Travel & Destinations

Fort Worth Is the Perfect Staycation Destination

Six Reasons to Experience this Unique City

When the year began, who would have thought we’d be facing a summer without a summer vacation?

Recommendations during this pandemic tell us to limit our exposure to the virus and stay close to home.

So this summer, try a “staycation.” For a quick, accessible getaway destination, look no further than our neighbor to the West: Fort Worth.

The City of Cowboys and Culture is the perfect place for a staycation. You don’t have to worry about driving far, but you can still unwind for that vacation feel. Although Fort Worth always stays true to its western roots, it’s become well-known for its vibrant art scene.

Here are six great activities, now open to visitors with safety measures in place.  


 

Fort Worth Herd Experience
Fort Worth Herd Experience

Step into the West with the Fort Worth Herd Experience 
The Old West comes to life with a cattle drive! The New Herd Experience is an overview of the history of cattle drives and lasts about 15 minutes. It occurs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 3:00 pm through Labor Day weekend.

Up to 20 people can attend each session by reserving a free ticket in advance. Tickets for the Herd Experience are free. Reserve yours by texting HERD2020 to 41444. For more information on safety measures and details, visit Fort Worth Herd

Kimbell Art Museum
Kimbell Art Museum

Explore Three World-Class Art Museums

Kimbell Art Museum The Kimbell is one of the country’s top small museums. It is internationally renowned for its collections, from antiquities to 20th-century art, as well as its iconic architecture designed by Louis Kahn and by Renzo Piano. The Kimbell Museum has instituted new guidelines for staff and visitors that meet state and local health and safety recommendations.

Admission to the permanent collection is free. The Kimbell’s address is 3333 Camp Bowie Boulevard. Visit the Kimbell Museum website for more information as well as the safety measures put in place. 

Photographs by Anthony Hernandez - Amon Carter Museum of American
Photographs by Anthony Hernandez – Amon Carter Museum of American

Amon Carter Museum of American Art — Renowned for its collection of American art, the Amon Carter Museum of American Art displays the diversity and complexity of American creativity through an expansive collection and exciting exhibitions.

The Carter is open to the public with limited capacity and new safety measures.

Located at 3501 Camp Bowie Boulevard, admission to the museum is free. Visit the Carter Museum website for more information as well as the safety measures. 

The Modern Museum of Fort Worth
The Modern Museum of Fort Worth

The Modern Art Museum of Fort WorthA world-class museum of post-World War II art, its permanent collection contains nearly 2,600 creations, including works by Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol, among many others.

Located at 3200 Darnell Street, the art museum, designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, features five long pavilions set around a reflecting pond. Visit The Modern Art Museum website for more information as well as current safety measures


If you are craving an outdoor experience, look no further than the Fort Worth Botanical Garden and the Fort Worth Zoo. 

Fort Worth Botanical Garden
Fort Worth Botanical Garden

Fort Worth Botanical Garden — This 110-acre botanical garden is a living museum with more than 2,500 species of native and exotic plants. The oldest significant botanic garden in Texas, it is located in the heart of the cultural district. The world-renowned Japanese Garden includes koi-filed pools, Japanese architecture, and dramatic waterfalls that create a serene environment.

Located at 3220 Botanic Garden Boulevard, the gardens have reopened with limited attendance, timed tickets, and safety measures, complying with all guidelines and requirements related to COVID-19. Visit the Fort Worth Botanical Garden website for more information. You may purchase a ticket for a specific date and time by clicking here.

Fort Worth Zoo
Fort Worth Zoo

Fort Worth Zoo – One of the top-five zoos in North America, the Fort Worth Zoo is the oldest zoo in Texas. It has 12 amazing exhibits ranging from the African Savannah and the Meerkat Mounds to the Australian Outback and the Raptor Canyon.

Safety measures are now implemented, with capped attendance each day and staggered entries to limit the number of guests in the zoo. Visit the Fort Worth Zoo website for more information.

The Fort Worth Zoo is located at 1989 Colonial Parkway. You must purchase tickets for a specific date and time (click here to buy tickets). 


For more information on other exciting Fort Worth locales to visit, places to stay, and eateries to enjoy, the Visit Fort Worth website is a wealth of information for planning your staycation.

Go ahead — allow yourself to be a tourist and enjoy your day(s) in nearby Fort Worth.

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Sharon Kurtz

Sharon Kurtz is a freelance writer and photographer. Her passion is travel, telling stories, and tussling with her four-legged friends. As a baby boomer who loves adventure, she welcomes opportunities to share stories of people, places, food, and flavors around the corner or around the world. A regular contributor to fyi50+ Magazine, she's published 200 articles in various digital and print publications. Austin, Texas, is home with her husband and three spoiled dogs when not searching out new adventures. You can follow her travels on Instagram and Facebook.

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