Fort Worth is often an add-on to a Dallas; even the airport relegates Fort Worth to the second position. While the big D is certainly worthy of a family trip, Fort Worth has so many family friendly attractions, both free and not, that it merits its own trip.

Sundance Square/Downtown Fort Worth Attractions:

Cool off at Fort Worth Water Gardens in downtown Fort Worth, adjacent to the Fort Worth Convention Center and the Omni Fort Worth Hotel. The gardens feature three pools: aerating, quiet and active.

Named for the late oil mogul Sid Richardson, once known as the “bachelor billionaire,” the Sid Richardson Museum showcases his personal collection of the art, with a focus on the works of premier Western artists Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell.

Stockyards National Historic District

Bring your young cowboys & girls to watch the world’s only twice-daily cattle drive. Clad in authentic Western clothing from saddles to chaps, teams of real cowhands drive longhorns through the Stockyards on Exchange Avenue every day at 11:30am and 4 pm.

Don’t just watch – help out! the Fort Worth Herd Cow Camp  is an interactive experience with the equipment used during the cattle drive – for kids AND adults.

Held every Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Cultural District

The Kimbell Art Museum offers free admission to its permanent collection daily. See Michelangelo’s first painting, The Torment of Saint Anthony: the only Michelangelo on display in the United States.

See over 40,000 photographs, plus sculptures, illustrated books and paintings at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art.