What started as “Cowtown” during the Cattle Drive Era in the mid- to late-1800s has evolved into the bustling, vibrant city of Fort Worth, about 25 minutes southwest of the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. In addition to its downtown, Fort Worth is a city comprised of unique neighborhoods, each with its own distinctive feel that attracts locals and visitors to pay a visit. Add in the city’s world-class museums, creative culinary flavors, green spaces and southern hospitality, and it’s easy to see why people continue to be drawn to the part of Texas “Where the West Begins.”  

Why Fort Worth 

• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is within a four-hour flight from anywhere in the Continental U.S. 

• Fort Worth is the fastest growing city in the U.S. 

• Considered a 10-minute town, there are 18 distinct districts within 10 minutes of downtown Fort Worth. 

What’s New in Fort Worth 

• The Fort Worth Convention Center is undergoing a $300 million expansion. 

• The National Juneteenth Museum is under development in the city’s Historic Southside neighborhood. 

• Named one of the Top 50 place to visit in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure. 

There are plenty of options when it comes to things to see and do in Fort Worth, not to mention terrific spots to host power lunches and dinners, and toast to your success. Here’s a look at a handful in the region. 

SEE 

Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District 

If you’re looking for where the West began, you’ve found it in Fort Worth. Between 1866 and 1890, drovers (cowboys and cowgirls) moved more than four million head of cattle through Fort Worth, which became known as “Cowtown.” The Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District pays homage to the city’s roots, and even holds twice daily cattle drives of the Fort Worth Herd. You can even get in on the action with The Herd Experience with The Fort Worth Herd, during which you can groom and saddle a horse, try your hand at roping and, of course, take advantage of plenty of photo opps. Throughout the 15-square-block historic district you and your guests will find plenty of restaurants and shops, not to mention the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, to keep you entertained. 

Fort Worth Cultural District 

The city is home to world-class museums, five of which are found in the Cultural District: the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, with more than 3,000 contemporary works of art; The Kimbell Art Museum, where you’ll find the only Michelangelo in the western hemisphere; The Amon Carter Museum of American Art, taking a look at the last 200 years; The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, fun for the entire family; and the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, the world’s only museum dedicated to the women of the West. Within the Cultural District you will also find the 120-acre Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Most of these museums are available for private events. 

Fort Worth Water Gardens 

Take a break and escape to the Fort Worth Water Gardens near the Fort Worth Convention Center downtown. The architectural and engineering feat can be enjoyed year-round, its water features flowing through three pools – aerating, quiet and active – in an urban plaza. In addition to tantalizing the senses, the Water Gardens make for a terrific group photo opp. 

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and Hosts Texas, a Hosts Global Member. 

DO

 DIY Cowboy Hat 

Your guests will remember their time in Fort Worth when they wear the cowboy hats they made themselves. Sidle up to the hat bar and create your stylish personalized hat, complete with unique accents to fit your personal style that will make it yours alone.  

Get Outside 

Trinity Trails is a network of more than 100 miles of walking, running and biking trails that weave through 31 of Fort Worth’s neighborhoods, connecting 21 parks along the way. Along the trail system you’ll find even more opportunities for outdoor recreation, like five boat launches for canoes and kayaks; equestrian trails for horseback riding; fishing; and 17 trailheads for picnics and rest stops.  

Texas Whiskey 

The largest whiskey distillery west of the Mississippi River is right here in Fort Worth – Whiskey Ranch. Take a tour to learn all about the distillation and aging processes, and at the end, enjoy a tasting. The ranch is available for corporate events for up to 300 guests. 

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and Hosts Texas, a Hosts Global Member. 

EAT 

61 Osteria 

Simple, seasonal ingredients sourced from local farmers are incorporated into flavorful Italian dinner dishes at 61 Osteria, recently named as one of Eater Dallas’ 38 Best Dallas Restaurants. For an antipasti, go for the Sausage and Peppers featuring house cotechino-style sausage on polenta, or Arancini, crispy carnaroli rice stuffed with fontina cheese and served with salsa verde and tomato sauce. Pasta dishes like Maine Lobster Gnocchi, Mushroom Manicotti and Wild Boar Pappardelle are sure to entice, as are mains like Halibut Piccata, Heritage Berkshire Pork Milanese and the Bistecca Fiorentina, which serves two. The restaurant’s private dining room is available for parties of up to 40 guests. 

Don Artemio 

The culinary team at Don Artemio considers Mexican gastronomy a living expression of centuries-old cultural heritage; that mindset is evident in the lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch menus. For lunch, choose from the daily special, like Torta de Cabrito with chorizo, manchego cheese and chipotle on Mondays; and Tamal de Cerdo, a pork confit tamal with frijoles puercos, dry chipotle sauce and a poblano pepper creamy sauce on Thursdays. The dinner menu consists of enticing dishes like Codorniz en Mole Poblano, quail stuffed with a pecan almond rice; and the vegetarian-friendly El Famoso “Chile Hojaldrado,” a cream cheese pecan-stuffed poblano chile wrapped in puff pastry. Both menus are complimented by a thoughtful cocktail menu with zero-proof options, too. The restaurant has two private dining rooms available for parties of up to 16 and 32 guests, respectively.  

Reata 

It’s all about “cowboy cooking” at Reata, where the most popular dishes are Tenderloin Tamales, Blackened Buffalo Ribeye, Chicken Fried Steak, Stacked Chicken Enchiladas and the all-time favorite Pan Seared Pepper Crusted Tenderloin. Open for lunch and dinner, other items on the menus include soups, salads, sandwiches and plenty of entrees that can feed an appetite as big as Texas. Reata takes pride in its wine list, carefully curated to compliment its cuisine. The restaurant is available for private dining. 

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and Hosts Texas, a Hosts Global Member. 

STAY/MEET 

ALHI Member The Crescent Hotel, Fort Worth is ready to welcome you and your guests, serving as a luxurious homebase while you experience the bustling city. 

The Crescent Hotel, Fort Worth  

Named the No. 1 Hotel in Texas by Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards in 2024, The Crescent Hotel, Fort Worth is the perfect spot to host your event “Where the West Begins.”  With 200 guest rooms and suites, and 10 meeting rooms with more than 14,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor space, there is plenty of room for your group to make the most of their time together. And, at the hotel’s doorstep, the Cultural District with its world-class museums, botanical garden, outdoor spaces and restaurants all within walking distance. 

Omni Fort Worth Hotel 

Experience true Texas hospitality at Omni Fort Worth Hotel in the heart of the city and just steps away from the Fort Worth Convention Center. With 60 meeting rooms encompassing 65,000 total square feet of event space – including the Texas Ballroom, the hotel’s largest at more than 18,000 square feet, and 3,500 square feet of outdoor space – there are plenty of ways to make your guests feel welcome, from intimate board meetings to large-scale galas. What’s more, the 618 western-inspired guest rooms and suites, six dining options, outdoor pool and luxurious Mokara Spa will make them feel right at home. 

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and Hosts Texas, a Hosts Global Member.