Visit To The Fort Worth Stockyards?

[BabyBoomers2]

Wife and I are very, very serious PRCA rodeo fans. Actually, I'm a former member of the rodeo association, in team roping, years ago. I rodeoed on weekends only in the southern part of the old Sierra Circuit, now known as the California Circuit. IOW, I had a full-time job during the week, working for a electronics company.

We see tourist ads for visiting the Stockyards on The Cowboy Channel on our Roku device. The Cowboy Channel studios are there. The entire area looks highly interesting to us, being that we are huge fans of not only pro-rodeo, but Western stuff as well.

Just wondered if anyone in this part of the forum has ever been there? We would be flying to Ft. Worth, renting a car and getting a descent hotel room for a few days to visit. We aren't interested in attending the Ft. Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, being that we can watch the rodeo from home on tv (Cowboy Channel).

[ChristieP]

My husband and I are also rodeo and western lifestyle fans.

The Stockyards is a much more touristy experience. It is a historic area with the old buildings and brick streets, and they have a "cattle drive" twice a day. There is a lot of shopping in Mule Alley and around the general area, and the Hotel Drover $$$$ has a very lovely bar to get a drink. We go to Billy Bob's to see concerts, but it is really just a huge bar. There are lots of food options ranging from very nice (Lonesome Dove Steakhouse), good BBQ (Cooper's), to cheap fast food. The Stockyards can be a lot of fun during the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering and other big events. Parking is pretty bad, and you'll either pay a lot or walk a long way. The neighborhood surrounding the Stockyards is not safe, so don't even consider getting an AirBnB and walking a few blocks.

We love going to the FWSSR during its run! There is a LOT more to see than just the rodeo, and the Dickies Arena is beautiful. We spend a lot of the day walking the grounds shopping, watching the livestock shows, looking at tractors, eating at one of the Reata At The Rodeo locations https://reata.net/reata-fort-worth/w...center-dining/, and watching the rodeo performance. We usually get club-level seats and go to the Reliant Club instead of sitting in the seats. If we don't have tickets, we go to the Backstage Club and watch it there. Really the only thing we don't do is go to the carnival. We have stayed at the Hotel Dryce (walking distance), and also at hotels in downtown and driven over to the WRMC.

[BabyBoomers2]

Originally Posted by ChristieP

My husband and I are also rodeo and western lifestyle fans.

The Stockyards is a much more touristy experience. It is a historic area with the old buildings and brick streets, and they have a "cattle drive" twice a day. There is a lot of shopping in Mule Alley and around the general area, and the Hotel Drover $$$$ has a very lovely bar to get a drink. We go to Billy Bob's to see concerts, but it is really just a huge bar. There are lots of food options ranging from very nice (Lonesome Dove Steakhouse), good BBQ (Cooper's), to cheap fast food. The Stockyards can be a lot of fun during the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering and other big events. Parking is pretty bad, and you'll either pay a lot or walk a long way. The neighborhood surrounding the Stockyards is not safe, so don't even consider getting an AirBnB and walking a few blocks.

We love going to the FWSSR during its run! There is a LOT more to see than just the rodeo, and the Dickies Arena is beautiful. We spend a lot of the day walking the grounds shopping, watching the livestock shows, looking at tractors, eating at one of the Reata At The Rodeo locations https://reata.net/reata-fort-worth/w...center-dining/, and watching the rodeo performance. We usually get club-level seats and go to the Reliant Club instead of sitting in the seats. If we don't have tickets, we go to the Backstage Club and watch it there. Really the only thing we don't do is go to the carnival. We have stayed at the Hotel Dryce (walking distance), and also at hotels in downtown and driven over to the WRMC.

First, THANKS for your reply!

