Howdy! If you’re following me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and/or Periscope (this week’s Travel App of the Week) then you know I was just in Fort Worth, Texas with my buddy Lee Abbamonte. The city of Fort Worth invited us down so we could experience some of what it has to offer—so we could in turn show it off to our friends, family and readers. The best part…is that Fort Worth is now running a contest in which you can win your very own sports and outdoors getaway in the City of Cowboys & Culture! Here’s how our sports weekend played out:
About Fort Worth
Downtown Fort Worth is 22 miles from the DFW International Airport and according to Wikipedia, it’s the 17th largest city in the United States (and the fifth largest city in the state of Texas). Fort Worth is in North Central Texas and covers nearly 350 square miles (910 km2) and has a population of 792,727.
DAY 1
Omni Fort Worth Hotel
Our gracious hosts put us up at the Omni Fort Worth, which is arguably one of the nicest hotels in the heart of downtown Fort Worth. It’s right across the street from the convention center so it’s a popular business hotel. There are 614 guest rooms so the lobby can get crazy when conventions are in town. Here’s my post on the Omni Fort Worth.
Tour and tasting at Firestone & Robertson Distilling
After dropping my bags off in the room, we were off to our first destination: Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co (901 W Vickery, Fort Worth, TX 76104). It’s about a ten minute drive from the hotel and it’s the only artisanal bourbon distillery in North Texas. Here’s my post on Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co.
Dinner at Clay Pigeon
The first night we had dinner at Clay Pigeon (2731 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76107; 817.882.8065), whose menu is continuously changing to reflect local, organic and fresh ingredients. What’s cool is that they make their own breads and ice creams and their vegetables are picked from the patio garden or sourced from local farmers. What’s not cool is that like most places in Texas, they keep the air conditioning on high—so bring a sweater even if it’s hot out.
The manager wasn’t too friendly but did reluctantly turn the A/C off for a few minutes after I asked him too. The food is good, and I specifically recommend their flatbreads (we had soppressata, which is made of mozzarella cheese, egg, parmesan, and chili flakes, for $15). They also have bone marrow ($8) on the menu as an appetizer. I just don’t understand why people like it but everyone raved about it. I don’t care how it tastes; it just looks way too nasty to put in my mouth. Our waiter was super cool but service was a tad slow. Clay Pigeon is about a 15-minute drive from the Omni Fort Worth.
DAY 2
Breakfast at Salsa Limón
Salsa Limon (929 University Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76107) is utterly committed to serving unapologetically Mexico City-style tacos. They push the limits of quality and flavor to the highest levels, with some calling them a taco cult, “los chilangos” or simply the finest professional taqueria. It’s a small place about 10 minutes from the Omni. I had a tasty breakfast burrito while Lee had their frigas. And everything is super cheap compared to what you find in LA. I was shocked that a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice (squeezed on the premises) only cost $2.50.
Rangers game
Globe Life Park (1905 E Randol Mill Rd, Arlington, TX 76011) is home to the American League’s Texas Rangers and the Texas Rangers Baseball Hall of Fame. The retro-style ballpark is located just 17 miles east of downtown Fort Worth right next to AT&T Stadium where the Dallas Cowboys play. Here’s my post on opening day at the Rangers game.
Dinner at Little Red Wasp
Dinner was at Little Red Wasp Kitchen + Bar (808 Main St, Fort Worth, TX 7610; 817-877-3111). What I loved about it—besides being located in the heart of downtown (three blocks from the hotel)—is that it was casual, served great food and was really reasonably priced. I had the shishito peppers ($9) to start (did you know one out of 10 are hot like a jalapeño) then the crispy chicken sandwich ($12). Of course, Lee had to order the doughnut holes ($5) to share. Why do deep-fried pieces of dough sprinkled with cinnamon sugar taste so darn good?
Good to know: The kitchen offers late-night service on Fridays and Saturdays until midnight and brunch service on Saturdays and Sundays until 4 pm. Here’s their dinner menu.
Billy Bob’s Texas
When they first told me we were going to the “world’s largest honky-tonk,” I tried to think of ways to get out of it. First of all, I had no idea what a honky-tonk even was. But let me tell you, Billy Bob’s Texas (2520 Rodeo Plaza Fort Worth, TX 76164; 817-624-7117) is not to be missed. The place is amazing! More on the Billy Bob’s Texas! Here’s my post on Billy Bob’s Texas!
DAY 3
Breakfast at Righteous Foods
Looking for some healthy cuisine? They check out Fort Worth’s newest addition to their culinary scene, Righteous Foods (3405 W 7th St, Fort Worth, TX; 817-850-9996). It’s a clean food eatery located in the city’s Cultural District. It was formerly Lanny’s Alta Cocina, but the restaurant reopened its doors in mid-October 2014 as a natural-foods café and bar. Ingredients are locally sourced and they serve amazing juice concoctions like the O Face ($8), which is made with carrots, sweet potato, yellow pepper, orange, and ginger. I had the açai bowl ($8), which was good but small. My favorite acai bowls is still at Bogart’s in Honolulu.
Tour of AT&T Stadium
Located 17 miles east of downtown Fort Worth and right nextdoor to Globe Life Park (home of the Texas Rangers) is the dazzling, $1.2 billion AT&T Stadium (1 AT&T Way, Arlington, TX 76011; 817-892-4000). It’s the world’s largest domed stadium and not only hosts regular NFL home games for the Dallas Cowboys football team but also collegiate football games and a variety of sporting events and larger-than-life concerts (including this week’s ACM Awards). AT&T Stadium offers two types of tours. Here’s my post on AT&T Stadium VIP Tour.
Texas Motor Speedway for NASCAR’S Duck Commander 500
Although I’m not a NASCAR fan, these people know how to run a sport. Here’s my post on the Texas Motor Speedway.
DAY 4
Private lesson at Jim McLean Golf School
The Jim McLean Golf School (8940 Creek Run Rd, Fort Worth, TX; 817-303-4370) is regarded as the number one golf school in the United States. We were fortunate to get a private lesson that changed our game. Here’s my post on Jim McLean’s Golf School.
Video of Trip: World Travelers Lee Abbamonte & Johnny Jet Explore Fort Worth, Texas