Woodhaven - Fort Worth, TX Area Guide

The Woodhaven neighborhood was first proposed in 1969, when a group of investors that included the governor of Texas bought a piece of the Boaz Ranch Estate and announced development plans. Development began in the 1970s, and the Woodhaven Country Club opened in 1973. In 1998, residents formed Woodhaven Community Development, Inc. and the rest is history.

The neighborhood doesn't have much of an arts scene, but a few museums can be found just outside its bounds. The National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum comes highly recommended by locals and lies just 15 minutes from Woodhaven. It features exhibits that promote cultural diversity and teach visitors about the peoples who helped create the American West's rich culture.

Woodhaven makes up for its lack of a central dining location with a variety of locally acclaimed restaurants located throughout the neighborhood. Italian, American, Indian and more can be found on streets along Interstate 820.

For authentic Italian food that doesn't disappoint, drop by Italy Pasta and Pizza on East Loop 820. The family-owned pizzeria has amassed a crowd of dedicated regulars that praise its homemade spinach lasagna, spaghetti with meatballs, chicken marsala, cheese tortellini in cream sauce and, of course, pizza. Open seven days a week, Italy Pasta and Pizza also serves beer and wine at its 15-seat bar complete with booths and high tables.

Those with a taste for fried catfish and smoothies visit Dan's Seafood and Chicken. The seafood restaurant serves up fried shrimp, fried oysters, fish fillets and catfish nuggets. If you aren't into fried food, order your meal grilled. To help wash down your dinner, Dan's offers fruit smoothies and snow cones, as well as a number of standard soft drinks.

If you're in the mood for barbecue, Wilson's BBQ satisfies cravings with heaping portions of brisket, baby back ribs and pulled pork sandwiches. For dessert, sweet potato pie is a must. Come in for lunch specials such as the BBQ bolo (beef bologna) or BBQ chicken, served with potato salad and beans.

Corporate Image may sound all business, but its atmosphere is nothing like its name. Its retro decor and feel-good vibes convert many first-time visitors to long-time regulars. With pool tables, shuffleboard, karaoke and stiff pours, Corporate Image provides plenty of entertainment for nightlife-seeking locals. However, if live music suits you better, check out Rob's Billiards and Sports Bar. The billiards joint hosts a number of local musicians, including cover bands and class rock singers, throughout the week.

The T bus runs along the south side of the neighborhood on routes 20 and 21 but has extremely limited range. If you live north of Boca Raton Boulevard, you'll either need to drive your own vehicle or hail a cab. Yellow cab and a few other taxi companies as well as Uber service the area.

Because the majority of Woodhaven is residential, parking is widely available and primarily free. If you're venturing into Fort Worth, however, expect to pay parking fees. Prices average $3 to $4 per hour, $5 to $10 per day and $100 to $130 monthly.

If you plan on bicycling to work, you may want to rethink your method of transportation. The neighborhood has no dedicated bike lanes and Woodhaven Boulevard exists as the only bike-friendly road. Walking the neighborhood is also discouraged, with few areas that feature sidewalks. For daily commuters, the neighborhood borders two highways, Interstate 820 to the east and Interstate 30 to the south. Accessing either highway takes just minutes.

The Fort Worth area provides residents with some excellent parks and recreational activities. Quanah Parker Park features walking and biking trails, a horseshoe pit, swings for the little ones, a pavilion and small basketball court. The public park requires no entry fee.

Own a dog? Bring your pooch to the Fort Woof Dog Park, which features an obstacle course, doggie drinking fountains and separate areas for large and small animals. The dog park offers free access but asks for a donation if you'd like to see it improved and maintained.

If wildflowers, clear blue skies and open grass tickle your fancy, Tandy Hills Natural Area welcomes nature enthusiasts from miles around. Tandy Hills also hosts Prairie Fest every spring, which raises awareness of the area to ensure it stays preserved. Bee keepers, baby goats, arts and crafts and more can be found at the festival. During the rest of the year, Tandy Hills serves as a sanctuary for those looking for a quiet place while enjoying gorgeous prairie foliage and flowers.

Although Woodhaven isn't known for its annual events, Forth Worth puts on plenty worth attending. The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, Main Street Arts Festival, Fort Worth Opera Festival and Lone Star International Film Festival are the year's top headliners.

Life in Woodhaven consists of a low cost of living. A one-bedroom apartment costs on average $495 per month, a relatively low rate when compared to the $753 a month average in the Fort Worth area. Woodhaven residents also pay an average of 15 percent less than the rest of the nation for gas. If you're interested in swilling a pint of brew, reach into your pocket and pony up about $4.

For everyday grocery needs, Albertsons on East Loop 820 services the neighborhood. If you prefer discounted grocery prices, there's an ALDI about 10 minutes outside Woodhaven on Eastchase Parkway. If you just require basic items and want a quick trip, the Walgreen's on West Lamar will do just the trick. For fresh pies, cupcakes, produce and more, make a 20-minute pilgrimage to the Grand Prairie Farmers Market.

Woodhaven lacks boutiques, but the surrounding areas have a few worth visiting. ReRun Consignment Boutique, a vintage consignment store in Arlington, sells vintage women's clothing, jewelry and home items, and it even offers daily specials. Bring a girlfriend in on a Monday and receive 30 percent off on both of your purchases, or visit on a Tuesday for Last Chance items on sale for their lowest prices before they leave the racks forever.

Looking for the perfect gift for a friend or family member? Head into Fort Worth and find the Retro Cowboy, located on Houston Street. The shop sells a variety of Texas-themed gifts, including John Wayne mugs, cowboy posters, cookbooks, clothing and famed Dublin Dr. Pepper. The popular gift store offers just the right type of touristy items without being kitschy.