Spring Break was a few weeks ago and, while we don’t take a big trip, we do like to
unplug for a few days and have some good old-fashioned family time. When we
want to go somewhere close that’s sure to please everyone, we head west for the
short drive to Ft.
Worth.
If Dallas is a slick cosmopolitan city, then Ft. Worth is
her laidback and fun country cousin. It didn’t get the nickname
“Cowtown” for nothing! Our first stop is always the Stockyards, just
north of downtown.
This is where cowboys on horseback saunter about, sharing
brick roads with oversized pick-up trucks.
I spotted this cowgirl on her all-too-happy-to-pose pony,
Bluebell.
Twice a day, the cowboys host a cattle drive, right down the
middle of the road! It’s not often I’m eye-to-eye with a
longhorn!
Ft. Worth was established in 1849, so there are plenty of
spots for photo-ops!
Next stop was the Museum of Science & History, where
we had so much fun with all the interactive exhibits I forgot to take pictures!
I did manage this one of the kids experiencing hurricane-force winds up to 80
mph. My favorite part was watching the other moms try to preserve their
hair-dos while taking a turn in the booth. Give it up,
sister!
And what’s the best part of visiting a new city? Trying new
food and restaurants, of course! There is no shortage of great places to eat,
but we always stop at our favorites, and Ft. Worth institutions, Joe T. Garcias
and Angelos BBQ. There is no better, colder and cheaper beer than at Angelos
… and wow does it go down fast! A new favorite burger spot is the Love Shack,
wedged in the opening between two buildings. I went to high school with the
owner, celebrity chef Tim Love, so it’s exciting to see his
success.
Ft. Worth has managed to retain much of its open land, and
you’ll find parks, trails and scenes like this all over the
city.
Directly
in the heart of downtown, and spread over four acres, are the Water Gardens,
made up of three pools, the most popular of which being the one you can walk to
the bottom of, about 40 feet down. From here, all you hear is the sound of
rushing water.
The
meditation pool is quite the opposite, and a very quiet and peaceful
spot.
The main
reason Ft. Worth has my heart is because it’s home to my alma-mater, Texas
Christian University! Big 12, baby! We strolled the beautiful campus and
stopped to rub The Frog’s nose for good luck.
Did you
know that there are only two places in the country that print money, and Ft.
Worth is one of them? (Washington DC is the other.) You can
tour the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and watch them print money …
for free! The security is tight (I can see why,
last year they printed $139 billion here!), so I
only got this one picture.
 |
|
Yep, that’s barbed wire on the
fence! |
But
no matter where we go, my favorite part of these trips is the opportunity to
leave all the distractions behind and have time together. I’m even gifted with
a few sweet moments between brother and sister.
It was a great long weekend, and we’ll definitely be back to
this unique city! So tell me, has Ft. Worth ever
crossed your mind?
Fun!!! The pony she was riding seriously looks like it's smiling! Well I was going to say I'd love to go back to Dallas, but after seeing your post I'd have to check out Fort Worth. Fo shizzle.
We were JUST talking about taking a trip to Dallas this summer!
I love Fort Worth. I just wish it was closer to McKinney so the drive wouldn't be so long. :b
Looks like great fun! I would just love to visit Texas, period! It seems like such a unique place – and for a midwestern girl like me, very different. I could eat tex-mex all day long 😉
That looks like a fun trip!! I've never been to TX but feel like I need to do a visit sometime.
shanahattis at gmail dot com
Tweeted giveaway:
https://twitter.com/#!/shertz1981/status/199488839448924160
shanahattis at gmail dot com
Hey Cassie, I loved reading this post as it a brought back great memories of the time I spent in ft worth. I too am a TCU alum. The campus sure has changed. The buildings are incredible! Go frogs!
It looks like a great trip! I've never spent any time in Texas, but it seems like it would be such a fun place. 🙂
I'd love to visit Austin. I've heard good things.
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
tweet:
https://twitter.com/#!/mami2jcn/status/199493039671087105
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
I've only been to Texas once but the 2 things that stick in my mind are the Riverwalk in San Antonio and some great outlets but I can't remember where they were! I would love to bring my family to San Antonio or Austin to sample some of the delicious food!
