I wrote a blog here a while back about things to do around Dallas. One of those were the Fort worth Stockyards. Well, I can’t very well recommend somewhere I’ve never been, right? The grandkids were visiting from Panama (and getting vaccinated-dual citizens!), so we went on a day trip.
Wow, there’s something there for everyone!
First recommendation – go in early spring or fall – it gets hot there! Second, go early. We got there early enough to snag a shady parking spot, and started wandering.
Tons of shopping! Everything from tourist-trap stuff to really top end boots and attire. These guys were outside one shop, and I was tempted to take one home – instead, settled for the perfect coaster for my desk!
Then we sat on a bench beside the brick of Exchange Avenue, and waited for the cowboys to drive a herd of longhorns past! (happens daily at 11:30 & 4:00) I don’t know if you’ve ever been close to a longhorn, but they are HUGE!
They also had one saddled and standing in the shade that you could get on and grab a photo, but none of us were tempted.
We wandered, and every fifty feet or so there are stars in the sidewalk, like in Hollywood, but they’re for cowboys (and women) that helped settle the west, Western actors, even the cattle trails had one.
After a delicious lunch at Shake Shack (Didn’t know there was one in Texas!), we set off again.
Next stop, Cowtown Coliseum. They have rodeos there every Friday and Saturday night, and the kids would have loved to have seen one, but there just wasn’t time, this trip. But it’s open to the public every day, and there are still things to see there, including Sancho of the curly horns.
It’s also home to the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame – I had a blast finding all the bullriders I’ve followed for years, including the King of the Cowboys, Ty Murray. But it wasn’t only just cowboys – rodeo stock (bucking horses and bulls) are represented too!
Next stop, The John Wayne Museum. It was closed, but we went in the gift shop, and I couldn’t believe it! There was Trigger and Bullet! For you youngsters, that was Roy Rogers’ horse and Dog, from his TV show. I’d seen them at the Roy Rogers Museum in Victorville, Ca, decades before, and it was like seeing slightly macabre old friends!
On the way out, I couldn’t resist – I had to get on the bucking machine. Mind you, it was NOT moving. Trust me, getting up on that thing was hard enough – a sure sign I’m too old for it, but I had to get a photo!
All in all, a great, fun day – I highly recommend it! You can learn more of the details of what to do there, here.
If you make it there, send me a photo of YOU on the bucking bull!
Laura Drake is a New York and self-published published author of Women's Fiction and Romance.
Her romance series, Sweet on a Cowboy, is set in the world of professional bull riding. Her debut, The Sweet Spot, was a double-finalist, then won the 2014 Romance Writers of America® RITA® award. She’s since published 12 more books. She is a founding member of Women's Fiction Writers Assn, as well as a member of Western Writers of America and Women Writing the West.
Laura is a city girl who never grew out of her tomboy ways, or a serious cowboy crush. She gave up the corporate CFO gig to write full time. She realized a lifelong dream of becoming a Texan and is currently working on her accent. She's a wife, grandmother, and motorcycle chick in the remaining waking hours.
Great blog. I grew up going to Fort With Stockyards. My dad used to rope there in the Cowtown collision. I’ve also met both singers Gary Stewart & George Jones there.
Many happy times growing up and visiting the stockyards. I’m so glad you went and took in all the fun.
Lucky you, Tonya. It’s a blast!
What a cool experience!
It was! Hope you can get there someday…
As many times as I have been to the Ft Worth Stockyards, I have never noticed the stars in the sidewalk. It sounds like I need to make another trip out there. I had the chance to sit on the longhorn for a picture once. And I love seeing the longhorns going down the street.
Yup. Definitely warrants another trip, Janine!
That’s sounds like so much fun and very interesting. I’ve never been but would definitely add to bucket list!!
You won’t be sorry, RoseAnn.
This sounds like a fun day.
And memory-making with the grandkids made it even better!
I WANT TO GO THERE!!!!
I had no idea, Laura, but the Stockyards sound like my kind of trip. Thank you for sharing – it’s on my bucket list!!
When you go Pam, let me know – I’m not far away!
Laura, loved this post! I’ve lived in Texas thirty plus years but have never gone to the FW Stockyards. I’m putting this on my 2021 Bucket List! And I NEED that coaster…
Cool, Julie – come now – or wait til fall – it COOKS there!
