48 Hours in Fort Worth

Day One

Morning

Start off with a bang by heading to Sundance Square on your first morning in town. This entertainment district is home to Yolk, a creative breakfast spot that offers an upscale urban setting. Dine on creative dishes like green eggs and ham, banana nut bread French toast, bacon waffles, a pot roast Benedict or grilled salmon with eggs. 

Take advantage of the area’s great shopping while you’re nearby. You’ll find a variety of boutique apparel and accessory stores—big names and small—as well as multiple candy stores, jewelers and gift shops. There are also spots to purchase high-quality olive oil, cigars, cowboy souvenirs and Thomas Kinkade paintings.

For the rest of the morning, head back toward the hotel to visit the Fort Worth Water Gardens. This incredible display of architectural and engineering prowess combines urban living with the natural world in the form of three pools: an active, a quiet and an aerating.

Afternoon

Before returning to downtown Fort Worth, pay a visit to the Near Southside neighborhood to seek out a series of beautiful painted murals by local artists that utilize city walls as their canvas.

A trip to the Great State of Texas wouldn’t be complete without some Texas-style barbecue. In the afternoon, pay a visit to Heim BBQ & Catering, and you won’t be disappointed. The perfect combination of tender and savory, popular dishes include smoky brisket, a pulled pork sandwich on a jalapeno cheddar bun and twice-baked potato salad.

Less than a block away, you can grab dessert at Melt Ice Creams, a sweet shop that prides itself on its handmade treats. You can always opt for the regulars like the caramel-inspired Salt Lick or the coffee-infused Cup of Texas, or try one of the ever-changing flavors, which can include traditional options like peach or odd flavors like peanut butter and potato chip ice cream.

Evening

There’s no need to leave the hotel for a memorable dining experience. Though the area surrounding Omni Fort Worth Hotel is rife with steakhouses, you can’t beat Bob’s Steak & Chop House for bone-in rib-eye, seared duck breast, New York strip steak or a juicy T-bone. Seafood lovers can indulge too: crab cakes, jumbo shrimp scampi and broiled salmon are all on the menu.

If you decide to head off-property, consider the modern American eatery, Grace. Here, you’ll find treasures like a chilled seafood tower, a bacon-wrapped stuffed filet, a rack of lamb and roasted monkfish, in addition to an extensive wine list.

After enjoying some fine dining, nothing will put you in better spirits than Four Day Weekend, a local improv comedy show featuring audience participation and suggestions. For nearly two hours, you’ll laugh so hard you’ll cry as the troupe’s original founders perform live.

Then, before heading back to the hotel for the night, go see some live music. Tulips is a great, intimate concert venue with great cocktails and not far from the hotel. Another lively option is Flying Saucer, located right in the heart of Sundance Square. Known for their amazing beer selection, have a nightcap and enjoy live music on weekend nights or Trivia Night on Tuesdays.

Day Two

Morning

The next morning, enjoy a seasonal Southern breakfast at Cast Iron Restaurant—without even having to leave the hotel. This on-site eatery serves up house favorites like the Best Damn Egg Sandwich, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Huevos Rancheros or the Morning Table breakfast buffet.

Those looking for an old-school breakfast at a small-town, traditional diner should venture a couple of miles away to Ol’ South Pancake House. This cheap yet delicious spot offers German pancakes, Swedish crepes, a build-your-own skillet, chicken fried steak, breakfast tacos and much more.

Once your bellies are full, get ready for an adventurous morning on the Trinity River. Panther Island Pavilion is the perfect place to rent kayaks, canoes or stand-up paddleboards so that you can get out on the water and see the city from a new vantage point.

Later in the morning, head further out of town to Exchange Avenue in the Stockyards National Historic District for an authentic Fort Worth cattle drive. Cowboys drive a herd of Texas longhorns down the street at 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. daily as a nod to the city’s “Cowtown” namesake. Visitors can also experience some of the best shopping the city has to offer with a plethora of options to find the perfect souvenir; from custom hats to Lucchese boots. Also stop by to the see the herd behind the Livestock Exchange Building throughout the day.

Afternoon

After you’ve worked up an appetite, visit Café Modern located inside the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. The lovely spot offers views of serene reflecting pools visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows and exquisitely prepared food. Guests enjoy a menu emphasizing American comfort classics with an Asian flair. The wine and cocktail lists will liven up your lunch or brunch!

In the afternoon, it’s all about the museums that make up the renowned Fort Worth Cultural District. First up, visit some of the local art museums. The Kimbell Art Museum houses a collection spanning various time periods and art styles while the Modern Art Museum showcases more recent pieces, created after World War II. Another option is the Amon Carter Museum, which exhibits American artwork.

Another must-see spot is the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, which honors many impressive women from the West.

Evening

For dinner, venture to Joe T. Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant. This Fort Worth staple since 1935 is a former James Beard Award winner that offers traditional Mexican fare and arguably the best margarita and ambiance in town. Be sure to bring your wallet; this historic gem is cash only.

Other fantastic options for dinner are Rise Souffle or B&B Butchers, both located in The Shops at Clearfork. Although Fort Worth is known for its great barbeque and Tex-Mex, French restaurant Saint-Émilion and handroll bar Hatsuyuki are cultural dining experiences you will never forget.

After dinner, check out one of the live stage shows at Bass Performance Hall. This performing arts center presents well-known Broadway hits, orchestral performances, ballets, concerts and more.

There’s nothing better than live music to get a feel for the city. Before the night ends, enjoy live jazz music at the speakeasy-style Scat Jazz Lounge. Another option is to swing by the hotel’s Whiskey & Rye bar before bed to sample one of more than 170 types of whiskey; the bar also has live music on select nights.

If you have more time...

Only 5 miles away from the hotel, you’ll find Whiskey Ranch, a distillery built next to a golf course with reclaimed wood and metal as well as special Texas elements. Book a tour of the expansive distiller, or stop by for whiskey tastings in the on-site tavern.

If you are in town for the weekend, take part in something quintessentially Texan: a rodeo at Cowtown Coliseum. With more than 3,000 seats, it’s no wonder this rowdy spot always offers an exciting time. The historic building also houses the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame with special photos and memorabilia.

Fort Worth’s rapidly growing district, Near Southside, is an eclectic and casual community offering one of Fort Worth’s finest “restaurant rows, “ live music venues, breweries, galleries and more. Another great place to walk around and shop is The Shops at Clearfork where you’ll find upscale and mainstream retail stores and restaurants, Pinstripes bowling alley and AMC Dine-in movie theatre.

The Omni Fort Worth Hotel concierge team contributed to this article.