Pleasurehorse.com’s Travel Guide: Fort Worth, Texas

Traveling to new cities, or even familiar ones, is part of the fun of showing.  It gives exhibitors a chance to not only show in different arenas, but also experience new things.  There are several cities across the country that are known for their prestigious shows, and for both newcomers and annual visitors, it’s always handy to know a few areas that the locals recommend when you have a little free time. 

If you show long enough, there is a good chance you’ll make a stop in Fort Worth, Texas.  Affectionately known as “Cowtown,” Fort Worth is proud of its western heritage and still maintains the culture today.  The Will Rogers Memorial Center is home to major shows like the AjPHA World Championships, the ApHC Nationals, the Reichert Celebration, and many more. 

If you’re going to be heading that way for one of these upcoming events, Pleasurehorse.com has compiled a handy guide of “must-do” summer events with the help of the Fort Worth Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.  If you have some spare time, or even a few non-horsey friends and family members that are tagging along, the following events are sure to add a little extra fun to your stay in Cowtown.

1.  While cattle-drives may be reminiscent of the western days of old, Fort Worth is still home to the world’s only twice-daily cattle drive through the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District.  Presented by the Fort Worth Herd, this event takes place at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., regardless of weather.  Cow Camp is also a free educational series that teaches visitors about life on the Chisholm Trail (offered Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m.).

2.  Youth exhibitors and adults alike will find opportunities to cool off at the Ft. Worth Zoo’s new Safari Splash Pad.  The water park features all kinds of refreshing activities like multiple water slides, water cannons, 300-gallon dump tower, toddler play areas, and much more to beat the Texas heat.  Admission is $5 with zoo admission, and only $4 for zoo members.

3.  For more water fun, head on over to the Panther Island Pavilion’s (PIP) downtown beach where you can paddleboard, kayak, or canoe down the Trinity River.  If you’ll be in town for the 4th of July, take the chance to take in “Fort Worth’s Fourth,” a free Independence Day celebration that is fun for the whole family, which wraps up the day with Dallas-Fort Worth’s longest fireworks display over the Trinity river beginning at 10 p.m.

4.  If you’re a fan of art, Fort Worth is also home to the only Michelangelo in the Americas at the Kimbell Art Museum which is conveniently located directly across from the Will Rogers Memorial Center.  Admission is free. 

5.  We’re sure you’ll have at least one night to grab a nice dinner and avoid late-night fast food on the way back to your hotel or trailer, and you’ll want to make it at Joe T. Garcia’s.  Joe T. Garcia’s offers an open-air patio, large enough to hold over 1,000 guests, or you can dine on the Plaza in Sundance Square in downtown.

Of course, in a city like Fort Worth, this is only just scratching the surface.  Not only are these the shows you keep coming back to year after year, this is a city where you’ll never run out of things to do, food to eat, or attractions to see.

For even more ideas, check out the Fort Worth CVB’s 15 in ’15 Summer Checklist.