What a great trip!! I'd love to go to Austin:) I've been to Dallas but would love to see more of Texas sometime.
We are moving to Ft. Worth in 3 weeks from Seattle, WA – my sister has lived there for 20 years so we've done a lot of the touristy things you showed in your post. How about Houston??? We want to see the Kennedy Space Center 🙂
I wish I can visit Austin some day.
I twitted
https://twitter.com/#!/DealWiseMommy/status/199494576631857152
We were just talk about a Texas get-away. We LOVE Ft. Worth so would probably go back there, but I haven't tried those places yet, and would love some cheap beer from Angelos. Love Shack we have been to and love it as well. Ft. Worth is an awesome town.
IDK why it says unknown but its Christina 🙂
Love me some Texas!!! Hard to decide but I think I'll pick Houston!
Great Post!
Fort Worth, Texas follower!
I wanna see South Fork! I grew up watching Dallas! 🙂
I'd love to visit Dallas.
I've never been to Texas and have always wanted to visit Austin.
Your Spring Break trip looks amazing. The pics of your kids together are just too sweet!!! Alos, love that you are promoting Texas with this awesome giveaway. I think everyone needs to visit. 🙂 I've lived here my whole life, but I've only been to Fredericksburg once for a girl's trip last year, and I'm wanting to go back with my husband. The shopping, wineries, breweries and the overall atmosphere is so relaxing and fun.
I have been to Dallas, but it was a long time ago, so I would love to go back there or go to Austin!
I would love to visit Dallas so I can see my best friend!!
I've always heard San Antonio is a great spot, or Austin to visit a blogging friend! 🙂
I just got back from a Ladies weekend in San Antonio…but now that I see all the great things to do in Ft. Worth..I think Id like to go there!! Best of luck to everyone!
I could love to go to Ft. Worth. I'm from WI but have always wanted to check out Texas and the beautiful county…and the cowboys! 🙂
[email protected]
Great giveaway – I want to go back to San Antonio! Such a neat place to visit. Fort Worth looked fun, too.
San Antonio! We want to go house hunting and visit Schletterbaun again. 🙂
I would absolutely love to visit san antonio or dallas, I've never been that far west from georgia!
I'd love to check out Austin!
That looks like a total *blast*! It's always great to visit places that aren't super far away! Love the tuckered out kiddos pic (c: And there are a *TON* of places I would love to visit in TX…Dallas, Austin, Ft worth, Corpus Christi…or I could go visit my sister-in-law in Waco…NAH, that doesn't sound as fun…(c; Don't tell her that… (c:
And of course I tweeted about your fab giveaway (c:
I haven't been to Texas since I was a teen! I would love to visit again and bring my husband along since he has never been there. There is nothing like southern hospitality! Ft. Worth? Dallas? Amarillo? (Horse riders will know why!)
[email protected]
Never been to Texas – I would love to visit Dallas!
You pretty much sold me on Fort Worth! Those water gardens look amazing… throw in a cute cowboy, and I'm sold! 😉
Jen McCluskey
[email protected]
I would love to visit Austin – I have heard it is a lovely city!
I actually am visiting Houston over Memorial Day weekend- Can't wait! Your trip to Fort Worth looks amazing! Thanks for the giveaway!
i would like to visit austin to see all the parks
vanitizebaby at yahoo dot com
tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/MeandBells/status/199556873270214657
vanitizebaby at yahoo dot com
I have never been to Texas before but I would love to go!! I think Dallas would be a great place to visit!!!
I'd love to go to Dallas!
My parents are currently visiting San Antonio – I've never been and would love to check it out!
Thanks!
I would love to visit Austin & now Ft worth!
[email protected]
I love this post! Im born and raised Fort Worth, and I love it when I see other people coming here for a get-away! It also reminds me of the things I shouldnt take advantage of!
My husband and I LOVE love LOVE Joe T's! we go there probably every other weekend… had our Wedding Rehearsal Dinner there too! =)
My husband goes to San Antonio on business all the time and he's always talking about how great it is, so I really want to go there!
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/#!/aadomestication/status/199569092548624385
I'd love to go to Dallas to visit family and hang out for the week!
family74014 at gmail dot com
Looks like a fun trip, Cass! I'd love to visit Austin sometime soon….
