I love this kind of weekend! A little Texas history, a little food tour, a little walking it off, and a lot of memory making.
A Fun-Filled Texas Weekend: Fort Worth to Dallas
Sometimes you just need a quick weekend getaway that’s close enough to drive but full enough to feel like a real adventure. This one checks all the boxes! Longhorns, good food, a little history, walking trails, and even a Buc-ee’s stop to top it off.
Here’s how the weekend unfolds.
Friday: Fort Worth & Longhorns
Arrive in Fort Worth and head downtown in time to catch the cattle drive. The longhorn cattle drive begins at 4:00 p.m., and watching those massive horns stroll through the streets is such a uniquely Texas experience. It feels like stepping back in time right in the middle of the city.
After the cattle drive, walk around the shops and enjoy the Stockyards atmosphere before heading to dinner at Joe T. Garcia’s. The patio, the energy, and the Mexican food. I hadn’t ever eaten at Joe T. Garcia’s, and it was such a fun and pleasant experience! The authentic-looking decor on the inside is what I imagine to be the original restaurant. I think I saw a sign that said it was established in 1932, but I could be wrong. They serve all their food family style. That night, we had a choice between fajitas or enchiladas. I am not sure if they change the menu up or not, but we chose an entrée of each so we could try them both. Nacho chips were brought out, the enchiladas came with tacos, and then the main entrée. We left so full and enjoyed every bit of the food! Very authentic, and the service was great! We would go again and take friends next time as well!
Stay the night at Omni Fort Worth Hotel, which makes everything convenient and comfortable. It was Valentine’s weekend, and they had a photo backdrop for pictures, which was fun! They are always so friendly at the Omni. I love the complimentary robes in the closet they provide, and there are always drink and food options with restaurants or Starbucks, plus the location is incredible.
Saturday: Dallas Markets, History & BBQ
Start the morning with coffee at Starbucks inside the Omni before heading toward Dallas.
First stop: Dallas Farmers Market (123 Taylor St, Dallas, TX 75201). It’s the perfect place to walk around, shop, and sample breakfast from local vendors. There’s always something fun to try, and it’s a relaxed way to ease into the day. We bought salsa, corn on the cob, and some hot honey. Our friends bought cookies, soup starters, sourdough bread, and jelly. We left with enough to have an entire meal.
Next, head to The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza and walk over to John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza (646 Main St, Dallas, TX 75202). The memorial, located just one block from Dealey Plaza, symbolizes the freedom of President Kennedy’s spirit. It’s powerful, reflective, and worth taking the time to experience. It probably took us a full hour, if not longer, to go through the museum. It is so interesting reading all the information and even coming up with our own conspiracy theories. It gave us something to talk about for the rest of the day, for sure!
From there, hop on the McKinney Avenue Trolley. These vintage trolleys are free to ride and take you on a loop through Uptown and back into the downtown Arts District. It’s an easy and charming way to see more of the city without fighting traffic.
Continue the history theme with a visit to the George W. Bush Presidential Center (2943 SMU Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75205). The museum offers interactive exhibits and a look into presidential history that’s both educational and engaging. Since we already had presidents on our minds, it kept with the theme.
By late afternoon, it’s time for early dinner at Terry Black’s Barbecue. Texas barbecue done right is always worth it. It is fun to see the pits and interact with the pit boss. He was very friendly and answered all our questions. The pork ribs were my favorite. We liked it so much we bought a Terry Black’s Barbecue hat and some BBQ rub from the merch department.
After dinner, walk across the Ronald Kirk Bridge, a pedestrian bridge with skyline views that are especially pretty near sunset.
For the night, drive over to Omni Las Colinas Hotel. The area around Lake Carolyn is beautiful and peaceful. Walk the three mile track around the lake, ride a gondola, or relax in the pool and hot tub. It’s the perfect way to wind down after a full day. And then again, enjoy the complimentary robe. They have an incredible restaurant right at the entrance of the hotel but sunk down, which makes it seem really ritzy. They also have a coffee shop and some souvenirs that can be bought.
Sunday: Church & The Classic Texas Stop
Sunday morning could include attending church with Collier and Kali at Prestoncrest Church of Christ, followed by lunch together before heading home.
We ate lunch at Haywire back in downtown. It was good but not great. We tried a few different things, and it was all good, but it wasn’t great. I probably wouldn’t repeat that stop, but it was fine. It’s a beautiful restaurant, and the staff and service were good. I just wasn’t impressed with the food.
And of course, no Texas road trip feels complete without a stop at Buc-ee’s on the way back. Snacks, clean restrooms, and that one thing you didn’t know you needed until you saw it — it’s the perfect last stop before pulling into your driveway.
This kind of weekend is the perfect mix: history, food, walking, relaxing, and time together. Close enough to do in just a couple of days, but full enough to feel like you really went somewhere.
And honestly? That’s my favorite kind of getaway.
