallas and Arlington offers opportunities for more cultural endeavors, not to mention sports. It is an easy drive from Fort Worth to see the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Texas Rangers, or Dallas Stars play a home game.
Fort Worth, often referred to as Cowtown, was originally established in 1849 as an army outpost. It eventually became the last stop on the famous Chisholm Trail. With the birth of the railroad, the area of Fort Worth known as the Stockyards became a leading center for buying and selling livestock.
The Fort Worth Stockyards is now on the National Register of Historic Places. It still offers a taste of the old cowboy tradition with rodeos, authentic old saloons, and stores where you can by a Stetson or a pair of boots. Twice a day you have the opportunity to witness an historically accurate cattle drive. Cowhands drive a herd of longhorns through Exchange Avenue and into the Stockyards.
A visit to the Stockyards would not be complete without stopping in at Billie Bob's, "the world's largest honky-tonk". This 3-acre saloon has it's own rodeo arena and is a perfect end to the day after exploring Fort Worth and the Stockyards.
