How To Spend 72 Hours in Fort Worth, TX

mother daughter standing in front of texas boot

If you’re looking for a girls’ trip destination that feels like a true getaway without requiring a full itinerary, add Fort Worth, Texas to your list! I recently took a mother-daughter trip to Fort Worth before my daughter started school again, and it was the perfect mix of good food, shopping, exploring, and a little Texas fun. We stayed three full days right in the heart of the historic Stockyards, which made it so easy to experience everything Fort Worth is known for. From watching the cattle drive to line dancing at Billy Bob’s and eating our way through the city, here’s exactly how I’d spend a weekend in Fort Worth, TX if I were you!

For this trip, we stayed at the Hyatt Fort Worth Stockyards Historic District, and I loved being right in the middle of the action. The Stockyards are such a fun area to explore, especially if it’s your first time in Fort Worth. There are restaurants, shops, live entertainment, and plenty of that classic Texas atmosphere all within walking distance. One of my favorite things about staying in this area was being able to walk out of the hotel and immediately start exploring. For a girls’ weekend, it made everything feel easy and relaxed. And, for a mother-daughter trip, we could come and go as we pleased without spending the whole weekend worrying about transportation.

Explore the Historic Stockyards

Give yourself plenty of time to wander around the historic Stockyards. This was one of my favorite parts of the trip because you don’t necessarily need a strict plan. Spend the afternoon popping into shops, grabbing a coffee or snack, taking pictures, and just enjoying the atmosphere. It’s such a fun place to walk around!

Watch the Cattle Drive

You can’t visit the Fort Worth Stockyards without watching the famous cattle drive! The longhorn cattle drive happens twice a day, at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., so it’s easy to work into your weekend itinerary. We made a point to see the cattle, as it’s one of those Fort Worth experiences you don’t want to miss.

Go Line Dancing at Billy Bob’s

If you’re looking for something fun and uniquely Texas to do together, put Billy Bob’s Texas on your list! Even if line dancing isn’t normally your thing, you’re in Texas, so you might as well give it a try! It was such a fun experience and definitely one of those places that makes Fort Worth feel different from your typical weekend getaway.

Catch a Texas Rangers Game

We actually went to a Forrest Frank concert at Globe Life Field in Arlington during this trip, so we didn’t make it to a Rangers game, but I would absolutely add one to the itinerary if the schedule works out. If you’re visiting during baseball season, checking the Texas Rangers schedule before your trip would be a great way to add another fun Texas experience to your weekend.

We ate REALLY well during this trip, and honestly, the food was one of the highlights! Hotel Drover was a 10/10 for me. Even if you aren’t staying there, I’d recommend making a reservation and experiencing it for yourself. The atmosphere was beautiful, the food was delicious, and it felt like the perfect spot for a girl dinner.

Paloma Suerte was one of my favorite meals of the trip. If you’re planning a weekend in Fort Worth, definitely add this one to your list. We also ate at Los Vaqueros while we were in the Stockyards. It’s a great option when you’re looking for a fun Tex-Mex meal while you’re exploring the area. And, of course, no trip is complete without a good coffee stop! Acova Coffee was a great place to grab coffee while we were out exploring. I always love finding a local coffee shop when I’m traveling, and this was a fun addition to our weekend.

Another fan favorite during the weekend was Olivellas! They served delicious pizza! If you’re looking for a lunch spot to break up a day of shopping and exploring, I’d definitely recommend adding this to your itinerary.

One Travel Tip I Wish I’d Known

Rent a car! This is probably my biggest tip from this trip.We had rented a car the last time we visited Fort Worth, but decided not to this time around. I thought we’d be fine using Uber to get around, but by the time we were paying for Ubers back and forth to different restaurants, the Stockyards, Arlington, and everywhere else we wanted to go, I honestly think it would have been less expensive to just rent a car. If you’re planning to explore beyond the Stockyards, especially if you want to visit Arlington or other parts of the Fort Worth area, I’d definitely price out a rental car before your trip.

If I were planning this trip again, I’d keep it pretty simple. That’s what I loved about Fort Worth, there was plenty to do without feeling like we had to rush from one activity to the next.

A Mother-Daughter or Girl’s Weekend Itinerary

Friday: Check into the hotel, explore the Stockyards, shop, and have dinner at Hotel Drover.

Saturday: Grab coffee at Acova, watch the cattle drive, explore the Stockyards, have lunch at Olivella’s, and spend the evening at Billy Bob’s, catching a concert or Rangers game.

Sunday: Enjoy a slow morning, grab breakfast or coffee, do a little more shopping, and have one last meal before heading home.

Fort Worth ended up being such a fun destination for a mother-daughter getaway. Between the Texas charm, amazing food, shopping, live entertainment, and the Stockyards, we had plenty to see and do without feeling like we had to pack every minute of the trip. It was the perfect little getaway before school started back up! And if you’re looking for an excuse to plan a girls’ trip, consider this your sign to book the trip to Fort Worth!