The Most Authentic Texan Experiences In Dallas And Fort Worth

For travelers seeking an idealized version of Texas – filled with wagon rides, cowboys and the settings of famous Westerns – Dallas may initially feel like a disappointment. On arriving at Dallas Fort Worth Airport, there is rarely a single Stetson in sight. Driving into the downtown area, it’s clear that the city is decidedly cosmopolitan as expansive highways filled with shiny pick-up trucks replace the dirt roads and horse-drawn carts of fanciful Western dreams.

Dallas is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, and the high-rise architecture of downtown is a world away from the Texas made famous in Western movies. Hipster cafés, restaurants and upscale yoga studios are abundant across Dallas, dispersed among pristine residential neighborhoods, indicative of the city’s strong economy.

If you’re looking for an old-timey southern experience in Texas, there are still a few authentic things to eat, see, buy and do, but you’ll have to hunt for them – so here’s our guide to experiencing the best that Dallas and Fort Worth have to offer.

1. The Fort Worth Stock Yards, Fort Worth

Historical Landmark, Market, Museum

An authentic Texas cowboy experience can be found in nearby Fort Worth, approximately an hour’s drive from downtown Dallas. The Fort Worth Stock Yards are situated in a national historic district, which retains the feel of a Western movie set and even hosts a twice-daily cattle drive. Complete with brick walkways and wooden corrals, this is the place to visit if you’re looking to step back in time. Daily rodeos, horse-and-cart rides, the world’s largest honky-tonk and a choice of BBQ joints make this the Texan experience many tourists are looking for.

2. The Stock Yards Museum, Fort Worth

Museum

A visit to the Stock Yards wouldn’t be complete without learning a little about the history of ‘Cowtown’. It’s well worth spending the minimal admission fee (just $2 for adults and free for children) to see the authentic Texan artifacts and exhibitions documenting the area’s journey from ‘Hells Half Acre’, as it was once known, to ‘The Wall Street of the West’.

3. Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que, Fort Worth

Bar, Restaurant, Polish, European

Dallas and Fort Worth are home to some of the best BBQ joints in the USA, but Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que’s epic size and proximity to the Stock Yards make it an easy choice for tourists – especially as casual BBQ dining is an experience that’s hard to find outside the South. Diners choose their meat cuts straight from the BBQ pit and can negotiate prime cuts directly with the pit master. After choosing their meat, visitors move down a canteen-style line to gather sides and sauces, all to be consumed off brown sheets of paper at long bench-style tables.

4. Ozona Grill and Bar, Dallas

Bar, Mexican, American, Beer

If you’re looking for a real Texan breakfast, look no further than Ozona Grill and Bar: a weekend favorite for locals, with an extensive and authentic brunch menu. This is traditional Texan breakfast fare, so there’s no avocado toast in sight on a menu packed with Tex-Mex dishes such as migas enchiladas and huevos rancheros, as well as Southern biscuits and gravy or chicken-fried steak and eggs. The extensive build-your-own Bloody Mary bar and sunny patio make this a perfect destination for a boozy brunch with friends.