Sundance Square Fort Worth

From her first grade field trip at the zoo to her wedding day in Sundance Square, Jessica Bowers doesn’t have a childhood memory that isn’t somehow connected to the city of Fort Worth.  Although she has traveled far and wide chasing her wanderlust, when it was time to put down roots, she settled in the Metroplex, so she could introduce her four kids to the places she loved to visit as a child.

Her writings about family, travel, and how to mix the two successfully appear in Fort Worth Child, Dallas Child, and Family Fun.  She chronicles her family’s travels at Suitcases and Sippy Cups, where she shares the trials and triumphs of traveling the globe with four kids in tow. 

Jessica was born in Abilene, TX and graduated from Texas Woman’s University.  Her many jobs have included first grade teacher, curriculum developer, and stage manager.  But, she is most proud to have the job of mom to four boys, who she homeschools.   Her favorite family friendly Fort Worth hangouts are Log Cabin Village, Casa Manana, and the Botanic Gardens. 

Most teens have big plans for the summer-plans like sleeping until noon and all day texting parties with their friends.  As the parent, of course you want to let them blow off some steam after a busy school year, but when they start talking in text lingo it might be time to find some pastimes that don’t involve a cell phone.   Check out this list of activities in Fort Worth that will keep your teens busy this summer.

When they’ve seen more You-Tube videos than sunshine:

• Head out to soak up some Vitamin D at the downtown Water Gardens, a shady spot that is perfect for relaxation.
• Float on over to the best seat in the house at Panther Island’s Rockin’ the River tubing and concert series.  The bands rock the free concerts, while the kids float along in the Trinity River. It’s all around cool!

When you want to show them a glimpse of a time before texting:

• Drive into an era of sock hops and juke boxes with a visit to Coyote Drive In.  Stunning views of the city and Trinity River are the perfect backdrop to catch the latest flicks.
• Texas in the 1880s was wild-kinda like high school, but with less homework.  Step back to that time with a visit to the Fort Worth Stockyards Historic District.

When you know the way to their hearts is through their stomach:

• Grab some gourmet food at the Fort Worth Food Truck Park, where local chefs serve up fun and quirky delicacies in a shady park setting.  There’s even free wi-fi, so the teens can check on Facebook and let their friends know what they are doing.
• Sign them up for a cooking class at Central Market.  Teen focused cooking camps are available throughout the summer with themes and meals that hungry teens will love.

When you need a little bit of yee-haw to balance out the ho-hum:

• Mosey over to Billy Bob’s Texas.  Are kids really welcome at a honky tonk?  You betcha, partner!  Line dancing lessons, arcade games, and mechanical bull riding are just a few of the family friendly activities that your teens will love.
• Saddle up for a ride along the old Chisholm Trail at the Stockyard Stables.  30 to 60 minute scenic rides take place along the Trinity River Trails.

When you want to be <OMG!!!> the “coolest mom ever!”:

• Book a spin around downtown on the Cowtown Cycle Party.  Bring your own sodas and grab some friends to power this 15 passenger bicycle cart through Sundance Square.
• Fill the need for speed with a few laps around Texas Motor Speedway. Licensed drivers can ride (or drive) in a real NASCAR race car, or younger riders can enjoy a few laps in NASCAR Sprint Cup Limousine.

Looking for more ways to beat the summer heat with the fam? Check out our guide to family fun, here! 

When it's 80 degrees out in the City of Cowboys and Culture, and there's a nice cool breeze floating through the air, there's no better place than a good patio. When in Fort Worth, anything better than a good patio is a great rooftop spot where you can take in the sights and sounds of our buzzing city. Whether you're looking for a beautiful bird's eye view of Sundance Square, TCU or the Stockyards, there's plenty of options!

Live Oak This Near Southside rooftop bar and patio on Magnolia Ave. has a fabulous view of the downtown Fort Worth skyline, 50 beers on tap, and an inventive menu of burgers, sandwiches and entrée salads that far exceeds the usual “bar food.” If you're looking for a change of pace, head downstairs for a sit-down dinner or casual concert hall which showcases marquee-name touring acts in a 500-seat superbly engineered auditorium. 