We are in our mid 70's. I just turned 75 and my wife is 76. I bought my PRCA Permit in 1984. I stopped roping when I was 47, sold my horse, but kept my PRCA membership. My "heading" horse was a Red Roan and AQHA registered. Met my wife in early 2000 and found out, very quickly, how much she loved PRCA rodeo. At the time, I was working for numerous Stock Contractors, on weekends, including Cotton Rosser's Flying "U" Rodeo Company out of Marysville, California. When we first met, she was wearing a Wrangler brand straw hat and Roper jeans. At 76, she still wears either a straw or black felt hat sometimes when we go out to dinner and definitely to a rodeo. She now wears Wrangler jeans instead of Roper ones. We also have Ariat Lace-Up Roper boots and Ariat Hiking Boots. We've been to some big purse rodeos, including CFD, Greeley Stampede and Colorado Springs. We are public members of the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, CO. We have flown and drove to Vegas for the NFR in December. Have met numerous World Champions and our living room walls have numerous pictures of them with us. This includes (RIP) Larry Mahan and Walt Garrison. So, YES, we are very, very serious PRCA rodeo fans!

I've still have a couple of my old Classic "heading" ropes. Actually, started roping with Rattler ropes, then changed to Classic.

As far as all of the walking goes, at our age now (mid 70's), that is pretty much gone. Although, we do walk around the NFR Cowboy Christmas in December. We have never gone to the Thomas-Mack Center for the rodeo. We have always watched it on a Big-Screen in a room at South Point Hotel/Casino in Vegas.

In going "way back", after I got out of the Navy in Long Beach, CA in 1972, my first job was working with the horses on the stagecoach ride at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA. I've had a few jobs working with livestock, before settling in, and retiring from, Purchasing/Inventory Control in manufacturing. My wife is a degreed Accountant.

We have been highly interested in flying to Ft. Worth and visiting the Stockyards. Not exactly sure when, but (hopefully) it will happen. BTW, we've also met Pam Minick who was (still is?) a co-owner of Billy Bob's.

[Mike from back east]

Been there. Hit the museums. We ate two nights at The Cattlemen's Steakhouse, recommend it.

When is your trip to Reno?

[ChristieP]

You and your wife sound like people I'd love to hang out with! My husband and both grew up around rodeo folks. I did high school rodeo and playdays with my horse, and carried a lot of flags in grand entries at the Mesquite Championship Rodeo. My husband grew up in west Texas and his family was involved with the George Paul Memorial Bullriding in Del Rio. We are now neighbors of the Rafter G Rodeo Company (Jim Gay's outfit) and current World Champ Header Tyler Wade near Terrell, TX. We went to the NFR in Vegas a few years ago, and to the 10th round when it was held in Texas in 2020. We watch the NFR and other rodeos on The Cowboy Channel, and attend the FWSSR several times during its run.

Yes, FWSSR is a lot of walking around. The shopping plazas alone can take several hours to get through. We always stay overnight and make it a 2-day experience.

If you do come visit the Stockyards, come in the spring or fall when the weather is more mild. The heat in the summer is just awful and there's not a lot of shade there. Another benefit of coming in the spring is getting to see the Texas bluebonnets, which usually peak around Easter. Watch the concert schedule on weekends because you could get to see a good performer. If you don't want to pay the higher cover charge when there is a concert, then go on a Thursday or Sunday. I am not a fan of Cattleman's steakhouse. I much prefer the ones in downtown, especially Reata and Bob's. If you go to Joe T. Garcia's in the Stockyards, just get drinks and chips & queso. Their food is not great.

[BabyBoomers2]

Originally Posted by ChristieP

You and your wife sound like people I'd love to hang out with! My husband and both grew up around rodeo folks. I did high school rodeo and playdays with my horse, and carried a lot of flags in grand entries at the Mesquite Championship Rodeo. My husband grew up in west Texas and his family was involved with the George Paul Memorial Bullriding in Del Rio. We are now neighbors of the Rafter G Rodeo Company (Jim Gay's outfit) and current World Champ Header Tyler Wade near Terrell, TX. We went to the NFR in Vegas a few years ago, and to the 10th round when it was held in Texas in 2020. We watch the NFR and other rodeos on The Cowboy Channel, and attend the FWSSR several times during its run.

