Kick up your heels in zesty Fort Worth

• By CYNTHIA V. CAMPBELL
• Travel editor
• Published: Aug 24, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Looking for a hot and spicy getaway? Fort Worth, Texas, has the answer. The Texas ZestFest returns to the Will Rogers Memorial Center Friday-Sunday, Sept. 5-7. Hosted by Chile Pepper Magazine, this is one of the hottest food festivals and competitions in the country.

The event showcases the zestiest products on the market. Main Stage Celebrity cooking demonstrations allow guests to ask questions and get tips from the region’s most renowned chefs. Top chefs returning this year include Jon Bonnell of Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine and Buffalo Brothers, and Grady Spears of Lambert’s and Dutch’s Hamburgers. Visitors can watch fierce competition between gastronomic rivals or prove their gusto by participating in the jalapeño eating contest. Live music will add to the excitement.

Texas ZestFest will open its doors to the public one day early from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, as well as 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Admission to the event includes tastings, entertainment and cooking demonstrations. Tickets are $10. Children age 4 and under are admitted free.

Fort Worth combines old-time cowboy culture with contemporary, big-city flair. You can dress down in jeans, a clean white shirt and boots or put on your fancy duds for a formal night at the opera.

Founded as an army outpost in 1849, Fort Worth became the last major stop on the Chisholm Trail, where millions of cattle were driven to market. The railroad transformed the Fort Worth Stockyards into a premier livestock center. When oil began to gush in West Texas, the town was at the center of wheeling and dealing. Start a visit at The Stockyards National Historic District where you’ll find Texas-themed shopping (think boots worth thousands), Western saloons, Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Fort Worth Herd daily cattle drive. You’ll see legendary structures as the Livestock Exchange Building and the Stockyards Station shops and restaurants in the old sheep and hog barns. The Stockyards Championship Rodeo is held at 8 p.m. in Cowtown Coliseum most Friday and Saturday nights year-round. Then drop in at the White Elephant Saloon or Billy Bob’s Texas —the World’s Largest Honky Tonk for kicking up your heels — Texas style.

If you’re looking for something more upscale, then head to Sundance Square, the entertainment/business district filled with shops, art galleries, restaurants, movie theaters and more.

Fort Worth’s Cultural District rivals New York City or Paris for some of the most spectacular art in the world. You can spend hours viewing some of the world’s great art at the Kimbell Art Museum, Amon Carter Museum and Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Children will love the magic of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and Omni Theater. And don’t rule out the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. For a truly spectacular evening, attend a symphony concert or ballet in Bass Hall, one of the most beautifully decorated new halls in America, just a few blocks off Sundance Square.

We recommend choosing lodgings based on where you plan to spend the most time. Look for a hotel in the Stockyards, downtown near Sundance Square or the University area. Visit the Web site, http://www.fortworth.com. Click on “Visitors” and links to where to stay, restaurants and more.

Sandestin beach break
The Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort is offering a discounted rate beginning at $199 per night through Thursday, Aug. 28.

Guests receive a $50 hotel gift card with every three-night stay and a $100 gift card with a five-night stay. When booking refer to code MS for a three-night stay and SM for a five-night stay. Call (800) 367-1271.

Chickamauga cruise
The Southern Belle River Boat in Chattanooga, Tenn., will offer  a special cruise Oct. 15 up the Tennessee River to explore the Chickamauga Locks.

Latta Johnson will narrate as the boat cruises and will explain how the locks work. The chef has planned a buffet featuring a slow cooked pot roast and country-oven style fried chicken. On the return, the Music City Brass will be onboard to play Dixieland music.

Passengers board the boat behind the Chattanooga Aquarium at 6 p.m. and the cruise starts at 6:30 p.m. The boat returns to the dock at 9:30 p.m. Cost is $30.50 per adult and $16.50 per child, including tax and tip. Keep in mind that commercial traffic has the right of way on the river, so there is a slight chance the boat cannot lock through. For info and reservations, call (800) 766-2784. The Web site is http://www.chattanoogariverboat.com.