Fort Worth has a lot to offer for lovers of watersports, horseback riding and vibrant nightlife, with plenty to do right outside your door. If you don’t want to break the bank, the great Texan city still has a lot to offer with a much smaller price tag.
From museums featuring some of the American West’s greatest artists, to outdoor concerts featuring home-grown talent and national acts, Culture Trip takes you through the best budget things to do in and around Fort Worth.
An integral part of Fort Worth’s storied past, the historic stockyards are great to visit with the family. With wooden corrals and authentically dressed cowboys, the stockyards bring to life the importance of the livestock industry in Texas. Do not miss the cattle drive, featuring a genuine herd of longhorns, that takes place twice a day through East Exchange Avenue.
What better way to explore Fort Worth than taking one of the many trails leading down the Trinity River? Along the way you can take in the natural beauty of the Fort Worth gardens or visit one of the parks that the system encompasses. With over 100mi (161km) of pathways around the area, the Trinity Trails are a fantastic way to spend a day regardless of your budget.
The Amon Carter Museum of American Art, or the Carter as it is known locally, is one of the most renowned repositories of American art in the state. The gallery has a substantial collection of works by Frederic Remington, one of the finest artists of the American West as well as several prominent photographers. Admission is completely free to the galleries and it hosts seasonal exhibitions throughout the year.
No trip to Fort Worth is complete without a visit to the breathtaking botanical gardens. Located in the city’s cultural district and covering 110 acres (44.5ha), the gardens feature memorable floral displays all year round. With collections including the Fuller, Japanese and Rose gardens, it’s easy to spend a whole day exploring what they have to offer. The entry price is $12 for adults and the gardens are open Monday through Sunday.
Based just 15mi (24km) away in the nearby town of Arlington, the Levitt Pavilion offers more than 50 free outdoor concerts each year. Showcasing an eclectic choice of music from native Texan country to jazz, there will be something for all tastes. Concessions are available on site but you are more than welcome to bring your own as well. Kids and dogs (if they are on a leash) are welcome at all of the concerts, which means it’s a perfect night out for the whole family.
Located just to the northwest of Fort Worth, Marine Creek Lake offers a serene break from the city. The picturesque lake features 6mi (10km) of trails to follow around the shoreline, with shaded paths and banks which are perfect places to take pause and enjoy the setting. The lake has several fishing spots available, is free to access and is available all year round.