Dutch's Named after legendary TCU coach Leo “Dutch” Meyer, Dutch’s is a lively TCU-area hangout known for its all-natural, juicy-not-greasy burgers. Whether you're looking for a spot to pre-game or a casual weeknight dinner with family or friends, Dutch's patio is the place to be. Be sure to check out their weekly specials, (including 1/2 price Dutch Burger on Tuesdays) here.

Love Shack Iron Chef winner and owner Tim Love has created a gourmet burger joint featuring outdoor seating, live music, and a menu that will have you coming back for more! Love Shack has two locations, the Stockyards and the University area, but the Love Shack Stockyards offers an unforgettable view of the world-famous Exchange Avenue in the Stockyards National Historic District! Grab a beer, and get a spot for the twice-daily Cattle Drive (11:30a, 4p)!

Reata Restaurant is not just famous for their down-home cowboy cuisine, but their living-room type ambiance downstairs mixed with the cocktail-party atmosphere upstairs, makes this place perfect for any occasion. Overlooking Sundance Square (and the new plaza this fall), the Reata Rooftop is one of the top Fort Worth spots to take in the city sights and enjoy cocktails with friends! Be sure to share the starter sampler for a true taste of Texas! 

Capital Bar With the additions of the Backyard and the Back House, Capital Bar is one of the top music venues in DFW in addition to having an incredible rooftop bar that offers a spectacular view of the downtown skyline on one side and the park-like Fort Worth Cultural District on the other. Before you go, check out their Summer Music Series on Wednesday nights presented by 95.9 the Ranch! 

We showed you how to discover the Cultural District on a budget, and now it's time for some Sundance Square savings tips and how to visit downtown Fort Worth on a dime. When looking for free attractions in Downtown and Sundance Square, it is almost harder to find an attraction that does charge. This family-friendly Fort Worth area has plenty of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered by you and your family. Don’t forget to stop in our Downtown Visitor Center in Sundance Square for more savings: iFortWorth, located at 508 Main St.

Attractions:

• Bass Hall – Free tour on Saturdays at 10:30am
• Sid Richardson Museum – Free
• Fire Station #1 – Free
• Fort Worth Water Gardens – Free
• JFK Tribute – Free
• Heritage Trails – Free
• Sundance Square is always free to visit but check out their website and sign up for “Inside the Square” newsletter for additional discounts to be delivered straight to your email.

Most people eat something small for lunch and then consider dinner to be the larger meal of the day. Why not switch it up? Lunch menus often offer the same items but at a discounted price. Then check out a Happy Hour for dinner. Next time your in downtown Fort Worth, consider these dinner Happy Hours:

Taverna Pizzeria and Risotteria

• Monday-Friday 3:00 - 8:00 p.m., which includes Half-price Appetizers & Pizza /Well Drinks, Draught Beer, Bellini, House Red & White Wine $3.00 (Available in the bar and lounge)
• Wednesday Night-Enjoy 1/2 price bottles of wine with items off our regular menu or specials board (4:00 - 10:00)

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

• Happy Hour Sizzle, Swizzle, Swirl – The best of Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse food and drinks for $7 Monday-Friday.

T and P Tavern

• Happy Hour Monday-Friday 4:00-7:00 and all day on Sunday.

Frankies Sports Bar & Grill

• Happy Hour 11:00AM-7:00PM week days
• Check out their website for daily specials!

Looking for a free way to get around? Molly the Trolley runs seven days a week from 10am-10pm. Check out Molly’s routes here! Don’t forget about Fort Worth’s brand new Bike Sharing too – there are several bike stations all over downtown for easy access! Check our out Deals & Discounts for more ways to save in Downtown!

Hometown: Shreveport, Louisiana / Fort Worth, Texas

Occupation: Guest Service Champion Holiday Inn Express Western Center

Ideal Day in Fort Worth: Whether it is with your spouse, family or friends, an ideal day in Fort Worth is to begin your journey at the Fort Worth Amon Carter Museum of American Art. There you can enjoy the different art works by Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell the two greatest artists of the American West and it is free of charge. You also can enjoy walking hand and hand through the Botanic Garden occasionally stopping to take pictures of the beautiful colorful plants that flourish in the garden. Very romantic. When you get hungry you must sit down and enjoy a juicy steak at the Internationally Renowned Cattlemen's Fort Worth Steak House. After enjoying your day in Fort Worth you can end your journey by checking in to the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Western Center and relax in one of our comfortable beds.

