North Fort Worth - Keller, TX

North Fort Worth's historic importance derives from its being an important stop along the iconic Chisholm Trail. The area remained one of the most prominent selling and trading posts for livestock in the world until the advent of the vehicle. To this day, you can still watch a daily cattle drive take place at the Stockyards.

Though it has modernized to become a major commercial area, North Fort Worth retains its Western heritage. To learn more about the area's history and cowboy culture, visit the Stockyards Museum to learn more.

It may surprise many to learn that Fort Worth houses a booming arts scene. Live theater, numerous galleries and arts and crafts shows regularly feature in the area. Various events and festivals take place throughout the year, including the legendary Fort Worth Rodeo.

The world-famous and historic Fort Worth Stockyards sits within the North Fort Worth area. Unsurprisingly, much of the culinary atmosphere here centers on down-home Southern cooking, authentic Texas barbecue and spicy Tex-Mex cuisine. However, foodies can find plenty of other types of cuisine to explore as well. Nightlife in the area also comes with plenty of Western flavor. Smoky saloons and rocking honky-tonks make North Fort Worth perfect for a night out wearing your best boots. For some of the best cuisine in Fort Worth, head over to the Stockyards and the adjacent neighborhood for a Texas-sized meal that can't help but satisfy.

Riscky's Barbecue gives meat lovers the chance to sample authentic Texas barbecue. For the real experience, diners should be sure to grab some beef brisket, which the restaurant smokes until tender as possible. For the ultimate experience, diners top it off with the restaurant's signature Bar-B-Q sauce. Just be warned — it does come with a bit of a kick.

A Fort Worth institution, Joe T. Garcia's has some of the best Tex-Mex in the area. For a true Texan breakfast, stop on by in the morning for chilaquiles, a dish of fried strips of corn tortilla and scrambled egg topped off with a mildly spicy red chili sauce. Add some chorizo to the dish for a truly savory experience.

For some South American flavor in the Lone Star State, diners head to Texas de Brazil, a Brazilian-style steakhouse with plenty of great eats. Various cuts of beef, lamb and chicken comprise the menu, including favorites such as a juicy Parmesan-crusted pork loin. The lightly sweet Brazilian flan makes for the perfect way to end a meal.

Live music features at bars and saloons throughout the area. Locals love spots such as the Thirsty Armadillo and the Keller Tavern, where your glass stays full and you can play life-size Jenga and listen to a live band outside. It even serves 100 different whiskeys. For a rocking good time, stop by Billy Bob's, proudly touted as the world's biggest honky-tonk, where you can kick up your boots and line dance to the latest country hits.

Though residents in the north Fort Worth area find it easiest to get around via car, the availability of public transportation gives them other options for getting around. The T bus system runs throughout the city and also connects locals to the Trinity Rail Express. The TRE train connects locals to neighboring Dallas. The DART rail system allows for transportation to all major parts of Dallas, as well as the neighboring communities like Plano and Denton.

Find both free and public parking throughout the area, especially around the Stockyards and other heavily visited spots. Those in need of a ride will have to call one of the many taxi companies that serve the area or arrange a ride through Uber's ride-share service.

The area does not cater to pedestrians, though sidewalks can be found along major roadways. A lack of bike lanes, except for in more heavily trafficked areas, means that cyclists should use caution when out for a ride.

The city of Fort Worth provides over 260 parks to its residents. Those who live in the north of the city will find many smaller neighborhood parks available to visit. Oakhurst Park, one of the larger parks in the area, offers a variety of amenities, including grills, picnic tables, basketball courts and more. Patrons often visit the smaller parks in the northern part of the city for casual days out, and locals take trips to Fort Worth's bigger parks to make use of the other facilities the city has available, such as splash parks. Visit the parks for free year-round.

Most city parks have kid-friendly playground facilities. Those with four-legged friends can bring them along, as long as they stay on leashes. Though not located in the north, Fort Worth does have a large dog park available for off-leash play. Plenty of trails make the parks perfect for those looking to get some fresh air and exercise.

Special events draw the locals into the parks year-round. A community favorite, the Winter Wonderland event at Z Boaz Community Park features tons of snow – a Texas rarity – and family-friendly winter activities.

Overall, the cost of living in the Fort Worth is slightly higher than that of other areas of Texas; however, it is lower than the cost of living in neighboring Dallas. A day pass for the T costs about $3.50 for local travel and $10 to ride the train to Dallas. For a one-bedroom apartment, renters can expect to pay an average price of about $856 per month. Meanwhile, a beer at a local saloon should cost about $4. Gas prices in the northern neighborhood of Fort Worth tend to be on par with those throughout the rest of the DFW Metroplex, coming in at about 12 percent below the national average.

For general shopping in North Forth Worth, head to Alliance Town Center, which features big name retailers such as Best Buy and Dick's Sporting goods. When you want a more upscale experience, head to other areas of Fort Worth, such as downtown Sundance Square or the shops along 7th Street.

The historic Stockyards Station has rounded up some of the best shopping, entertainment and dining opportunities in Fort Worth. The Old West-themed shops sell everything from Western wear and gifts to gourmet spices and sports-themed merchandise. Sassy Pantz has a collection of Western-themed jewelry, accessories, shoes and apparel for women and girls. The one-of-a-kind handcrafted leather items and delightfully whimsical cowgirl boots make this shop a must-stop. For Western-themed home decor, antiques and other collectibles, take a trip to the Cross-Eyed Moose. From large furniture pieces such as dining room tables to mounts and lighting fixtures, this shop has it all.

For basic shopping needs, residents can easily find a Kroger or an Albertsons in the North Fort Worth neighborhood. Make the short drive east to the Rufe Snow Farmers Market to shop for fresh fruits and vegetables. Shoppers also love the large selection of locally produced honey, candy and sauces.