Fort Worth Water Gardens

It’s cool, I guess. Hard to review this one. It’s like one big tease. Walking through in the heat and you see the water, you just wanna jump in! It is probably nice to walk through at night with a date. It’s free. You should walk through it at least once if you haven’t.

If you are visiting Fort Worth, I highly recommend stopping to take a quick stroll through the Fort Worth Water Gardens. It’s something unique and not to mention FREE so you really don’t have any excuse as to why you won’t go. There are three different waterfalls in the gardens and each of them has a different vibe and message. We took the time to experience each one and while the first pool with the concrete steps was our favorite, they each have something special about them.
There are three different Waterfalls in the Gardens. One of them is just a huge pool full of misters that shoot up in all different colors. Go at night to fully experience the colors because it’s quite pretty. Another garden is a very shallow pool that is located lower than the viewing area. You just take the stairs to go down and it’s supposed to be very peaceful and it is! A lot of people were just sitting here soaking in the silence. But honestly, the waterfall garden that you NEED to see is the first one. It has concrete steps that lead to the base of the pool. It’s a little scary to walk down these steps but it is so worth it because you can sit down right in the center and just admire the architecture. I’ve never been to a garden quite like this and this one was really spectacular. We sat there for awhile just watching other people walk down the steps and enjoying the atmosphere. It was well worth it for us and I definitely think that it’s worth a visit if you’re in the area! ⁵⁄₅

It’s free and it’s something to do with out-​of-​towners. I’ve only been here once and I’ve denied all latter requests to go to the FW Water Gardens. For some reasons, every visitor wants to see this place. Trust me, once is more than enough.
This place could have been spectacular but it wasn’t. There are several features installed and I’d say the only cool one was the staircase-​looking one. The others just looked like typical fountains and ponds, like ones you could see in front of professional business buildings and hotels. I’ve seen better ones on college campuses. You want to do something free, go to the Kimball Museum or Modern Art Museum or go to the Trinity Trails.

Great place for a date and some walking.
I once took a girl here. Her boyfriend tagged along, too.
Not a haiku.

The Fort Worth Water Gardens are a nice feature, but somehow just misses the mark of being truly special. Considering it is a no charge location, I suppose the value is good.
I’ve been here several times. I like to bring guests here when doing a walk around Fort Worth downtown.
I can’t say it is all that special to me, but it is unique enough to draw me back on occasion. There isn’t much to do and seeing it all, only takes a few minutes. Just a few flowers and some nice touches could make it more special.
There are two sections to walk down into. One is a nice simple shallow pool with cypress trees lined around it. Basically picture a cement bathtub about 40 foot deep. Not a bad feature. Simple.
The main feature, the big water feature that you walk down into, scares my wife. From the first time we went in 2003, she wouldn’t walk down into the fountain. I can’t say I blame her. I always wondered why it was built in such a fashion that had seemingly so few safety features built in. This is serving the public and seems risky how the steps are built going down.
The steps down/​up are so narrow that it is difficult for two people to pass by each other. The room down at the base is skimpy, so not too many people can be down there at the same time. It is a fun adventure to do, just be very careful to not mis step.
One mistake and you are in the water.
The water gardens do help to take a concrete jungle and temporarily remove you from the drumbeat of city life. Climbing ‘the mountain’ there, an odd thing to me, results in some cool breezes. I say it is an odd thing to me because they put it there to climb, call it «The Mountain,» seems like it is meant to be climbed, is always being climbed, yet has signs all around it showing no climbing. Not written in words mind you, but just a symbol that seems to indicate we are not to climb this feature that is clearly intended to be climbed. Not too sure what to make of that honestly.
To the shame of Fort Worth, mistakes have been made regarding safety. These mistakes have cost people their lives. After 4 died in the mid 2000’s, Fort Worth fixed one aspect of the fountain (by making it only 2 feet deep instead of 9 feet deep), but what I would consider the main safety problem (narrow steps with no hand rails) hasn’t been addressed. Maybe it isn’t too big a deal.
I do recommend you visit here, but don’t expect to be blown away. It is a simple concept that is ok, worth the visit, but would be outstanding if they were to upgrade it a bit.
Oh, fun history fact: a part of an old Sci-​Fi film I actually saw at the theater (I’m thinking I was about 11 or 12) when it was released was filmed here, «Logan’s Run.» It was called a part of the cities cooling system and the method they used to reenter the city.

