Take a walk through John Wayne’s life beginning on May 26, 1907. | Photo by FTWtoday
Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Fort Worth or a long-time resident, now would be a great time to experience The Duke. John Wayne: An American Experience, located on Rodeo Plaza in the Stockyards, announced the completion of its expansion project for the museum exhibit and gift shop.
A day at the museum
City Editor Elizabeth, here. I had the privilege of visiting the museum for the first time and have these tips to make sure you get the full experience:
In the middle of the exhibit, you will notice hundreds and hundreds of unopened fan mail that Wayne received during his last years in the hospital that he never got to read. My favorite fact: sometimes when the Wayne family visits the museum when they’re in town, they’ll open up and read a few of the unopened letters.
At the end of the exhibit, don’t miss the two life-size photo ops with the Duke. Look up to admire part of Wayne’s extensive Stetson collection.
“Perilous Poisonous Plants” | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Fort Worth Botanic Garden | Free | This collection of specimen highlights the bloodcurdling side of botany.
Holiday in the Park | Friday, Dec. 6-Tuesday, Dec. 31 | 12-9 p.m. | Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington | $47+ | Experience enchanting holiday magic for the entire family featuring musical shows, twinkling lights, holiday treats + Santa.
First Friday at the Modern | 5 p.m. | The Modern | Free | Enjoy free museum admission, tunes from the First Friday House Band + drink specials and food for purchase.
Holiday Gift Market | Friday, Dec. 6-Saturday, Dec. 21 | 5-9 p.m. | Sundance Square Plaza | Free | Shop local vendors and artisans under the glow of the 82-ft Norway Spruce.
Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas | Friday, Dec. 6-Sunday, Dec. 29 | Times vary | Choctaw Stadium, Arlington | $27.99 | Experience this immersive holiday experience crafted by the creators of the World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze.
Saturday Dec. 7
Museums on Us | Saturday, Dec. 7-Sunday, Dec. 8 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Fort Worth Museum of Science and History | Free | Tour the exhibits courtesy of Bank of America.
Photos with Holiday Favorites | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Artisan Circle | Free | Bring your camera and grab a selfie with The Grinch, Cindy Lou Who, and Santa’s elves.
Shrek Fest | 12-5 p.m. | Martin House Brewing Company | Free | Yes, there will be a donkey and some swamp water beer — don’t knock it till you try it.
Sunday, Dec. 8
Brunch with Santa | 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Cut & Bourbon, Arlington | Free | Kiddos can bring their holiday wishlists to the Man in Red, dine on breakfast favorites + decorate gingerbread cookies.
Art Jam | Sunday, Dec. 8-Sunday, Dec. 29 | 12-8 p.m. | The Real Unreal - Meow Wolf Grapevine, Grapevine | $25+ | Tickets include access to the exhibit plus a dance party, interactive writing activities, music sessions, and other guided activities.
Jesus “Jay” Chapa is slated to be the next Fort Worth City Manager when David Cooke retires in February, pending confirmation in the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10, If confirmed, Chapa will be Fort Worth’s first Hispanic city manager. He previously served as the deputy city manager from February 2020 to January 2022.
Traffic
Paramount Pictures and 101 Studios will get back to filming “The Madison” downtown Monday, Dec. 9. 5th Street will be closed between Main and Houston Streets from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. The police department will be present to facilitate traffic. Businesses will remain open.
The Word
Oxford University Press announced its pick for Word of the Year — “brain rot.” Other finalists included “lore,” “dynamic pricing,” and “slop.” Counter the brain rot by touching grass at a local park or heading to one of these 15+ museums. (Time Magazine)
Real Estate
More people moved to the South than any other region in 2024, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors. It also shares the top reasons why movers chose a specific area, including proximity to loved ones, home price, and taxes. Newcomer? Read our guide to becoming a Fort Worthian.
Travel
Southwest fliers should get their ginger ale while they can. This week the airline began to end its cabin service earlier — at an altitude of 18,000 ft — to reduce injuries. It’s all good — there are plenty of food and drink options at DFW International before you board. (Fast Company)
Shop
Looking for a gift that provides an experience? Check out this Texas Adventure Bucket List deck that comes with 50 scratch-off cards with things to do all around the state — including Monahans, South Padre Island + Big Bend National Park.
Listen
In case your Instagram feed isn’t filled with people sharing that they’re in the top 1% of Taylor Swift listeners, allow us to inform you: Spotify Wrapped is out. If you’re looking for a new listen, check out Locked On’s daily podcasts covering all things TCU Horned Frogs.
Ranked
Fort Worthians have more fun. We ranked in the top 60 of WalletHub’s list of “Most Fun Cities in America” based on metrics like movie cost and the hours our breweries are open. Find more ways to play around town.
Finance
The bad news: Car repair costs have surged 17% in the last year, with some repairs exceeding $6,000. The good news: An Endurance protection plan could save you thousands. Sign up and receive $450 off your new contract, plus a free year of Elite Benefits. Get your free quote.*
Home
How much could you borrow from your home? Get HELOC quotes now — calculate your payment.*
Trending
Looking for a five-minute national news read? Free newsletter 1440 navigates 100+ sources to deliver a comprehensive daily digest — from global events to business to culture.*
City Guide
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Art for all
“So Close, Yet So Far” tells the story of Mexican immigration, daily life, and success in Texas. | Photo by @texasmindbodyandspirit
We all know that Fort Worth has a vibrant art scene — and we’re not just talking about the Modern Art Museum or the Kimbell Art Museum. One of our all-time favorite galleries? Funkytown itself.
Fort Worth is home to dozens of meaningful murals and outdoor art exhibits. Today, we’re sharing where to find pieces that really paint a picture of our city.
“So Close, Yet So Far,” 1521 N. Main St. | By Travis Avila + My Brothers Keeper Northside Created in collaboration with artists Armando Aguirre and Juan Velazquez, this Latin heritage mural includes the Paletero representing the daily grind, astronauts representing the advance of education, and monarch butterflies representing immigration.
“Leon Bridges,” 205 S. Calhoun St. | By Brad Smith The Blues-inspired artwork marks The Social Space, where the Fort Worth artist recorded his first album with Niles City Sound.
The AirFly Pro — it’s a nifty gadget that will wirelessly transmit audio from in-flight entertainment to Bluetooth headphones so you can ditch those pesky wired earbuds.
This past Sunday, my family and I visited the John Wayne museum to check out the expansion, as requested by my dad (pictured above). A fan of The Duke, he particularly loved the photo op at the end — as you can see. Surprise, Pilgrim! 😏
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