Planning a trip to Fort Worth

Getting Around

By Public Transportation

Within the city, the only public transportation most visitors will need are city buses (the T) that run every 20 minutes among the three major districts, from the Fort Worth Zoo all the way to the Stockyards, making stops downtown on the way. Buses run daily from 6:15am to 10:15pm. The regular one-way fare is $1.50 for adults; 75¢ for seniors, travelers with disabilities, and students ages 6 to 16; and $3 ($1.50 students and seniors) for a Day Pass. Within the downtown area, service is free. Route 1 (brown) travels from North Main Street to the Stockyards; Route 2 (blue), from Camp Bowie to the Cultural District; and Route 7 (green), from University/Montgomery to the Cultural District. Trolley Route 15 travels Saturday only to the Stockyards from downtown hotels and the ITC rail station. A trolley also runs on Saturdays from the ITC rail station to the Fort Worth Zoo with stops in the Cultural District. Pick up a schedule at any visitor information center or obtain information on schedules by calling tel. 817/215-8600 or 334-0092, or by visiting the website at www.the-t.com.

The Trinity Railway Express (TRE) is the most convenient and hassle-free way to travel to Dallas without having to worry about traffic. It's an express commuter train connecting the two cities, traveling to DFW Airport, Irving, Dallas's American Airlines Center (for Mavericks and Stars games), and Dallas Union Station ($5 round-trip). Pickup and drop-off points are the Texas & Pacific Station and the Intermodal Transportation Center downtown. Call tel. 877/215-8600 or 817/215-8600 or visit www.the-t.com for route and schedule information.

By Car

With the city's efficient bus and trolley services, you can quite easily manage to get around Fort Worth without a car. However, if you want to spend time in Dallas or Arlington, you will be better off with an automobile. Car-rental agencies in Fort Worth include Avis, 801 W. Weatherford (tel. 800/230-4898; www.avis.com); Budget, 1001 Henderson (tel. 800/527-0700; www.budget.com); Enterprise, 2832 W. 7th St. (tel. 800/RENT A CAR [736-8222]; www.enterprise.com); and Hertz, 917 Taylor St. (tel. 817/654-3131; www.hertz.com).

By Taxi

You'll have to call a cab unless you're lucky enough to catch one outside a hotel. The major companies operating in Fort Worth are Yellow Checker Taxi (tel. 817/426-6262) and Cowboy Cab (tel. 817/428-0202). Fares are $2.25 (initial drop) and 20¢ for each additional 1/9 mile. Extras include $2 extra passenger charge, $3.60 airport exit fee, and $2.60 airport drop-off fee.

Neighborhoods in Brief

Stockyards National Historic District

This area was the focus of the old cattle-raising and livestock business of Fort Worth. Today the district retains its Old West feel and is where rodeos and Wild West shows take place, as well as daily cattle drives down Exchange Avenue. A handful of hotels and restaurants aimed at visitors are located here, but it's not overly touristy.

Downtown

Downtown is the center of the Fort Worth business community and includes Sundance Square, where much of the city's restaurant, bar, and theater nightlife and most business-oriented hotels are located. Staying in this area is best if you want to get around easily between the Cultural District, the Stockyards District, and downtown.

Cultural District

Fort Worth's outstanding museums, including the Kimbell, Modern, and Amon Carter, are clustered in the Cultural District. Just south are parks and gardens, including the Fort Worth Zoo and Botanic Garden. Art lovers will want to base themselves here, but the Stockyards District and downtown are better for families.

Medical District

Immediately south of downtown, this is the site of major hospitals and several residential areas, and Fort Worth's major university, Texas Christian University (TCU). Many hotels and restaurants are located south of I-30 as well. There's no major benefit to basing yourself here, but it's where you'll find some of the cheaper hotel options.

Fast Facts

American Express -- There is an office at Gulliver's Travel, 2800 S. Hulen, #110 (tel. 817/924-7766; Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

Babysitters -- If your hotel doesn't offer babysitting services, contact Baby Sitters of Dallas (tel. 817/960-2174; www.babysittersofdallas.com) for child care; despite the name, they handle Fort Worth and Tarrant County.

Dentists -- Call tel. 800/577-7320 for a dentist referral service.

Doctors -- Call the Tarrant County Medical Society (tel. 817/732-3997) for a doctor referral.

Drugstores -- Area locations for Eckerd Drugs include 3208 N. Main St., near the Stockyards (tel. 817/625-6179), and 611 Houston St. at Sundance Square (tel. 817/336-7105). The Eckerd store at 6389 Camp Bowie Blvd. in the Cultural District (tel. 817/737-3125) is open 24 hours.

Hospitals -- The Medical District, south of downtown, has two large, full-service hospitals: Columbia Plaza Medical Center, 900 8th Ave. (tel. 817/336-2100), and Baylor All Saints Medical Center, 1400 8th Ave. (tel. 817/926-2544).

Internet Access -- One centrally located cybercafe is Cyber Rodeo, 1309 Calhoun St., within the Rodeo Steakhouse (tel. 817/332-1288). Free wireless hot spots include 8.0 Restaurant and Bar, 111 E. 3rd St. (tel. 817/336-0880), and Flying Saucer Drought Emporium, 111 E. 4th St. (tel. 817/336-7468).

Maps -- Any of the Fort Worth tourist information centers can provide you with free maps of all of Fort Worth or of individual districts.

Newspapers & Magazines -- Both the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Dallas Morning News "Weekend Guide" have plenty of arts, entertainment, and dining information for Fort Worth and the Metroplex.

Police -- For an emergency, dial tel. 911. For nonemergencies, call tel. 817/871-6458. The main police station in downtown Fort Worth is located at 350 W. Belknap (at Taylor).

Post Office -- The main downtown post office, 251 W. Lancaster (tel. 817/348-0565), is open Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 7pm.

Safety -- For a city of more than 600,000 (and the 17th-largest city in the country), Fort Worth is a relaxed and, from most appearances, safe city. Still, as in any large city, visitors should exercise caution and keep an eye on their handbags, especially at night, in major tourist destinations such as the Stockyards and the Cultural District, and downtown around Sundance Square. Beyond Sundance Square, which is very lively at night, much of downtown Fort Worth is virtually deserted after 9pm. Drive or take a taxi late at night.

Taxes -- The general sales tax is 8.25%, hotel tax is 15%, and restaurant tax is 7%.

Transit Info -- For general public transportation questions, call the Fort Worth Transportation Authority at tel. 817/871-6200. For "the T" bus schedule information, call tel. 817/215-8600 or 334-0092 or visit www.the-t.com.

Weather -- For the latest weather information, call tel. 817/787-1111.