I spent 24 hours in the Fort Worth Stockyards. These were my favorite parts.

My husband and I recently decided to spend 24 hours in the Fort Worth Stockyards.

The Stockyards are a destination that people always want to see when they visit us, so we’ve been there quite a few times in the past. 

However, this was our first time taking in the night scene. 

The area is not very big and is quite touristy, so it can easily be a day trip from Dallas, Downtown Fort Worth, or any other city within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. However, if you want to enjoy the nightlife, I recommend staying overnight.

I was born and raised in Tennessee, so I’m quite familiar with Honky-tonks and rodeo culture. Growing up I was even in a few rodeos, so a visit to the Stockyards always feels a bit nostalgic. 

Here are my favorite things about my 24-hour stay in the Fort Worth Stockyards:

Shopping for the Cowboy-Chic Trend

During our 24 hours in the Stockyards, my husband and I visited several stores where you can get all the garb you need to look like you belong in a John Wayne movie.

And, let me tell you, some people spend big bucks to obtain the look. This is because there is a true artisan and quality behind many of the items.

As someone who used to enjoy the culture, it’s exciting to see Western wear gaining more popularity in recent years.

While walking through the many stores, an earthy aroma of leather fills the air from the boots lining the walls. You can find Western boots in a variety of colors and styles. 

Shopping for traditional Western merchandise is popular in the Stockyards, but some places put a modern twist on it. Once such a place is Flea Style. Flea Style also has a Hat Bar, which is a fun experience.

You select your hat, pick out accessories, and assemble it. I didn’t do this at the Stockyards, but I’ve experienced it at a different location. While pricey, it is a fun activity to do with friends. 

Old School Saloons & Hangouts

Saloons and hangouts are quite popular in the Stockyards. While it has some family-friendly places, many people come here to cut loose a little – especially at night. 

It can get a bit rowdy in some areas once the sun goes down. Especially because you’re allowed to open-carry drinks along the historic district both day and night. Keep these things in mind if you plan to visit with your family. 

We went during my husband’s birthday, so we decided to visit a few of these hangouts & saloons.

Here are the establishments we visited:

The Basement Bar

Our first stop was The Basement Bar –  a quirky dive bar that is literally underground in the Stockyards. The environment is rather dark and there are dollar bills plastered all over the walls with notes from customers. 

My husband and I prefer quieter spots, so we went before the crowds arrived. I imagine the place can get pretty loud when there’s live music and a full room, as the bar is quite small. 

We probably won’t ever go back, but it was a neat place to check out once if you like quirky dive bars.

Second Rodeo Brewing

Our second stop was Second Rodeo Brewing; a large two-story venue located in Mule Alley. If you want to visit modern hangouts, you’ll want to make your way to Mule Alley.

Second Rodeo Brewing brews its own beer and has a fun outdoor space to hang out at. We chose to sit on their second-story balcony, which isn’t as crowded as downstairs. If you want to be touristy, they offer a drink in a cute cowgirl boot. I didn’t try it, but it’s a popular choice. 

The White Elephant

After dinner, our third stop was The White Elephant on Exchange Avenue. Out of all the spots we visited, this is the one that feels most like an old-school saloon. Cowboy hats cover the ceilings and there’s a large collection of white elephants along the walls. 

We made it in before the cover charge started and listened to some live music. We didn’t stay very long, though, because it was getting very crowded. It’s one of the more popular saloons, so get there early if you want to grab a seat on the weekends.

Billy Bob’s

Billy Bob’s is the largest honky tonk in the world, and, boy, is it big. We’ve been here before, but this was our first time visiting at night, so it was an experience for us too. In fact, I even crowned it one of the quirkiest attractions in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. 

My friends and I tried line dancing on the dance floor with a glittery, saddle-chandelier.

Similarly to The White Elephant, Billy Bob’s got busier as the evening went on. We left around 11 pm, and the line to get in was wrapped around the building! We were so thankful that we had arrived early. 

Overall, we enjoyed checking out the saloons and hangouts. However, as expected in a tourist town, food and drinks were overpriced. 

The World’s Only Twice-Daily Cattle Drive

The twice-daily cattle drive is one of the more popular things to do in the Fort Worth Stockyards. During our 24 hours in the Stockyards, we visited during both timeslots – 11:30 am and 4 pm. And, as every time we’ve been, it was very crowded. 

During our first visit to the cattle drive, we were adjacent to where they entered the main road. We had a great view and photo opportunity for a minute but then were left staring at their behinds for the remainder of the show.

My grandpa used to say, “Once you’ve seen one falling star, you’ve seen them all.” I’ve never agreed with this saying, because I think it is all a matter of perspective. What if you see the star from a different angle? 