How would you describe Fort Worth to a visitor? Fort Worth is a city that values its sometime wild and wooly Western heritage. It is a cultural heritage that revolves around world-class museums and art venues. There are many hot spots in Fort Worth; to name a few; Billy Bob's the world's largest honky tonk, Downtown /Sundance Square Plaza the most exciting downtown in Texas, Texas Christian University a private, coeducational university in Fort Worth and Joe T. Garcia's is one of the best Mexican restaurants in Fort Worth. Landmarks: Fort Worth Water Gardens is a unique free attraction located on the south end of downtown Fort Worth, Bass Performance Hall is the premier venue for performing arts and other attractions and St. Patrick's Cathedral was constructed from 1888-1892 is the oldest continuously used church building in Fort Worth.

What do you like most about working in the tourism/hospitality industry? I like the ideal that I get the chance to meet and greet many people from different states and country’s. To tell them about all the great things they can do in Fort Worth and all the wonderful things we have to offer.

What is the biggest surprise visitors have about Fort Worth? The biggest surprise I have heard visitors speak about is when they visited the Stockyards. They would always say, “I have never seen cowboys drive a herd of longhorn cattle down a street.” A city with a country feel.

What makes Fort Worth different than any other destination? I think the welcoming hospitality and the friendliness of the people is what makes Fort Worth different from any other destination. Fort Worth has a climate of opportunity for business, education and creativity. This is one of the reasons why my family and I decided to live here.

Hometown: Originally from the Austin TX area, I moved to Fort Worth about 6 years ago.

Occupation: Area Director of Sales for the Hampton Inn and Residence Inn Fort Worth Alliance Airport

Ideal Day in Fort Worth: I have two small boys who love the outdoors just as much as I do.  A typical day in Fort Worth would be to grab lunch at Central Market at Fort Worth's West Side. The boys love the slide so we would then head over to Trinity Park to play on the playground and enjoy a ride on the Train!  We may catch dinner at Jakes Burgers and then walk it off with a nice stroll in Sundance Square.

How would you describe Fort Worth to a visitor? Fort Worth is a rapidly growing city with a smalltime feel. This city has reserved the culture of "Where the West Begins" offering live bull riding, cattle drives, the best shops for western wear and the best country dancing ever!  Fort Worth also offers Scat Jazz Lounge, the best spot for Jazz, The Bass Concert Hall to catch an opera, an array selection of museums and a diverse selection of restaurants- City of Cowboys and Culture!

What do you like most about working in the tourism/hospitality industry? Every day is an adventure in this industry. One day, I could be in the dining room to assist with cleaning tables and picking up dishes. In the next few minutes, I'm back on the phones or in my car to find new business opportunities. I meet new people on a daily basis and each day offers a new batch of challenges. At the end of the day, "another satisfied customer!" and that's the most rewarding part of my career!

What is the biggest surprise visitors have about Fort Worth? There's so much to do in Fort Worth and it has something for everyone!

What makes Fort Worth different than any other destination? Fort Worth is an extremely diverse city offering a small-town feel with so much to do  including adult nightlife, entertainment for the family, bull riding to catching an play at the concert hall.

In my opinion, there's no better gift than that of an sharing an amazing meal at one of Fort Worth's hottest brunch spots with someone you love. If you're looking for something a little less traditional to do with your mom in Fort Worth on her special day, we've come up with a few ideas for you. Nothing says Cowboys and Culture like a horseback ride along the Trinity Trails and afterwards, perusing any of the five world-class museums—all within walking distance—within Fort Worth's park-like setting of the Cultural District. Maybe your mom is an animal lover, and in that case, adopting an animal in her name from the Fort Worth Zoo, is sure to make a memorable gift. There are few moms who don't enjoy a good find, let alone in an incredible antique mall, so check out Montgomery Street Antique Mall and enjoy lunch in the Secret Garden Tearoom. If your mom just prefers (and deserves) to be pampered, you can't go wrong with a gift certificate to the Mokara Spa at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel. 

If you're with me, and agree that brunch offers the best of both lunch and breakfast worlds, check out our top ten picks for Best Mother's Day Brunch in Fort Worth. Whether you choose brunch in Downtown, Near Southside or the Cultural District, there's plenty to see and do this Mother's Day! Call ahead for reservations. 

Downtown / Sundance Square 

Cantina Laredo - Mother's Day Brunch; 11a-3p.