I'd like to visit Houston.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/#!/tcarolinep/status/199576084155613187
I live in west Ft. Worth. I've love to go to Galveston with the gift card.
Since befriending one of my coworkers, I've wanted to go to Austin, where she went to college. It sounds like a great city.
I have wanted to visit there, yes!
soluckyducky at gmail dot com
I live in Indianapolis and my best friend lives in Houston and we love seeing each other! We have a great time eating out, shopping, going to movies, and seeing the sights.
I've lived in Dallas for almost two years now, and I've only visited Fort Worth once! I did make it to Joe T. Garcia's however, and it was amaaazing. I'd love to go back and check out some of the other sites!
I would want to visit friends in Austin!
Twitter entry
Enter to win $100 Visa gift card from Hi Sugarplum! http://ow.ly/1LQ5OGÂ
The only city I've been to so far is Dallas, so I guess I'd like to visit anywhere else! Maybe Ft. Worth because it sounds like a lot of fun!
Such a fun trip! I have only been to Texas twice, but would LOVE to go back… I love Austin!
Dallas! My brother lived there for a couple of years and loved it!
South Padre Island or San Antonio.
Amazing giveaway! Who doesn't LOVE to travel? I've never been to Texas but I'd LOVE to go!
Your kids are so cute Cass, love the picture of them sleeping. I want to visit you in Galveston!
I would love to visit San Antonio
[email protected]
https://twitter.com/#!/ElenaIstomina/status/199685343690231809
[email protected]
Oh I love TX! The Dallas/Ft. Worth area is a favorite. I've always wanted to go to San Antonio!
I would love to go back to Dallas again! I loved it there!
[email protected]
I tweeted this giveaway:
https://twitter.com/#!/BNTVosburgh/status/199699834431746049
[email protected]
I would love to visit Austin or San Antonio! Though Fort Worth sounds quite nice as well 🙂
I would to visit Austin. I heard it has a great music scene and I have some friends there I have not seen since college.
C_kaminsky(at)yahoo(dot)com
I've heard Austin is fun.
Last summer we took our boys to San Antonio and Austin. I also did Carry Along Collin with the boys last year – you should check it out for yours. Fun day camps and places to visit that I would never have known about. This summer we're looking at Fort Worth. It's been years since hubby and I've been and I know the boys would have so much fun!
historyteacher(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi! My daughter loves Kari Jobe and I think she is in the Dallas area at Gateway church. I'd love to take my daughter there and also see all the sights.
I've never been to Texas, but it looks like a fun place to visit. 🙂 Great giveaway too!
-Hope
http://www.aflatteringtale.com
Since I'm a land-locked Illinois girl and have never stepped foot in the great state of Texas, I'd be happy going anywhere! I've heard San Antonio is beautiful!!
Hi Sugarplum!
I love your blog!.. great pictures!
The city I would most like to visit would be Dallas. They say everything is BIG in Texas, so Dallas is my pic. Maybe I could find me a big cowboy, too! Heaawww! LOL …. Olga
I would most definitely be visiting Austin! My daughter and husband live, work and love Austin and UT!
[email protected]
Looks like you had a fabulous time! I have always wanted to visit artsy and creative Austin!
[email protected]
I've always wanted to visit Dallas. I'm not really sure why, it just seems to "Texas" to me but still touristy
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
Would love to go to the Alamo:)
ft. worth looks fun! but also, maybe dallas to visit a friend..
Love to visit Ft. Worth or San Antonio! But also have seen some amazing photos of the countryside of Texas, so may like to get in a car and drive!
I would like to visit San Antonio. I have heard that the River Walk is beautiful and the food is great. I'd like to find out for myself.
I would be happy to visit any part of Texas! I live in Ohio & have been south & east, but never out west.
We recently moved to DFW! We definitely need to check out the stockyards and the zoo!
tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/SweepsMama/status/200020811313192960
My sister lives in Texas and it has been 8 years since we've been to her house in Temple! Would to make this happen!
I've never been to Ft. Worth before, I may have to go check it out! Glad you're back and your trip looked fantastic!
