The Fort Worth Stockyards is a historic district in Fort Worth, Texas, with shops, restaurants, attractions and live entertainment. From Bedford, you can plan a day around the daily cattle drives, then add the Stockyards Museum and time to browse or eat.
- The district is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week; businesses keep their own hours.
- The Fort Worth Herd cattle drives run daily at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., weather permitting.
- Stockyards Museum admission is $3; children 12 and under enter free.
- The district is accessible by car, train and bus, and parking prices vary by lot.
What to expect in the Stockyards
The Stockyards combines historic surroundings with shops, restaurants, attractions and live entertainment. The district itself stays open around the clock, but each business sets its own hours, so build your visit around the activities and venues you want to see.
The Stockyards Museum traces the district’s history from the Livestock Exchange Building. The Stockyards Museum says the Stockyards opened in 1890, giving the district a long history as a Fort Worth destination.
If you are planning an overnight stay in Bedford around the day trip, you can review the two-star hotel’s room options as part of your plans.
How do you get from Bedford to the Stockyards?
You can reach the Stockyards by car, train or bus. The Stockyards visitor information confirms all three options; the best fit depends on where you begin your journey and how you want to connect into Fort Worth.
If you are arranging local travel before or after the drive, getting around Bedford, Texas without guesswork covers the Bedford side of the trip.
For a rail-and-bus approach, Trinity Metro’s Orange Line runs northbound from Fort Worth Central Station to the Stockyards. If you arrive at TEXRail’s North Side Station, at 2829 Decatur Avenue, take the Orange Line bus to N. Main Street and Exchange Avenue, or to N. Main Street and 26th Street near Billy Bob’s Texas.
Trinity Metro lists Orange Line service between downtown Fort Worth and the Stockyards from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. the next day, seven days a week. Holiday hours may vary. Check the official site before you go: use Trinity Metro’s site for service details and the Stockyards’ directions for connections and fare information.
When can you see the cattle drive?
The Fort Worth Herd cattle drives run daily at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., weather permitting, along East Exchange Avenue in front of the Livestock Exchange Building. The drive is free and open to the public.
Arrive at least 30 minutes before the drive, as street closures affect access and viewing. The recommended viewing spot is 131 East Exchange Avenue, in front of the Livestock Exchange Building. You can also see and photograph the longhorn steers in the pens behind the building on East Exchange Avenue.
For evening plans, the Stockyards Championship Rodeo takes place every Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Cowtown Coliseum handles ticket and seating information.
Which museums and historic sites can you visit?
The Stockyards Museum is on the first floor of the Livestock Exchange Building at 131 E. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76164. Its hours are Monday and Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; it is closed Tuesday and Sunday. General admission is $3, and children 12 years and under are free.
The museum and cattle-drive viewing area share the Livestock Exchange Building as a reference point. If you want to do both, check the museum’s operating day and plan around one of the drive times.
Where can you eat, park and find accessibility information?
Stockyards Station stores are open 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Most restaurants open from 11:30 a.m., and most bars stay open until 2 a.m. on weekends. Individual businesses set their own schedules.
There are several parking lots in the district, with prices that vary by lot. Parking is available on North Main at North Main and NW 25th Street, and on Stockyards Boulevard beside Billy Bob’s Texas. Wheelchairs are not available to rent in the district.
A practical half-day route
The Stockyards recommends allowing half a day for a cattle drive, snacks and shops. For a straightforward sequence, arrive early enough to find a viewing place, watch the drive, then visit the museum if it is open that day and spend the remaining time browsing or eating.
A full day can include a rodeo, live music, drinks and dinner. If you are planning more regional outings from Bedford, a Grapevine day trip from Bedford is another itinerary to consider. Check the schedule for the specific businesses and attractions you plan to visit, since their hours differ from the district’s all-day access.
FAQs
Is the cattle drive free?
Yes. The Fort Worth Herd cattle drive is free and open to the public, and runs daily at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., weather permitting.
How much does the Stockyards Museum cost?
General admission is $3, and children 12 years and under are free.
Can you visit the Stockyards without a car?
Yes. The district is accessible by train and bus as well as by car, with the Orange Line serving the Stockyards.
How much time should you allow?
The Stockyards recommends half a day for the cattle drives, snacks and shops. Allow a full day if you plan to include a rodeo, live music, drinks and dinner.