Fort Worth

After voting, here are some ideas to stay calm and cool in Fort Worth on election night

A combination plate with brisket, chicken and ribs at 225° BBQ, plus Mexican street corn and mac-and-cheese.
A combination plate with brisket, chicken and ribs at 225° BBQ, plus Mexican street corn and mac-and-cheese. bud@star-telegram.com

The stress of Election Day has loomed over many heads for far too long.

Once you cast your vote, it’s hard not to think about who will win. However, sometimes the best thing to do is unplug and unwind.

General election votes are likely to be revealed in the wee hours of the morning. Since polls close at 7 p.m. in Tarrant County, there are hours of time to kill and practice patience.

So here are five things you can do around Fort Worth or from the comfort of your home to distract from the political battle.

A combination plate with brisket, chicken and ribs at 225° BBQ, plus Mexican street corn and mac-and-cheese.
A combination plate with brisket, chicken and ribs at 225° BBQ, plus Mexican street corn and mac-and-cheese. Bud Kennedy bud@star-telegram.com

⚡ More trending stories from our newsroom:

Elon Musk says Fort Worth's F-35s are a waste of money

How Texas’ Greg Abbott ramrodded the Bible into schools | Opinion

What will Tarrant County do about the Mansfield Subcourthouse?


Help yourself to a Texas-sized dinner

Sometimes eating a good meal is all you need to feel better. Why not treat yourself to an indulgent dinner?

Of course, Fort Worth has many options. You can never go wrong with a big plate of barbecue or a helping of Tex-Mex. There are even some freebie meal deals when you wear your “I Voted” sticker.

It’s also never a bad idea to keep your hands and head busy. Cooking up a meal will keep you distracted and less stressed in the comfort of your home.

Along the Trinity River that runs through southwest Fort Worth is various restaurants and shops for walkers to stroll through.
Along the Trinity River that runs through southwest Fort Worth is various restaurants and shops for walkers to stroll through. Screenshot of Google Maps

Take a walk along the Trinity River

After a stormy weekend, election day has finally given Fort Worth some sunshine. Take advantage of the 65-degree weather and walk along the Trinity River.

With over 100 miles of Trinity walking trails, there are also places to stop by and eat as you stroll. On the Trinity Trails website, you can see a detailed map of the trails and where they have markers.

Some restaurants you can enjoy off the trail are:

  • Woodshed

  • HG Supply

  • Quince

  • Ascension

  • Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen

  • Pappasito’s Cantina

Go see a $7 movie

On Tuesdays, Marcus Theatres offers a $7 movie deal, which includes a ticket and free popcorn. You can see any movie for a discounted price.

Films out in theaters right now include:

  • “Venom: The Last Dance,” PG-13

  • “We Live in Time,” R

  • “Smile 2,” R

  • “Hitpig!”, PG

  • “Here,” PG-13

  • “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” PG-13

  • “The Wild Robot,” PG

Marcus Theatres has two Fort Worth locations:

Take down Halloween decorations

If you have yet to take down your spooky holiday decor, election night may be a good time to do so.

Again, an activity that you can do from the comfort of your own home will keep your head and hands busy.

So take those Halloween decorations and get ready for Thanksgiving, or, are I say - Christmas.

Bake an autumn dessert

Fall weather is a perfect opportunity to bake something festive. After all, anything sweet is good for the soul.

And if your candidate doesn’t win, at least you have some freshly-baked goods.

This story was originally published November 5, 2024 at 12:04 PM.

Ella Gonzales
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Ella Gonzales is a service journalism reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She is part of a team of local journalists who answer reader questions and write about life in North Texas. Ella mainly writes about local restaurants and where to find good deals around town.
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER