In the past few weeks, I've had several friends make comments about how there's nothing to do in the DFW area or around campus. I honestly take a step back and just stare at them.If you think there's nothing to do around this area, you need to break of your two by two square mile bubble and do some serious exploring. The Fort Worth area and even expanding to the DFW area, there are so many rad things to do. I'll admit, when I first came to TCU, I really didn't know what to expect from the Fort Worth area other than knowing we had the stockyards, but man oh man I was blind. Fort Worth is one of the most dope cities around, you just gotta break out of the bubble and do some exploring and really live a little.
Sure, you can stick to the TCU area and do the same thing weekend after weekend..but here are my suggestions on what you really should be doing this spring:
Recommended for you
1. Museums
Really, I'm not a huge art buff. But I can seriously appreciate a dope museum. I haven't even not enjoyed a good trip to a museum. I'm not saying you've got to go and analyze every piece of art for 20 minutes a pop (unless that's your vibe, then do it by all means), but just hitting up places like the Kimbell Art Museum or the Amon Carter Museum of American Art to see some seriously awesome works of art. Or, my personal favorite, the Modern Art Museum. There's some seriously wack stuff in there and it's easily one of the best museums I've ever been to. It keeps your entertained for hours, even for those non-art fans.
2. Fort Worth Water Gardens
Nope, this isn't the botanical gardens (although you should throw that on your list as well honestly) But if you haven't been to the water gardens, they're seriously dope. It's relaxing, peaceful and a good way to spend a nice spring afternoon with some friends or even a love interest. Don't take these for granted, Fort Worth has put some serious time and effort into providing something so amazing. (check em out at night if you can, they're all lit up)
3. Fort Worth Zoo
I know tons of people that take advantage of this, but I also know a ton that haven't even been. The Fort Worth Zoo is so good that the peeps over in Dallas are driving the 45 minutes over here just to get a taste. Needless to say, it's amazing. It's also easy to overlook when you're looking for something to do. Even if you've been before, why not go see some dope animals again? Bring out your inner child again and enjoy the nice spring weather strolling around before it gets too hot out again.
4. Trinity River Park and Walking Path
Everyone knows the trinity river running trail along the river. It's swoops right past Woodshed so even if you haven't been active and used them, you've at least checked 'em out while nomming down on some dank food. But have you checked out the actual park? Welp, as you go further east on the trail past University, there's a huge park that stretches along side the river and it's worth checking out. Go for a walk along the path and do some exploring around the park areas, you never know what you'll find. Not condoning it, but at one point there's a wooden bridge that the train passes over that is pretty cool climbing up on top of for some pics. But again, I didn't condone you doing that.
5. Sundance Square
This one seems like it's obvious. But really, have you ever just vibed around the Sundance square on a weekend afternoon? It's poppin' with people and there's tons to do within a short walk. They're always playing some tunes or even may have a band jamming out. Within an afternoon I've done everything from grabbed a dank lunch, run through the fountains, visited a funky art gallery or two, caught a comedy club act, snagged a cup of joe at a coffee shop or two, made it into some west Texas based stores and even grabbed some dessert. Don't over look Sundance Square, it's dope and there's an endless list of things to do.
6. Comedy Clubs
Downtown Fort Worth has two of the best comedy clubs around. And who doesn't love a good laugh? Hyena's Comedy Night Club has shows going all night and is ranked as one of the best in the country. Four Day Weekend is well known for strong improv comedy and is right around the corner too. Seriously check these places out, great bang for your buck. You'll laugh so hard you'll be sore the next day, but hey don't be surprised when they start throwing the finger your way and poking fun at the audience too.
7. Fort Worth Nature Center & Reserve
Bet you didn't even know this was a thing. Yep, Fort Worth has set aside a beautiful 3,500+ acres of incredible land just for us to explore. There are over 20 miles in amazing hiking trails to hit up. Honestly one of the coolest places in Texas to check out and honestly not sure if that many people at TCU even know about it.
8. Six Flags Over Texas
Do I even need to say more? Sure it's a pretty penny, but let's put in perspective what your paying for: cruisin' down gravity defying tracks that give you the thrill of a lifetime. Alright, down. If you haven't been yet I don't know what you're doing. It's a great afternoon of fun with a full squad. Hit it up and do some crazy roller coasters.
9. Texas Rangers Baseball Game
It's about that time again. It's just about baseball season. What's better than enjoying some hot dogs and nachos to America's past time. Fort Worth spring weather is just too perfect not to take advantage of this. Hit up a ball game, get some cheap nose bleed seats and move down about 4 sections (honestly it's not that hard to do on a week day). Get out to a game before it gets too hot.
