Whether you’re new to Fort Worth or you’re a longtime resident, there’s always something new to explore in this city. Need a few ideas? Here are some fun things to do in Fort Worth to get you started.

Lone Star Park

Move over Kentucky Derby, Lone Star Park is the place to go for horse racing in Fort Worth. A class I racetrack, Lone Star Park also features a 36,000-square-foot bar and book venue that’s free and open to the public nearly every day of the year. Place your bets and watch the races from a 280,000-square-foot grandstand in one of its seven glass-enclosed, air-conditioned levels.

Fort Worth Stockyards

This National Historic District is one of the most beloved places in Fort Worth. Locals come for the line dancing parties, country music concerts, arts and craft shows, and gunfight reenactments. The original brick walkways and wooden corrals bring visitors back to the frontier days and manage to entertain young and old alike. Check out the Love Shack for burgers, beers, and live music; it’s a local favorite.

Ale Trail

Grab some friends and hit the trail–the ale trail, that is. With 10 local craft breweries, the Fort Worth Ale Trail is the perfect way to spend a weekend. Be sure to check out local favorites Panther Island Brewing and Rahr & Sons Brewing.

TCU

Texas Christian University sits just outside of downtown Fort Worth, and its beautiful, sprawling campus is reason enough to visit. Go in the fall and watch the Horned Frogs take on a Big 12 Conference opponent.

Catch Some Comedy

If you’re in need of a good laugh, head on over to Amphibian Stage Productions, just south of downtown. This comedy venue produces belly-laugh-inducing stand-up shows and stage productions. Don’t take our word for it though, see it for yourself.

Panther Island Pavilion

It doesn’t get much better than Panther Island Pavilion on a hot, summer day. Grab a stand up paddle board, kayak, or canoe rental from Backwoods Paddlesports and cruise around the water enjoying a unique view of the Fort Worth skyline. The pavilion also hosts a free summer concert series, “Rockin’ the River,” where you can hear local country music while floating in the Trinity. Don’t miss out on Oktoberfest in the fall and plenty of other concerts throughout the year in the pavilion’s two bandshells. The pavilion has, by far, some of the coolest things to do in Fort Worth.

Fort Worth Zoo

Founded in 1909, the Fort Worth Zoo is committed to three core values: conservation, education, and entertainment. USA Travel Guide ranked it #5 on its list of the best zoos in the country, and, with plenty of endangered species exhibits, baby elephants, komodo dragons, and an African Safari, it’s easy to see why. Check out their events calendar and enjoy a day of nature, animals, and fun at the Fort Worth Zoo.

Fort Worth Food Truck Park

Hungry? Head a mile west of downtown and check out the Fort Worth Food Truck Park. With local chefs and food trucks serving up everything from stuffed macaroni and cheese with brisket to tex-mex tacos, you’re bound to find something you like here. It’s a bit off the beaten path, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled for this one.

Pull Up and Park at a Drive-In Theater

See a movie at Fort Worth’s last remaining drive-in theater, Coyote Drive-In. The venue hosts a number of events and private screenings on one of their 4 movie screens. The theater offers beer, wine, and food for purchase at Coyote Canteen. Bring your pup, this place is pet-friendly, too.

Eagle Mountain State Park

Get a hike, run, or bike ride in at Eagle Mountain State Park. The 5 miles of well-maintained trails here are among some of the best in North Texas, with the “Overlook Trail” giving visitors pristine views of Eagle Mountain Lake.

Firestone and Robertson Distillery

Voted the best craft whiskey in America at 13th Annual World Spirits Competition, Firestone and Robertson Distillery has been a Fort Worth gem since it first started pouring whiskey back in 2012. Today, the 112-acre distillery, which sits on the historic Glen Garden Country Club grounds, is the largest whiskey distillery west of the Mississippi. It offers tours of their facilities, samples in their rustic tasting room, and plenty of outdoor  space to sit and sip on their award-winning liquor while gazing at the Fort Worth skyline.

Fort Worth Botanic Gardens

Free BYOB summer concerts in a botanical garden? Sign us up. Enjoy the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra’s free concerts during the summer months, and bring a nice cold beverage to help you cool off. Or, stroll through the more than 15 different, dedicated gardens, including the Japanese Garden and Rose Garden.

Sundance Square

The central Sundance Square is where the city comes together for all things Fort Worth. This 35-block district in downtown boasts dining, entertainment, and shopping options galore. Catch a show at the Bass Performance Hall or go out for dinner at Reata, an upscale restaurant serving up Southwestern food. Don’t miss the iconic Chisholm Trail Mural and Building or the water display in the center of the square.

Burger’s Lake

There’s no better place to be on a scorching summer day than this place. Burger’s Lake is a 30-acre park with a one-acre spring-fed lake at its core. Surrounding the lake are two sandy beaches, trees providing shade, and picnic spaces complete with BBQ grills and tables. Try out the diving boards (there are six of them), two waterslides, and a 25-foot trapeze.

There are a bundle of things to do in Fort Worth, and these are just a few of them. If you don’t call this city home yet, make sure to start your apartment search and find the perfect place in Fort Worth.

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