Inside Ssscoop: The Ariat Texas Rattlers’ Unofficial Guide to the Fort Worth Stockyards
Inside Ssscoop: The Ariat Texas Rattlers’ Unofficial Guide to the Fort Worth Stockyards
It’s been a little over a month since the 2025 run of the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo came to a close. Every January and February, Cowtown comes alive with the hustle and bustle of everything the iconic Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo has to offer. From delicious food to flashy fashion, the FWSSR is a two-week long celebration of some of the best heritage, history, and happenings that are the hallmarks of the great city of Fort Worth.
It’s always hard to see the Stock Show go – but the fun doesn’t have to stop in February! The Stockyards are the perfect place to keep experiencing the best of the west at home in Fort Worth, far after the FWSSR’s closing day. Whether you’re looking to make memories with some family-friendly fun, grab a bite of some of the best barbecue in town, or pick out your next unique piece of Western fashion flair, the Stockyards are the best place to be.
From our home on East Exchange, we’re bringing you the insider’s guide to experiencing our backyard – Ariat Texas Rattlers style!
First Thing’s First…
The Fort Worth Stockyards tell the true story of Texas. From the original wooden corrals surrounding the museums that house the Texas Cowboy and Bull Riding Hall of Fames, to the original 1800’s brick buildings in Mule Alley that hold the hottest restaurants and shops around, decades of Lone Star State heritage can be found at every turn. A trip to the Stockyards can be just as educational as it is fun – especially if you know the best place to start.
A Cowtown classic and must-see experience for anyone planning a visit to the Stockyards is the twice-daily cattle drive. Every day at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. the Fort Worth Herd embarks on a drive down East Exchange that serves as a symbol and celebration of cowboy culture’s lasting impact on Fort Worth. Between 1860 and 1890, more than four million head of cattle were trailed through the Stockyards and the city of Fort Worth, earning the area the nickname “Cowtown.” Watching the longhorn cattle meandering through the brick-paved streets trailed by cowboys and cowgirls decked out in historically accurate attire, you’ll truly feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the days of the old west. To learn even more about how the cattle industry and cowboy culture shaped Fort Worth, be sure to stop by the Stockyards Museum inside the historic Livestock Exchange Building. This will give you a solid foundation of Stockyards knowledge before you set out to explore. As you meander through the streets and shops, let your mind wander back to the days of the old west as you try to picture Cowtown as it was over a hundred years ago.
Food & Drink
After you watch the cattle drive and visit the museums to brush up on your Fort Worth history, take a moment to replenish your energy for the rest of the day by visiting any of the Stockyards’ incredible restaurants. You can’t go wrong with any of the choices: whether you find yourself craving Texas barbecue, a juicy steak, authentic Tex-Mex, or just a refreshing beverage, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
We love exploring all of the restaurants, but we’ve made some particularly good memories in Mule Alley. Renowned Fort Worth chef Tim Love is always cooking up a storm at his restaurants in the Stockyards. Each September during Rattler Days, the Ariat Texas Rattlers partner with Love for the Rattle Battle – a unique cooking competition that highlights the creativity and community of Fort Worth’s food scene.
Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall and Lonesome Dove are a couple of Stockyards staples owned and operated by Chef Love. Since its opening in 2000, Lonesome Dove has established itself as Fort Worth’s premier dining destination, offering a wide variety of dishes that celebrate the spirit of the American West. Last year’s Rattle Battle champion was none other than Lonesome Dove’s head chef, so we can attest that they know a thing or two about good Texas cooking! Tannahill’s Tavern is one of the newest and most fun additions to Mule Alley. With some of the tastiest food and best live music lineups around, Tannahill’s has been making a name for itself since 2022. From local music artists to craft cocktails, Tannahill’s has something in store for everyone looking to run into a little FTX fun!
Fun & Entertainment
Whether you’re just dropping by or planning out a whole day, there’s no shortage of fun to be found in the Stockyards. For a taste of the professional bull riding life, try your hand at the mechanical bull. You can also get your picture taken with a real Texas Longhorn, or stop by the historic Cowtown Coliseum in the heart of the Stockyards any Friday or Saturday night for the world’s only weekly rodeo. If you visit on a Thursday, make sure to get tickets to the PBR Stockyards Showcase to see the ultimate bull vs. man showdown in the ultimate iconic Texas venue. As the host of the world’s first indoor rodeo and the first-ever PBR event, the iconic Cowtown Coliseum is packed with history and the legacy of the world of western sports. The walls are quite literally lined with history too: be sure to check out the Bull Riding Hall of Fame in the Coliseum during your visit, and keep an eye out for familiar faces like Ariat Texas Rattlers head coach Cody Lambert on the wall!