Cast Iron - Mother's Day Brunch at the Omni Hotel; 10a-2:30

Grace - Mother's Day Brunch and Lunch; 11:30a–1:30p.

Reata Restaurant - Sunday Mother's Day Brunch; 11a-2:30p.

Near Southside

Brewed Fort Worth - Mother's Day Brunch with Free mimosas for mom; 9:30a-2:30p.

Cat City Grill - Mother's Day Brunch; 10:30a-12:30p

Ellerbe Fine Foods -  Mother's Day Brunch; 10:30a-2:00p. 

Cultural District 

Café Modern - Brunch at the Modern Art Museum;10a-3p.

Lanny's Alta Cocina Mexicana - Mother's Day Brunch; 10:30a-2p.

The Gardens Restaurant - Mother's Day Brunch at the Botanical Gardens; 10a-3p.

People who know me are all too aware of my longstanding culinary obsession with the annual Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival. It’s more than just the fact that so many of the foods served up there inspire fond memories of the street fairs and block parties with which I grew up in New York.

It’s that so much of the food at Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival is so good – a welcome reminder that you don’t need to spend $40 a plate to have a distinct dining experience in Fort Worth.

In my more ambitious years, I would actually visit the four-day festival every day, and usually ended up eating six or seven meals there over the course of the weekend. These days, I usually visit just a few times – fair food may be delicious, but my cholesterol can only take so many spikes.

This year’s festival begins at 10 a.m.. on Thursday (did someone say “late breakfast?”) and continues through Sunday at 8 p.m. (dessert!). Here are my picks for dishes that no arts festival weekend is complete without, based on the last thirteen years of festival food experience:

1. The Bahama Mama, from the stupendous Schmidt’s in Columbus Ohio, is for me an annual renewal of my faith in humanity – a plump, spicy bratwurst much too large for its bun, which I slather in Gulden’s spicy brown mustard and top with sauerkraut. Make it a meal for a few extra coupons, and you can enjoy a side of Schmidt’s marvelously tangy potato salad. (The giant cream puff ain't too shabby, either, but it should not be approached on an even half-full stomach.)  

2. Tenderloin Tamales, from Reata. Who says festival food can’t be sophisticated? Tucked into steaming corn husks and topped with a nicely piquant pecan sauce, these beauties can be found on the regular Reata dinner menu – but they taste even better when you can enjoy live music and people watching at the same time. 

3. Smoked Turkey Legs. Yes, you will look like a cannibal while chowing down on one of these greasy, gristly wonders; and, indeed, I can speak from personal experience that it will send your blood pressure about 20 points higher. You can thank me later.

4. Funnel Cakes. Fried dough + powder sugar =  the perfect capper to any evening spent at the festival. That said, my advice is to get in line before the nightly funnel cake rush commences, usually around 7 p.m. (And, no, I'm not making that up. One year I spent forty minutes in line.) 

Of course, if none of these options appeal to you, there are plenty more vendors to choose from, including Texas Skillet (the grilled steak sandwich gets my vote); Fletcher’s (corny dog!), and many others. Most of these venues surround either the Sundance Square stage or the Bank of Texas Stage. You can check out a festival map here.

Finally, you can wash all of this down with a white wine margarita, or this year you can visit the Craft Brew Pavilion hosted by Flying Saucer, which will feature a half-dozens beers on draught.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go purchase some coupons.

This Earth Day, (April 22, 2013) Fort Worth will be celebrating in style as the city launches the Fort Worth B-Cycle, the first-ever bike sharing system in North Texas. Texas is making environmental strides as the only state with three cities to have a bike-sharing program: San Antonio, Houston and now, the City of Cowboys and Culture. If you're not familiar, bike sharing is an environmentally-friendly mode of transportation based on the shared use of public bicycles. Run by the nonprofit organization, Fort Worth Bike Sharing, the system will feature 300 specially designed Trek bicycles available for checkout from 30 docking stations located throughout the city: from Downtown Sundance Square to the Cultural District and the Near Southside.

