Comedian Jerry Seinfeld once said, “There’s no such thing as fun for the whole family,” but Fort Worth is one place that might prove him wrong. 

My previous post on the Fort Worth Stockyards (Fort Worth: Cowboys and Culture, Part One) emphasized the cowboy influence that is both part of the city’spast and present Residents here, however, may be even more proud of the cultural gems Fort Worth has to offer with its myriad of museums and attractions that can accommodate every member of the family.

For art lovers, the city has set up three of its best museums right next to each other, so when you are finished with one you can just walk to the other. Start out at The Kimbell Art Museum, which is arguably one of the best museums in Texas and probably my favorite. 

The museum attracts top notch traveling exhibitions like Picasso, Monet and Renoir. But its permanent collection is just as impressive and includes works from Cezanne, Caravaggio and Rembrandt. 

I love the fact that the building has areas carved out of it so that, depending on the time of day, the natural light influences how you see the pieces.  My favorite part is it’s free! Although traveling collections require a fee, entrance to the permanent collection is always gratis. 

Across the street is the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. This museum is not free, but the architecture alone is worth gracing its doors. Designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, the building’s contemporary design may best be appreciated by walking straight across the entryway to the outdoor sitting area. The museum seems to “float” on the reflecting pool.

As noted by its name, this museum features modern works and focuses on pieces from the 1940s and later. Modern art is tricky. In this case, it can be completely captivating like the work which shows a suspended ladder that narrows as it ascends toward the ceiling.

Or, it can be confusing like the common fluorescent tube light fixture positioned at an angle on the wall. That’s it, just a fluorescent tube angled on the wall. I don’t even remember seeing a name for it. So don’t say I didn’t warn you. 

A few blocks to the west, and just back past The Kimbell is the Amon Carter Museum. I mentioned this one in my previous post, noting its beautiful collection of western art by Frederick Remington and Charles Russell. The pieces are amazing by themselves, but what I really like is that they collectively are a pictorial history lesson that explains what the artist wanted to represent in the work. 

The Amon Carter is special in that it also houses one of the largest collections of photography in the country. The museum couldn’t possibly display all of the photographs at one time, so they rotate displays, which keeps visits here fresh. 

The Amon Carter Museum is also free! Parking for all three museums is free as well. Keep in mind, like many other institutions of this kind, all three are closed on Mondays.

For the much younger crowd, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History has a multitude of exhibitions, including permanent exhibits that educate visitors about the history of energy, cattle raising and dinosaurs in Texas. 

They have the coolest dome-shaped Imax theatre (a must-do if you go) and a planetarium. Several areas encourage hands-on learning for the little ones. There is also the Fort Worth Zoo, the oldest zoo in the state, and home to more than 5,000 animals. 

Appreciating culture takes time, and you might get hungry. You could drive somewhere for lunch, but I wouldn’t bother because there’s some good food to be had right there. The Kimbell, Modern and Science and History museums all have places to grab a bite.

The café at the Modern may make your cool quotient go up a few notches, and the views don’t hurt either.  I like The Buffet Restaurant at the Kimbell because its concept is a little funky. They call themselves a buffet, but it’s a little bit of a misnomer. You can eat all you want, but it has to fit on the plate size you choose (there are a few options) and you can only pass through once. 

So if you have some organizational talents this could be the deal for you. In any case, the food is simple but wholesome and tasty. Sandwiches, quiche, soup, salads and desserts are served along with bottomless drinks. On the day I went, people were waiting for a table so that should tell you something. 

The best place to finish the day is in Sundance Square. It’s in the heart of downtown Fort Worth and has many restaurants and shops, plus the Bass Performance Hall, a movie theatre and inviting hotels.  This part of Fort Worth is a favorite of the residents so it is always a lively scene, but at night it definitely becomes an adult playground. 

When the weather cooperates (in other words, not in the summer) there are plenty of outdoor patios to enjoy a drink and venues for live music. If you can time it right, a show at the Bass is a treat and having been there a few times, I can tell you that there really isn’t a bad seat in the house. 

When it’s time for dinner, Sundance Square offers everything from Mexican to sushi, but if you made the trip anyway, why not go to Cowtown Diner.  Here again is a bit of a misnomer— unless you usually think of a diner as a place with upholstered chairs, a full bar, nice lighting and identifiable meats. Cowtown serves up Western-inspired comfort food like frito pie, smoked chicken mac and cheese and chicken fried steak. 

My favorite menu item is the ranch chicken casserole—a true Texan dish.  It’s a casserole with layers of roasted chicken, corn tortillas, tomatoes, mushrooms and a poblano cheese sauce. I would lick the dish it’s served in if I knew no one was looking. 

Of course I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that there are multiple places to park for free in downtown Fort Worth during evenings and weekends. There are even parking garages—gotta love that.

I once had someone tell me that Fort Worth was a travel destination, and I had to step back and consider that because I had never really looked at it that way.  But after I took the time to experience all the things that make this city so attractive, I realized he was right. 

Additionally just east of Fort Worth is Arlington, which is home to the Dallas Cowboys (even as a non-fan, I found the stadium worth touring), the Texas Rangers, Six Flags Over Texas amusement park and several other family-friendly attractions. Go a little farther east, and you’re in downtown Dallas offering sights of its own. 

So, is Fort Worth a travel destination? Sure, I’ll buy that, and it’s fun for the whole family.