🤠 Dallas, Texas · Discover the Wild West at Fort Worth Stockyards! 🤠

Known as the “Starting Point of the American West,” the Fort Worth Stockyards is located about an hour from Dallas and four hours from Austin. 🚗💨 After the railway was built in the mid-20th century, this town became a major hub for livestock trading. The historic district is filled with famous Western wear stores, cowboy boot shops, museums, and more—all designed in classic 19th-century cowboy style. 🏜️👢 You’ll see both visitors and staff dressed head-to-toe in cowboy and cowgirl outfits—it really feels like stepping right into the world of the Wild West! 🎉 Recommended Activities: 🐮 Longhorn Cattle Drive Watch Texas’s iconic longhorn cattle parade down the main street daily at 11:30 AM and 4:00 PM. The walk lasts just a few minutes, and afterwards, you can take photos with the cattle. 🐂📸 During my visit near Christmas, there were even festive holiday carriages and parades—super lively! 🤠 Gun Show Performance Located at the far end of the station, this short 10-minute show features four actors. It starts off with some silly humor before surprising the audience with (fake) gunshots—I jumped! 😆🔫 There’s also supposed to be a Robber Show on a train, but it wasn’t playing that day. 🐂 Rodeo Championship Held every Friday and Saturday night starting at 7:30 PM (ends around 9:30). Tickets range around $40–60. Usually, both bull riding and horse riding events are featured, but since I went during the year-end finals, only bull riding was available. It was intense! 🏆 Each rider has about one minute to challenge the bull—some even leaped over the bull’s back, earning cheers from the crowd! Note: The bulls’ horns are filed down, and safety measures are strict, so there’s little risk of serious injury to humans or animals. 🍻 Experience the Old West in a Saloon The White Elephant Saloon near the entrance is one of the most famous spots—decorated with cowboy hats hanging from the ceiling! 🎩🍺 They often have live music and a fun atmosphere, though the beer is just okay. It’s all about the vibe! 🎄 Christmas Activities Starting in December, the stockyards host holiday events like an ice rink, photos with Cowboy Santa, storytelling sessions, and beautiful night lights. A truly festive experience! ❄️✨ 📍 131 E Exchange Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76164 🎟️ Free entry to the stockyards; parking ~$20 per day. #WeekendGetaway #Texas #Dallas #Cowboy #WildWest #Stockyards #TravelUSA #FortWorth