Memberships for the new bike share program are for sale and if you sign up before the Earth Day launch on April 22, you receive a $10 discount on an annual membership by using promo code, "earlybird." An annual membership costs $80; students, seniors and military can purchase for $65. Annual members will receive "B-cards," which enable them to more quickly checkout bikes from the bike share station. Another perk for these annual members is that they can use their B-cycle memberships in other B-cycle cities, including San Antonio, Houston, Denver and Nashville. The Earth Day event launch will include a featured send-off of approximately 300 volunteers riding the bicycles from Burnett Park to each docking station. Avid cyclist, Mayor Betsy Price and Councilman Joel Burns will be among the riders. Come on out for this special Earth Day celebration at Burnett Park on April 22-Let's Ride! 

Photo: Fort Worth Bike Sharing - Jason Lamers, Mayor Price's Chief of Staff testing out the B-Cycle

They've found popularity among cycling cities such as Portland and Austin, but now Fort Worth has its very own Cycle Pub! Cowtown Cycling Party is a blast and one of the most fun (and active) ways to explore Downtown Fort Worth. We tried it firsthand and agree, it's perfect for any group activity from birthday parties, fund raisers, promotions, team building-up to 15 people. Completely powered by you and your friends pedaling, the Cycle Party provides a great work out while having fun and seeing the sights of Downtown cowtown. What makes it a party you ask? Cowtown Cycling Party is a BYOB Cycling Pub; you can even bring your own cooler or home-brew keg of beer! 

• Riders must be 14 years of age or older 
• You must book your tour at least 48 hours in advance: Standard tour start times Monday-Saturday are 10am, 12:30pm, 3pm, 5:30pm and 8pm. Sunday start times are Noon, 2:30pm, 5:00pm & 7:30pm. 
• Wear layered clothing as you may work up a sweat. No flip-flops; you will want shoes that stay on!
• Alcohol is BYOB – canned beer, boxed wine, pouches, pony kegs and home-brew kegs. No glass, hard liquor or half-barrel kegs.

There's no doubt, Fort Worth has romance in the air. Just take a walk through Downtown Sundance Square and the tree lit sidewalks mixed with the historic atmosphere, will create the perfect setting for your Valentine's date night. Fort Worth offers plenty of Downtown dining options where you can dress it up at Mercury Chophouse, Del Frisco's or Ruth Chris and dress it down at Riscky's or Frankie's Sports Bar. 

If you're looking for an ideal Valentine's date night in Downtown Fort Worth, we recommend appetizers and drinks at Reata Restaurant in Sundance Square. If it's a nice evening, try to get a spot on the recently renovated rooftop patio. Walk down Main Street for a dining experience like no other at Grace Restaurant where award-winning Chef Blaine Staniford creates Modern American Classics like bacon wrapped scallops.

The highlight of your evening will take place at one of the most romantic spots in Downtown, Bass Performance Hall where Performing Arts Fort Worth presents Broadway at the Bass: Memphis (February 12-17, 2013). Winner of four 2010 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Memphis is a show-stopping, thrilling tale of fame and forbidden love with explosive dancing and irresistible songs. After the show, indulge in a gourmet cupcake at The Cupcakery or step into Scat Jazz Lounge, for live music and a nightcap.

Share your Fort Worth love this Valentine's Day, and you could win two tickets to see Memphis on February 14 plus a $20 gift card to Grace Restaurant! To enter, upload a photo of something you love about Fort Worth or a loved one, using the tag #LoveFortWorth. For more contest info, visit FortWorth.com/Love. One winner will be chosen at random and announced on Instagram and Facebook on Monday February 11 at 2pm. 

Fort Worth offers plenty of options for 2013 Super Bowl watching-parties to cheer on your favorite team! Here's our Top 3 picks for Sunday, February 3:

Frankie's Sports Bar in Sundance Square is making things easy with an all-inclusive Super Party. Guests will receive an unlimited food from a select menu, six drinks, and a "swag bag" full of party favors and gifts for $50/person. Plus, there will be chances to win more prizes with a raffle each quarter.

Reservoir, just off of Seventh Street, is one of the newest hangouts in Fort Worth and offers a non-traditional sports bar atmosphere but includes all the sports amenities a fan could need: drink specials, 38 HD screens and a projection TV on Super Bowl Sunday. Try some of their specialties on the menu including chicken and waffles or slow-roasted pork ribs.

BoomerJack's Grill & Bar located in Montgomery Plaza is known for accommodating big game specials, and for the 2013 Super Bowl, they do not disappoint.  Each location in the metroplex is offering 59-cent wings and $3 You Call It (Crown and Down) this Sunday.

