Go Big… or… just go to Texas!

For families looking for BIG memories, a trip to Texas is a great getaway!

If you're looking for a fun-filled getaway with great opportunities for grandparents, parents, teens, tweens, and young kids... Texas offers many BIG experiences the entire family will love!

Fort Worth Stockyards

Full Day Excursion

2501 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth, TX. 817.624.4741

Fort Worth rightfully calls itself “The Texas You Want.” For a celebration of the state’s rich western heritage, a day exploring the Fort Worth Stockyards Historic District is a must. Home to the famous longhorn steer, the Cowtown Coliseum (built in 1908, this is the world’s first indoor rodeo), steakhouses, authentic Mexican dining, western wear shops, souvenir shops, saloons, Billy Bob’s Texas—the world’s largest honky-tonk, the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, and entertainment, this scenic district is a family favorite.

If you're looking for a classically Texas souvenir, Forth Worth is the place. You'll find a variety of Western wear shops, shops with authentic cowboy boots, hats, and other local memorabilia. There are also many fabulous restaurants. We enjoyed lunch at Riscky's Steakhouse in the Stockyards District. The food and service were fabulous and we loved the Wild West decor.

The signature event in the district is the twice-daily longhorn cattle drive (FortWorthHerd.com). Visitors line the street at 11:30 am and 4 pm daily to watch the majestic animals driven by genuine Texas cowhands pass by on Exchange Avenue.

Throughout the day and prior to shows, you may take a photo sitting atop a longhorn steer for $5 (in 2020). There are stations outside the coliseum and along the main roads in the stockyards. Our girls were fascinated by the magnificent animals and a photo was a perfect souvenir.

Our favorite cowboy experiences, however, were the shows at The Cowtown Coliseum  (121 E Exchange Ave, Fort Worth, TX. 817.625.1025). The site is home to the year-round Stockyards Championship Rodeo (817.877.2420) held every Friday and Saturday night at 8 p.m. and the Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show (888.269.8696) held every Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.  Both family-friendly shows are outstanding and affordable. They offer general seating, so plan to arrive 30-60 minutes in advance for the best seats. For popular events (the weekend rodeos for example) tickets go fast and the event may sell out.

The Rodeo is an unforgettable experience as you watch bull riding, tie-down roping, team roping, barrel racing, bronc riding, and breakaway roping. Children in the audience are invited to participate in calf and mutton scrambles to earn prizes.

During the Pawnee Bill Wild West Show you’ll enjoy trick riding, rope tricks, singing, and many animals including bison, longhorn steer, and beautiful horses.

What the Family Thinks of a Visit to the Fort Worth Stockyards:

• When we travel, we love to experience the signature attractions of each place we visit. When you think Texas, you think Cowboys! Fort Worth was incredible! We spent a few days exploring the district, enjoying shows, eating at steakhouses and Mexican restaurants, and shopping. The district was incredible fun for all ages and is highly recommended on your visit to Texas.
• Grandparents enjoyed the food, shopping, and the shows. The rodeo and Pawnee Bill show were amazing!
• Teens and tween loved shopping for Western Wear and they also enjoyed the great shows.
• Younger kids loved everything! They were especially enamored with the longhorn cattle and enjoyed taking photos with the beautiful animals. The shows were hands-down favorites for everyone!

What to Know Before You Go:

• This district is very popular on weekends. Allow plenty of time to park and arrive early for shows. The rodeo was PACKED and was at standing room only for many ticket holders when we attended on a Saturday night. They sold-out before the show. Be sure to plan ahead for shows!
• Be sure to dine at one of the signature steakhouses - you won't be disappointed!
• You can find fabulous souvenirs from authentic boots and hats (a more expensive purchase for a quality item), to t-shirts, stuffed animals, and souvenir cowboy hats (we were able to purchase child-sized costume style cowboy hats for $5-15 / ea). 
• Plan to watch the cattle drive. It lasts about 10 minutes, but it's a fun and memorable experience you don't want to miss.
• Pay attention to crowds in the district... if you see a crowd gathering it may be due to street performance art or a live-action wild west show! We found many great and entertaining things to enjoy during our visit. 
• Plan to spend at least one entire day to enjoy it all!