I have never been to Texas. Would love to go to Dallas or Houston.
https://twitter.com/#!/thepryfamily2/status/200269195856982016
[email protected]
i want to visit San Antonio
[email protected]
dying to go to ACL!
[email protected]
Really, really want to go to Austin 🙂
dmarie824 at aol dot com
Tweeted!
https://twitter.com/#!/dmarie824/status/200342008118784002
dmarie824 at aol dot com
i want to visit san antonio! Thanks for a super giveaway!
My email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com
Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/anashct3/status/200405852581150720
Thanks for the chance to win!
email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com
We actually went to the stockyards in March. Had a great time. I wish I knew about the water gardens. I guess we need to go back.
Kristi dot peshke at gmail dot com
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/SecretsofKristi/status/200411464236929024
kristi dot peshke at gmail dot com
id like to go to san antonio! scg00387 at yahoo dot com
https://twitter.com/#!/DesMoinesDealin/status/200412217127079936 scg00387 at yahoo dot com
Excited to be heading to San Angelo, Tx this summer! =)
Another fun Tim Love restaurant in Fort Worth is the Woodshed Smokehouse. It's located right on the Trinity River and Trinity trail, a multipurpose trail. They even have bike racks for your bike if you are riding on the trail!
I would love to visit Austin for amazing food, great music and a great time!
pokergrl8 at gmail.com
https://twitter.com/#!/aes529/status/201001627946201089
pokergrl8 at gmail.com
I'd like to visit Houston. It sounds really nice, and a friend moved out there.
chainmail (at)iwon (dot) com
I tweeted this
https://twitter.com/#!/The_Sunshyn/status/201036559208812545
chainmail (at)iwon (dot) com
I live in Fort Worth, and never seen that little river you posted a picture of with the stones! Where in the world was that?!?!
P.S. I'd loveeee to win the giftcard 🙂
I'd like to visit my friend who lives near Fort Worth.
WOULD LOVE TO VISIT THE "Austin Zoo And Animal Sanctuary"! I LOVE ZOOS!
[email protected]
2ND ENTRY TWEET https://twitter.com/#!/kytah00/status/201493083022565378
Austin has been on my short list for a while now.
Here's my tweet:
https://twitter.com/#!/eileenmarieO/status/201684669861871616
I'd love to visit Austin
[email protected]
https://twitter.com/#!/HappyTina0115/status/202039990480408578
[email protected]
I visited Texas for the first time last year for a friend's wedding. We were in Houston and I loved it! But I think for my next trip, I'd like to visit San Antonio. I've heard that the river walk down there is beautiful!
i'd love to go to dallas
karinaroselee at gmail dot com
tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/karinaroselee/status/202092361524846592
karinaroselee at gmail dot com
I would like to go to the beach! My husband is from Corpus Christi and I've never been there.
[email protected]
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/chambanachik/status/202096970792316929
[email protected]
im planning on seeing family out there soon
[email protected]
https://twitter.com/#!/akronugurl/status/202109655693000705
[email protected]
i'd like visiting San Antonio
debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com
i tweeted here:
https://twitter.com/#!/bellows22/status/202231606751150080
debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com
I've always wanted to visit San Antonio!
South Padre Island, here I come!
I would love to visit San Antonio! I
Thanks for a chance to win and have a great day!
kmassmanATgmailDOTcom
I'd like to visit the San Antonio River Walk.
nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net
tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/KerryBishop/status/203280123930226689
nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net
One of my good friends lives in Austin so I'm hoping to visit soon. I've never been to TX!
Looks like fun! I would love to visit anywhere in Texas but Midland…I have been there and it definitely didn't look like anything in your poictures!
Would love to go back to Austin and San Antonio.
wolverina401 at gmail dot com
I'd like to tour the Hill Country
Tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/BBirdie2/status/203971245992181760
Austin, of course. I've heard great things about it, and it supposedly has the most bloggers per capita of any other US city.
South Padre Island, i didn't even realize texas had any islands until i saw it online
[email protected]
Would love to visit my best friend from high school for a girls weekend in austin. Plus I need a new pair of cowboy boots!
I'm a Dallas girl… been to Ft. Worth many times! Love it so much!!