If football isn't your thing, check out the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo this Sunday where you can catch everything from the "World's Original Indoor Rodeo™" to the Regional Red Angus Cattle Show and enjoy tons of carnival rides at the Midway!

This weekend, enjoy one of the most beloved films of all time backed by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and travel to the wonderful world of Oz with Oz with Orchestra, sure to be a magical multimedia production! Experience The Wizard of Oz with a whole new treat for the senses as you watch the restored film on the big screen in the beautiful Bass Performance Hall and listen to Judy Garland's original 1939 studio recordings with live orchestration from the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. This is sure to be a treat for children of all ages, but adults alike who hold that special place in their heart for Oz. You can catch the performances Friday, January 25 at 8:00 PM, Saturday, January 26 at 8:00 PM, and Sunday, January 27 at 2:00 PM in Bass Performance Hall.  Click here to purchase your tickets (range from $27-$79). 

The smash hit Broadway revival of West Side Story will open at Bass Performance Hall in Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth on January 15 and will run through January 20. More than 50 years ago, this musical changed theater forever and is back mesmerizing audiences once again. From the first note to the final breath, West Side Story soars as the greatest love story of all time and remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever.  Make an evening in Sundance Square with many dining choices before the performance. I’ll be there on opening night. See you there! Get your tickets now! 

For more Fort Worth entertainment and events, visit www.FortWorth.com

 Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg

We caught up with Rikki Buckalew, Fort Worth Stock Show exhibitor who presented the 2010 Grand Champion Market Steer, War Admiral (a 1,309-pound European crossbred). That year, during the Sale of Champions, she set an all-time auction record when Larry B. White Jr. Investments purchased War Admiral for a record of $210,000. What makes her story that much more special is that she overcame health issues just to be able to compete during the Show. She has since gone on to Texas A&M and will graduate next fall.

Name: Rikki Buckalew

Hometown: Graham, TX

Livestock Events: I showed steers at all of the major livestock shows in Texas for eight years and goats for four years. I also showed heifers at major live stocks in Texas for two years.

Favorite Stock Show moment: My favorite stock show moment was my senior year of High School when I showed my steer, War Admiral, at the Fort Worth Livestock Show. The experience was special because I knew it was my last livestock show as an exhibitor and it was my last opportunity to see what all of mine and my family’s hard work had brought. It was also special because I did not even know if I was going to be able to participate in my last livestock show. But thankfully through the work of my family, close family friends, and doctors I was able to show and win the title of Grand Champion Steer.

What type of preparation does it take throughout the year to get ready for a Show the size of the FWSSR? Preparing for a livestock show the size of the FWSSR is no easy feat. It requires time, patience, and lots of hard work. It requires making the trek to the barn to feed and water your animal when it’s freezing cold or blistering hot. It requires spending hours working with your animal so that they are properly trained and show ring ready. You have to groom your animal, keep them cool during the horribly hot days of summer, and clean their pens every day.

How has your experience in the livestock arena benefited your immediate future and how do you expect it to benefit you long term? Being in the livestock arena has benefited me in so many ways. The biggest two lessons it has taught me to be is being cool and collected under pressure. It has also taught me to accept defeat and success both with grace and humility. These lessons will benefit me in so many ways in my future career, school, and even in daily life.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of the FWSSR when you visit Fort Worth?
I enjoy walking around Sundance Square and visiting all of the shops. I also enjoy watching performances at Bass Hall, touring the Kimbell Art Museum, and visiting the Stockyards. Fort Worth has so much to offer and there is always something new and exciting to do!

Besides food at the Stock Show, what is your favorite place to eat when you visit Fort Worth?
My favorite place to eat when I visit Fort Worth is Razoos in Sundance Square. I love the atmosphere and I have always had great service. Everything on the menu is delicious and their bread pudding is the best I’ve ever had.

Sundance Square keeps getting better! Salata, The Next Generation Salad Bar has announced that Wednesday, December 12^th will be their Grand Opening! Salata will feature fast and friendly service for patrons who can create their own fresh, healthy and tossed-to-order salads and salad wraps. The menu offers a wide variety of fresh lettuces, veggies, chicken, seafood, fruits, nuts and cheeses, as well as signature dressings, sauces and soups. For a quick, guilt-free treat, bite-sized brownies and cookies are offered for dessert.

