Fort Worth to Jacksonville train

Much more than an afterthought to nearby Dallas, Fort Worth is an exciting destination in its own right. Fort Worth is one of the largest cities in Texas and in the United States overall, because, as we all know, everything is bigger in Texas. With the motto "City of Cowboys and Culture," Fort Worth has activities, sights, and experiences to deliver on both of those fronts.

If you dressed as a cowboy for Halloween as a child (or last year), your first stop should be the Fort Worth Stockyards. Once a livestock market, the Stockyards are now a National Historic District characterized by restaurants, bars, Old-West themed shopping, and live music. Here you can see real Texas Longhorns on a cattle drive twice a day, or attend the Stockyards Championship Rodeo, held every weekend at the Cowtown Coliseum. Can you see why we named Fort Worth one of the best vacation destinations in Texas?

If you're more intrigued by Fort Worth's cultural offerings, you'll be wowed by the breadth of museums to visit. Admire the art at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth or the Kimbell Art Museum (whose architecture is a work of art in itself). Outdoor oases like the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and Fort Worth Water Gardens will bring a breath of fresh air - not to mention a chance to dip your feet in the water to cool off.

Luckily, there's no need to ride a horse into Cowtown. Bus service from several local and national carriers, as well as Amtrak train service, make it easy to get to Fort Worth from cities throughout the U.S. Plus, with proximity to one of the world's busiest airports, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, you can visit Fort Worth from nearly anywhere on the globe.

Jacksonville, or simply "Jax," is the largest city by area in the continental United States. Located in the northeastern corner of Florida, this sunny city along the St Johns River also boasts 22 miles of beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, coastal cuisine, and many historic neighborhoods to explore.

Natural beauty is king in Jacksonville, and where better to soak in some of the Sunshine State's outdoor wonders than the beach? Try Little Talbot Island for beachcombing or fishing, Big Talbot Island for exploring wetlands and marshes, and Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park for surfing. If you don't have the patience for birdwatching in the wild, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will let you get up-close and personal with over 2,400 animals.

To take a break from the sun's rays, head indoors to one of Jacksonville's many eclectic museums. The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens combines European-inspired gardens with an impressive collection of fine art, while the Museum of Science and History is worth a stop for its planetarium alone. On Saturdays, you wouldn’t want to miss the Riverside Arts Market where artisans and farmers set up stalls along the river, and you can catch live music, food trucks and even free yoga.

Jacksonville is easily accessed by air, train, or bus, and connects Florida to locations throughout the South. Amtrak's Jacksonville train station is located in the northern outskirts of the city, and most bus service in and out of Jacksonville conveniently departs from the JTA Intercity Bus Terminal in the heart of downtown.