Yes, FWSSR is a lot of walking around. The shopping plazas alone can take several hours to get through. We always stay overnight and make it a 2-day experience.

If you do come visit the Stockyards, come in the spring or fall when the weather is more mild. The heat in the summer is just awful and there's not a lot of shade there. Another benefit of coming in the spring is getting to see the Texas bluebonnets, which usually peak around Easter. Watch the concert schedule on weekends because you could get to see a good performer. If you don't want to pay the higher cover charge when there is a concert, then go on a Thursday or Sunday. I am not a fan of Cattleman's steakhouse. I much prefer the ones in downtown, especially Reata and Bob's. If you go to Joe T. Garcia's in the Stockyards, just get drinks and chips & queso. Their food is not great.

Well, when talking about heat, we currently live in Henderson, Nevada. We have never lived in the desert before and now we know why. It can get so hot here in the afternoon/early evening, we can barely make it to go and get some dinner. I'm a former Emergency Medical (ambulance) and worked for a Senior Healthcare Company and, at our age, we definitely shouldn't be living in this high of heat.

Watching The Cowboy Channel, we have seen both of Jim Gay's daughters in the arena (Flag Carrying and working behind the Bucking Chutes.

My wife is much more into Bull Riding than I am, but I do enjoy seeing Sage, his brother Trey, Stetson and Josh Frost ride. Generally, Timed-Event contestants are gone by the time bull riding comes on. IOW, loaded up and headed home.

As far as "concert going" goes, we don't go to any anymore. Last one we went to was seeing Chris LeDoux in Laughlin, NV. (Don Laughlin's Hotel/Casino). We have his greatest hits CD as well as a book about him, bought on e-Bay.

Actually, I grew up (high school years) on a Duroc hog farm in northeastern Indiana. Most of my classmates that I lived around were in 4-H and FFA. If I had the choice, I'd raise cattle way before raising hogs!

Just out of curiosity, how old are you and your husband? I'm 75 and my wife is 76.

[BabyBoomers2]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

Been there. Hit the museums. We ate two nights at The Cattlemen's Steakhouse, recommend it.

When is your trip to Reno?

WOW, I had no idea you were interested in Western stuff! That is so cool

As far as Reno goes, been up there and back. Actually, first was a driving thru Fallon, then hotel in Carson City, afternoon trip to Lake Tahoe, then up to Reno. Lots of cattle grazing just south of Fallon and Livestock Auction area in Fallon. Lots of cattle grazing in Carson City Valley and just north of Carson City. Seen none in Reno, but didn't go all over Reno. Found out just how big Reno is!

[ChristieP]

Nevada heat at least has no humidity, so sweat works. Texas heat is extremely humid, so you end up soaking wet and sticky. Yuck. That's my only complaint about living here!

My husband and I are mid-50's. He likes bull riding, and I couldn't care less about it. I am with the timed event people who pack up and leave early! My favorite events are Tie Down Roping and Barrel Racing.

Billy Bob's is a huge place, and the concert show hall is open to the entire venue so everyone hears the music. When there is a headliner concert at night, everyone who walks in the door pays the general admission price which is usually $20-45 each. (Reserved seats in the show hall for the concerts cost more.) That's why I suggested checking the calendar to make sure you are not there on a night with a headliner so you don't have to pay the higher admission. https://billybobstexas.com/

I'm jealous that you got to see Chris LeDoux before he passed. He will always be one of my favorites. I still remember having to pull over because I was crying when they announced his death on the radio. When we do our Wyoming summer road trip in a few years, Kaycee will absolutely be a stop!

[tcualum]

The Cowgirl Hall of Fame Museum is pretty neat. There's also a National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum.

[loves2read]

And I agree—Joe T’s is vastly overrated except as a patio watering hole—
And there are better bars in FTW as well…
But people still go…