Fort Worth Zoo

Half-Full Day Excursion

1989 Colonial Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX. 817.759.7555

The Fort Worth Zoo has been ranked the 4^th Best Zoo in America by USA Today. Our family has visited over twenty zoos in America, and this zoo definitely stood out for its pristine, beautiful exhibits, natural animal habitats, and an array of animals. The standout favorites were the flamingoes, bears, tigers, and zebras. The Texas Wild! area of the zoo was a great place to learn more about the state. This area features a Wild West-style village with a shooting gallery, ice cream shop, photo ops including a Wells Fargo Wagon, many animal exhibits and a hands-on museum with information about the landscapes of Texas, lessons on conservation, and a 4D Theater presentation on Texas weather and the environment. This beautiful zoo was a favorite for the entire family.

What the Family Thinks of a Visit to the Fort Worth Zoo:

• Our family LOVES visiting zoos and this one was worth a visit! With bears, a white tiger, flamingoes, zebras, and many other favorite animals, we all enjoyed our visit.
• Grandparents were very impressed with the beautiful exhibits.
• Teens and tweens enjoyed the animals
• Younger kids loved the interactive exhibits and learning opportunities throughout the zoo.

What to Know Before You Go:

• Outside food and beverage are permitted, with the exception of straws, lids, glass containers and alcohol. If you choose to have a picnic lunch inside the Zoo, you may take your cooler back to your car and re-enter the Zoo as long as you have your hand stamped before exiting.
• This was one of the most beautiful zoos we've visited (and faithful readers will know we've visited a LOT of zoos over the years.... 20+)! The exhibits are absolutely beautiful and engaging. You can easily spend a half to full day exploring the zoo. Be sure not to miss the Texas Wild! area. This fun wild west styled section of the zoo was our favorite.
• The zoo is very family-friendly with paved paths for strollers and wheelchairs. 

Bureau of Engraving & Printing’s Western Currency Facility

Half-Day Excursion

9000 Blue Mound Rd, Fort Worth, TX. 817.231.4000

This free attraction is one of only two places in the United States where dollars are printed. We were able to watch first-hand at the facility where billions of dollars are printed annually. The facility prints over half of the United States' paper currency and is the only facility to print the $100 bill. Visitors are provided with hand-held devices to learn how money is made at each stop on the 4-minute tour along an elevated walkway overlooking the machines and staff who print American currency. After the tour, visitors experience two floors of interactive displays sharing history and information about printing money, how counterfeits are caught, how money is preserved, and more. Cell phones and cameras are not permitted on-site and there are limited hours, so plan ahead before your visit.

What the Family Thinks of a Visit to the Bureau of Engraving:

• This FREE field-trip was one of the most educational outings on our trip. Watching as money is made is a truly one of a kind experience and we left with a greater appreciation for the team that makes it possible to make impossible-to-counterfeit cash!
• Grandparents appreciated the tour at your own pace approach. Being able to listen, watch, and stop and talk to the kids about what we were learning along the way was great!
• Teens and tweens were fascinated by the tour. Our tween copiously took notes throughout the tour and the following exhibit. The information was fascinating!
• Younger kids were able to understand the tour and learned a lot too. The exhibit included interactive elements that held their attention as well.

What to Know Before You Go:

• Hours of Operation: Tuesday through Friday8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free and reservations are not required. Self-guided tours are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Fort Worth Tour and Visitor Center is closed on Mondays, weekends, federal holidays, and as an efficiency measure, is also closed the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
• Visitors, including children, are subject to security screening prior to entering the Tour and Visitor Center. Cell phones, electronic equipment, backpacks, cameras, weapons (including knives, pellet guns, mace, etc.), explosives, food, and drinks are prohibited. Note: No one is allowed to take photographs of the tour, thus we feature a stock image from the facility for the story.
• For up-to-date opening and closing information, please telephone the Fort Worth Tour and Visitor Center locally at (817) 231-4000 or toll-free at (866) 865-1194, and press 2 to speak directly with the tour scheduler during regular business hours. Please be advised that tour policies and hours are subject to change without public notification.

