I adore the blog Chronicles of Frivolity which is run by the sweetest girl Katey McFarlan Hellman! I am so happy she was willing to share her best tips for what to do and see in Fort Worth, TX! If you’re not already familiar with Katey, you’ll totally fall in love with her. She has amazing style, a super genuine heart, and the cutest little family. I LOVE following her and I know you will too!!
I am seriously so obsessed with My Perfect Day series because I’m learning about so many cool spots to visit that I hadn’t considered before! I am seriously ready to do a Texas road trip! I crave more country in my life!
My Perfect Day: Fort Worth, TX with Katey McFarlan Hellman
Hi y’all! I’m Katey McFarlan Hellman, and founder of Chronicles of Frivolity. I have admired Mara’s blog for years- I started reading when I worked in PR after college. Each morning I get excited to check her site via Bloglovin’ as I adore her variety in content and how her voice and personal style stays true no matter the topic. I’m envious of her California-girl style, but if my teased blonde hair hasn’t spoiled it- I live in Texas with my husband, Paul, our 2-year-old daughter, Maxi, and dog, Peaches. I’ve been blogging at Chronicles of Frivolity since my last semester of college and haven’t looked back.
I’m a Cowtown girl born and raised, and have always loved to share my favorite finds in Fort Worth, Texas for COF readers. When Mara asked me to share my perfect day in the city- I knew this was my kind of blog post! If you find yourself in Dallas for work or travel, head west for 40 minutes! It’s a really easy drive {we do it multiple times a week} and I may be biased, but I think Fort Worth gives you the perfect taste of Texas. From the Stock Show and rodeo, you can dance the night away at the world’s largest Honky Tonk and then a few streets down eat at award-winning restaurants. Not one to enjoy a western take on food and dance? You can shop and brunch with the best of them at Clearfork and on Camp Bowie. Having grown up in Fort Worth and now being a mom myself, my husband and I adore how kid-friendly Fort Worth is. Our downtown is made for families, and most of these plans listed below will work perfectly for your little ones in tow!
Morning
- My favorite mornings start with a workout at Pilates Concept. Pilates Concept is a boutique Pilates studio where most teachers are STOTT certified. They offer small classes to cater to individualized needs. I love it because you feel like you get a personalized workout as with personal training, but you enjoy the companionship of a group class setting!
- After Pilates, my daughter and I will run to Craftwork Coffee. There is one down the street from Pilates or there is one off Magnolia. They have the best breakfast tacos my daughter, Maxi, devours. Their vanilla lattes are my favorite treat in the entire world and I could have an IV of them! You’ll find many entrepreneurs working, see a friend or two come in, and many moms take their little toddlers for a morning date.
- Camp Bowie is a street known for their boutiques, so after a breakfast taco my toddler is sufficiently bribed to do a little shopping. 😉 No, truly, FW boutiques are amazing and even the fancier ones always have kid toys and shop owners will sit on the floor and play with my daughter. Here’s where I’ll shop on Camp Bowie and why I think you’d love it:
- For Kids:
- Baby By Design. Baby By Design is the sweetest boutique that sells everything from unique dresses for little girls to custom nursery designs. They have the best selection of Kickee Pants, so if you love those pajamas, you must run in.
- Babies on the Boulevard. This is another precious children’s boutique. They have an incredible selection of smocked clothing and the best baby shower gifts you’ll find. Both of these stores have toys for your tots, so you can easily shop!
- For Yourself:
- Hale House. Hale House is my go-to spot to take out-of-town guests. From coveted Wildfox sweaters to giftable pillows and Barefoot Dreams blankets you’ll come home with a suitcase full. They have everything from shoes to baby gifts to bachelorette-party trinkets.
- You Are Here. You Are Here is my splurge-worthy spot. With Golden Goose Sneakers and Ulla Johnson {one of my favorite designers!} this is a perfect boutique to grab yourself a birthday gift. This is the store where the shop owners will literally sit in the floor and play with my daughter- their customer service is beyond anything!
- Lola & Lina. Everything is bigger in Texas, including the earrings. If you want to grab a little something to remind you of your time in Fort Worth, you’ll have to treat yourself to some statement earrings at Lola & Lina. They also have gorgeous one-of-a-kind acrylic clutches!
Afternoon
- My daughter loves to meet “dada” for lunch and be outside, so for that we head to Joe T. Garcia’s. If you haven’t been to Joe T’s, you haven’t been to Fort Worth! Id’ say it’s almost more synonymous with Fort Worth than the Stockyards. Joe T’s is a Tex-Mex icon where you enjoy the most beautiful {large!} patio and split fajitas and margaritas. My husband and I had our first-date here, and if you see it, you’ll know why most Fort Worth girls have their rehearsal dinners here. We did too, and it’s because it’s the most stunning location. If you are lucky to catch Fort Worth during the spring, head here for dinner with a big group of friends!
- After lunch, we love to stroll Magnolia! My daughter’s favorite thing is to stop by Grow Plant shop! Grow is a specialty plant shop made out of an air stream. I have lots of photos of it on my blog here. It’s such a pretty spot for your kids to run around in the afternoon and always feels like a learning field trip showing them the different plants and what their names are. The owners have little ones too, so they are so kind with kids!
- If Maxi has a sweet tooth after, we’ll go next door to Saint Sofia, which is a tiny little churro and coffee shop!
- This is when I head back home and let my little one nap, but if you are visiting and staying at The Omni, go enjoy the pool and bar!
Evening
My sister is in college at TCU, so we are quite spoiled with an aunt as a babysitter close by! She’ll swing by so my husband and I can enjoy a date night!
- Piatello is our must date-night spot. Piatello is an made-from-scratch Italian gem that we frequent at least twice a week. Their rosé collection is always indulgent and their crostinis are to die for!
- For a unique dessert, we’ll go to JOY Macarons and get the macaron ice cream sandwiches! You can end the night with drinks at Thompson’s or dancing at Billy Bob’s!
If you visit Fort Worth, be sure to stop by my blog or Instagram as I’m always sharing what we are doing and where we are eating!
Xx,
Katey
I want to give a huge shoutout to Katey for sharing such fabulous tips for where to eat, shop, and stay in Forth Worth! I wish it wasn’t too late for us to do a babymoon or I’d be booking a trip there right now! Matthew and I absolutely love Texas, and I always say I’m a country girl at heart.
P.S. If you missed the last few installments, you can check out other guides for Chicago, Venice Beach, Brooklyn, Raleigh, Houston, and Dallas!
xox
images by Chronicles of Frivolity
