The Fort Worth Zoo has been named by Family Life magazine as one of the country's best zoos and has over 5,000 native, exotic and endangered animals all in a beautifully landscaped environment. Many of the natural habitat exhibits allow visitors to view the animals from very close range, separated by only a river or waterfall or large viewing window. In addition, the Fort Worth Zoo has an aquarium complete with underwater viewing areas and a herpeterium so you can check out our reptile friends. Special features and exhibits are also available at the Fort Worth Zoo. Guests can leisurely stroll the grounds, eat at one of the convenient restaurants or concessions stands located throughout the zoo.
Picnic areas are also available.
Thousands of lights, arranged in holiday and animal themed displays, decorate the Zoo. Guests are treated to holiday entertainment, live stage productions, choirs and carolers. The Fort Worth Stockyards is the area's most historic attraction. Fort Worth and the surrounding area were built on cattle and the drivers who stopped in these stockyards on their journey north to Kansas City where they would be railed to the population centers in the east. In the peak year of 1871, more than 600,000 head of beef were driven on the Chisholm Trail in herds of 2,000 to 3,000 each.