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

Half-Full Day Excursion

1600 Gendy St, Fort Worth, TX. 817.255.9300

This hands-on science center features the Fort Worth Cattle Raisers Museum with exhibits celebrating Texas’ cowboy history, special traveling exhibits, a dino lab, areas where children can create, and the energy blast exhibit explaining the science of the oil industry.

For a greater appreciation of Texas' heritage, the Cattle Raisers Museum is housed on-site with a 10,000-square-foot exhibit sharing the history of the cattle industry in Texas. Energy Blast was another truly Texas exhibit featuring interactive exhibits, multimedia, dioramas, and learning stations, to learn about regional energy and alternative energy resources. Kids loved DinoLabs and DinoDig®. This exhibit features full articulations of dinosaur skeletons and an interactive dig site replicating a local paleontological field site. Our family most enjoyed the exhibit on the Apollo missions featuring authentic artifacts and hands-on exhibits. 

What the Family Thinks of a Fort Worth Science & History Museum:

• This hands-on museum was a terrific educational outing. The target audience for the exhibits includes young children (the Children's Museum), through older elementary, middle school, and high school level information. There was something for everyone.
• Grandparents enjoyed participating in the hands-on exhibits with the children. They also took the opportunity to reminisce about the moon landing as we explored the space exhibits.
• Teens and tweens especially enjoyed exhibits on energy and space exploration.
• Younger kids loved the interactive exhibits, the dinosaur exhibit, and the space exhibit.

What to Know Before You Go:

• If you have a Science City Kansas City membership: Two adults and up to two children under 18 living in the same household receive free admission. It does not include Noble Planetarium or Omni Theater tickets.  

Fort Worth Water Gardens

1/2 - 1 Hour Excursion

1502 Commerce St, Fort Worth, TX.

The Fort Worth Water Gardens is a free local park and local landmark. The park in the center of the city is home to multiple water features. This is a great photo op, but be sure to follow safety guidelines that are posted before exploring the attraction.

Epic Waters

Full Day Excursion

2970 Epic Place, Grand Prairie, TX. 972.337.3131

Promo Code:  Present the code KC15, which offers 15% off and is valid through June 30, 2020 to save on your visit to Epic Waters.   Guests will need to show proof of Kansas or Missouri residency. Blackout dates are 3/7/20-3/16/20. 

Grand Prairie is about half an hour from Fort Worth and in true Texas fashion, they offer BIG fun as home to Texas’ largest indoor waterpark. The glass-enclosed waterpark was one of the nicest waterparks we’ve ever experienced. The temps inside and the water were comfortable, the air was clean, and the staff was outstanding. This park, which opened in 2018, is home to twelve incredible waterslides, a lazy river, a FlowRider surf experience, a splash pad and dump bucket for little ones, delicious food, and an indoor arcade. This is a perfect place to spend a vacation day. Epic Waters lives up to its name as home to the Lasso Loop, America’s tallest indoor aqualoop body slide, the Yellow Jacket Drop, an enclosed water slide accommodating two riders on an inner tube winding through the slide to an open drop up onto a wall and back into the water creating a zero-gravity sensation, E-Racers, four side by side mat slides allowing guests to race one another, as well as more thrilling water slides. Our entire family gives this park a hearty thumbs up!

