The “FW” in DFW is often overshadowed by the size of the D that is Dallas. But Downtown Fort Worth is perhaps one of the best downtown business and living centers in the country. Unlike its more famous neighbor, Fort Worth eschews the L.A. vibe and corporate hustle-bustle of Dallas in favor of staying tied to its western roots. The people you meet in Downtown Fort Worth are generally friendly and laid back, adopting a live-and-let-live attitude for those who live or visit their city.
The city itself is a hub of businesses and industry, with a vaunted transit system, solid economy, and what just might be the best collection of art and culture in the entire Lone Star State. Living downtown puts you smack in the middle of art centers, from the Modern Museum to the Amon Carter Center. And right in the heart of the downtown is the fabled Fort Worth Water Garden, which is one of the top tourist attractions in the state.
The city is flanked with highways leading directly to business, industry, the nearby DFW Airport, and urban oases such as the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens and the Trinity River park system.
Beautiful and clean urban landscapes hide a startling number of excellent restaurants, bars, and small parks. The Fort Worth Convention Center is located downtown and often hosts large and small conventions within walking distance to downtown hotels, dining, and entertainment venues. Or you could take Molly the Trolley and see the city from an old-fashioned point of view.
The Trinity River runs through Fort Worth and features more than 40 miles of walking, jogging, and biking trails. And if festivals and street events are your thing, Downtown Fort Worth hosts annual events like the Main Street Arts Festival, the Parade of Lights, the Stock Show and Rodeo Parade, Cinco de Mayo celebrations, the Christmas Tree on Main Street celebrations, and visits from Santa Claus in his sleigh.
Downtown features several neighborhoods that, considering they’re in a major urban area, are relatively safe. The West 7th/Cultural District, just west of the city's center, boasts restaurants, shops, lofts, and apartments in formerly industrial areas, and is right in the heart of the city’s cultural hotbed. It neighbors the Camp Bowie District, which features more than 800 businesses on 30-plus blocks of dining, shopping, wineries, and galleries. The 35-acre Downtown/Sundance Square is the hub of offices, restaurants, and entertainment venues, such as Bass Performance Hall.
In short, if you want city life without the high-end stress, and if you want culture and art just outside your front door, Fort Worth may be the place for you. Posted by Richard Soto on
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