If you’re looking for an easy Texas road trip fron Houston, a drive to Fort Worth and Dallas makes a great four-day getaway. I’ve recently done this route with both cities and I had so much fun. It’s great if you want a mix of Texas history, good food, museums, shopping and a bit of that famous Texas cowboy culture.
The drive from Houston to Fort Worth takes about four hours without stopping, but I don’t recommend doing this all in one stretch. On our Houston to Fort Worth and Dallas road trip, we decided to visit Fort Worth first because we wanted to experience the famous cattle drive at the Stockyards. The cattle drive takes place twice daily, at 11.30 a.m. and 4 p.m., so timing your arrival is important. We made a couple of stops along the way, including Waco, a great little Texas town to explore before continuing to Fort Worth. But before reaching Waco, we had to make the quintessential Texas road-trip stop: Buc-ee’s!
Houston to Fort Worth and Dallas Road Trip at a Glance
Day 1: Houston to Waco to Fort Worth
The drive from Houston to Waco is about three hours, depending on traffic and where you start out in Houston. I wanted to leave fairly early, the Texas heat starts up as soon as the sunrises. The Buc-ee’s at Waller is about three hours from Fort Worth. For fuel, coffee, a restroom break or a snack this is an easy place to stretch your legs. And of course, buy things you didn’t know you needed!
Stop in Waco
Waco is about 185 miles from Houston, and is worth more than a quick bathroom stop. Waco’s Official Tourism Board highlights museums, history, places to eat and the Magnolia attractions.
Magnolia Market at the Silos
If you’re a fan of Fixer Upper, you’ll probably want to visit Magnolia Market. I would spend an hour or two browsing the shops, taking pictures and having lunch, but there are a lot of other interesting places to see in Waco.
Dr Pepper Museum
Did you know Dr. Pepper was created in Waco? The Dr. Pepper Museum is a fun stop for anyone interested in Texas history, or like me, just love a little nostalgia.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
Thousands of years ago, Columbian mammoths roamed what is now present day Texas. In the 1980’s two men stumbled upon the remains of 16 columbian mammoths, a camel, and a saber tooth cat, among other animals. Many of the remains are still there, although some have been taken to Baylor University where ongoing studies are conducted. If you’re interested in the ice age, this will make a great stop for you.
We chose to keep driving and have lunch in Fort Worth, although Waco has a surprisingly varied food scene. I didn’t want to miss the early cattle drive because by that time the heat was on full blast!
I’ve found that my enthusiasm for seeing everything often gets ahead of my physical energy, and I’m learning that I don’t have to see it all in one trip.
My Tip: Choose two major Waco attractions, rather than trying to see everything in one day. If you have time, stay an extra day and take it at a slower pace. Book the perfect tour for you on Viator today.
Day 2: Fort Worth – The Modern West
Fort Worth is one of my favorite stops on this route, it’s completely different from Houston or Dallas.
The city combines its Western heritage with excellent museums, restaurants, gardens and many other sites. Visit Fort Worth describes the city as the “Modern West” and you can definitely see the locals and visitors alike adopting the cowboy culture.
There is plenty to see and do in Forth Worth, so I recommend spending two nights in Fort Worth if your schedule allows.
Start at the Fort Worth Stockyards
Back in the 1800’s, Fort Worth was the last stop for Drovers – skilled cowboys who drove cattle herds- before they headed north along the Chisholm Trail. The city soon became known as “Cowtown”.
As the industry grew, investors who built the stockyards realized there was an opportunity to process the cattle locally, so meatpacking plants soon followed. Over four milion heads of cattle were processed during this period. The Livestock Exchange Building, built in 1902 where the livestock was auctioned, became known as “The Wall Street of the West”.
The historic Stockyards is the place to experience the American West as it once was. Twice a day, at 11.30 a.m. and 4 p.m., a herd of Texas Longhorns makes its way down East Exchange Ave, led by real Texas cowhands on horseback.
Although it is now mostly a tourist attraction, this is the place where you’ll experience the spirit of the American West. Watching those longhorns lumber down the street is pretty special. You can almost feel you’re back in the Old West!