What the Family Thinks of a Visit to Epic Waters:

• It was universal... everyone in our family would LOVE to visit Epic Waters AGAIN! This incredible waterpark was outstanding! We have experienced many terrific waterparks over the years, this was one of our top favorites of all-time. The slides were outstanding, the staff is terrific (the lifeguards are very attentive, the waitstaff is hospitable, and the experience is a great value), but the #1 favorite attraction was, without a doubt, the FlowRider. The surf experience was LOVED by the ENTIRE family (from grandparents to young children... this was a blast!). For landlocked Midwesterners like us, the surf simulation experience was a blast. The staff did a great job coaching through the experience and after many rounds of practice, everyone became more and more skilled throughout the day. After a long drive, this is the perfect place to start your vacation, or use midway, to burn off some energy, relax and just have a BLAST!
• Grandparents loved spending the day playing with grandkids at this fun-filled waterpark!
• Teens and tweens loved EVERYTHING, but slides and FlowRider most of all!
• Younger kids loved IT ALL... except having to go home after spending an ENTIRE day at this incredible water park.

What to Know Before You Go:

• Save with Promo Code:  Present the code KC15, which offers 15% off and is valid through June 30, 2020 to save on your visit to Epic Waters.   Guests will need to show proof of Kansas or Missouri residency. Blackout dates are 3/7/20-3/16/20. 
• Outside food and beverage are not permitted, but they offer affordable, delicious concessions. If you rent a cabana, you'll have great table-service all day and a great spot for the family to hang out together.
• The water park is open year-round. The facility is covered by a UV-protected retractable roof and climate control technology will keep the water and indoor temperature at a consistent 85 degrees.
• Bring towels, suits, flip-flops, and change of clothes. The restrooms and shower rooms were very clean during our visit. 
• If your kids love to swim, and they love adventure, and they love fun as much as ours do... plan to spend an entire day at this waterpark. 

Perot Museum

Half-Full Day Excursion

2201 N Field St, Dallas, TX. 214.428.5555

We spent most of a day at this incredible science center and could have easily spent more time.  Exhibits on engineering feature robotics and hands-on exhibits to create your own bridges, towers, and designs, exhibits on nature include skeletons, animal exhibits, and geology. The Gems and Minerals Hall houses an incredible collection of exquisite samples from around the world including a show-stopping 5-ft tall purple geode. Telling one of Texas’ central stories, the energy exhibit explores the science of oil, natural gas, and alternative energy sources. The Virtual experience allowing visitors to explore a drilling rig from the inside out and the opportunity to use 3D technology to map underground energy deposits were highlights of this educational exhibit. 

What the Family Thinks of a Visit to Perot Museum:

• We have visited a LOT of science museums over the years (over 20), and this was one of our top 5 favorites! Many times museums fail to hold attention well with geology exhibits, for instance, but this museum featured incredible collections, beautifully presented, and a great variety of hands-on elements to hold attention and make learning fun and engaging. The Energy exhibit was our favorite. We learned a lot about the energy industry and its environmental impacts. We spent about four hours at this museum and could have easily spent more time.
• Grandparents enjoyed exploring with the kids and watching them learn.
• Teens and tweens appreciated the demonstrations (staff presented throughout the day) and the opportunity to experiment with technology.
• Younger kids loved the variety of exhibits.

What to Know Before You Go:

• If you have a Science City Kansas City membership: Two adults and their children (17 and under) living in the same household receive free admission.
• Food and drinks are not permitted within the Museum. Bottled water, in a resealable container, is permitted. Additionally, baby food, formula, breast milk, and juice for infants or toddlers are permitted in reasonable quantities. They do offer a cafeteria where you may purchase food and drink for a meal break.

Reunion Tower: Geo Deck

1-3 Hours

300 Reunion Blvd E, Dallas, TX. 214.712.7040

Visitors to Dallas will notice, as my daughter called it, “a giant golf ball on a stick” from most views of downtown. The iconic building, Dallas’ Reunion Tower, offers 360-degree panoramic views of downtown Dallas from 470 feet up. Tickets to the top allow visitors to walk the indoor/outdoor observation deck, visit the café with a revolving floor, use telescopes and explore the interactive touch screens to learn more about Dallas’ history, the landscape, and experiment with creating your own light show of Reunion Tower. At night, the tower itself is lit in beautiful LED lights decorating the city skyline.

