10 Best Museums and Galleries in Fort Worth

Fort Worth’s Kimbell Art Museum houses globally focused collections from the European and Asian continents. Set in a Louis Kahn-designed building, this Lone Star must-see is custodian to a vast number of world-class pieces including Michelangelo's first painting: The Torment of Saint Anthony.

After you’ve spent the morning casting your eyes upon famous works by Matisse, Barbara Hepworth, and Henry Moore, stop by the chef-run Kimbell Café for a rotating selection of delectable treats. There’s also an eclectic gift shop located in the Renzo Piano Pavilion where you can shop for jewellery, home décor, and artful accessories.

Log Cabin Village is a blast from the past that demonstrates what life was like in the Lone Star State all the way back in the 1800s. This historical reenactment boasts a collection of rustic structures (including a blacksmith shop and a schoolhouse) and a team of costumed actors (who also happen to be history buffs).

Experience 19th-century life in the Parker, Pickard, and Seela cabins, or stop by the Van Zandt Homestead to explore a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (and the oldest house in the Fort Worth area). First restored in 1936 by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (and the United Daughters of the Confederacy), this quaint cottage is a prime example of the city’s old-world architecture.

Set in the heart of Fort Worth’s Cultural District, Amon Carter Museum has been a major player in America’s art scene since its prestigious inception in 1961. This extensive space draws attention with its permanent works by Andy Warhol and Georgia O’Keefe, as well as famed Western painters: Charles M. Russell and Frederic Remington.

With past exhibits spanning sculpture, Murano glass, Chicano graphics, and indigenous photography, Amon Carter Museum caters to all artistic predilections. On the second Thursday of every month, visitors can watch live performances and partake in art classes while sipping cocktails in the venue’s atrium.

Fostering independence and creativity in children up to 8 years of age, Play Street was designed to spark the imagination. In the museum’s Town Square, kids can interact with exhibits inspired by life in Fort Worth including caring for animals and jobs at the fire station.

Visit the supermarket to help set up shop or immerse yourself in all things choo-choo at the interactive train table. The venue’s online calendar is packed with fun events, so book yourselves a spot at Ice lollies and Playtime, Night at the Museum, or the Doll and Me Tea Party.

For cutting-edge creativity, nothing beats a visit to Fort Worth’s Modern Art Museum. Founded in 1892, this cultural cornerstone is situated in an architectural gem of a building that was designed by Pritzker Prize winner: Tadao Ando.

Inside, discover one of the foremost collections of global contemporary art in America, straddling abstract expressionism, colour field painting, figurative sculpture, video, photography, digital imagery, and pop art. The on-site Café Modern serves an impressive array of sumptuous dishes including lamb ragu, pea agnolotti, and strawberry rhubarb tartlet.

In Fort Worth’s historic Sundance Square, you’ll find the Sid Richardson Museum – a stunning gallery space that celebrates the evocative art of the American West. Alongside its permanent collection of works by Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell, the venue is guardian to important pieces by Oscar E. Berninghaus, Charles F. Browne, Frank Tenney Johnson, and Edwin W. Deming.

Special exhibitions are one of the museum’s major drawcards, so make sure you check the online calendar to see what’s coming up. On the square, you’ll find a wealth of top-notch restaurants to dine at afterwards, including Wicked Butcher Steakhouse and 61 Osteria.

Detailing the outstanding aviation accomplishments of the North Texas region, Fort Worth Aviation Museum promises an electrifying (and educational) family day out. With artefacts aplenty, there’s much to discover across this expansive location, including 25 show-stopping aeroplanes and a thrilling flight simulator.

See the warbirds up close, including the F-105D Thunderchief, the A-12 Avenger II, the AH-1S Cobra, and the OV-1 Mohawk. Every year in April, the museum hosts the ever-popular Hops and Props Beerfest, serving up craft brews, aeroplane rides, and blistering live music.

If its landmark Livestock Exchange building doesn’t grab your attention, what’s inside surely will. The Stockyards Museum offers historic insight into Fort Worth’s robust cattle industry – from its deeply rooted Native American connections to the longhorn ranchers of the Chisholm Trail.

Browse “Cowtown” artefacts and photographs, see John Wayne’s Silver Spur award, and learn about the colourful legacy of the city’s cowboys in, and around, the Stockyards. Dare to cast your eyes upon the 1886 Bad Luck Wedding Dress – it’s rumoured to have brought personal misery to anyone who wore it!

The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History draws thousands of families every year thanks to its abundance of enticing attractions – from its Galaxy Park Playground and Noble Planetarium to its Cattle Raiser’s Exhibit and Omni IMAX Theatre.

Get up close and personal with a Paluxysaurus dinosaur skeleton, create an artistic masterpiece in the Doodle Studio, or learn about the indigenous people of Texas’s Great Plains. Afterwards, treat yourself to a cheeseburger, fries, and a retro soft drink at the museum’s on-site eatery: the Star Café.

Bringing people together through the power of creativity, the Fort Worth Community Arts Centre is a truly remarkable space, featuring 7 indoor galleries, several performance studios (including 2 theatres), and an al fresco outdoor gallery. The collective also hosts programmes, workshops, and exhibitions, and is dedicated to fostering emerging talent.

Check the CAC’s online calendar to see what’s on when you pay a visit. Previously, the museum has hosted some inspiring and inclusive shows including Dance Like a Rodeo Tornado (a thought-provoking Western exhibition).