Ackislander

We are planning to visit Ft Worth Nov 13 and 14, mostly to see the museums.

If you are a local, we would love to have your restaurant recommendations. We like both small restaurants that handle regional food creatively and the kind of place where the guy on the other side of the table installs air conditioners.

If you have visited in the last year, what hotel/lodging did you like?

As to sightseeing, what surprised you? What disappointed you? If you are locak, what do you show visiting friends?

Thanks in advance.

yk

We used to live in Dallas, and go to FW perhaps 2-3 x a year.

I like the restaurant at the Modern, very nice setting and good food.

For me, seeing the Modern and the Kimbell is a must. There are also excellent docent-guided tours at the Modern. They are free, just check the website for tour hours.

We also enjoyed the FW Botanical Garden, esp the Japanese Garden.

Lastly, if you can catch a concert at Bass Hall, please go. Beautiful building inside and out.

A_Traveller

When we have out of tow guests we bring them to the Fort Worth Stock Yards so the get a taste of the "old west". We also try to take them to the Performing Arts Center if there's a performer they might be interested in seeing. You can also visit the Fort Worth Zoo and the Botanical Gardens. We have the Modern Art Mueseum, The Science & History Museum, The Kimbell Museum, The Sid Richardson Muesum, the Modern Art Muesum or the Flight Museum at Meacham Field. If you don't mind driving a bit you can visit Fosil Rim Nature Preserve or Possum Kingdom Lake, stroll around the towns of Granbury or Grapevine.

For hotels, if you want to stay downtown check out The Worthington, the Ashton Hotel or Etta's Place. Of course, there are always places like Embassy Suites, Courtyard by Marriott and all the other chain hotels.

As for restaurants we have everything from very upscale dining, to mom & pop places to chain restaurants. If you lke Barbeque try Angelo's, The Railhead or Bailey's. If steaks are your passion try Del Frisco's, The Mercury Chop House, The Cattleman or Ruth's Chris. For Southwest cusine try Lanny's, Lonesome Dove, Mi Concina, Reata, Bonnels or Blue Mesa. For French Food the best place is St. Emilion but you also have Bistro Louise. For Italian try La Piazza, Bella Italia West o Ruffinos. For Mexican food try Joe T. Garcia's, Uncle Julio's. There are hundreds of places to choose from - just name your prefer cusine and you'll find places in all price ranges.

ChristieP

You've gotten excellent recommendations of things to see and places to stay.

Angelo's and Railhead are both very good for BBQ. For steaks, I recommend H3 or Cattlemen's in the Stockyards. I also agree with the Mexican recommendations, too. The Cafe at the Modern is really good for lunch.

And if you're craving a good hamburger and a beer, you really can't miss Fred's on Currie near the museum district!

Ackislander

Thank you so much, everyone!

I can see that we will have to make more than one trip!

txgirlinbda

Second vote for the Stockyards and Joe T. Garcia's!!! And I love to take my out-of-town friends to the Cadillac Bar for a drink after dinner.

swisshiker

Hello Ackislander

We're heading to FW later this week, just purchasd our Kimbell Impressionists and DMA Tut tickets.

I'd echo comments about lunch at the Modern. The Kimbell has a little sandwich place, but the Modern is so much nicer. A sit down restaurant rather than going thru a line.

We're also going to try to visit the Ft. Worth Zoo and the Amon Carter Museum (Western art including Remingtons and Russells).

If you're looking for a hotel (and don't have a particular place in mind), you might try Priceline. I got a winning bid for a 4* near the Galleria for $65 (plus the associated taxes and fees). Quite a bargain.

Happy travels!

yk

We've eaten at the Modern Cafe/Restaurant quite a number of times. The only thing I don't like about it is the strong a/c. For some reason, restos in Dallas like to crank their a/c way up, and I always freeze to death when I go out to eat, even when I bring along a light sweater. And of course, the food gets cold much quicker too. It's just very different from the restos up here in Boston where the a/c is much better controlled.

But since you're going in Nov, it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

BTW, even though the self-service cafe at Kimbell is not as nice as the Modern, do drop in to check out the Matisse sculpture/bas relief there. And if it's a nice day, the cafe has a small open courtyard, quite nice for a cup of coffee while you rest your feet.

I know you didn't mention you're going to Dallas, but if happen to go to the DMA, I really like the 1717 restaurant inside.