Stockyards

The Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District serves as the undisputed epicenter of 'Cowtown' identity. This is not a polished museum exhibit, but a living, breathing testament to the beef industry that built the city. Twice-daily cattle drives send Longhorns down East Exchange Avenue, their hooves clattering on original brick pavers while tourists watch from the sidelines. The character of the neighborhood is defined by a tension between historic preservation and high-end redevelopment. While the luxury Hyatt Place and sleek Mule Alley shops signal a new era of upscale Western tourism, the authentic scent of manure and the sawdust-covered floors of century-old saloons keep the area grounded. It is a place where professional rodeo athletes and genuine ranch hands brush shoulders with weekend warriors in brand-new Stetson hats. Despite the influx of souvenir shops, the Stockyards maintains a gritty, unpretentious energy that separates Fort Worth from the sleek glass towers of high-fashion Dallas.