What the Family Thinks of a Visit to Reunion Tower:

• Reunion Tower is a true Dallas landmark and a visit is a must on your Texas trip.
• Grandpa enjoyed taking photos and learning Dallas's history.
• Teens and tweens thought the rotating floor was cool!
• Younger kids loved the touch screens and creating their own light shows!

What to Know Before You Go:

• A visit takes about an hour or so. If you can time it to go before sunset, you can enjoy day and night views.
• The tower is lit at night making an incredible nighttime view.
• If you have a fear of heights, you may want to pass on this experience. However, the facility is spacious, beautiful, and the staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. If you're considering facing your fear of heights, this is a safe and amazing way to do it! 

Dealey Plaza

Block between Main and Commerce, Dallas, TX. 214.670.4100

On Nov. 22, 1963, Dealey Plaza in Dallas became a permanent and somber part of America's story as the site of the assassination of United States President John F. Kennedy. Visitors to the site will learn that the site also marks the birthplace of the city of Dallas, founded by John Neely Bryan in the 1840s. They will also see a memorial to President Kennedy, the street marked where his car was at the time of the assassination, the sixth-floor window of the Texas Book Depository, and information on the event. There is a museum you may tour as well. Tickets sell out quickly, so purchase in advance.

Thanks-Giving Square

1627 Pacific Ave, Dallas, TX.

One of the most beautiful landmarks in Dallas is Thanks-Giving Square. The landmark was opened in 1964 to create a "place of refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life." The Chapel of Thanksgiving is the most recognized feature of the park with its spiral spire and stunning stained glass masterpiece. 

Giant Eyeball

1601 Main St, Dallas, TX.

Just a few blocks away from Thanks-giving Square, is another artistic novelty... a 30-ft. tall,  fiberglass sculpture of a human eyeball. The sculpture is at home in a fenced in garden, but you can easily stand outside the garden gates and snap insta-worthy pix.

Ripley's Believe It or Not!

2-4 Hour Excursion

601 E Palace Pkwy, Grand Prairie, TX. 972.263.2391

The Grand Prairie location is home to five attractions. You can choose which ones to experience with your family. The ideal is age is older-elementary through teens. The signature attraction is the Odditorium where you’ll see everything from unusual artwork to shrunken heads. In true Ripley’s fashion, the odd items include everything from the strange and mysterious, to the quirky and comical, to the truly bizarre and grotesque. The Enchanted Mirror Maze is a mirrored labyrinth with LED lights and infinity mirrors making it “impossible” – or is it – to find your way out. Louis Toussaud's Palace of Wax is a wax museum featuring over 200 wax figures including famous celebrities, historical figures, and fictional superheroes. The Laser Race is a Mission Impossible style race where you try to work your way through lasers without breaking the beams. And the 7-D Moving theater is a shooting game in a motion simulator in front of 3-D films – a truly intense video game style experience.

What the Family Thinks of a Visit to Ripley's Believe it or Not!:

• This was a fun-filled entertainment center with unique attractions. Everyone enjoyed the Mirror Maze and the 7-D Moving theater most of all.
• Grandparents got a kick out of the crazy characters in the wax museum. They enjoyed the Oddities as well.
• Teens and tweens most enjoyed the Oddities, 7-D theater, and Mirror Maze. Some of the Oddities were a bit too "gross" for our feminine teens. Others were fun and strange! As with any Ripley's visit, it was a mix.
• Younger kids loved mirror maze most of all. They also thought the wax museum was funny!

What to Know Before You Go:

• There are warnings for each attraction concerning age, interest, and health. For instance, some attractions include scary figures or flashing lights, so evaluate each attraction in advance when deciding for your family. Their site is your best resource.

Our family had a BLAST in Texas and we can't wait to visit again! If you're looking for more inspiration for an upcoming trip, check out Travel Texas!