Fort Worth Developments

Fort Worth, Texas - now the 17th-largest city in the United States (population: 703,073) - is booming, with tourism bringing approximately 5.5 million visitors staying 10.2 million days annually and contributing nearly $1.3 billion in direct spending annually to the city's economy. Named the #4 value-friendly destination by Hotwire.com, the City of Cowboys and Culture's major developments include new attractions, facilities and infrastructure improvements. Additional developments are in the works as well.

Hotel Developments

Omni Fort Worth Hotel - Convention Center Headquarter Hotel

Opened January 2009

The Omni Fort Worth Hotel, Fort Worth's new convention center headquarter facility, is now open. Located across the street from the Fort Worth Convention Center and the Fort Worth Water Gardens, this luxury property offers 614 rooms and nearly 68,000 square feet of meeting space. In addition, the Texas-themed hotel features three restaurants, a wine bar, a ballroom, a spa, and other first-class amenities. Web: http://www.omnihotels.com  

Sheraton Fort Worth Hotel

Opened June 2008

The Sheraton Fort Worth Hotel and Spa is now open following the completion of an elaborate $46 million transformation of the former Ramada property. The first Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. property in Fort Worth, the Sheraton is ideally positioned at the southern edge of Fort Worth's vibrant downtown business district.  The 430-room Sheraton Fort Worth Hotel and Spa offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere and is less than a block from the expanded, state-of-the-art Fort Worth Convention Center and beautiful Water Gardens. Web: http://www.sheraton.com/fortworth

Hyatt Place Fort Worth Historic Stockyards

Opened January 2008

A $7.1 million Hyatt Place hotel property opened in the heart of the Stockyards National Historic District, adjacent to Stockyards Station and the Visitors Information Center on East Exchange Avenue. The five-story, 102-room hotel is constructed in a Western architectural style. Web: http://www.hyatt.com/hyatt/place

Holiday Inn Express Fort Worth Downtown

Opened August 2008

This brand new InterContinental Hotels Group product is one of the first to feature the new brand rollout expected to be completed by 3,000 hotels over the next 3 years.  The interior decorations consist of an "updated retro" look punctuated with colors of green, gold, teal, orange and white. These colors appear in lively carpet patterns, fabrics covering curvilinear seating, and room dividing Plexiglas mosaics. The wood standard to complement these fresh colors is walnut throughout. The property features 132 guest rooms. Web  http://www.ichotelsgroup.com

Dallas Fort Worth Marriott and Golf Club at Champions Circle

Reflagged Spring 2008

Overlooking a pristine, 18-hole Jay Moorish golf course, the Dallas Fort Worth Marriott Hotel & Golf Club features newly renovated guestrooms that offer a stylish blend of sleek design and cool colors accompanied by first-class service. Located across the street from Texas Motor Speedway is close to all major attractions and shopping.  The property also features special Stay ‘n Play golf Packages. Web: http://www.marriott.com

Attraction Developments

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History - New Building

Opened November 2009

Adding to the rich architectural legacy of Fort Worth's Cultural District, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History's brand new $80 million facility is dazzling with its bright colors, geometric forms, and abundant natural light. Designed by internationally acclaimed architectural firm Legorreta + Legorreta, the new facility opened in November 2009. To strengthen the museum's presentation of history, the expansion incorporates a major new center for the Cattle Raisers Museum. Exhibits also include DinoLabs; Paluxysaurus jonesi, the official dinosaur of Texas; the Noble Planetarum; the Fort Worth Children's Museum; Innovation Studios; six glass-walled spaces near the main entrance offering hands-on demonstrations; and the Omni Imax Theater. Web: www.fortworthwmuseum.org

Fort Worth Zoo

Museum of Living Art Opened March 2010

When was the last time you went to a museum where the artwork moved, hissed, chirped or slithered? The Fort Worth Zoo has embarked on a project that will ensure your first visit to such a place happens right here in our park. The Fort Worth Zoo has opened the country's most elite herpetarium, the Museum of Living Art (MOLA).  Imagine an exhibit where sounds of trickling water and gentle breezes take a visitor away to the cloud forests, where they might catch a glimpse of a gliding tree frog. Envision a calm place where a child can gather up enough courage to meet an imposing rattlesnake eye to eye. Visitors of all ages can travel to an inspiring spot where the curious can touch, explore and find compassion for the natural world. Web: http://www.fortworthzoo.org  