Looks like a rootin' tootin' good time was had by all! Personally, I'd love to visit Austin sometime. I'm dying to visit that Whole Foods store there!
I've always wanted to visit Austin. I hear it's a fun, funky city.
I've never been to Texas but one of my college roommates is from Houston. It would be fun to go visit her!
Corpus Christi
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/204786220595806208
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I would love to visit Dallas, where a couple of my cousins live! Thanks for the chance to win!
gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com
tweet-https://twitter.com/#!/CrazyItalian0/status/204957130837594112
gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com
I want to visit fort worth, I want to see the water garden, botanical garden, and the zoo. Thanks for the giveaway.
songyueyu at gmail
tweet: https://twitter.com/syytta/status/205572797324472320
songyueyu at gmail
My son did his State project on Texas this year and desperately wants to go to San Antonio to visit the Alamo!
I would like to go to Big Bend and go hiking.
yerry https://twitter.com/annedoggett/status/205829261540597763
I would like to visit Houston the biggest city in Texas and visit the 1940 Air Terminal Museum as well as the Bayou Bend Collection of the Fine Arts: 28-room Latin Colonial Structure.
ctong2[at]gmail[dot]com
I tweeted about this giveaway: https://twitter.com/ctong2/status/206309354843017217
ctong2[at]gmail[dot]com
I also went to college in TX (Sic 'Em, Bears!) and would love to get back for a visit. I did a lot of Austin exploring during college, but I never quite got my fill of Fredericksberg so that's where I would like to visit.
my tweet: https://twitter.com/thismomwins2/status/206476515981017088
[email protected]
I'd love to visit Austin!
deeg131 at gmail dot com
tweeted 🙂 http://twitter.com/DeeGee13/status/206837739855945729
deeg131 at gmail dot com
I've always wanted to visit Texas Hill country but I think I'd find something to love in just about any part of Texas.
willitara [at] gmail [dot] com
The Alamo for sure. My husband is a history-buff and has said for years we have to visit. I'd love to see all the artifacts people have found.
shel704 at aol dot com
https://twitter.com/auntiethesis/status/207360868055392256
shel704 at aol dot com
In looking at google earth maps, the name Chocolate Bay really sticks out. Its surrounded by nature and not much else. Would love to take a boat tour of that area!
Angie
14earth at gmail dot com
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/207486026342604800
Angie
14earth at gmail dot com
My family is moving to Dallas this July and I can't wait to explore all of it, and her cousin, Ft. Worth. Thanks for all the tips!
I would like to visit Houston. My niece lives there so it's a good place to start.
MCantu1019 at aol dot com
I'd like to visit the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Anahuac, TX
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I want to visit the Alamo! sweepmorey at gmail dot com
tweeted https://twitter.com/mommysdizzy/status/208359088130752512
I would love to visit the Dallas Fort Worth area and check out a Cowboys game!
jfong1130 at yahoo dot com
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/jfong1130/status/208403579164295168
jfong1130 at yahoo dot com
I love the beach so would love to visit Galveston.
mybeachylife at gmail dot com
Aw, that Bluebell pony is a sweetie! I think one of the places I'd like to visit in Texas would be Ft. Worth. I'd like to visit some of their parks, especially places where you can see vast amounts of land. 🙂 Plus, now that you mentioned it, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing would be pretty cool to visit.
[email protected]
Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/Pixel_Berry_Pie/status/208657920697696256
[email protected]
I’d like to visit Austin, Texas to attend the SXSW festival.
runningmatey at hotmail dot com
https://twitter.com/LuckyDuckyToo/status/208670349171240961
runningmatey at hotmail dot com
You should visit Tim Love's new restaurant, The Woodshed! I love it – it's slightly more upscale than Love Shack, but not as fancy as Lonesome Dove (I've eaten at all 3).
It sounds like you had a fun weekend!
Ft. Worth and Austin have always seemed like cool places to visit, plus I know some bloggers there so I really SHOULD plan a trip soon! 🙂
Samanthajocampen at gmail
Just saw this post today. I am a native Texan and yet I've spent very little time in the DFW area. In fact, this past July was my first true visit to Ft. Worth. We plan to go back to the area more often because there is too much to do and see. Great post! 🙂