Great blog! The Ft. Worth Stockyards is definitely a go to place for anyone that likes cowboys, rodeos & history of the West, Rodeos & Cowboys. Y’all didnt go in Billy Bob’s just to see how huge it is & to just say you’ve been there?!?! There is a mechanical bucking bull in there too. Let me just say for the average person you fall off pretty much immediately. It’s been too many years but I think they make it extra slippery and not like a true saddle though. Yes, when I was young I gave it a go. It’s funny you mentioned Ty Murray, his ranch is just outside my hometown of Stephenville, Texas and I know Ty. He’s a great guy. Don’t tell anyone I said so but I’m so glad he is now with Paige instead of Jewel. ? Jewel just seemed a little to uppity to me for Stephenville. She just never fit in. A Nashville magazine hired my sister to interview her and write a story about her for their magazine. My sister has many writing rewards but Jewel was a little put out that my sister was a local and the magazine didn’t send someone from Nashville to do the article. Just one of my Jewel stories. Anyhoo I thought I’d give you that little insider information. ? Lol Not that I’ve had the opportunity to meet Paige yet but I’ve heard that she’s a keeper.
You really should go to the National Cowgirls Museum & Hall of Fame too it’s also in Ft. Worth located in the Will Rogers Memorial Complex in Ft. Worth. It’s right in the heart of the cultural district where there are many museums to enjoy. Someone could make a whole vaca of museums & the Stockyards!
Another fun tidbit. Will Rogers grandson, Kym, was one of my Dad’s best friends & fellow cattle broker & business partner.
Your roots go deep, sejoc!
We went to the Kimbell Museum that day, too. I’d have loved to go the the one you mentioned, but I think the kids were ‘cowboy’d out’. I’ll be sure to catch that soon, though.
Wow, I’m SO jealous! Someone was telling me about a donut place the guys hang out (tons of PBR guys in Stephenville). Haven’t gotten the guts to go and oogle, but I imagine at some time, I will – it’s only about 40 miles from me.
I’m long overdue to visit friends in the DFW area! Thank you for sharing your visit!
Hope it encouraged you to ‘come on down’, Cary!
I have never been to Fort Worth,we just drove through. Now I know what we can do whenever we do stop there, Thank you for sharing this. Have a great rest of the week and stay safe.
You too, Alicia, thanks for reading!
Hi Laura, what a great blog! Being born and raised in Texas, I’m aware of some of the things you told us about, but many others I’m not. Since I’ve got almost all of my kids and grands in the Metroplex, I know I’ll be keeping your blog, so I’ll know what to see when I’m there. Bullriding! Yeah! My favorite. I’ve watched a ton on TV and I have a wonderful son-in-law who will get tickets for live bullriding and call and tell me when to be there. Isn’t he a doll. Great blog and we’re so happy to have you as our newest Filly. Hugs from the Panhandle! Phyliss
The PBR will be in Fort Worth in August, Phyliss – check it out! https://pbr.com/
How fun for you and grandkids. I grew up on a farm in Apple Valley, just a couple of towns over from Victorville. Mom knew Dale Evans and they had set up the same times to have their hair done. She would come over periodically to spend time with mom and us five kids. I didnt think about it then, but I am sure that mom and us kids were all checked out. LOL We all knew Roy Rodgers and he was a fantastic man. Oh at that time I was innnn “love” LOL This time in my life is when I first fell in love with cowboys. They are the rock of the earth. Sturdy and trustworthy and hard working. They knew how to play hard and treated us females with utmost respect. Also I noticed that many of them took their faith seriously. As a soon to be teen, this was all so romantic. Sigh I suppose I have not out grown it.. I now have my own cowboy. He may not be a “real” cowboy. But he is everything else. God has truly blessed me.
Wow Lori, what a story! I loved learning about their personal lives in the museum. I know exactly where you grew up!
That sounds like fun! If I ever make it to Texas, I might ought to plan on staying a long time to see everything!
Highly recommend it, Trudy!
Thank you for sharing. It sounds like you had a marvelous time.
We did! Thanks for reading, Debra.
What a fun day. We have been there but it was twelve years. We strolled around and saw the longhorn you could sit upon, taking a picture of it (but not getting in the saddle). We went into the Cowtown Coliseum but didn’t explore much. We watched them drive the longhorns down the street, but never saw the John Wayne Museum. We will likely be going through there on another trip West and will have to stop in. I don’t believe there was a bucking machine set up back then. I have seen them around in other places, but have never done more than sit upon it. I doubt I’d.be able to stay on, even at the slowest speed.
Thanks for the walk down memory lane. Have a good week.
I hope you can get back, Patricia…
I have been to the stockyards and it is great. Another place worth visiting is the Log Cabin Village. They have brought in historic log cabins from around the state and set up a village with a school, blacksmith shop, herb garden, several cabins, and I can’t remember what else. It is educational. They have people there giving demonstrations, especially when school is not in session. It is a lot of fun.
Oh, I need to look that up, Susan! Coming from Detroit (originally), I LOVED Greenfield Village – same type thing, only bigger! Wright Brothers Bicycle shop, Henry Ford’s home, George Washington Carvers, Eli Whitney, etc.
Going to look it up now!
Thank you for the recommendation. I looked it up and would love to take our granddaughter there. We will look for it on our next trip.