Remembering JFK
This spring, the city will unveil a memorial to John F. Kennedy, who spent his last night in Fort Worth after giving a speech to the city's chamber of commerce in November 1963.
Local Update
Construction continues on new facilities for the Kimbell Art Museum, designed by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop. When the $125 million expansion opens in 2013, it will double the Kimbell's gallery space and serve visiting shows, enabling the original facility to spotlight the permanent collection of artists like Vincent Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo and Pablo Picasso.
Two new restaurants opened last fall at the Will Rogers Memorial Center, in partnership with downtown's Reata Restaurant: Reata at the Backstage and La Espuela Mexican Cantina. The center's Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibits Building offers approximately 100,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space.
The 350,000-square-foot Fort Worth Convention Center now offers free Wi-Fi service in all public areas, which includes the concourse, hallways and prefunction areas. The new amenity comes via the facility's partnership with Smart City Networks. Two-tiered Internet connectivity still is available for a fee for those who need more bandwidth.
Next month, Spirit Airlines will begin offering nonstop service to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport from Denver International Airport. Daily service will commence on May 3, and a second flight will be added May 17. Meanwhile, Emirates Airlines inaugurated daily service to Dallas-Fort Worth from Dubai in February.
Following the Main St. 2012 Fort Worth Arts Festival, being held this month, construction will begin on three towers in Sundance Square. While these buildings will feature residences, offices and retail space, plans also call for a new public plaza.
Meeting Hotels
The city's main properties include the 614-room Omni Fort Worth Hotel, 504-room Renaissance Worthington Hotel, 431-room Sheraton Fort Worth Hotel and Spa, 294-room Hilton Fort Worth, 203-room Courtyard by Marriott-Blackstone and 156-suite Embassy Suites Fort Worth-Downtown.
The Dallas/Fort Worth Marriott Hotel & Golf Club at Champions Circle is 20 minutes north of downtown. Near the airport are the 299-room American Airlines Training and Conference Center and 295-room Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Marriott South.
Convention Center
Fort Worth Convention Center; exhibit space, 253,226 square feet; number of meeting rooms, 41; (817) 392-6338
Airport Transit
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, approximately 17 miles from downtown. Transfer cost by taxi, $52; by shuttle, $15-$25; by Trinity Railway Express, $2.50
Taxes
Room tax, 15%; sales tax, 8.25%; total tax on hotel rooms, 15%
Group Venues
The city's best culinary ambassador, Tim Love -- he of the Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, the Love Shack hot dog and burger joints, and the White Elephant Saloon -- has opened another establishment, the Woodshed Smokehouse, out on the Trinity River. This fix for Western-food cravings features items smoked in hickory, mesquite, oak or pecan wood; a section of the menu called New Q offers up smoked items you might not expect in Texas, like mushrooms and fish. Bring up to 500 for a savory night out. (817) 877-4545
No need to travel far to host an outdoor event. Just outside the Fort Worth Convention Center waits a 55,000-square-foot events plaza that connects to the Fort Worth Water Gardens. Rent the space through the convention center for groups of all sizes. (817) 392-6338
More than 20 miles of scenic hiking trails wind through the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge, 3,621 acres with pockets of forests, prairies and wetlands. The center's Hardwicke Interpretive Center accommodates 50 people for an event. (817) 392-7410
A little bit of Europe has been hiding in Fort Worth for more than 25 years and serves up the finest French food in town. Saint-Emilion's menu features classic plates that come prix fixe or à la carte and can be accompanied by wines from an extensive list. Guests can still order up a steak ("filet de boeuf chez Serge") or go lighter with the fish of the day. A private room seats up to 16. (817) 737-2781
Golf
When it's time to let the little dimpled ball fly, these local courses offer tee times and tournament services. Try the Golf Club at Fossil Creek (817-847-1900), the Links at Waterchase (817-861-4653), Meadowbrook Golf Course (817-457-4616), Pecan Valley Golf Course (817-249-1845) and Shady Oaks Country Club (817-732-1271).
Contact
Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau, (817) 336-8791 or (800) 433-5747