In the second of our new “Driving Destinations” columns, where we explore unforgettable journeys that celebrate the places, vistas and experiences behind the wheel, we celebrate America’s Semiquincentennial with a visit to Fort Worth, Texas – a city where the nation’s frontier spirit, industrial ambition and automotive culture collide.
Few trucks capture the spirit of Texas quite like the Ram 1500 Longhorn. Named after the iconic cattle breed that helped define the American West, the Longhorn trim embodies the same rugged elegance found throughout the Lone Star State – where ranching heritage and authenticity meets modern luxury.
From wide-open ranchlands and working cattle operations to the polished streets of cities like Fort Worth and Dallas, the Longhorn represents a distinctly Texan balance of capability and refinement. It is a truck built for hauling trailers, exploring back roads and embracing the independent spirit that has made Texas a symbol of American ambition, while offering the craftsmanship and comfort expected from today’s premium vehicles.
Long before it became one of America’s fastest-growing metropolitan centers, Fort Worth earned its identity as a gateway to the West. Built on cattle trails, railroads and the spirit of independence that shaped Texas, the city’s historic Stockyards remain a living tribute to the people and industries that helped build modern America. Today, this legendary district blends authentic Western heritage with world-class hospitality, fine dining, luxury accommodations and unforgettable experiences.
From the iconic cattle drives along Exchange Avenue to the refined comforts of Hotel Drover, the Fort Worth Stockyards offer a journey through the history, culture and independent spirit that have defined Western heritage for generations.
As Texas celebrates its outsized role in the nation’s story, there may be no better place to experience the enduring connection between heritage, horsepower and the open road.
Lodging
For an authentic Fort Worth Stockyards experience, few places capture the spirit of Texas luxury quite like Hotel Drover. Opened in 2021 as part of the Autograph Collection by Marriott, the 200-room boutique hotel blends Western heritage with modern sophistication, creating a refined retreat within the historic cattle district. Named after the legendary cattle drivers who moved herds along the Old Chisholm Trail, Hotel Drover embraces its setting with rustic architecture, handcrafted details and a distinctly Texas sense of hospitality.
Accommodations range from elegantly appointed guest rooms to premium suites and private cabins, many featuring fireplaces, soaking tubs, outdoor terraces and views of the hotel’s lush courtyard. Inside, the design balances Old West character with contemporary comfort through leather furnishings, wood accents, custom artwork and local craftsmanship. Guests can unwind at the relaxing outdoor pool, enjoy live music around the fire pits, or explore the hotel’s landscaped grounds designed to feel like a secluded Texas ranch.
Dining is another centerpiece of the experience. During our stay, we dined at 97 West Kitchen & Bar, which showcases elevated Texas cuisine with locally inspired dishes (antelope was among our selections), while ‘The Backyard’ offers an open-air gathering space with cocktails, beers, entertainment and views of the hotel’s water features.
The hotel also sits steps from the Stockyards’ restaurants, shops and daily cattle drives, making it an ideal base for exploring.
The Fort Worth Stockyards
The story of the Fort Worth Stockyards begins with cattle: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it became one of the nation’s most important livestock trading centers thanks to its location along major cattle routes and railroad connections. The arrival of the Union Stockyards in 1902 transformed the area into a bustling hub where millions of cattle, hogs and sheep passed through annually, earning Fort Worth the nickname “Cowtown.”
At its peak, the Stockyards represented the heart of the American livestock industry, connecting Texas ranchers with markets across the country. The district’s famous livestock exchange, packing plants and rail infrastructure helped establish Fort Worth as a major commercial center while preserving the cowboy culture that defined the region.
Today, the Stockyards have evolved into a premier entertainment, dining and leisure destination while maintaining their historic character. Original brick streets, restored buildings and iconic landmarks now sit alongside luxury hotels, chef-driven restaurants, boutique shopping and live entertainment venues.
Visitors can still witness the twice-daily Fort Worth Herd cattle drive, featuring Texas Longhorns moving through the historic streets, offering a living connection to the area’s ranching past.
We took in an evening of Professional Bullriding at Cowtown Coliseum, as Ram is an official partner of PBR, which is as cowboy an experience as it gets! Another recommendation is Tannahill’s Music Hall & Lounge, a 1000-capacity live music venue in a historic Mule Barn.
