🐂 Saddle up, y’all!
Journey back in time to the Wild West and experience the world of Texas cowboy culture 🤠🐴 at the iconic Fort Worth Stockyards! ✨
On a fine, cloudy day, we started our journey from Houston to Fort Worth. It was a Saturday, and our goal was to catch the 11 AM cattle drive at the Fort Worth Stockyards. We arrived at the parking lot (Lot 2) around 10:30 AM, but the cattle drive was canceled due to rain. So, we decided to stay for the 4 PM cattle drive and, in the meantime, explored the Fort Worth historic district.
🎟️ Entry to Stockyards is FREE! However, you have to pay for parking which varies in price depending on the day of the week. It was $20 for us since it was a Saturday. The parking fee on other days of the week is $10 (Mon-Thu), and $15 (Fri and Sun).
Things to do in Fort Worth Stockyards:
What does Fort Worth Stockyards offer? You might be wondering! Here is the list:
- Fort Worth Herd Cattle Drive: where Cowboys walk down the Stockyards E Exchange Ave with the Texas Longhorns.
⏰ Fort Worth Stockyards cattle drive schedule — The cattle Drive takes place every day at 11:30 am & 4:00 pm and is one of the main and best attractions of the Stockyards. There are no Cattle Drives on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, or Easter.
The best place to view the drive is from the sidewalks in front of the Livestock Exchange Building located at 📍 131 East Exchange Avenue. You might be wondering why I am talking about the best place to watch the cattle drive! That’s because, last time we visited, we stood at the Stockyards entrance near parking lot 2, where the cattle drive starts and the cattle walk down the road towards Livestock Exchange Building. So we only saw the cattle entering. To see the entire walk, you must stand near the Livestock Exchange Building.
2. Stockyards Championship Rodeo At Cowtown Coliseum: showcases an authentic Western Cowboy Experience, featuring bull riding, tie-down roping, team roping, barrel racing, bronc riding and break away roping — plus calf and mutton scrambles for the kids! 🏇 Fort Worth Stockyards rodeo schedule is: Every Friday & Saturday Night at 7:30 pm.
3. Fort Worth Herd Experience: an interactive showcasing program for all drovers and herd staff demonstrating tools used during the Cattle Drive era. It takes place at the Longhorn Pen behind the Livestock Exchange Building from 1:30PM to 2:30PM every Friday, Saturday, & Sunday. You can get close to the horses and pet them here.
4. Fort Worth Herd Steers on display: From the vantage point of a scenic bridge overlook, observe the cattle, including horses and longhorns, as they rest peacefully, graze on the lush pasture, and enjoy their feed within the pen.
5. Stockyards Museum, Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, Texas Trail of Fame — are the attractions for history lovers to learn about the past culture of this historic district and pay homage to the pioneers who showed excellence in rodeo and helped build the Stockyards. Admission to the museum is $2 per person.
6. Stockyards offers carriage and stagecoach rides daily (10:30 AM — 5 PM) and Sat & Sun Evenings (6 PM — 10 PM); pricing – $40 minimum (1–2 riders).
7. Beltline Express Mini Locomotive takes you on a ride around and through the historic district daily (11 AM — 7 PM) pricing – $5 per person.
8. Besides carriage, stagecoach, and Mini Locomotive rides, there are many other family-friendly activities in the Fort Worth Stockyards.
Pony Rides, Horseback Rides, Mechanical Bull Ride, Longhorn Photoshoot, Ice Skating (Nov 18 — Jan 5), Mazes, Barnyard Petting Corral — these activities are organized by the Fort Worth Stockyards for you to enjoy with your family, children, and friends.
9. Grapevine Vintage Railroad: There are two train rides for Stockyards:
i. Trinity River Excursion (Round trip 45 minutes; No deborading; Price $14-$10 based on the class; does not travel to Grapevine; starts and ends at Stockyards)
ii. Cotton Belt Train Excursion (One-way trip 2.5 Hours; Deborading at the Stockyards for approximately 2 hours; Price $72-$18 based on the class; starts and ends at Grapevine)
10. Explore Stockyards vintage shopping area and uncover a treasure trove of unique finds. Browse through hand-tooled leather saddles, western wears — perfect for collectors or anyone who appreciates fine craftsmanship. Let your little ones delight in pint-sized cowboy hats. Savor nostalgic moments as you explore vintage candy shops, filled with classic sweets. Discover one-of-a-kind Texas treasures, from locally crafted souvenirs to authentic keepsakes that celebrate the spirit of the Lone Star State. Don’t miss the chance to sample locally produced honey and wine, offering a true taste of the region’s natural flavors.
11. Enjoy live music in Fort Worth Stockyards at a variety of venues, including the lively saloons, the iconic music hall, and even an exciting open mic event in the bustling shopping area.
🗓️ The best time to visit the Fort Worth Stockyards is during the comfortable seasons from September to May. Choose a weekend to get the full experience, as the Stockyards are full of events.
Stroll the cobblestone streets, meet real cowboys, and soak in the spirit of Texas like never before. 🇺🇸🤍 From the thundering cattle drive 🐂 to live rodeo action 🏇, historic saloons 🍻, and Texas-sized flavors, mouthwatering BBQ 🍗, live music 🪕, this legendary spot is a must-visit for anyone craving adventure! 🌵🎶