Fort Worth, Texas

Holden recently celebrated her 11th birthday and in lieu of a party or gifts (whoo hoo!) she asked to go on a girls trip. #girlaftermyownheart  It was a no brainer when I asked her where she wanted to go.  We were in Fort Worth last year for the baseball Super Regionals and even though we didn't spend a long time there, she has always asked to go back.   So, we grabbed Carly and Shelly and hit the road!

Holden wanted everything to be a surprise so I got to have a little fun planning the trip!
I LOVE to make trip itineraries.  Why?  Because nothing is worse than returning from a destination only to realize you missed out on lots of things you should have seen and done!  Today I want to share with you 8 unique ways to see Fort Worth in all its glory!

Our first stop on our trip was the Fort Worth Zoo which just so happens to be the oldest zoo in Texas!  Over the years, it has grown into one of the top zoos in the nation and is home to more than 7,000 animals.  I've been to a lot of zoos and this one is top notch!  

Our favorite part of the zoo was getting up close and personal with baby Augustus or "Gus".  He's the newest member of the western lowland gorillas they have there and he's absolutely precious!  We watched as his sweet mama carried him around, spread a blanket to lay him on, then laid beside him as he slept.  Seriously, the most precious thing ever!

If you're in Fort Worth, definitely GO WILD at the Fort Worth Zoo!

Anytime we visit a new city, I always like to look into any local attractions that we don't want to miss.  Fort Worth definitely has more than we could see in one trip!  We stayed downtown at the Omni Hotel and were pleasantly surprised to find that the Water Gardens were located right across the street!  These "gardens" are made up of three separate and very different water features.  They were fun to visit during the day and at night!

I will say that I was bummed upon our return when I found out we could have stopped by to see this house!  The girls would have gotten a kick out of it for sure!

On our second morning in Fort Worth, we got up early and headed to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.  And not to be outdone by the zoo, these gardens are also the oldest botanic gardens in Texas!  #fortworthisold #andawesome  I wasn't sure if the girls would like it or not but they loved walking around the grounds and admiring the beauty.  

 While I was looking up information on the Botanic Garden, I saw where they were hosting a butterfly exhibit!  I was geeked out excited!  I just KNEW the girls would love it!  Little did I know that Shelly and I would enjoy this a little bit more than they did! ;)

Can you just hear, "mmmoooommm, we're ready to go!"

Right up until...

Once they were able to hold a butterfly, they were back on board!

Butterflies don't have a long life span but it was fun watching these girls appreciate all of their beauty!

Sadly, the butterfly exhibit at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden has ended but if you are ever near a butterfly event, I would highly recommend going!

Anyone that travels with me knows that food isn't really a deal breaker for me.  Heck, the only thing Holden wanted to eat the entire time we were in Fort Worth was Whataburger! But, we did manage to eat at some fun local restaurants.  Sadly, I only have pics from one place but I'll link to a couple more!

In the market for a great burger (that's not Whataburger)?  Definitely try out Rodeo Goat! No worries, they were beef burgers, not goat meat - or at least that's what we think they were! ;)  

We dined in cattle pens - I kid you not!  I also thought this sign was hilarious!

We also ate at Joe T. Garcia's #wheninRome and I'm positive I didn't take any pics because I was too busy shoveling in chips and salsa with one hand and holding my margarita with the other!  

NOTE - they only take cash so travel prepared!

And, we also had brunch at The Bottom on Sunday before we went to the TCU baseball game.  Breakfast tacos and mimosas?  Yes, please!

Since Holden is our artist in training, I knew we had to fit in a visit to at least one art museum while we were in town.  We decided to visit the Kimbell Art Museum.  Holden's favorite artist is Monet and sadly there was only one art piece on display but we did find out about an upcoming exhibit which will feature approximately 60 paintings from the first phase of his career.  Looks like we'll make a return trip to Fort Worth soon!

 It amazed me how interested the girls were in looking at the art.  Shelly and I?  Not so much! #youcan'ttakeusanywhere

I love this picture of Holden studying this masterpiece.  She loses herself in these paintings!

 But then is quick to give me this look when she doesn't understand what the artist was going for!

Holden used some birthday money from her Nana and purchased a couple of books on Monet.  Girls getaways can also be educational! ;)

We went straight from the art museum to the stockyards.  Twice a day, each and every day, they hold a cattle drive down Exchange Avenue.  Every detail of the cattle drive - from the saddles and chaps to the boots and hats - is authentic and historically true. (source)

I gave the girls little challenges from time to time.  Their challenge at the stockyards was to get their picture made with a real cowboy.  Shelly and I couldn't stop laughing  - we had NO idea he was going to brandish a gun for the picture!

My Aggie girl at heart!  She just couldn't understand WHY we would want to see longhorns!

 The stockyards were going green for St. Patrick's Day when we were there and Shelly and I might or might not have raced armadillos! 

There's so much to see and do around the stockyards.  This is definitely a place I would like to visit again!

For our Saturday night entertainment, we decided to go old school and take the girls to a drive-in movie.  We've had this on our summer bucket list for the last three years so it was fun to finally go to one!  The Coyote Drive-In is located right outside of downtown and depending which screen you're watching, the backdrop could be the skyline at sunset!

 The girls snacked on popcorn while Shelly and I shared a yummy frito pie!

 Tickets were only $6 for adults and $5 for kiddos.  While it was a little chilly the night we were there, this is definitely something to add to your trip if you are in town during the warmer months!

For the last three years, Shelly's son, Riley, has played baseball for the TCU Horned Frogs. Holden loves watching baseball so when I asked her if she wanted to go see a game, her answer was "YES!"  Granted, it wasn't the same without Riley on the mound but it was fun sitting in the stands, with the sun on your face, and hearing the crack of the bat.  When in Fort Worth, definitely go see the Horned Frogs play!

 Holden caught this t-shirt and it was PERFECT for her!  We had heard no less than 2,847 times that day that "today's my birthday!" #she'sabigdill

 After Sunday games, kids can run the bases and get autographs from the players.  Holden loved getting one of the player's pink TCU wristbands!

Holden's birthday trip to Fort Worth was all she hoped for and more.  It was so fun watching her and Carly soak up every bit of fun they could find!

Have you been to Fort Worth?  What are some of your favorite things to do?  We'll definitely go back and I need a few more places to add to our itinerary!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Gig 'em and God bless! 

Holly

I would love to have you link up at the Waiting on...Wednesday link-up - a place where you can link up what you are waiting on, going through, making, anything - as long as it's family-friendly!  :)

check out my FAVORITE link-ups page to see where else I'm linking up today!