More Than the Stockyards

M

ORE THAN THE STOCKYARDS

By Larri Jo Starkey

There is much more to Fort Worth’s entertainment scene than simply the Stockyards.

The longhorns may be the most visible draw to town, but Fort Worth has a lot to offer! y now, if you’re like most reined cow horse visitors to Fort Worth, you’ve checked out the Stockyards. You’ve savored steaks at B the H3 Ranch on Exchange Avenue and watched the Fort Worth Herd

Longhorn parade. You’ve been to

Billy Bob’s. Perhaps you have even checked out the headquarters of the

American Paint Horse Association. You’re ready for something new.

Something fun. Something different.

Well, friends, get ready to take notes, because we have some outstanding options to make your 2021

Celebration of Champions memorable.

SOCIALIZING

Wine Bar, a quick 5 minute drive from the show grounds.

Fort Worth residents would probably like to keep this secret to themselves, but Winslow’s Wine Cafe is just the sort of place where riders can sit in an outdoor patio, hash out their days and enjoy a glass of wine with friends while a dog lounges at their feet. Sounds too good to be true? It isn’t. This gem of a bar is at 4101 Camp Bowie. www.winslowswinecafe.com

The Kimpton Harper hotel has a bar that is a cocktail lover’s dream, Refinery 714 at the top of the hotel. The furnishings are posh, and the drinks are perfectly crafted. www.theharperfortworth.com

Want to share a fun night with a rowdy group of friends? Try Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar for a chance to let loose and let the entertainers bring the party to you. The grub is good, but let’s be real: The pianists are the attraction. They play favorite hits and take requests while heating up the stage more and more as the night rolls on. www.petesduelingpianobar.com

Get a little artsy when you get Western in Cowtown at the Kimball Art Museum across the street from the Coliseum. Food and wine options abound, like Winslow’s.

UNEXPECTED DINING

Fort Worth is home to extraordinary restaurants with menus to pique the most discerning palates.

But locals know it’s also home to some pretty terrific hole-in-the-wall dining options. This year, we wanted to share a few favorites.

The Clearfork Farmers Market is open year-round on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until noon – as long as the weather is above 40 degrees. Stock up on freshly picked fruits and vegetables and stash them in your room for healthy snacking. Before you leave the market, toss some local honey and wine in your basket to take to the folks back home, then treat yourself to a beignet or some craft coffee. Go to www.farmersmarket1848 to learn more about which vendors will be at the market during the Celebration of Champions.

Craft beers are big everywhere, and Fort Worth is no exception, with the Fort Worth Ale Trail guiding visitors to 10 breweries where you can purchase beer to go. The Pouring Glory is one of them, a gastropub that serves more than 48 varieties alongside smoky barbecue, kimchi fries and jerk chicken tacos. Go to www.fortworth.com for more.

Food trucks are also popular, but sometimes they can be hard to find. Fort Worth has two parks set up where visitors can easily browse among the trucks, choosing Caribbean or Italian or Mexican. In the center of the park, a gazebo where diners can sit lights up at night like a private party. The Clearfork Food Park on the banks of the Trinity River is closest to the Will Rogers complex at 1541 Merrimac Circle.

When you have a hankering for pancakes, there are lots of places to eat, including the Ol’ South Pancake House at 1509 S. University Drive. But we’d like to call your attention to Vickery

Shop and get a bite at the Clearfork Farmers Market.

Café, a little out of the way but absolutely worth the trip. The café serves breakfast all day, (7 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and daily specials that range from Salisbury steak to chicken pot pie. It’s comfort food served with diner flair. www.vickerycafe.com

THINGS TO SEE

You don’t have to travel far from the Will Rogers Memorial Center to see some of the finest art in the world. Fantastic museums are within walking distance.

The Kimbell Art Museum began with the idea of acquiring and showcasing the best, most unique, most eclectic and most fascinating pieces. That’s still what art enthusiasts like about it – it’s unusual. https://kimbellart.org

The Amon Carter Museum of American Art showcases, as it says on the label, American art. But reined cow horse fans will love it because the museum has an extensive collection of paintings by Charles M. Russell and Frederic Remington. You’ve probably enjoyed prints of these pieces, but they need to be seen in person to really appreciate the brush strokes and bold oils. www.cartermuseum.org

TAKE THE KIDS

You’ve probably seen the silver geodesicstyle building on the north side of the fairgrounds. That’s Casa Manana, a Fort Worth hub for live theater.

The theater will throw up the curtains on “Matilda – The Musical” during the Celebration of Champions. It’s a perfect show to entertain you and your young’uns in between runs in the John Justin. Visit www.casamanana.org for tickets.

The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, right on the grounds of the Will Rogers complex, is designed for children and the child in all of us. From dinosaurs to space exploration, the science museum has it all. The museum is only open on the weekends, and a ticket to the science museum includes free admission to the neighboring Cattle Raisers Museum and Noble Planetarium. Go to www.fwmuseum.org for more.

From the science museum, it’s just a few more walking steps to the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame. “The Cowgirl,” as fans call it, is one of the most interactive and inspiring museums around for cowgirls young and old. The honorees range from Sandra Day O’Connor to Sherry Cervi, Mary Burger and Stacie McDavid. Visitors can watch Charmayne James’ bridleless run at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo or sing along with Patsy Montana. Find out more at www.cowgirl.net.

All of these museums have gift shops where buyers will find something just a little out of the ordinary to take home as souvenirs of Fort Worth.

FIND OUT MORE

If you’re the kind of person who wants to keep up with the coolest, hottest, most hopping spots in town, there are a few online resources to keep you in-the-know.

A blog at www.fortworth.com/blog includes articles in English and in Spanish. You’ll find tips on where to go and what to order.

The Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau is proud to show off some terrific entertainment options at www.360ftworth.com

If you tried any of these, let us know! And if you find a great place we didn’t talk about, let us know!

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