About Town: Fort Worth
By Ceri Mobley, PGATOUR.COM Associate Site Producer
Back in the great state of Texas for the third time this year, the PGA TOUR will play the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial in Forth Worth this week, and PGATOUR.COM has everything you need to know about making a long weekend of it if you're headed to Texas for the tournament.
SOMEWHERE TO SNOOZE
Lone star luxury: The four-star Renaissance Fort Worth Worthington Hotel is a beautiful resort-like hotel located in Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth. Less than 15 minutes from Colonial Country Club, the entirely smoke-free hotel is pet friendly and has a pool and fitness facility as well as easy access to nearby golf courses. Rates start at $200 a night.
Other options:
• Marriott DFW Hotel and Golf Club: This three-and-a-half-star hotel has its own golf course on site and is handily located close to the airport while still being only about half an hour from the tournament. Rates start at $269 a night.
• Hilton Downtown Fort Worth: President John F. Kennedy (and his wife) have stayed here, so, really, why wouldn't you? A three-and-a-half-star hotel that's just 10 minutes from the course, Hilton Downtown rates start at $129 a night.
SOMETHING TO SNACK ON
• Joe T. Garcia's: For fine Mexican food in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, you have to try Joe T's. Established in 1935 (on the fourth of July!), this place has been cooking up tasty plates for long enough to know what they're doing. They also do breakfast, if you happen to have a hankering for some huevos rancheros.
• Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House: You can't come to Texas without having a steak (or Mexican food for that matter), at least not when I am giving you the suggestions anyway. Make sure you come hungry because these steaks are Texas sized. Can you handle a 24 ounce porterhouse?
• Gloria's: If you've never tried Salvadorian cooking, then this is the time -- and place -- to do it. Located only in Texas, Gloria's has an extensive menu with delicious items from churrasco steak to mesquite-grilled quail.
• Angelo's: OK, so I have already said this twice (see steak and Mexican food), but you really can't visit the Lone Star State without chowing down on some good old Texas barbecue. Just face it -- you will eat a lot if you make this trip.
SOMETHING TO TELL YOU FRIENDS ABOUT
• Kimbell Art Museum: While you might think of Texas and conjure visions of rodeos, barbecue and Lone Star beer, there's more to this great state than cowboys and cooking. For all the sprawling, dusty plains in the western part of the state, east Texas has some fabulous cities with some fabulous arts and culture at your service -- and the Kimbell Art Museum is a perfect example. Currently, the exhibition on display is an Asian collection featuring as the main event a Nepalese gilt-copper sculpture of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara on loan from a private collection. Though the museum's complete collection is composed of less than 350 pieces, where the Kimbell Museum leaves off...
• ...The Modern Art Museum picks up. The exhibition du jour at The Modern is a collection by artist Kehinde Wiley. Wiley fuses traditional art styles from Western Europe with present-day urban images. This exhibition runs through June 8. The permanent collection focuses on post World War II art.
• Fort Worth Stockyards: The University of Texas doesn't have a longhorn as its mascot because it's a cute animal; cattle and livestock are a huge part of Texas history. And you can learn all about how the agricultural industry grew, shaped and still runs deep in the Lone Star State today at the Stockyards. There's more to it than bulls and lassos.
• Sundance Square: If you're staying at the Renaissance Fort Worth Worthington Hotel, then make sure this is on your list since you'll be right in the thick of it. The official shopping and entertainment district of Forth Worth, Sundance Square will easily keep you occupied for an afternoon into evening with boutique stores, local dining, live music, plays and more. This is where Fort Worth comes to life.
STICKING AROUND
• Cross the Red River: Ever heard of the Red River Shootout? That would be the nickname given to the big-time rivalry college football game between Texas and Oklahoma every fall. And the Red River? That would be the natural boundary between the Longhorn State and the Sooner State. Dallas/Fort Worth is so close to the border that taking a trip to the river isn't a stretch for a weekend adventure. Choose between classy resorts or fishing cabins on the river as your base before you set out to enjoy one of the most historical natural landmarks in the country.
• Schlitterbahn: "What on earth...?" I hear you say. Well, relax; it's not as odd as it sounds. A little more than a three-hour drive south from Dallas, you'll find the small-ish town of New Braunfels. And in New Braunfels, you'll find the Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort. Surf, splash, chute, swim and even dare to relax in some rays at Schlitterbahn. Go on, say it again, Schlitterbahn.
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