Fort Worth Stockyards: A Day Trip from East Dallas

From downtown Dallas, take the Trinity Railway Express to Fort Worth Central Station, then transfer to Trinity Metro’s Orange Line northbound for the Stockyards. For the Dallas portion of your trip, the guide to getting around Dallas by DART and bus can help you plan how to reach the TRE.

Get off the Orange Line at North Main Street and Exchange Avenue for the Stockyards, or at North Main Street and 26th Street to be closer to Billy Bob’s Texas. TEXRail passengers can transfer at North Side Station, at 2829 Decatur Avenue, to the Orange Line.

A Trinity Metro local day pass costs $4 for travel within Tarrant County; a regional day pass costs $12 for travel from Dallas County. The rail-to-bus transfer is included.

The Orange Line connects downtown Fort Worth with the Stockyards and runs from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. the next day, seven days a week; holiday hours can vary. DART’s TRE schedules are published separately for weekdays and weekends, and service may vary on holidays.

Transit fares and schedules can change. Check the official Stockyards and Trinity Metro sites before you go.

The Stockyards’ historic streets and buildings give you a starting point for exploring the district on foot. The area brings together more than 20 attractions, along with 54 shops and 46 bars and restaurants, according to the Stockyards.

Stockyards Station is one place to browse, with stores open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The district itself is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but individual businesses set their own hours, so plan around the places you want to visit.

For a simple day plan, start with the cattle drive if its timing works for you, then spend time on East Exchange Avenue and browse the district’s shops. Most Stockyards restaurants open at 11:30 a.m.; check individual restaurants for their hours. Most bars stay open until 2 a.m. on weekends, though hours vary by venue.

The daily cattle drive and the weekend rodeo are two scheduled attractions to build your visit around. The Fort Worth Herd’s longhorns travel along East Exchange Avenue in front of the Livestock Exchange Building at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day, weather permitting.

The cattle drive is free and open to the public. The visitor guide recommends watching from 131 East Exchange Avenue, in front of the Livestock Exchange Building. You can also view and photograph the longhorns daily in the pens behind the building on East Exchange Avenue.

The Stockyards Championship Rodeo takes place every Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and details, contact Cowtown Coliseum. If you want to include the rodeo, check its ticket information and plan your return trip around the transit schedules.

The Fort Worth Cultural District can extend a day trip beyond the Stockyards, with the Kimbell Art Museum as a landmark to include in your plans. The district is accessible by train, bus and car; consult the Stockyards transportation page for parking details.

Keep the Stockyards and Cultural District as separate parts of your itinerary, and allow time to travel between them. If you are also planning time in Dallas, this one-day Dallas route from Dealey Plaza to the Arts District covers a different set of stops.

Is the Fort Worth Stockyards free to visit?

The district is open to the public, and the Fort Worth Herd cattle drive is free. Contact Cowtown Coliseum for rodeo tickets and details.

How often does the cattle drive run?

The Fort Worth Herd cattle drive takes place every day at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., weather permitting.

Can you get to the Stockyards by public transport?

Yes. You can take the TRE from downtown Dallas to Fort Worth Central Station and connect to the Orange Line bus in Fort Worth.

When is the Stockyards Championship Rodeo?

The rodeo takes place every Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Contact Cowtown Coliseum for tickets and details.