Where to take the family in Fort Worth, TX, before going back to school this summer

With a new school year just around the corner, now is the best time to make some memories with your family before the summer ends. Whether you’re a Fort Worth native or just visiting our beautiful city, you’ve got many options to choose from if you are looking for family-friendly activities in our part of Texas. Keep reading to find out about four great places to take the family before they return to school.

Fort Worth Zoo

Giraffe by Donnie Ray Jones is licensed with CC BY 2.0

Get in touch with your wild side at the Fort Worth Zoo on Colonial Parkway. This large zoo houses over 7,000 animals in specially constructed habitats. Popular exhibits include the African Savanna, home to giraffes, hippos, and other animals native to African grasslands, and Elephant Springs, where you’ll find the zoo’s herd of Asian Elephants. Visiting the zoo also makes a difference for animals worldwide because its revenue supports conservation efforts in over 30 countries.

When you visit the zoo, you’re welcome to take a self-guided tour through the habitats or attend scheduled events like the Keeper Chats, where you can learn what it’s like to care for the animals. The Keeper Chats are free with admission, but some limited activities may have additional costs. The zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. You can buy tickets at the door, or you can also purchase tickets online to skip the lines. Here are the ticket prices:

• Adults ages 13 to 64: $18.
• Seniors age 65 and above: $14.
• Children ages 3 to 12: $14.
• Children under age 3: Free with an adult ticket.
• Parking: $5 per vehicle.

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

Located on Gendy Street in the Cultural District, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History has something for learners of every age. The museum has exhibits focusing on a wide range of scientific and historical topics. If your interest is in the stars, don’t miss the Noble Planetarium, which hosts several shows a day about planets and galaxies. Younger visitors might enjoy the Children’s Museum, a learning environment for children age 8 and under where they can learn about science and history through hands-on activities.

General admission tickets allow you to walk through the museum, interact with the exhibits, and see shows at the planetarium. They also include admission to the Cattle Raisers Museum, dedicated to the history of the Southwest. The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. It’s closed on Monday. Here are the ticket prices for general admission:

• Adults ages 12 to 64: $16.
• Seniors age 65 and above: $14.
• Children ages 3 to 11: $12.
• Children under age 3: Free with an adult ticket.

National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame

The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is located on Gendy Street across from the Will Rogers Center. This museum celebrates the contributions women and girls have made to the development of the American Southwest. The permanent and temporary exhibits focus on different aspects of cowgirl history and culture, including Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Shows, which ran in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and featured female show riders. You can see artifacts belonging to key figures in the American West, like Annie Oakley’s wedding ring and show gun.

Some exhibits, like the Bucking Bronc Room, feature interactive activities that allow visitors to imagine life as a cowgirl in the Old West. Others teach visitors about members of the museum’s Hall of Fame, comprising important women in Southwestern culture and American history. Honorees include Sacajawea, a Shoshone woman who guided American explorers Lewis and Clark, and Sandra Day O’Connor, who grew up on a cattle ranch before becoming a Supreme Court Justice. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Here are the ticket prices:

• Adults ages 13 to 64: $12.
• Seniors age 65 and above: $9.
• Active military or veterans with valid ID: $9.
• Children ages 4 to 12: $6.
• Children under age 4: Free with an adult ticket.
• Family special: $36 for two adults and up to four children.

Dallas World Aquarium

The Dallas World Aquarium is about a 40-minute drive from downtown Fort Worth, but it’s well worth the time on the road. This facility houses a state-of-the-art aquarium and several habitats for land-dwelling and amphibious animals. The aquarium section of the facility contains marine life from across the world, including colorful tropical fish, sea dragons, jellyfish, and eels. You can also explore the Orinoco River Exhibit, which features animals native to South America, like sloths, parrots, and monkeys. The aquarium is home to several penguin varieties and manatees, who swim in a specially designed river habitat.

While every group has its own viewing speed, the aquarium’s website estimates that most visits take between 90 minutes and two hours, and you can finish your tour with a meal or snack at one of the aquarium’s three on-site restaurants. The aquarium is open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the last entry allowed at 4 p.m. The Dallas World Aquarium uses a timed-entry ticket system, so it’s a good idea to buy your tickets in advance to ensure accommodation for your entire family. Here are the ticket prices:

• Adults ages 13 to 64: $28.95.
• Seniors age 65 and above: $22.95.
• Children ages 3 to 12: $18.95.
• Children under age 3: Free with an adult ticket.

At Hiley Hyundai of Fort Worth, we’re proud to be a part of the Fort Worth community. If you’re looking for a new car or SUV to take your family on an adventure this summer, we’ve got the stock and expertise to find you your perfect vehicle. Take a look at our inventory of new Hyundais and quality used vehicles, or stop by our location to talk to a team member.