Make sure to come out on Grand Opening Day because there will be a ‘First to Fifty’ giveaway, granting the first fifty customers gift cards for up to $50 as well as serving its signature salads and wraps for just $5 and giving away a free cup of soup!

For other great dinning options in Fort Worth, click here.

The holidays are upon us and with them, come so many traditions to take part in! Deck the halls, bake your favorite seasonal treats, sing classic Christmas carols, to name a few. One of our favorite holiday traditions that always puts us in that special Christmas spirit is catching a show at Bass Performance Hall or McDavid Studio in downtown Sundance Square.

Not only are the decorations in Bass Hall absolutely stunning this time of year, but the lineup is pretty stellar, too! Favorites like Michael Martin Murphey, Dave Koz and Robert Earl Keen are bringing holiday cheer to Fort Worth and tickets are on sale now! Choose one of the many entertaining shows and make a night of it in downtown Fort Worth! Warm up with some hot coco at Oliver's, indulge your sweet tooth at The Cupcakery, enjoy a brew at the Flying Saucer and visit Sundance Square's Winter Wonderland on Main Street. Visit the full list of upcoming events at Bass Hall and McDavid Studio.

Fort Worth is excited to announce that they will be host to Go West Summit January 28th-31st, 2013! Go West Summit is the premier business-oriented travel tradeshow selling the American West. We bring together the world's top international tour operators with specialty suppliers who offer year-round products in a 13 state region of the Western United States.

Monday starts off with a Buyers only exclusive tour of Fort Worth. This will be for tour operators from all over the world to get a sneak peak at all the Fort Worth has to offer.

Opening night will kick off on Monday evening at Billy Bob's Texas with an event called "Two Step Across Texas". Cities from all over Texas are coming together to welcome this group. In the 25 years that Go West Summit has been meeting this will be the first meeting in the State of Texas!

Tuesday, after a long day of meetings this group will spread out across Downtown and the Stockyards for a dine around. This gives attendees the chance to Experience Fort Worth on their own. If you happen to be out and about that night and see someone looking lost show that Fort Worth hospitality that we are known for and ask if they need directions somewhere! Check out our dinning selection and point them in the direction of your favorite restaurant!

Wednesday the conference celebrates the last day of meetings with a reception by Omni Hotel, an evening out at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo and after hours in Sundance Square at Lone Star!

Thursday offers six different tours around the Fort Worth area depending on the attendee’s interests. They range everywhere from the Western Experience at Wildcatter Ranch to Shopping at Paragon Outlets,  Cowboys Stadium Tours to the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, a walk in JFK's footsteps to a fast pace tour at Texas Motor Speedway. There is never a short supply of things to do in North Texas!

Help us in Welcoming Go West Summit this January to Fort Worth! Fort more information contact your Tourism Team or Go West's Website.

Even though it seems like we just celebrated Halloween, Fort Worth is starting to look a lot like Christmas. With Sundance Square's Christmas tree in place and the Annual Chesapeake Parade of Lights in Downtown Fort Worth on the Horizon, it's time to get into the holiday spirit! Check out these fantastic events to build up your holiday cheer.

Don't miss the Annual Sundance Square tree lighting ceremony following the Parade of Lights on November 23, 2012. To celebrate the parade's 30-year milestone, the route will be lengthened, and will extend from the Tarrant County Courthouse to the Fort Worth Convention Center. Expect over half a million holiday lights, ultimately transforming Downtown Fort Worth with "The Wonder of it All!" theme.

Christmas in the Stockyards takes place December 1, 2012, and is a Fort Worth holiday tradition where you can take your picture with Cowboy Santa, enjoy pony rides and celebrate the season with the one and only, Fort Worth Herd.

One of the best ways to get into the holiday spirit is to catch a show with your family at one of the numerous performing arts venues in Fort Worth. Holiday favorites include 'Twas the Night Before Christmas at Casa Mañana and Home for the Holidays at Bass Performance Hall.

With more than two million LED lights, The Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway is back and a great opportunity to share the joy of the season with friends and family. Evenings through January 6, enjoy dazzling displays; proceeds from Gift of Lights benefits the Tarrant Area Food Bank, Goodwill Industries, and KLTY Christmas Wish. Click Here for more information on holidays in the City of Cowboys and Culture.