Fort Worth deserves a standing ovation for all its arts and cultural offerings, which include everything from museums and theaters to live music and festivals.

New Plaza in Sundance Square

A new plaza in the famed downtown venue is under construction and will be completed in September 2013, with its boundaries at Third and Fourth streets and Commerce and Houston streets. Sundance Square plaza's centerpiece will be a two-level stage for concerts. Other amenities will include an interactive fountain with more than 200 jets shooting water six feet high.

Museums

Fort Worth, the Museum Capital of the Southwest, has five venues in the city’s Cultural District alone: the  Amon Carter Museum of American Art, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame and the Kimbell Art Museum. The Kimbell is currently undergoing a $125 million expansion that will open in late 2013, with art aficionados heralding the architectural splendor of the building expansion. Other museums in the area include the National Multicultural Heritage Museum, the Sid Richardson Museum and the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Bass Performance Hall

One of Fort Worth’s most impressive music venues is Bass Performance Hall, located on a full city block in the historic Sundance Square district downtown. Opened in 1998, it seats 2,065 people and is the permanent home of performing arts organizations such as the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the Texas Ballet Theater and the Fort Worth Opera. One of the architectural highlights of the Hall is its 80-foot Great Dome.

Fort Worth Theaters

Several venues bring the excitement of live theater, Broadway shows, children’s performances and nationally known musicians to the region. They include Casa Manana, Jubilee Theatre, Circle Theatre, Hip Pocket Theatre and Stage West. Local cinema fans look forward to the annual Lone Star International Film Festival.

Live Music

In the historic Fort Worth Stockyards district, you’ll find Billy Bob’s Texas, which proudly claims the title of the world’s largest honky-tonk. Other live music destinations throughout Fort Worth include Lola’s Saloon, Magnolia Motor Lounge, The Wild Rooster, Capital Bar, Fred’s Texas Cafe, Basement Bar and White Elephant Saloon. Top nightlife hangouts include The Aardvark, Rockstar Sports Bar, 1919 Hemphill, J&J Blues Bar and Scat Jazz Lounge.

Festivals

Every April, music and arts fans from around the country converge on Fort Worth’s Main Street for the highly anticipated Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival. The free, four-day event's schedule includes live concerts, street performers, a juried arts fair, food and family fun, and has been a local tradition for nearly three decades. It is the Southwest’s largest arts and entertainment festival, and has been rated the No. 1 arts festival in Texas and the third-largest arts festival in the country.

Fort Worth residents enjoy other arts-focused festivals, too. They include MusicArte on the River, Arts Goggle, Modern ’til Midnight (held at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth), and Fort Worth Music Festival (previously known as Jazz by the Boulevard).

Check out more cultural attractions in Fort Worth, TX.