Solo Female Cowboy Town Adventure
đ¤ âď¸Heading back to Tokyo, I intentionally left an 8-9 hour layover in Dallasâpartly to avoid missing my flight, but mostly to squeeze in a quick taste of Texas! After days in Washington D.C., I chose Fort Worth Stockyards (the iconic Cowboy Town) over downtown Dallasâdrawn by the legendary longhorn cattle drive and, letâs be real, Texas BBQ đ. As a solo female traveler, this half-day itinerary was safe, convenient, and packed with authentic Texan charmâhereâs how I pulled it off! đ Transportation Guide: Stress-Free Train Ride from DFW Airport Getting from DFW Airport to Fort Worth Stockyards is easier than I expectedâno rental car needed! Hereâs the step-by-step breakdown: From DFW Terminal B: Head to Gate B43, take the elevator to the lower level, and follow signs for Rail to Fort Worth (the Trinity Rail Express, TRE). Buy Tickets: Cash option: Use the vending machine to purchase a single ride ($2) or a One-Day Pass ($4) (better value if youâre returning). Cashless option: Scan the GoPass QR code (look for signs or ask staff) to buy tickets on your phone. Pro Tip: If youâre in a hurry, hop on first and pay the conductorâtheyâre friendly and helpful! Ride the TRE: Take the train to Northside Station (about 30 minutes). Transfer to Orange Line: Right outside Northside Station, youâll find the Orange Line (Fort Worth Transportation Authority). Pay $4 for a One-Day Pass (tap or hand cash to the driver) and ride 3 stops to Main & 26th Street (10 minutes). Final Walk: Itâs a 5-minute stroll from the station to Fort Worth Livestock Exchangeâyouâll smell BBQ and hear country music before you see it! Total cost: $4 (One-Day Pass) | Total time: ~50 minutesSafety Note: Trains are clean, well-lit, and have other travelers (businesspeople, tourists, locals)âI felt totally safe traveling solo as a woman. đŽ Must-See: Longhorn Cattle Drive â Iconic Texan Spectacle The main event! The longhorn cattle drive runs twice daily: 11:30 AM and 4:00 PMâI caught the 11:30 AM show, and it was worth the early start. What to Expect: Cowboys (and cowgirls!) in full regalia lead a herd of massive longhorns (with horns spanning 5-6 feet!) down Exchange Avenue. The procession lasts just 5-10 minutes, but itâs pure magicâthink clopping hooves, cowboy hats, and rustic storefronts in the background. Itâs like stepping into a Western movie! Viewing Tip: Arrive 10 minutes early to grab a spot along the wooden sidewalksâstand near the Fort Worth Livestock Exchange for the best photos (youâll get the cattle, cowboys, and historic buildings all in one shot). Vibe: Family-friendly, lively, and totally freeâlocals and tourists alike cheer as the herd passes by. Itâs the perfect introduction to cowboy culture! đ Lunch: Risckyâs BAR-B-Q â Budget-Friendly BBQ Feast After the cattle drive, I followed my nose to Risckyâs BAR-B-Qâa Stockyards staple just 3 minutesâ walk from the parade route. What I Ate: The Beef Ribs Buffet ($21!)âfall-off-the-bone ribs slathered in smoky BBQ sauce, plus sides like baked beans, coleslaw, and cornbread. The portions are hugeâI ate until I could barely move, and there was still food left! Bonus: Drinks (sweet tea, soda, iced water) are free refillsâperfect for beating the Texas heat. Why I Loved It: Affordable: $21 for all-you-can-eat ribs is a steal for Texas BBQ. Flavor: The meat was tender, smoky, and packed with hickory flavorâno dry, tough bites here. Vibe: Casual, no-frills dining with picnic tables and Western decor. Staff were friendly, and I felt comfortable sitting alone. Pro Tip: Ask for extra BBQ sauce on the sideâtheir tangy, slightly spicy sauce is addictive! đ¤ Leisurely Walk: Explore the Cowboy Town Vibe Fort Worth Stockyards is small enough to wander on footâsafe, charming, and full of photo ops. What to Do: Browse Western shops: Window-shop for cowboy hats, leather boots, and Texas-themed souvenirs (prices are a bit steep, but fun to look!). Snap photos: Rustic wooden storefronts, saloon-style bars, and vintage signs make every corner a backdrop. People-watch: Sit on a bench and watch locals in cowboy gear, families chasing kids, and tourists posing with longhorn statues. Vibe: Friendly, laid-back, and festiveâcountry music plays from bars, and youâll hear laughter and chatter everywhere. I never felt rushed, and it was nice to unwind after days of sightseeing in D.C. đ Solo Female Traveler Tips for Dallas Layover Timing: Plan to arrive 1 hour before the cattle drive to avoid rushing. I left the airport at 10 AM, caught the 11:30 AM drive, ate lunch, wandered for an hour, and was back at DFW by 3 PMâplenty of time before my evening flight. Weather Prep: Texas heat is no joke! I visited in summer, so I wore a lightweight dress, sunscreen, and a hat. Bring a reusable water bottleâRisckyâs refilled mine for free. Safety: Stick to the main streets (Exchange Avenue is the heart of the Stockyards) and avoid dark alleys. The area is #US #Texas #Dallas