Texas Eats. Historic Saloons. Wild Cowtown Stories. Holiday Style.
The Stockyards have a wilder story than cowboys and cattle. Follow it through Old Cowtown on a holiday foodie crawl filled with historic saloons, Texas eats and stories hiding in plain sight. Time your visit to catch the famous Fort Worth Herd cattle drive before meeting your guide for the crawl.
Your guide takes you back to the days when cattle brought big money into Fort Worth—and saloons, gambling, brothels, gunslingers, power and corruption followed. Hear how Hell’s Half Acre earned its notorious reputation, meet the characters who shaped Old Cowtown and discover details most visitors walk right past—including why the mirrors behind a saloon bar could be about more than checking your reflection. During the holidays, the Stockyards dress for the season, adding a festive backdrop to some of Cowtown’s wilder stories.
Come hungry for six generous tastings with plenty of food for a meal, from Choctaw fry bread and smoked-in-house brisket to Southern favorites and smoky BBQ. Along the way, discover the people and businesses behind the food, from mother-daughter-owned Hooker’s Grill and cowgirl-inspired Side Saddle Saloon to Bronc’s Tack Room and tour partner Second Rodeo Brewing. Santa hats, holiday light necklaces and other festive accessories are on hand for photos along the way.
Pop into select watering holes and discover Cowtown’s smallest and largest honky-tonk stories. Step inside The Star’s Basement Bar, the self-proclaimed “World’s Smallest Honky-Tonk,” hear about legendary Billy Bob’s Texas and see the historic White Elephant Saloon, a Fort Worth name dating to 1884. When available, enjoy a special visit with the innkeeper at historic Miss Molly’s, a former bordello known for its colorful past, reported hauntings and ghostly legends.
Part foodie crawl, part saloon hop and a deep dive into the side of Cowtown most visitors never hear about—with plenty of Jingle & Mingle along the way.
What’s included
- 6 generous savory tastings at 4 handpicked Stockyards restaurants — enough food for a meal
- Guided foodie crawl through the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, dressed for the holiday season
- Historic saloon visits & stories — discover legendary Stockyards watering holes and honky-tonks, with interior and exterior stops along the way
- Stockyards holiday sights & photo stops — take in festive Exchange Avenue and Mule Alley, including a stop at Hotel Drover’s holiday tree
- Food Tours of America guide bringing Old Cowtown’s wilder side to life with stories of Hell’s Half Acre, gamblers, gunslingers, brothels, vice, power and corruption
- Festive holiday accessories for photos — including Santa hats, holiday light necklaces and other seasonal touches
- Special visit with the innkeeper at historic and haunted Miss Molly’s, when available
- Souvenir photo postcard at Side Saddle Saloon
- Water provided at points throughout the tour
- Restaurant gratuities
What’s not included
- Alcoholic beverages — available for purchase at select locations only
- Guide gratuity — not included and always appreciated
- Transportation to and from the tour, parking fees
- Saloons, Sin & the Wild Side of Cowtown — discover what happened when cowboys and cattlemen arrived in Fort Worth with money in their pockets and went looking for a good time.
- Hell’s Half Acre: Vice, Power & Corruption — hear how saloons, gambling, brothels and backroom deals fueled one of the most notorious entertainment districts in the American West.
- Gamblers, Outlaws & Gunslingers — meet the colorful characters who gambled, fought, made fortunes and sometimes operated on both sides of the law.
- Miss Molly’s: Brothel Tales & Ghost Stories — uncover the colorful past of this former bordello, known for reported hauntings and paranormal TV appearances. (Innkeeper visit when available.)
- Legendary Stockyards Saloons — discover the White Elephant Saloon, a Fort Worth name with roots in the 1880s, plus the tiny Basement Bar, which bills itself as the “World’s Smallest Honky-Tonk.”
- Stockyards Hotel & Bonnie and Clyde — see the hotel where infamous outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow are said to have stayed while on the run and hear about the room that still bears their names (exterior visit).
- Taylor Sheridan’s Modern West — spot Stockyards locations and backdrops connected to productions from Taylor Sheridan, the Texas-based creator behind Yellowstone and other hit modern Western series.
- Mule Alley: Saloons & Western Christmas Style — see century-old livestock barns transformed into a festive destination for cocktails, restaurants, honky-tonks, holiday décor and upscale Western nightlife.
- Stockyards Holiday Lights & Western Décor — experience Exchange Avenue and the surrounding Stockyards decked out for the season, where cowboy culture meets a distinctly Texas Christmas.
- Texas-Sized Holiday Photo Ops — snap Insta-worthy Christmas photos beneath the iconic Stockyards signs stretching across the streets, surrounded by festive Western décor.
At least 72 hours’ advance notice is required for dietary accommodations and menu substitutions. Please provide the name of each guest and their specific dietary restriction or food allergy when booking.
Booking within 72 hours? Please provide your dietary needs at the time of booking. We’ll do our best to accommodate last-minute requests, but some substitutions may be limited or unavailable.
All accommodations depend on each restaurant’s capabilities and cannot be guaranteed. Substitutions may differ from the standard tastings, and in some cases, fewer tastings may be available.
Severe or life-threatening food allergies: Our tours visit multiple independent restaurants, and we do not control their kitchens or the potential for cross-contact. For this reason, our tours may not be appropriate for guests with severe or life-threatening food allergies.
- Expert Local Guides: Our guides are food enthusiasts with a deep knowledge of Fort Worth’s culinary scene.
- Fort Worths’ Best-Kept Secrets: Gain exclusive access to local hotspots where you’re welcomed like family.
- Culinary Variety: Savor a range of delicious dishes and discover the stories behind them.
- Cultural Experience: Explore Fort Worth from a local’s perspective.
- Proven Excellence: Providing the best food tours since 2011!
“So grateful for Michele giving us a wonderful tour!! First time to the Stockyards and I’m so excited to come back and try more spots!“
Tuscan, AZ
What customers are saying…
Such a fun tour!! Service was incredible, Brianna feels like a new friend. She’s so sweet! Food was amazing! We had a great time & I’ll be doing another one with y’all for sure!
This was fun! Tried three places we probably would never have gone to…great food, interesting life stories and people!
Private food tours for corporate & special events
Private Tours
If you’re planning a visit with your group and want a private tour tailored just for you, we’ve got you covered! Simply head to our private tours page, fill out the form, and we’ll craft the ideal tour experience to meet your needs.
Still have questions?
Here are the most frequently asked questions about our food tours…
Our food tour in the Stockyards offers a diverse range of culinary delights, including savory Texas BBQ, authentic Tex-Mex cuisine, mouthwatering comfort foods, and delicious desserts that showcase the flavors of the region.
Menu substitutions for dietary restrictions or food allergies are available for this tour with mention at the time of booking or by emailing info@foodtoursofamerica.com at least 48 hours before your event. Please note that last-minute menu substitutions cannot be accommodated. Our dietary restrictions coordinator will ensure your overall experience includes an equivalent quantity of food. However, your tour experience may differ significantly from that of your fellow tour-goers. The company assumes no responsibility for any food allergies or intolerances. Guests are responsible for notifying their tour guide of any food allergies upon check-in and must interact directly with each server or restaurant regarding any food allergies before participating in food or beverage tastings. Participation is at your own risk.
Absolutely! Our food tour in the Stockyards is not just about tasting delicious food but also about immersing yourself in the rich history and culture of this iconic Texas destination. Our experienced guides share fascinating stories and insights about the Stockyards’ heritage, including its cowboy traditions and historic landmarks.