Cultural District - Fort Worth, TX

One of the first major attractions to the Cultural District of Fort Worth was the Will Rogers Coliseum, built in the 1930s. The Coliseum attracted an especially large amount of attention when it became the home of the already legendary Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo in the 1940s. Over the decades that followed, the focus of the cultural district shifted from "Western" culture to the arts as numerous museums entered the area.

Today, the Cultural District houses several museums, including the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, in addition to several art museums. The community hosts many events, classes and celebrations that support an already vibrant art community. Will Rogers Coliseum, the museums and other area attractions, such as the Botanical Gardens, feature special events throughout the year.

The Cultural District presents foodies with an incredible chance to sample some of the best fare in the city. Options range from Texas barbecue to fine French cuisine. Limited nightlife opportunities mean that the majority of local patrons head to neighboring areas within Fort Worth for an evening out, though some great places to go in the neighborhood exist. Find restaurants scattered throughout the area and especially in spots heavily visited by tourists, such as the Will Rogers Coliseum.

Since 1962, Ol' South Pancake House has been the diner of choice for residents throughout Fort Worth. Tasty down-home cooking and a broad sampling of menu choices make this spot a must-visit for breakfast, dinner or a late-night food craving. The German pancakes come with a twist of zesty lemon and powdered sugar for a light, delicious alternative to the traditional short stack.

For classic French cuisine, residents of the Cultural District know that nothing beats Saint-Emilion. For a truly French meal, diners can try beef bourguignon, braised to tender perfection in red wine. Locals usually finish their meal with the restaurant's delightfully sweet crème brulee.

Those seeking a casual joint where they can grab a perfectly seasoned shrimp po-boy or a basket of catfish fresh out of the fryer need to look no further than J&J Oyster Bar. Patrons often head to this hot spot for its seafood, like the peel-and-eat shrimp.

Music venues here include local bars as well as area museums, including the world-famous Kimbell Art Museum and Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Find locals at spots such as Bar Louie's, where they enjoy drink specials and tasty bar food with a bit of gourmet flair. Other hot spots include the Capital Bar, a festive venue with a country feel, and Ginger Man, which serves up an incredible number of craft and international beer options.

By car, bike or foot, residents of the Cultural District have plenty of ways to get around. The T Line, Fort Worth's bus system, provides transportation to other areas of the city and to the Trinity Railway Express, which connects to the DART and neighboring Dallas. Those in need of a ride can call for a taxi from one of the many area companies, or they can schedule a ride with the Uber ride-sharing service. Visitors can find free parking around the area museums, botanical gardens and other spots. The area also has convenient paid public parking lots for use during festivals and special events.

The Cultural District allows for easy access to major highways and roadways. Meanwhile, ample sidewalks and crosswalks make the area safe and convenient for pedestrians. Bike paths provide safety for cyclists as well. As an added bonus, the Cultural District has many bike-sharing stations that cyclists can use to borrow a bike and get around the neighborhood.

In addition to numerous grassy areas around the area museums and attractions that make for wonderful outdoor relaxation, the Cultural District of Fort Worth includes Trinity Park. Free to visit year-round, Trinity Park sits alongside the Trinity River, which makes it a good spot for fishing as well as relaxing at the picnic pavilions scattered through the area. The playground area and miniature railroad make the park an entertaining place for children. However, pet owners should be aware that their furry friends must remain leashed while visiting.

Trinity Park hosts an annual Mayfest event, which features live music of every genre imaginable. The park accommodates various other events throughout the year as well. Walking and biking trails at the park also make it a good spot for those seeking a relaxing place to exercise outdoors.

The cost of living in the Cultural District can be steep compared to other neighborhoods in and around Fort Worth. Travel via the T Line costs just under $2 for a one-way trip. Regular users of the bus system tend to purchase monthly passes, which cost $60 for local use.

The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment costs around $1370 per month, while the cost of a beer at a local bar ranges from about $4 for a domestic or $6 for a craft option, depending on the brew.

On the whole, gas prices tend to be comparable to those in other Dallas and Fort Worth neighborhoods, and sit approximately 13 percent below the national average.

The Cultural District of Fort Worth does not host any major shopping centers. However, a quick jaunt to nearby West 7th Street allows residents easy access to the shopping complex surrounding Montgomery Plaza. For high-end shopping, a trip to Sundance Square turns up a host of options.

Though the Cultural District does not house any grocery stores, some can easily be found in the surrounding neighborhoods. Locals can quickly reach Central Market, Roy Pope Grocery and Trader Joe's, among others. Further, residents here do not have access to a farmers market in their neighborhood, but the nearby Cowtown Farmers Market provides local shoppers with an excellent source for farm-fresh food items and handmade goods.