I think this is a MUST VISIT SIGHT in Fort Worth. It is especially beautiful at night when all the lights up lit. The 3 main pools or I think of it as more of 3 different water artistic pieces will awaken your senses. It is really hard to describe the sensations or awe you feel especially when you visit the active pool. You just have to see it for yourself. We have been here quite a few times during both the day time and the night time. It is a great place to walk to after brunch or dinner and work off a few calories.

The name is a bit misleading as there isn’t much in the way of greenery. I am not sure why garden is in the name — unless you think garden of water fountains. The hardscape was very impressive. It would greatly benefit from more diverse landscaping. Definitely worth the visit.

My favorite place in the WHOLE Dallas/​Fort Worth Metroplex. I can really allow myself to get grounded here.

I kinda get it. I kinda don’t. But the part I get is pretty cool. Last night was the first time I’ve been here in awhile. and at dark thirty. There were plenty people still here and it was safe! The pools are lit and make a beautiful display. Great for a stroll with a date.

This place is one big tease. All these awesome water features that seem so inviting, especially on a hot day, but you cant get in. My friend and I stumbled upon his place while staying at the omni across the street, it was a very pleasant surprise. We walked around the 3 water features, enjoying the relaxing sound of running water, took a few pics and had a mini workout on the mountain feature. Hats off to the city of Fort Worth for investing in its city and giving its residents and visitors such a cool to spend some time.

The Water Gardens are a nice place to walk around sit down and have lunch. On the weekends there is free metered parking to the left of the gardens. Theres 4 points of the Gardens to see– The Waterfall, the Pool area, climbing up top of the rocks and the other Water Falls. Theres realy not much else to it but its in a good location to hang out as its by restaurants.

A hidden Gem of America.
The Water Gardens were featured as a Bing daily image which is where I was given inspiration to visit. Upon walking up to the scene, I was wondering where the main waterfall would be. To stumble upon this is greatness. A MUST if you are in the Fort Worth area. Surprised something so serene is free to the public.

Most of the sidewalks in downtown Fort Worth are empty but that’s not the case when we approached the Water Gardens. It’s a very touristy spot behind the Convention Center and across from the Omni Hotel. We walked from Sundance Square to the Water Gardens (15 – 20 minutes) but many buses and even the free trolley will get you here. The temperature during that day was in the mid-​90s with dry heat so it was a nice walk.
They have three pools: Active, Aerated, and Quiet. Note that they are NOT for swimming or wading through. My favorite was the Active Water Pool. It’s a large walk-​in fountain with water running down the walls and collecting at the bottom. There are large concrete blocks that spiral down into the center and tourists, like us, all took turns walking down and taking photographs. The Quiet Water Pool is relatively quiet compared to the rest of the garden and about a level down. The Aerated Water Pool is near lots of grass where some girls were sunbathing. We noticed a pair of creepy middle-​aged men observing them from afar and teenage boys nearby doing flips and video recording themselves and the girls in the background –_​_​–

a must visit when you’re in Fortworth, definitely a great photo opp!
there’s the boring peaceful water pool on one side AND THEN there’s the large fountain that spirals downward on the other side, you can even make the treacherous path down to the bottom of the large fountain (the loud noises & rushing water are supposed to confuse & immerse the person walking down)
there are also small gardens, i wish we could’ve sat & enjoyed everything but it was 100 degrees outside

What a fun find in the middle of the city.
This water garden has three separate pools each with their own unique character. I would be hard pressed to choose a favorite between the active pool and the quiet pool. Lucky for us the weather was not too warm this morning. There is plenty of shade if needed.
Definitely check this out if you are in the Fort Worth area.