10. Tour a Brewery
This one is aimed towards the 21 and up crowd, but really it's a great way to spend an afternoon. Being in the DFW area, there are handfuls of local breweries that offer up close tours and events each weekend. Martin House (shown above) and Rahr and Sons are two that pop into mind immediately. They have live tunes and friendly crowds on the weekends that bring a large draw from people all over the DFW area.
11. Coyote Drive In Theater
Bring back the classic drive in at Coyote Drive In. It's amazing. They even have a place to grab classic movie style grub and areas to sit if you don't wanna crowd into your car, but really that's not the same experience. It's also located right near downtown and not a far drive at all. Check out the movie times and think twice before you just go to a boring sit in theater and spend a ton of money without even getting a real experience.
12. Paddle Board the Trinity
Honestly this one is pretty self explanatory: paddle board (or really, canoe too) the Trinity River. There are a handful of great companies that provide the rental equipment for you to just chill out on the river and vibe all day.
13. Abandoned Warehouses
I think for legal purposes I have to say I especially am not telling you to do this, just merely saying it's a for sure a thing (and a known one by the police. so be careful..). There's a large plot of land over in the stockyards that may or may not have some holes in the fences to sneak through. Locals have spent time throwing up some graffiti and exploring each of the different crumbling structures within and I gotta say, it looks pretty sweet.
14. Music
I feel like from what everyone talks about when it comes to nightlife, hardly anyone actually hits up a good concert anymore. It bums me out cause there are so many dope venues all over the DFW area with amazing shows (yes, other than Billy Bobs..which isn't a bad option either). Check out Magnolia Motor Lounge, Live Oak Music Lounge, or Panther Island Pavillion in Fort Worth. In the greater Dallas area, I highly reccomend checking into The Kessler (Dallas), Granada Theater (Dallas), Oak Point Ampitheatre (Plano), or The Bomb Factory (Dallas).
15. Festivals
First off: dudes, We're throwing a new festival on TCU's campus called Spring Fest and it's gonna be rad. Look into it for sure. In the DFW area there are countless festivals going down in the next few months. Check these out: Big Texas Beer Fest (April 1-2), Fort Worth Food and Wine Fest (March 31-April 3), Deep Ellum Arts Fest (April 1-3), Colorpalooza-Sidewalk Art Festival (April 9), Savor Dallas (April 7-10), Puppies and Pints Deep - Ellum Brewing (April 9), Main Street Arts Festival Fort Worth (April 14-17), Chocolatefest (April 15-16), Ennis Bluebonnets Trail Fest (April 15-17), Trinity Park Mayfest (April 28-May 1), and Homegrown Music Fest (May 14); just to name a few.
16. Burger Lake
Regardless of it being spring weather and nice-n-all, it's still incredibly hot. The best way to beat the heat is a quick dip in a watering hole. and Burger Lake is perfect for us Fort Worth residents. It's spring fed to keep the water cool, has a handful of slides and activities to do while hanging out by the water.
17. Forever Young Records
Alright, this is for those that can dig collecting vinyl. This record store is ranked one of the best in the entire country and is located just in Grand Prarie. I'll tell you, it's breath taking when you walk in. I've seen nothing like it. Endless CDs, tapes and records galore. And they're cheap. I haven't not found what I'm looking for every time I've been. And always without fail find about two or three albums I wasn't even looking for that I can't decide between.
18. Thrift Shops
I'll admit it, Fort Worth has some pretty lame thrift shops... But that shouldn't kill your vibe. Don't just hit those suckers up for mixers and dress up parties, go check 'em out whenever and see what new digs you can pick up along the way. Go check out some in Dallas too, as much as I hate to admit that Dallas has something better than Fort Worth, I'll give them the thrift shop game.
19. Eno and Chill?
There are countless places around Fort Worth to throw up an eno and chill with some peeps. Know the log cabin museum just off the left of University? ya check out the forest next to em, plenty of spots to post up, throw on some tunes and just hang (literally). Or check out anywhere in Trinity Park. Really the options around FW are limitless if you just look. Sometimes it's just nice to chill out and vibe to some tunes while hanging from a tree with some buddies.
20. Food Truck Parks
There are some rad food truck parks in Fort Worth that always have a dank lineup of food for ya. ClearkFork Food Truck Park always jumps to mind for me cause of its location along the Trinity River and awesome vibe. Fort Worth Food Truck Park (shown above) always has great food and a great atmosphere and is less known by TCU students just because Clearfork is closer (but not by much).
To be entirely honest, I can go on and on about the things to do in Fort Worth. But at the same time, I like to keep some places on the down low and more of a secret for myself. If these suggestions aren't enough to keep ya busy, just ask me if you see me around; maybe I'll give up a few of my spots.
