Planning a family day out to the Fort Worth Stockyards? From cattle drives to live rodeos to kid-approved eats this family-friendly guide covers everything you need to know about what to do at the Fort Worth stockyards.
Fort Worth is known as the city 'Where the West Begins' and nowhere is that spirit on better display than at the Historic Stockyards. We have lived in DFW for 10 years, and this has always been a go-to destination especially when Tom has friends and family visiting from the UK.
It is a great day out for kids where they can step back in time and let their imaginations run wild in a world of cowboys and cattle drives. We put together a guide for what to do at the Fort Worth Stockyards for next time you're visiting Cowtown.
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1. Cattle Drive
One thing our kids loved was the daily Cattle Drive. At 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., the American frontier comes to life, as real-life drovers lead a herd of majestic Texas Longhorns down East Exchange Avenue. It feels like stepping onto the set of an old Western movie. An MC gives a lively introduction to the history of the Stockyards and keeps the crowd engaged.
If you arrive 10 minutes before you should have no trouble getting a decent view as crowds start to cluster closer to the time.
To get a prime spot try we suggest you arrive 20 minutes before. And it is better to stand further along the road from where the cattle drive starts. That way you have a longer view of the cattle drive walking towards you.
If you’re visiting on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, don’t miss the Fort Worth Herd Experience behind the Livestock Exchange Building. It starts at 1:30 p.m. and lasts about an hour. Kids get a chance to meet the drovers up close and see demonstrations of the tools and techniques used in the Old West.
Note: Manage expectations—this isn’t the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona. The Longhorns are calm and slow-moving, but they’re still amazing animals to see in person.
On the sidewalk they often have a Longhorn that kids are able to mount.
2. Cowtown Cattlepen Maze
If the sun isn't beating down too hard, consider the Cowtown Cattlepen Maze is a great stop for kids to expend some energy! Parents can observe from an elevated platform. They can even time your kids if they are of a competitive nature (which, of course, our ids definitely were). The cost is $8.00 per person (Half off Tuesdays).
3. Mechanical Bull Ride
Across the street from the Stockyards Station there is a kid-friendly mechanical bull ride. It's not cheap ($12.00 a ride), but our son had to give it a go and see how long he lasted!
4. The Barnyard Petting Corral and Pony Ride
Let's be honest, little kids love a petting zoo and the Stockyards Petting Corral is a fun way to spend 30-45 minutes. They have a host of animals including goats, sheep, and llamas. The website states that occasionally they have more exotic animals such as a camel, or even a kangaroo, but we didn't seen any of those when we went but maybe you'll be lucky. They also have a pony ride, but we're not sure how thrilled the pony's are to participate. Probably not worth the money.
Petting Corral Entry is $5.00 plus $3.00 for feed. Pony Ride is $10.00.
5. Stockyards Museum
Located in the historic Live Stock Exchange Building is the Stockyards Museum. This building was known as “The Wall Street of the West” and the museum is a quick, low-cost stop that gives a glimpse into Fort Worth’s Western heritage. Admission is free for kids under 12 and just $2 for adults. Our kids were ready to move on after about 30 minutes, but we didn’t mind. It’s definitely worth a look, especially given the price.
6. John Wayne: An American Experience
The John Wayne Museum is a bigger investment, but it’s family-friendly and packed with memorabilia and artifacts. Our kids enjoyed seeing the costumes and artifacts, and if you’re a John Wayne fan, or even just a fan of classic Hollywood, it’s an essential visit.
- Kids under 5: Free
- Ages 6–15: $17.95
- Adults: $22.95
7. Billy Bob’s Texas
The world’s largest honky-tonk might sound like a venue just for adults, but during the day it’s actually a fun, quick stop for kids too. Inside, there’s plenty to explore with a massive dance floor for little ones to burn off some energy. There’s lots to see and snap photos of, and it can be a welcome break from the heat thanks to the air conditioning.
There’s a $4 cover charge before 7 p.m., but kids under 11 get in free.
8. Rodeo at the Cowtown Coliseum
In the heart of the stockyards is the Cowtown Coliseum arena. The building was the world’s first indoor rodeo, and it is also the only rodeo in the world that holds events year round. The rodeo is every Friday and Saturday night, and they also have matinee shows during the day. (Check the schedule here). If you’re visiting from out of town, it’s a great Western spectacle. The show runs about 90 minutes and is lively with a lot of crowd interaction, so ideal for little ones with small attention spans. Our kids loved it. When thinking about what to do at the Fort Worth Stockyards, consider finding time to take in a rodeo.
Note: - It can get loud, so ear protection is a good idea for infants or anyone sensitive to noise.
Heads up - You might come across mentions of a kids show called “Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show” online, but that show is no longer running.