Try and find a good spot where you can see the longhorns up close. When we got there, people were already lining the street, so we quickly realized that getting there early was a good idea. The cowhands are dressed in their full western gear and are actively herding the cattle down Exchange Avenue.
Parking is free on the side streets if you can find a spot, and there are areas where you can self-park for a fee – up to $22.50 on the weekends.
Friday through Sundays at 1.30-2.30 p.m. the Drovers give demonstrations on how their tools are used. Take note: Cattle drives are not held on Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving or Christmas day.
It was so much fun, I would have stayed for the second drive, but it was so hot I was literally melting! By this time, we were starving and headed over to Riscky’s Bar-B-Q. for some brisket, ribs and Margaritas!
When I saw that Riscky’s offered “All You Can Eat Beef Ribs”, I didn’t need much convincing! My ribs were delicious and my son went for the brisket, which he obviously enjoyed because he didn’t speak until he finished eating! The Margarita’s were not bad either!
The food was good, the service was good, but the atmosphere was just as memorable. With it’s authentic Texas feel, Riscky’s was exactly the kind of place I wanted to experience in the Stockyards.
Fort Worth may not have a Michelin star yet, but its food scene is definitely getting noticed. Goldee’s Barbecue earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its high-quality food and good value, while several others received Michelin Recommended recognition. Definitely “save this for later” when you go to Fort Worth. Goldee’s Barbecue is where I would head next time I’m in Fort Worth.
After lunch, take some time to wander along Exchange Avenue and browse the shops filled with beautiful leather goods, quality boots and classic cowboy hats. I had so much fun just soaking up the atmosphere, and honestly, watching the crowd go by in their cowboy hats and boots felt like a Texas Fashion Show of its own!
Catch a Rodeo at the Fort Worth Stockyards
Another must see in Fort Worth is the Stockyards Championshio Rodeo. Held in the historic Cowtown Coliseum, it’s the world’s first indoor rodeo. Watching the bull riding, barrel racing and tie-down roping competitions was super exciting.
This is one of those experiences you should add to your itinerary. Watching the cowboys and cowgirls compete, and hearing the crowds cheer made me feel like I was back in the Wild West! It was a great way to end the day!
My Tip: Check the rodeo schedule on the Cowtown Coliseum website before your trip and book your tickets in advance. You can also buy the tickets at the venue, but you run the risk of them selling out.
After the rodeo we made our way to Billy Bob’s Texas, billed as the world’s largest honky tonk, to watch the crowd two-step across the dance floor. Admission is $7 per person, but there was already a long line stretching down the block. By that time I was just too tired to stand in line and decided to call it a day.
After a fun-filled day at the Stockyards, we finally checked into our hotel around 11 p.m. I chose to stay in downtown Fort Worth, where hotels tend to be slightly less expensive than those in the Stockyards. And I wanted to explore downtown Fort Worth before continuing on to Dallas.
Day 3: Explore Fort Worth’s Cultural District
We stayed at the Kimpton Harper, downtown Fort Worth. Conveniently located with easy access to Sundance Square. It was a great location to explore the sites, restaurants and shops. Parking is located around the corner from the hotel, and is charged separately.
We woke up early the next day ready to explore, and made our way to Sundance Square Plaza, right in heart of downtown Fort Worth. Covering 35 blocks, Sundance Square is surrounded by coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques and plenty of places to sit and people watch.
A delicious coffee and panini at Buon Giorno Coffee gave us just the boost we needed to continue our little tour of downtown Fort Worth. Just a few blocks from Sundance is the John F. Kennedy Memorial, a quiet peaceful plaza dedicated to the former president.
The memorial features some of Kennedy’s memorable words marking his last public address, and sits right next to the hotel where he stayed the night before traveling on to Dallas. A solemn reminder of the history woven into the city.
Our meandering continued to the Fort Worth Water Gardens, a striking collection of cascading water pools designed by the renowned architect Phillip Johnson. Not all the fountains were running when we visited on a Sunday, not sure why, but it was impressive, nonetheless. The dramatic architecture and peacefull atmosphere made it a lovely place to sit down and enjoy the moment.
