The video above takes a walk through Fort Worth Stockyards Station, the narrow covered strip of shops, restaurants, and railroad tracks sitting at the far end of the Stockyards historic district. Beyond just exploring the station itself, the video also hits a few live music spots scattered around the Stockyards and nearby Fort Worth, including an open mic performance by David Bridwell at one of the area's newer venues.
History and Layout of Fort Worth Stockyards Station
Stockyards Station dates back to the late 1800s, when this stretch of land was central to warehousing and shipping cattle along the railroad. During the early 1900s, thousands of cattle moved through here daily, making it one of the busiest sections of the entire Stockyards district. Today the train tracks still run right through the middle, and you can see vintage signage and western-themed architecture that give the whole place a living museum quality. The Grapevine Vintage Railroad still operates here — you can actually board or arrive on a historic train, which is a solid experience if you time it right. The station itself is set up like a covered strip mall with a big brick walkway. At the entrance you'll find restaurants like Riscy's Barbecue, and as you walk deeper in there are gift shops, jewelry stores, clothing spots, spice vendors, and beef jerky stands. One standout is Chief Records, which carries a big collection of country and western vinyl records and occasionally hosts live music.
Where Can You Find Live Music Near Fort Worth Stockyards Station?
There's more live music around the Stockyards than people might expect, and it's not all confined to the big honky tonks on Exchange Avenue. Here are spots featured in the video:
- Cowtown Coliseum Rodeo Stage — an outdoor stage at the historic coliseum where you can catch live music on Friday and Saturday afternoons
- Hotel Drover — an upscale hotel in the Stockyards with a backyard unplugged music series featuring acoustic sets; David Trible was playing during this visit
- The Post — an intimate ticketed venue in Fort Worth featuring many locally known artists, with open mic nights that let performers take the actual stage
- Chief Records — a record shop inside Stockyards Station that occasionally has live music alongside its deep collection of country and western vinyl
Worth the Trip Even If You've Already Done the Stockyards
If you've been to the Stockyards before but only stuck to the main drag, Stockyards Station is worth circling back for. It has a different feel — less party atmosphere, more of a throwback to when this area leaned harder into family-friendly tourism and Old West history. The combination of the railroad tracks, the covered walkway, and the western storefronts makes it one of the more photogenic and genuinely interesting corners of the district. Pair it with an afternoon of catching live music at the rodeo stage or grabbing a drink at Hotel Drover, and you've got a full day without even leaving the Stockyards area.