How to get there
Fort Worth is easily accessible from across the country through Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs located roughly 25 miles northeast of the Stockyards. From the airport, the drive takes about 30 minutes via Interstate 35W, bringing visitors directly into the heart of one of Texas’ most historic districts.
For those arriving by private aircraft, Fort Worth is also home to several executive aviation facilities, including nearby Meacham International Airport, making the city a convenient destination for luxury travelers and automotive enthusiasts.
And while the fastest route leads straight to the heart of Cowtown, the journey itself can be part of the experience. Scenic drives through the surrounding Texas countryside offer a reminder that Fort Worth’s identity was built on open range, ranching heritage and the cattle trails that helped shape the American West.
The Truck
Ram has long understood that Texas is more than just another regional market – it is the heart of the American pickup landscape. According to Ram model line manager Brant Combs, one out of every six pickup trucks sold in the United States is purchased in Texas, making the state responsible for roughly 15 to 20 percent of the brand’s entire U.S. retail sales volume for the Ram 1500. “Trucks used to be utilitarian workhorses, just something you used to get your work done,” Combs tells us. “But, today, it’s such a huge market, and a competitive one, so you need breadth and a truck for every kind of Texan.”
That demand has shaped Ram’s approach to building trucks that reflect the diverse lifestyles of the state’s buyers – from ranchers and entrepreneurs to luxury-minded customers who see their pickup as an extension of personal style. In 2002, Ram introduced the Ram 1500 Lone Star, the industry’s first Texas-specific trim level, creating a model tailored specifically to the tastes and traditions of the Lone Star State. More than two decades later, nearly 340,000 Lone Star trucks have found homes with Texas buyers, cementing the nameplate as one of Ram’s most recognizable regional offerings.
The success of the Lone Star helped establish a broader philosophy: Texas truck buyers expect capability, but they also demand character. That idea is embodied in the Ram 1500 Longhorn, which celebrates its 15th anniversary as the brand’s expression of Southwestern luxury.
While the Longhorn and Ram 1500 Limited share much of the same equipment and technology, Ram describes them as “fraternal twins” with distinctly different personalities. The Limited represents a more modern, refined interpretation of luxury, while the Longhorn embraces warmth, authenticity and craftsmanship inspired by the American West.
The Drive
I start my day in Ram’s Texas-specific workhorse, the Lone Star, and feel straightaway that I’m fitting in with my surroundings. I head to Benbrook Stables – a family-owned and operated horse ranch a few miles outside of the city. Visitors can enjoy an unforgettable horseback riding experience, through scenic lake trails and gorgeous vistas to beautiful shaded creek crossings – but you must make reservations in advance. You’ll find the folks there are really friendly, and the horses are calm in nature.
It’s about a 30-minute drive from Hotel Drover, along Chisholm Trail Parkway towards the middle of Fort Worth and then pick up I20W to head south-west to Benbrook. One thing to notice straight away about Fort Worth: It’s home to production of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. The stealth fighter jets are assembled at the historic Air Force Plant 4, located on the grounds of the nearby Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, and you’ll see them all day buzzing across the sky, occasionally pitching vertical and afterburning into the blue yonder – it’s quite the sight.
While at the farm, I leave the horses and the spectacular Texas Longhorn cows to sample some true horsepower, taking Ram’s 1500 Tungsten out for a spin around the locale. Benbrook Lake is where the Clear Fork and the West Fork of the Trinity River join, the reservoir’s surrounding roads provide a great test for the Tungsten’s air suspension, as they undulate with some hilly topography.
It provides an impeccable ride, absorbing the road while harnessing the output from its mighty 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged Hurricane I6 engine. On the quiet roads, I could really push beyond what a truck of this size should be capable of.
After returning to the ranch, and posing for a photo with a couple of new-found friends (above, who are real and not statues if you were wondering), for the return journey to Hotel Drover, I jump into Ram’s Longhorn – the true king of cowboy luxury.
Straight away, the filigree designs that are stitched into the comfortable brown leather seats really leaps out, as does the cool motif on the central console – even the rear of the front seats features belt-buckle-inspired detailing.
With more than enough headroom to accommodate my newly acquired Stetson hat, I mosey on back to Cowtown truly feeling a part of the culture. I guess you don’t have to ride a horse to feel like a cowboy after all.
Images: Ram & Charles Bradley