I’ve been to the cattle drive multiple times, and I would have to say that perspective certainly matters.

If you want to get a good view of the event, you must arrive early. And I’d personally recommend trying to get a spot where you can watch them approaching for an extended amount of time – this is much better than looking at their behinds for the rest of the event.

If you arrive 10 minutes before or right on time, you will certainly be somewhere behind fellow viewers. We’ve been unable to calculate the best time to arrive, but it seems like you need to find a good spot at least 20-25 minutes in advance. 

And, while it is certainly something unique to see, I’d have to say it is quite short for all the hype.

A Hidden Gem Eatery

My husband and I are both big foodies and we usually pre-plan where we eat on trips. So, of course, we did a little bit of research to try and find somewhere off the beaten path. We discovered The Brand Room.

The Brand Room is a hidden gem of sorts that caters to locals. We loved the unique interior that took us back in time. There are antique decor items that elevate the space, branding iron that covers the ceiling, and a liquor locker near the bar that casts a library-like aesthetic.

We later learned that they have a monthly liquor locker membership fee for those who regularly dine there. They do not serve liquor to non-members, so this seems to be how they deter tourists from coming to have a drink. Honestly, this place didn’t have a touristy vibe at all.

Some friends joined us for dinner, so we shared several appetizers.

The appetizers included onion rings, deviled eggs, and calf fries. What are calf fries, you ask? Well, they are fried bull testicles. My group has tried many adventurous foods, but we weren’t quite sure if we would enjoy them. However, they were perfectly fried and tasted like chicken. Honestly. 

For the entrees, they had some traditional Texas meals such as chicken fried steak, beef short ribs, and beef steaks. The ribeye was cooked to perfection and the chicken fried steak was incredible.

The Stockyards is a big tourist destination, so you can expect the prices to be inflated for what you get. For this reason, we stuck to only having one meal. There isn’t a wide variety of options in the Stockyards, so definitely do your research beforehand if you’re a foodie.

Fort Worth Stockyards Station

Every time I visit the Stockyards, I take some time to walk around the Fort Worth Stockyards Station. The station has around 20 shops and dining options. It is covered, which makes it a great spot to escape the sun.

Depending on the time of the year, you can experience a vintage train ride on The Trinity River Excursion ($10 – $14). This 45-minute train excursion starts and ends at the Fort Worth Stockyards Station. I haven’t had the chance to try it yet, but it is on my bucket list!

We even had a fun photo opportunity on our last visit with some reenactment actors. They were at the entrance to the Fort Worth Stockyards Station. If they are there, you can get a photo with them. There wasn’t a set price, but everyone was giving them cash. 

Mule Alley

Mule Alley offers modern establishments that still embrace the Western heritage of Fort Worth. The streets are lined with curated restaurants, eateries, and shops. My husband and I always enjoy walking down this alley.

Mule Alley is home to many hangout spots. Our favorite is Second Rodeo Brewing, which I mentioned earlier.

I particularly enjoy walking along the backside of Mule Alley, where you will find a small nature walk called The Fort Worth Stockyards Riverwalk. 

Cowtown Coliseum

Cowtown Coliseum, originally called the Grand Coliseum, is a 3,418-seat arena in the Fort Worth Stockyards. As stated on the building, the Coliseum was built in 1908. 

The arena hosts weekly rodeos and occasional concerts.

We enjoyed walking around the outside grounds and sat to listen to some live music nearby. The Stockyards is full of live music!

John Wayne: An American Experience

John Wayne: An American Experience features over 400 pieces of personal and professional memorabilia. My husband didn’t grow up in the US and has never seen a classic Western movie, but after visiting this museum, he’s excited to watch a John Wayne classic.

This museum feels very nostalgic. Growing up, when I’d go to my grandparent’s house, my grandpa would always have a Western movie on. Of course, they would often be John Wayne movies. This museum allowed me to have a better understanding of a movie genre that captivated viewers for decades.

While we both enjoyed the museum and its memorabilia, it is definitely a place we will only visit one time. We thought the entry fee was a bit steep for the size of the museum, but, keep in mind, we are not Western movie aficionados. I imagine it is worth it for film buffs and fans of classic Western movies. 

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That’s a wrap on our 24 hours in the Fort Worth Stockyards. The Stockyards may be small, but it’s full of personality and history. My husband and I always have a great time when we visit.

While we had a great time staying overnight, we both agreed that visiting for the day is good enough for us. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, then definitely check out my guide to where to stay in Dallas.

Would you visit the Forth Worth Stockyards? Let me know in the comments!