For all you night owls looking to cut a rug after your visit to the Coliseum, Billy Bob’s Texas is the perfect destination to kick some (metaphorical) dust up! Originally built in 1910 as an open-air barn for the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, the iconic Stockyards staple is now a bar and concert venue that attracts visitors from all over for its live music and line dancing.
Fashion & Shopping
The Ariat Texas Rattlers rely on the local Stockyards businesses all year round to keep us in style, in and out of the arena. You can totally enjoy your visit to the heart of Cowtown whether or not you’re decked out in western wear, but there’s no denying that it’s a lot of fun to look the part!
Naturally, Ariat is the first stop on our list when it comes to refreshing our style. From belts to boots to blue jeans, Ariat has everything you need to rock it like a Rattler! You don’t have to totally revamp your outfit to embrace a bit of Stockyards style: accessories like belts, boots, and baseball caps can be great stepping stones to building up your western wardrobe. Bonus points for striking details like snakeskin, or official Ariat Texas Rattlers merchandise, both of which can be easily found at the Ariat storefront.
If you are ready to take it up a notch and commit to that ultimate hallmark of western style—the cowboy hat—look no further than the iconic Best Hat Store. Since 1996, The Best Hat Store has been living up to their name in selection and connection. They exclusively stock American Hat Company hats: the official cowboy hat of the Ariat Texas Rattlers. With a year-round inventory of over 5,000 of the highest-quality cowboy hats on the market, there’s no shortage of selection. Whether it's your first time shopping for a “lid” or your fiftieth, the folks at the Best Hat Store promise to deliver exactly that: The Best!
For Future Reference…
Now that you know a little more about all the Stockyards have to offer, all that’s left to do is get here! When it does come time to start planning your East Exchange excursion, make sure to visit the Stockyards’ official website and download the Saddle app to tailor your trip to your time frame and specific interests. Keep an eye out for PBR Teams specific events of interest as well, like meet and greets with our mascot, Fang, and chances to meet the riders of the Ariat Texas Rattlers when the PBR comes to Cowtown during Rattler Days in September!
Any day is a great day to be in the Stockyards, but there are a couple of weekends of specific interest to Rattler Nation. In May, the Unleash the Beast tour will be making its way to Cowtown Coliseum for the Elimination (May 8-11) and Ride for Redemption (May 14-15) rounds. These are the last stops on the UTB tour before the final dance in Arlington to determine who will walk away with the coveted World Champion title. It just so happens that the current #1 man in the world rides for the Ariat Texas Rattlers. Our very own Brady Fielder has been dominating the Unleash the Beast circuit this season, defending his spot at the top for six consecutive weeks and counting. Brady’s remarkable riding percentage and nose-to-the-grindstone attitude are assets during the team season just as much as they are during Unleash the Beast, and any chance to see him and the rest of the Rattlers in action is one we highly recommend taking! Daniel Keeping, João Ricardo Vieira, Marcelo Procopio Pereira, Callum Miller, Braidy Randolph, and Claudio Montanha Jr. have been staying competitive across the Unleash the Beast circuit too, so there should be no shortage of Ariat Texas Rattlers talent behind the chutes come May. Don’t miss your opportunity to witness this epic battle of the finest bull-riding talent in the country, right at home in Fort Worth: tickets to both weekends are available for purchase at pbr.com.
Finally, we might be biased, but we can confidently say that the Stockyards are especially worth visiting in September. Between our undefeated record on home dirt and the level of hometown pride Rattler Days always cultivates, we think it's safe to say that September 26-28, 2025 will be one of the best weekends of the year to take a trip to the Stockyards! The energy is unmatched both inside the arenas and out. Even if you can’t make it to a performance, there is plenty to do in the Stockyards during Rattler Days. Meet the team and get your gear signed at one of our official meet and greets; say hi to our mascots Fang and Venom the bucking bull; take in the smells and sizzles of the Rattle Battle – and most of all, get ready to cheer on your home team with the Rattler Days parade.
The Ariat Texas Rattlers are proud to represent Fort Worth and proud to call the Stockyards home. One visit is never enough, so stop by ASAP to take in all the action for yourself!