Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District
131 E Exchange Ave., Fort Worth, TX, 76164
Fort Worth, once known as Cowtown, never forgot its roots as a major player in the cattle market. See its cowboy culture on full display at the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, where a herd of Texas longhorns and their drovers take to the streets in daily cattle drives. This tradition—as well as the district’s honky-tonks, boot shops, and barbecue joints—allows visitors to fully experience Fort Worth’s Wild West brand.
The Basics
A main draw to the Stockyards, the cattle drives take place at 11:30am and 4pm every day. Learn more about Fort Worth’s cowboy culture at the Stockyards Museum, and enjoy the district’s shops, saloons, and restaurants. If you’d like to see even more, book a tour that includes other area attractions such as the Cowtown Coliseum and Billy Bob’s Texas, the world’s largest honky-tonk.
Things to Know Before You Go
Visiting the Fort Worth Stockyards is a great activity for families with kids and a must for first-time visitors.
There are several shops and restaurants located in this district.
You can pay to get a photo with one of the longhorns, and there’s also a petting zoo open on weekends at the Stockyards with other farm animals.
Most of the Stockyards establishments are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
How to Get There
The Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District is on Exchange Avenue at Main Street, north of downtown Fort Worth and about 30 miles (48 kilometers) west of Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. Street parking is free on Exchange Avenue. Molly the Trolley is free and runs from downtown to the Stockyards.
When to Get There
Be sure to visit the Stockyards for one of the two daily cattle drives. Weekends generally offer more in terms of activities, including a petting zoo for kids. Weather is generally very comfortable in the spring (March through May) and fall (October and November), and even into winter; summer tends toward uncomfortably hot temperatures.
Hell’s Half Acre
Several Texas towns had seedy areas known as Hell’s Half Acre, renowned for gambling, drinking, prostitution, and general debauchery—but no town was more infamous than Fort Worth. You’d be hard-pressed to find any semblance of this former red-light district nowadays, but you can always pay a visit to a local saloon and toast the memory of Fort Worth’s outlaws.
Ways to explore
Aside from the district’s morning and afternoon cattle drives, the top attractions in the Stockyards are the Cowtown Coliseum, home to the year-round Stockyards Championship Rodeo, and Billy Bob’s Texas, aka the world’s largest honky-tonk. Hit both sights on a Fort Worth historical tour from Dallas, or combine the Stockyards with saloons on a guided pub crawl.
If you visit the district on your own, note that you don’t need a ticket for the cattle drives—just arrive early to get a spot with a good view of the longhorns, and learn more about the tradition at the Stockyards Museum.
Accessibility
Many sidewalks and attractions in the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District are wheelchair accessible; call ahead for accessibility info about specific sites.
Age limits
While the Stockyards’ saloons are for the 21-and-older crowd, the cattle drives, carriage rides, and Cowtown Cattlepen Maze are ideal for families with kids.
What to pack
Sunscreen, water bottle, camera
What to wear
Western wear certainly isn’t required in the Stockyards, but you’ll fit right in if you wear a cowboy hat and boots.
Not allowed
It’s fine to walk around the Stockyards with alcoholic drinks purchased from licensed vendors—but be sure to heed open-container laws in other parts of Fort Worth.
Amenities
Public restrooms and ATMs are available at the Cowtown Coliseum and Stockyards Station.
Address
The heart of the Stockyards National Historic District is at the intersection of Main Street and Exchange Avenue in Fort Worth. It takes about 40 minutes to drive there from Downtown Dallas. If you don’t have a car, visit on a guided tour from Dallas.
Driving
From central Dallas, take I-30 west, then I-35W to the Stockyards. There is free street parking on Exchange Avenue, or you can look for a spot in one of several paid lots.
Public transportation
The Trinity Railway Express runs from Downtown Dallas’ EBJ Union Station to Fort Worth Central Station. From there, take the Trinity Metro’s Orange Line bus to the Stockyards.
Best times to visit
Time your visit to the Stockyards around one of the twice-daily cattle drives, which happen at 11:30am and 4pm.
Best days to visit
The Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District is always busy with visitors, but you should have an easier time finding parking on weekdays versus weekends.
Best months to visit
Fort Worth’s daytime temperatures are mild from March–May and October–November, the ideal months to enjoy the Stockyards’ outdoor cattle drives and brewery patios.
Special events
In October, head to the annual Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering and Western Swing Festival for rodeo events, cook-offs, and all-ages activities that spotlight the Stockyards’ cowboy spirit.
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