Years ago when I was living in west Texas, a friend from California asked “so, does everybody wear 10-gallon hats and cowboy boots”?  Ugh, I thought, another Texas stereotype.  “Yes,” I responded, “and we all have big hair too.”

As put off as I was with the stereotype, there is some truth in it.  Texas has a rich western heritage and in some parts of the state this culture is alive and thriving. As one of AAA's inspectors in Texas, I've seen it up close. Fort Worth has long been known as “cow town” and though it tends to want to dismiss that image in favor of its equally rich arts culture, there may be no better place to get a taste of the American  West.  Unlike its neighbor to the east, Dallas, Fort Worth embodies the images and life of the Texas cowboy and the Stockyards National Historic District is a great way to see that. 
As one of the final stops on the Chisholm Trail before heading in to Indian Territory, the Stockyards became a place for both the cattle and the trail riders to rest.   Today the Stockyards have been restored and they still hold a rodeo every weekend and a cattle drive twice daily (so please do watch where you step).  I enjoyed seeing the number of people that dressed the part - just about everybody waiting to get in to the rodeo was in western garb.  The Stockyards Museum will familiarize you with its origins, you can saddle up yourself at the stables or take a vintage train ride.  The brick-paved streets, western supply stores and rustic saloons help take you back. Those wishing to take a self-guiding tour of the district can obtain free maps or rent GPS Rangers—handheld devices with narrated video, audio and photographs—at the visitor center.

When it’s time to eat, there’s plenty of places to get a bite and they vary from burgers to BBQ. The Love Shack’s burgers are juicy, the fries are thin and crispy and their outdoor dining room is a great place to catch live music on the weekends.  All good stuff for sure, but it’s whatever is in the 'Love Sauce' that will get me back.   Across Main Street, the Star Café is a good place to go for some gravy drenched chicken fried steak.  And if you want a more refined experience, the Lonesome Dove Western Bistro treats its guests to items like chili rubbed pork chops, garlic stuffed beef tenderloin and elk sliders.  Finally, when the sun goes down, head over to Billy Bob’s.  They claim to be the largest of all the honky tonks and feature both local and national artists like Willie Nelson and Mark Chesnutt.

If you want to take home a piece of the west, I recommend M.L. Leddy’s handmade boots.  This family-run operation has been making leather goods for four generations.   These boots aren’t just footwear, they’re works of art.   If you can haul it back with you, Rios Interiors sells and designs a variety of furniture pieces for those that live the western lifestyle or just want to introduce a bit of it in to their homes.  Maverick Western Wear is always full of shoppers looking for novelty gifts, clothes, boots and Texas souvenirs.

It’s important to note that although the Stockyards provide the quintessential western experience, it’s really just the beginning.  After all, it’s only about fifteen square blocks.  Fort Worth’s heritage can be experienced across the city.   The Amon Carter Museum houses a collection of foremost western artists Charles Russell and Frederick Remington.   If you have the least bit of appreciation for any type of art, you will leave in awe of their work.  I know I did.  And the museum is free to boot.  The city also has the National Cowgirl Museum. 

If you can take the chill, every winter the city hosts the Southwest Exposition and Livestock Show. It draws record crowds and is where livestock sales history is made.  In 2010 a young woman’s prize steer financed her college education to the tune of $210,000.  This year, another young woman’s hog brought in $110,000.  Wow, I’m totally in the wrong business.

Fort Worth is proud of its unique history, but it's also a major arts and cultural center, I’ll get to that in my next blog.   

Click on the map to locate the Stockyards National Historic District in TripTik Travel Planner, as well as nearby AAA Approved lodging and restaurants.