CowTown Chronicles

Photo from Hotel Drover Gallery

Introduction

This trip started with a free night from Marriott that had to be used before the end of 2023. Both Aubry and I had never been to the stockyards or spent much time in the DFW area. This trip we had effectively 1 ½ days to spend. As we drove up we had only two things planned, our hotels, and a walk around the stockyards. Our first night would be the Hotel Drover, part of the Autograph collection by Marriott and the second night would be at The Courtyard downtown. 

Hotel Drover

Autograph collections are designed to deliver an experience unique to the culture of the area. Hotel Drover immerses you into a feeling of country western luxury. The hotel is located on the stockyards, which came as a surprise to me. All parking was pay to park which was a bit of a bummer, but we were staying for free so how upset could I really be. Stepping into the room we were greeted by the smell of leather, it was everywhere. Our room was on the top floor and overlooked Mule Alley Street which looks stunning at Christmas time. The location allowed us to easily walk to any destination in and around the stockyards. There was a bar in the lobby and another in the courtyard behind the hotel. It was there that I had the best old fashioned I’ve ever had, and watched football by the giant christmas tree under the heated patio before going to bed.

Stockyards

While we did not get the full experience of the stockyards on this visit, we still managed to see a good bit. I consider this trip a scouting mission of sorts. Before checking out of the Hotel Drover we took a morning walk around to see the shops and grab a coffee. As a barista I always enjoy a good coffee and do my best to try local shops. I got a cold brew and Aubry got an almond milk mocha from Avoca Coffee Roasters. Iced drinks were a bad call as it was 40 degrees outside and quite windy. There was a shop that had a Cowboy Nutcracker in the window that we liked, but it was just a decoration and not for sale unfortunately. The stockyards do a cattle drive twice a day every day, once at 11:30am and 4:00pm. Our friends Landyn and JT happened to be in Dallas at the same time as us, so we met up with them to watch the cattle drive in the morning. In the two days we were in Fort Worth the cattle drive was easily the coolest thing we did and it was totally free! The longhorns walk right down East Exchange street and Aubry got some close-up photos she could only have gotten there! In fact the cattle drive was so cool we went see it a second time before heading back home to Lafayette.

Food

I consider myself to be a gluten free foodie. Everywhere I go I look for the best gluten free food and pastries in the city and try a little bit of everything. The night we arrived we had done no research on places to eat so we went with our safe bet, Tex-Mex. We walked from the hotel to Paloma Suerte. Our favorite item there was the salsa and guacamole. Another notable mention was their “bad” corn tortillas which held together remarkably well. The first morning, after we grabbed coffee at Avoca, I found this breakfast place with a large gluten free menu called Snooze AM Eatery. We had the Huevos tostadas which reminded us a lot of the food we had in Costa Rica. Aubry and I split breakfast because a lighter breakfast gives us more room to try more at other places. For lunch after the cattle drive we took Landyn and JT to one of our favorite burger places, Rodeo Goat. They have a location in Houston that we love and their original is Fort Worth, but the location we went to was their newest in Dallas. I always get the Chaca Oaxaca because I love chorizo and a fried egg on my burger. Our second night we stayed downtown in the heart of Fort Worth. A new day means a new coffee shop so I found an Italian roaster called Buon Giorno. I got a drink that the barista did a swan latte art on as well as a gluten free cinnamon coffee cake. Aubry got a raspberry tea that smelled amazing. It even came out in a kettle that had a sweater. For lunch that afternoon we ate at a place in Dallas named Company Cafe that Aubry found. Their menu is nearly entirely gluten free so we had a field day. As an appetizer we got French toast bites, my entree was buffalo fried chicken, and Aubry’s entree was fried fish and chips. Initially we wanted to get the molten chocolate cake for dessert, but we were already stuffed.The last place we visited by Aubry’s request was LaLa Land Cafe for coffee and matcha for the road. Definitely a place for the girlies, Aubry really enjoyed her strawberry matcha.

Gaylord Texan

Our primary activity we did while in DFW was the ICE! exhibit at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine. The exhibit was Grinch themed and they keep the room at 9 degrees! I arrived wearing a sweater, a patagonia, and a puffer jacket. Even with the parka they give you to wear it was still a little chilly in there, but the craftsmanship displayed in the ice was spectacular. Towards the end of the exhibit was a big ice slide that all 4 of us did. Also at the Gaylord we walked around to take in the sights. The building is huge and during christmas time its packed with one-day visitors like ourselves as well as hotel guests. To make it that much busier, the Ohio State football team and their fans were staying there for the Cotton Bowl.

Courtyard Blackstone Downtown

Our second and final night in Fort Worth we spent at The Courtyard by Marriott Downtown. We got our room upgraded to the King suite for free, but the view wasn’t as nice as the one at the Hotel Drover. This hotel would make an amazing stay if we were staying in Fort Worth for longer than we did. It’s located right in the center of Fort Worth making it a walking distance from almost everything. Had it not been in the upper thirties outside we would have walked to get coffee. The parking is valet only which was a little unfortunate but the guys were super nice and made getting our car super easy.

Conclusion

Overall our time in Fort Worth was fun but far too short. Fort Worth is the only city I have visited so far that has made me want to move there immediately. I felt safe the whole time, the whole city was so clean, and there is so much to do there. We really only scratched the surface. Time to plan my next trip I suppose!