Penguins Opened April 2008

After a six-year hiatus, penguins have returned to the Fort Worth Zoo.  Penguins, the Zoo's newest exhibit, officially opened April 12 and is home to a colony of African black-footed penguins.  The 1,600-square-foot exhibit features above- and underwater-viewing, providing Zoo visitors an up-close and personal experience with the 15" birds.  In addition to showcasing the colony's natural behaviors, Penguins also provides behind-the-scenes keeper areas to support future breeding within the colony.  Web: http://www.fortworthzoo.org

Texas Motor Speedway's Burnout Alley

Completed March 2009

Construction is complete for Texas Motor Speedway's Burnout Alley, a $2 million capital improvement project that has transformed the upper backstretch seating into 74 lavish motorcoach sites. Burnout Alley features full service hook-ups for water, electric and live race feeds; concierge service for grocery and shopping; catering options; free wireless internet and 24-hour restroom service. Each site sells for $15,000 annually and includes 10 VIP Burnout Alley passes, 10 pre-race passes for each NASCAR Sprint Cup race, 10 pit/infield passes, two access passes for The Speedway Club, 10 souvenir event programs; and three reserved parking spaces nearby. Web: http://www.texasmotorspeedway.com  

Heritage Trails

Dedicated April 2008

Twenty-two bronze sidewalk markers, concentrated on Main Street from Heritage Park to the Water Gardens, tell the story of Fort Worth's history, people, places and events. A joint project of the Fort Worth Chamber Foundation, Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Downtown Fort Worth, Inc., Heritage Trails plaques bear a signature cubistic longhorn design from 1936 by Fort Worth artist Evaline Sellors, a sepia-toned screened illustration, and a brief historical narrative. Each four-foot-tall, freestanding marker is sponsored by a local business. Web: http://www.fortworthheritagetrails.com  

Mixed-Use Area Developments

Trinity UpTown

In Progress

Trinity Uptown is transforming an 800-acre area immediately north of downtown Fort Worth into a vibrant waterfront development - in essence, doubling the size of downtown. A $435 million public infrastructure project will provide additional flood protection and dramatically increase access to the river, opening the area for economic revitalization, recreational opportunities, and ecosystem enhancements. An envisioned 10,000 housing units and 3 million square feet of commercial, retail, and educational space will make it possible for Fort Worth residents to live, work, shop, play, and learn near the river. Web: http://www.trinityrivervision.org   

Lancaster Avenue Corridor Redevelopment

In progress

Lancaster Avenue, a major east-west route in the south end of downtown, is under transformation to a grand tree-lined, pedestrian-friendly corridor. The $14 million roadway project, where an I-30 overpass once stood until removal in 2001, is expected to spur development of an urban village with shops on the street level and offices and apartments on the top floors. Lancaster Avenue will boast landscaping and a new grassy median and may include public art fixtures.

South of Seventh (So7) - An Urban Village in the Cultural District

In Progress

Situated adjacent to Trinity Park, a new visitor and residential development is under construction on West 7th Street between Downtown and the Cultural District. It will include the now open Residence Inn by Marriott Fort Worth Cultural District hotel, 125,000-square-feet of specialty shopping and dining, contemporary townhouses, and mid- and high-rise condominiums overlooking the city's skyline. It sits across from the new Montgomery Plaza development. Web: http://www.so7fortworth.com  

Shopping and Golf Packages

Shop America Tours

Shop America Tours brings you world class shopping and dining experiences plus exceptional savings at America's most exciting travel destinations. Choose from Shop & Play, Shop & Dine, Shop & Spa, Shop & Beauty, Shop & Shuttle, Shop & Show and more great packages at the nation's premier shopping centers, retailers and outlets -- all value priced with bonus gifts.  Get great discounts on exciting Fort Worth shopping partners such as Billy Bob's Texas, Ridgmar Mall and Sundance Square.  And don't miss the Texas Culture Shopping Tours including Fort Worth's Art Lover's Escape, Cowgirl Chic!, and the Stockyards Western Experience.  Web: http://www.shopamericatours.com  

Travel4Golf

Find the perfect golf vacation in Fort Worth. Travel trade clients can select hotels and golf courses with net rates and submit a pre-reservation. A Travel4Golf representative will contact the client within 48 hours to confirm the customized golf vacation, which includes net rates for hotel accommodations, advance reserved tee times and a rental car. Web: http://www.travel4golf.net/visitdfw  

Contact:

Kelly Campbell, Vice President of Marketing Communications

Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau

Phone: 817-698-7841 (direct) or 800-433-5747, ext. 232

Email: kellycampbell@fortworth.com