Shopping
The Stockyards has become a top shopping destination for Western flair. Shops like Lucchese Bootmaker and Maverick Fine Western Wear have built strong reputations as go-to spots for high-end boots, hats, and belts.
For more casual browsing, you’ll find plenty of places selling Western-themed souvenirs and knick-knacks. Kid-friendly stores like Stockyards Trading Post and Big Bend Trading Company have toys, cowboy hats, and fun novelty items. They are perfect for letting your kids pick out a small keepsake.
Most of the shops are clustered along Exchange Avenue and Mule Alley, all within easy walking distance. And most shops typically open at 10 am.
Stockyards Station is a long concrete and wood building that once housed hog and sheep pens, and now hosts a mix of shops and restaurants. To be honest, it leans a little touristy. That said, our kids loved the Candy Barrel, a sweets shop filled with (overpriced) barrels of candy. Worth a quick browse, but don’t feel bad if you skip it.
Places to Eat
When planning what to do at the Fort Worth stockyards you've got to consider dining, and there are a lot of options. Below are our picks of the best restaurants to go with kids in the Stockyards:
1. Los Vaqueros
This family-owned restaurant makes quality Tex Mex cuisine with the freshest ingredients. A warm welcoming atmosphere, one of our favorite restaurants in all of Fort Worth. This is our no.1 pick of restaurants located around the Stockyards.
2. Joe T. Garcia's
A Fort Worth institution. The food is simple, no fuss Tex-Mex. But it is the ambience and atmosphere (and margarita’s) you come to Joe T’s for. There is nothing quite like the sprawling, tranquil patio in the city.
Note: This is a ‘Cash Only’ restaurant.
3. Love Shack
Casual burger joint founded by celebrity chef Tim Love. Quick service, quality burger, fries on the side. Perfect for families.
4. Second Rodeo Brewing
Located in the heart of the Stockyards Second Rodeo Brewing is a large, open-air brewery with a relaxed, family-friendly vibe during the day. The menu is limited but includes kid-friendly options, and there’s live music playing throughout the afternoon.
It’s a great spot for families to take a break and enjoy the atmosphere, but it does get rowdier in the evenings.
5. Melt Ice Cream
The best ice-cream available in Fort Worth. They have several locations in DFW including on Mule Alley in the Stockyards. A quality sweet treat for the family made with the best ingredients.
A fun space that is good for families during the day (although it shifts to more adult at night). Solid bar food, with options for kids. There is outside seating with a riverside trail to wander with your kids after a bite.
Nightlife
This post is focused on visiting the Stockyards with kids, so chances are you won’t be out bar-hopping. That said, it’s worth knowing that the Stockyards comes alive at night with live country music every evening across several venues. Even if you’re just grabbing dinner or taking a stroll, you’ll likely hear music drifting from open doors. If you’re traveling with older kids or have someone to swap evening duties Billy Bob’s, Second Rodeo Brewing, Filthy McNasty’s Saloon and Love Shack are great options to see some quality country music.
Fort Worth Stock Yards FAQ’s
What is the parking situation?
There several lots around the Stockyards, so you should have no trouble parking. The cost is usually between $10-$15. There is some side-street parking that is free if you’re lucky to grab a spot and don’t mind walking a couple of blocks.
Is there any public transport from downtown Fort Worth?
The Orange Line bus has regular buses that are an easy ride from downtown to the Stockyards and back.
How long should we plan to stay?
A half day is enough time to spend in the Stockyards, unless you’re also taking in a rodeo show or plan to stay for dinner and live music.
What to wear?
Fort Worth is hot for a lot of the year. Wear comfortable shoes as there is a good amount of walking. It might be fun for the kids to dress in Western wear or a wear a cowboy hat.
Make sure to pack a bottle of water for your kiddos as they walk in the heat.
Stroller accessible?
Yes, the Stockyards is completely stroller friendly. Some areas might have an uneven pavement.
Is there an entrance fee to the Stockyards?
There is no entrance fee to the Stockyards or the Cattle Drive. There will be a fee to various attractions listed above.
What is the best day to visit?
Weekends can get busy, so if you have preschool-aged kids, you might prefer to visit during the week when it’s a bit quieter. On the other hand, the hustle and bustle of a lively Stockyards weekend can add to the charm, especially with live music, markets, and more happening around town.
How early should we arrive before Cattle Drive?
If you arrive 10 minutes before you should have no trouble getting a decent view as crowds start to cluster closer to the time.
For a prime viewing spot, we recommend arriving 20 minutes early. Try to position yourself at the far end of East Exchange Avenue—opposite where the drive begins. That way, you’ll get the full effect of the longhorns walking toward you, rather than just watching their backs as they pass.
We hope you enjoy your trip to the Fort Worth Stockyards!
Planning a trip to Cowtown with your family? Check out our blog posts about things to do in Forth Worth.
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