The Fort Worth Cultural District is one of the best kept secrets in America: a compact area home to some of the most important museums in the country. Spend a day discovering the masterpieces with your loved one in hand.
The curators at the Kimbell Art Museum compete with The Met and The Getty for art acquisitions. The collections ranges from Michelangelo to Mondrian, from Goya to Van Gogh, every artwork one of the best examples of its kind. The stunning buildings are art themselves, designed by architect legend Louis Kahn and Pritzker Prize-winning designer, Renzo Piano.
Nearby, you’ll find the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. The museum is housed in a brutalist building by Tadao Ando, the second-ever structure designed in the states by the Japanese master. The art and installations inside by Dan Flavin and Andy Warhol, among other contemporary masters, is an enlightening look at modern masterpieces. After your tour, step outside for a gorgeous outdoor saunter through the Museum’s renowned sculpture garden. The restaurant here, Cafe Modern, has an eclectic menu, killer views, and the city’s most lauded charcuterie program.
The Amon Carter Museum of American Art is a mid-sized space of American masters, showcasing the American West and the Native American experience, with exhibits of exemplary American art and artists of all eras, including the present. An architectural marvel by Phillip Johnson, the museum is well-curated and the staff is knowledgeable and LGBTQ+ friendly. Check out the research library to learn more about the museum and the LGBTQ+ community in Fort Worth.
For a bit of light-hearted fun, explore the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. The museum is an ode to Annie Oakley and the ladies who took the Wild West by storm. Immortalized in portraits, stories, and even state-of-the-art holograms, the Cowgirl experience will open your eyes to the important role women played in the settling and expansion of the west. At the end of your tour, step into the cowgirl photo booth and into another century.
And, of course, the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens, is home to more than 2,500 species of plants and flowers. The serene escape into rose gardens and tropical foliage is just the beginning. The nearby Fort Worth Zoo is the No.1 Zoo in the Nation (USA Today 10Best) and favorite among locals.
Close by the Cultural District is its sister ‘hood', the budding and fabulous West 7th District. The small enclave is a little bohemian, a little hipster and a lot of fun. Indulge at the Clay Pigeon, an upscale eatery with an unpretentious vibe and the best seasonal menu in the city. The restaurant is on the cusp of the West 7th and The Foundry District.
Just around the corner from all the cultural goodness is Righteous Foods, a cheery spot serving top-level seasonal eats. Their “drinking vinegar” options and Acai bowls are varied and intriguing, but of course you really want the blueberry banana french toast, so go for it.
