Extended Weekend Getaways By Kathy Barnett
Editor-In-Chief
FORT WORTH, TX – The city’s Cultural District is home to one of the most singular museums in the United States — National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame, the only institution in the world solely dedicated to honoring the pioneering spirit of women of the American West. From sharpshooters to artists and ranchers to writers, the stories preserved here trace a lineage of courage, curiosity, and independence that helped shape the modern West.
When it first opened its permanent 33,000-square-foot home in Fort Worth in 2002, after beginning in a small Texas library basement in 1975, the museum set out to give a proper stage to women whose impact on history was too often overlooked. Its archives now hold more than 4,000 artifacts and archives related to over 750 remarkable women whose lives and legacies span continents and centuries.
Walking through the galleries is like journeying through a vivid tapestry of Western history. In the Hitting the Mark: Cowgirls and Wild West Shows gallery, rare artifacts — including the wedding ring, letters, and one of the shotguns used by sharpshooter Annie Oakley when she toured with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show — bring to life a world of courage and spectacle rarely seen today. Iconic honorees such as Sacagawea, Georgia O’Keeffe, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Dale Evans — among many others — show the breadth of women’s roles in the West, from explorers and artists to authors and innovators.
One of the current eye-catchers for visitors is the Hermès scarf collection, displayed on the stairwells leading to the museum’s upper galleries. These scarves — celebrated for their craftsmanship, history, and connection to equestrian culture — reflect the longstanding symbolic bond between people and horses, a theme at the very heart of many cowgirl stories.
While The Cowgirl is in the midst of a major **$19 million expansion that will add roughly 16,000 square feet of new space — including a bespoke carousel, enhanced galleries, and a bold new entrance facing Dickies Arena — the museum remains open to visitors today. That means travelers can still enjoy its rich exhibitions and programming now, with the promise of even more to come when the project completes in late 2026.
To turn your museum visit into a full extended-weekend getaway, stay at The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel, recently named a preferred hotel partner of the museum, signaling a welcoming alliance for cultural travelers. Located in the heart of downtown, The Worthington blends historic architecture with modern amenities, including on-site dining, a fitness center, and easy access to Sundance Square, other museums, and the Stockyards. Whether you’re unwinding after a day of exhibits or planning your next Fort Worth adventure, its downtown locale makes it an ideal home base.
Just a short drive from the museum, dinner at Reata Restaurant continues the Western narrative with refined Texas ranch-style cuisine served in a warm, upscale setting. Known for its tenderloin tamales, chicken fried steak, grilled steaks, and Southwestern-inspired dishes, Reata has long been a favorite among locals and visitors seeking an authentic taste of the region. The restaurant’s rooftop dining and downtown views add a celebratory feel to the evening, making it a fitting close to a day spent exploring the women who helped define the American West.
Fort Worth itself wears its Western heritage proudly. From daily cattle drives in the historic Stockyards to cultural institutions like the Kimbell Art Museum and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History — which together create a compelling multi-day itinerary — there’s no shortage of reasons to linger longer.
In celebrating the past and looking boldly toward the future, The Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame offers visitors more than exhibits; it offers inspiration. With stories of grit and grace echoing through its halls, it stands as a tribute not just to history, but to the spirit of discovery that continues to shape America.