Fort Worth has an impressive collections of museums. unfortunately our time was running short, so we weren’t able to see them on this trip. But these definitely make the list for my next visit.
- Kimbell Art Museum – Features world-class permanent masterpieces from renowned artist around the world.
- Amon Carter Museum of American Art – Showcasing American and Western Art
- Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth – One of best collections of modern and contemporary art in the U.S.
- National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame – Celebrating the trailblazing women of the American West
- The John Wayne Museum – Fans of The Duke will enjoy this experience, featuring different aspects of his life.
- The Sid Richardson Museum – An exceptional collection of American Western art, including Remington paintings and bronzes.
If you’re a museum lover, you should add another day or two to your trip.
My Houston to Fort Worth and Dallas Road Trip was turning out to have so much more to see and do than I had anticipated! I realized I should have added an extra day or two to this 4-Day Texas Itinerary! But that always happens when I get excited about a destination. So we decided to stick to our original schedule and drive to Dallas, just a short 30-minute drive from Fort Worth.
Where to Stay in Fort Worth
As I mentioned earlier, I chose to stay downtown Fort Worth. Staying centrally makes it easier to reach restaurants, Sundance Square and other attractions without driving back and forth to the Stockyards. There’s also a good variety of hotels, from upscale properties to more budget-friendly options. I also enjoyed how easy it was to explore on foot around the city center. The sidewalks are wide, mostly flat and pleasant for a leisurely stroll.
If you’re looking for a more upscale stay, consider a boutique or luxury hotel near the Stockyards. The impressive Hotel Drover is located on Mule Alley in the Stockyards. The Western decor is top notch!
Day 4: Explore Dallas Before Driving Back to Houston
The gorgeous summer day made the short drive to Dallas especially pleasant. As we approached the city, the striking Dallas skyline came into view, and the modern architecture made quite an impression! The entrance into Dallas felt sleek, vibrant and unmistakably big-city Texas.
Stop at the Sixth Floor Museum and Dealy Plaza
Our first stop in Dallas was Dealy Plaza and the Sixth Floor Museum. Whether or not you’re a history buff, this is an important and deeply moving part of Dallas and American history. It was a Sunday, so we were able to find free covered parking just around the corner from the grassy knoll.
Dealy Plaza is world-famous as the site where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. We walked down the sloping hill and viewed the historical markings that help visitors understand the tragic events that unfolded on that fateful day in November 1963.
The Sixth Floor Museum is located within the former Texas School Book Depository building. The self-guided tours take about 90 minutes and walks you through the life, assassination and historical events surrounding that tragic day. It’s a fascinating, if somber reminder of one of the most significant moments in American History.
Downtown Dallas and Art District
Downtown Dallas has a wide, airy feel about it. We stopped for lunch at Chet’s. A few blocks from the JFK Memorial this restaurant has a really cool vibe with beautiful chrystal chandeliers. A cold beer, an oversized burger and Chet’s Truffle Mac N Cheese hit the spot and we were ready to continue our adventure.
Dallas has one of the largest connected urban arts districts in the U.S., and it’s a great place to spend an afternoon wandering around and taking in the many art forms on the streets.
Stop at the Dallas Arboretum
Last stop on our Dallas adventure was the Dallas Arboretum. I have to say, I absolutely loved this place. Truly a world class destination. I could have spent the whole day there. The stunning botanical displays, cascading water fountains and beautiful gardens made it the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the afternoon.
We were lucky enough to see the larger than life sculptures of Bunnies, Birds & Butterflies by Hunt Slonem, which added a whimsical touch to the gardens. There are restaurants where you can stop for a bite, but I noticed many people had brought picnics and settled down to enjoy a leisurely day surrounded by all that beauty.
Final Thoughts on Our Houston to Fort Worth and Dallas Road Trip
Our Houston to Fort Worth and Dallas road trip turned out to be so much fun, and there is definitely more to see than we could fit into four days. If I were planning this trip again, and had a little more time, I would add another day in Fort Worth and possibly two more in Dallas.
The drive back to Houston was smooth and easy. As usual, I came home with a longer lists of places I still want to explore. I guess that’s a good excuse for another Texas road trip!
Happy Trails! Evie
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