Fragrant and serene, Fort Worth's Botanical Gardens offer beautiful trails and garden exhibits in one of the oldest and largest natural settings in North Texas. An extensive greenhouse area, housed in the garden's conservatory, showcases tropical plants and exotic birds in colorful settings. The Japanese Garden, a popular attraction among visitors, is tranquil and perfect for relaxation or contemplation. Special events abound throughout the year, such as the annual spring butterflies in the garden, with more than 6,000 butterflies adding color to the already magnificent setting.

Built in 1970, the Japanese Garden is a part of Fort Worth Botanic Gardens and is spread across 7.5 acre. Much of the beautiful trees and plants of the garden were brought from the city of Nagaoka, Japan. Other attractions inside the garden include the wooden bridge, meditation garden, pagoda and a viewing deck. However, the most popular attraction inside the Japanese Garden is the pond where you can feed food palettes to number of exotic Koi fishes. Besides this, the garden is also host to concerts during the weekends as well as the annual Spring Festival and Fall Festival that celebrate Japanese art and culture. Call for more information.

The Fort Worth Cultural District is where tourists and residents alike come to dine, shop and explore. Located just 10 minutes from downtown Fort Worth, the Cultural District features tree-lined surrounding and immaculately manicured grounds, a scenic area worthy of countless photo opportunities and hours of aimless wandering. Every year, more than 2 million visitors from around the world descend upon this area to check out unique shops and delicious restaurants, as well as art displays, performance theaters and cultural exhibits.

Located on the northwest edge of Ft. Worth and not far from downtown, Lake Worth is a convenient destination. Since there is no full service marina on the reservoir, it is a popular location for sailboat enthusiasts. There is also a large amount of private property along the lake's edge, so make sure you use one of the four public boat and picnic areas when you are there. Fishing for small bass and crappie is popular, and be sure to look for Moss Point and Goat Island, which provide excellent scenery. Admission is free.