Planning Your Fort Worth National Meeting Trip
By Robin Younk, Billie Renfroe Chapter Treasurer
As the Treasurer for the Billie Renfro Chapter of the AFSFA, I would like to welcome y’all to COWTOWN and the 39th Air Force Security Forces Association Annual Meeting in Fort Worth, Texas!
I am so pleased to be able to share with you some great sites that all visitors to the city must see along with area shopping, museums, and a few extras! Fort Worth won my heart in the late 90’s and I have called the area home for 22 years now. Fort Worth isn’t huge but getting around to the great places will take 20- 30 minutes most drives. We all know August is our hottest month so start hydrating now for the fun ahead, we are all cops so you know the program!
#1 The first must see and at the top of the list is the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards. Fort Worth is where the West begins. Western heritage embodies the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District. Go enjoy the original brick walkways, the wooden corrals, take a picture on a longhorn, have a drink at one of the many saloons, grab some BBQ or a great steak, shop for your western attire, or just buy a great souvenir at the many shops. Don’t miss the cattle drive with the Fort Worth Herd twice daily, right down the center of the street at 11:30am and 4:00pm!
If you have time, take in a rodeo at the Cowtown Coliseum with Stockyards Championship Rodeo. The show features bull riding, tie down roping, team roping, barrel racing, bronc riding and break away roping. Plus calf and mutton scrambles for the kids! Weekly show times are Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30PM. 121 E. Exchange Ave. | Fort Worth, Texas 76164. (817) 625-1025
A new favorite to the Stockyards is the John Wayne: An American Experience Museum! It features over 400 pieces of personal and professional memorabilia, the exhibit will take you through John Wayne's life and how he achieved the ultimate American dream through hard work and determination.
Around the corner is another must for visitors. BILLY BOB’S TEXAS! The world’s largest honkey tonk and an experience like non other. The Gatlin Brothers were the first to perform and many greats have followed suite. Go see the artists autographs and hand prints on the Wall of Fame, a tradition for more than two decades. Clint Black, Kid Rock, Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Ringo Starr, and many more are some of the few that have honored the stage.
#2 My second favorite is Sundance Square, right in the heart of the city. It is a beautiful area for an evening out enjoying music or a multitude of restaurants sure to meet your taste buds desires. You can catch a comedy show at Four Day Weekend or sing along at Pete’s Piano Bar if you are looking for some evening entertainment. If you have time and love theater Bass Hall is a beautiful venue to attend a show.
#3 The museums! Not far from the city center near Will Rogers Auditorium and Dickies Arena you will find the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, Kimbell Art Museum, The Amon Carter Museum, and the Fort Worth Science and History Museum. All great choices for a day trip. There are also the Vintage Flying Museum, Aviation Museum, and Texas Civil War Museum in the metro plex area.
#4 The Fort Worth Botanic Gardens is another beautiful treasure to take a stroll and relax. You may also want to visit the Japanese Gardens as part of your day. Located at 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas 76107. (817) 463-4160. The Spring/Summer Schedule starts March 1 – September 30. It is open 7 days a week 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. The last entry/ticket sold is at 5 p.m.
#5 Down the street a bit is the awesome Fort Worth Zoo with a train that can take you into the Texas Wild! They have done some great renovations here.
#6 If shopping is on your list, right around the corner from our hotel you can visit the Tanger Outlets or drive a bit south to Alliance Town Center, both of these are outdoor shopping areas but offer a plethora of shops and places to grab a bite to eat. Further into Fort Worth are the Shops at Clearfork with an upscale shopping experience, great restaurants, it sits close to Trinity Trail and a just a jump to nearby Hulen Mall.
#7 If you are looking for outdoor things to do or visit we have many lakes and parks as well. Trinty Trail Main Trail Head and Park is an area favorite for exercise and family walks. It is located at 2700 Trinity Park Dr. Fort Worth Tx 76107. Some of the lakes in the DFW Metroplex are Benbrook Lake, Joe Pool Lake, Lake Worth, and Eagle Mountain Lake to name a few.
#8 Cabella’s and Bass Pro both have locations in the DFW area. Cabella’s sits relatively close to the hotel just a 10 minute drive away. On the same property sits a nice cigar shop that I am sure some would enjoy to visit.