I feel like this place is not fun when it’s hot outside. Seeing pools of water that you cannot jump into when it’s 100 degrees outside is definitely NOT relaxing. I was kinda freaking out when my kids walked down the very narrow steps with my husband. I do not feel like small children should be walking down these steps. Very difficult to not fall in when other people want to pass you.
We had to feed the meter to park. Then as we were getting our kids out of the car someone immediately approached us asking for money. Then about 3 minutes later a pretty decent dressed couple asked us for money. THEN AGAIN as we were leaving another person asking for money. What the hell?! Do these people see me with FOUR kids? They must think I have stacks of money in my non luxury vehicle or something. No I cannot give you & your sob story about riding a bus to California to see your mother– any money!
One positive — the grass was nice.
Maybe I would like this place if my kids didn’t step on gum that jerks threw everywhere. The gum was very hot & basically became one with my kids shoe. Maybe everyone else thought it was so peaceful, beautiful, whatever — not this chick.

How have I not known about this little gem right in the middle of downtown Fort Worth?! Oh, it’s because I never go to Fort Worth as much as I should! We decided to head over there one day because we wanted to try Uno Pizzeria. After lunch, we decided to walk off the 5,000 calories we most likely just consumed and walked over to Sundance Square and then to the Omni hotel. We saw the sign for the water gardens and head over. Super awesome! 3 different water areas and a concrete mountain, which was super fun for kids. This place is a perfect oasis in the middle of the city. Very picturesque and serene. We even got to see a surprise wedding proposal go down right in front of us. Tres romantique! Didn’t want to leave. but we will definitely be back here!

If you are looking for something unique and FREE and (bonus) something to do to cool off a bit than I would recommend the Fort Worth Water Gardens for sure!!!
The Water Gardens are location in the town center very close to the convention center. Parking is a tad hard to find but worth it.
When you enter the Gardens you become engulfed in a concrete man-​made oasis surrounded by skyscrapers tall as the eye can see.
There are three different Waterfalls in the Gardens:
The 1^st is the deep waterfall pool with concrete steps. You can sit at the top and take in the beauty or you can walk down to the base of the pool. For some people it’s super easy to gallop to the bottom and for some (myself included) it gets terrifying halfway down and your knees buckle and you consider going back until you center yourself and calm down. I made it to the bottom and it was totally worth it! When we went people of all ages (including little 3 year olds) were walking down. Just make sure you hold the kiddos hands!!!
The 2^nd one we found is like a huge pool full of misters that shoot up. The day we went we had a very slight breeze so we sat on the edge and just enjoyed the mist. It was beautiful to see and very quiet and calming.
The 3^rd one is a Bridal Fantasy. It is a shallow (inches) deep pool that is located lower than the viewing area (you take stairs). The beginning of the pool has room for about 10 chairs and you can literally walk across this pool to meet your groom at the other end. It’s breath taking.
Surrounding all of these pools are lush green hills of grass, concrete walking paths and interesting artwork. Immerse yourself in it long enough and you will forget that you are in the heart of a huge Texas cow town!

We enjoyed our visit to the Fort Worth Water Gardens. It’s a great big concrete park with many different fountains to see, and we were only there a short time so we didn’t see all of them. Our favorite of the few that we were able to see was definitely the active pool, with so many different waterfalls and big concrete steps down into the basin… which we didn’t take, because I am a terrible klutz and would surely have fallen in the water. It was pretty daunting.
There are signs very clearly stating not to go in the water, and there are people that are blatantly disregarding those signs (we weren’t those people). It seems like a nice place to visit on a warm day, although I am always in favor of more shade. Certainly an attraction anyone visiting Fort Worth should check out!

Every major city should steal this concept out of Fort Worth and make their own Water Garden. If you’re in town visiting or passing through, why wouldn’t you want to come to this place when you’re baking in the 100 degree Texas dry heat. The MAIN ATTRACTION seems to be the ACTIVE WATER POOL. Definitely a cool (and slightly dangerous if you’re uncoordinated) experience as you walk all the way down angular walls of rushing water to the bottom.
Next to that you have the calm QUIET POOL. Even though you’re baking in the hot sun, the pool teases you as the multiple signs remind you wading in it is prohibited. Its a nice place to sit in the shade and relax, nothing more.
This urban park is worth checking out for a second, then onto the next Forth Worth attraction.