Grapevine, Texas may be a small town, but its attractions and events are suited for travelers looking for both the quaint and the sophisticated. With a population of around 50,000, it is home to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Nearby is Grapevine Lake, a large reservoir which was in 1952 impounded by the Corps of Engineers.
Grapevine used to be known as Grapevine Prairie. Its name comes from the ubiquitous presence of wild mustang grapes. Consequently, many wineries have recently opened their doors; today, visitors can experience a range of flavors at the city’s nine tasting rooms. Grapevine is also the home of the Texas Wine and Grape Growers’ Association.
But, don’t think that wine is Grapevine’s only attraction. A visit to Grapevine should begin with a stroll along the restored Main Street District, featuring galleries, antiques, and specialty shops. Stop in at the Palace Arts Center, or the Grapevine Historical Museum. And while you’re at the Museum (it’s located at the rail depot), go ahead and buy a ticket for the Grapevine Vintage Railroad.
There are many trails within and near Grapevine, including hiking and nature trails, biking trails, and horseback trails. And when you get back into town and need to unwind, there are about a dozen spas in town to serve you, including those at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center on Lake Grapevine, the Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Convention Center, and the Garden Manor Bed and Breakfast Inn, all of which offer special packages for couples, and even for bachelorette parties (at the Gaylord).
Speaking of resorts, inns, hotels, and B&Bs, travelers should note that Grapevine offers 4,300 guest rooms – which means there is something for every style and budget. There are also over 180 restaurants in the city, including full-scale restaurants and bars.
For travelers seeking nightlife, Grapevine has two major offerings. One is GameWorks, a restaurant, bar, and entertainment experience developed by Steven Spielberg. This high-tech venue combines a full-service restaurant with an energetic bar and interactive games and other attractions. The dress is casual – and the fun is state-of-the-art.
Another truly unique offering is the Glass Cactus, one of the hottest nightclubs in Texas. With 39,000 square feet, you’ll be busy all night, whether listening to a major act on the club’s main stage, dancing on the massive 2,000-square-foot dance floor, sampling tequila at one of the five bars, or enjoying the view of Lake Grapevine on the immense two-tier deck.
There are also many family-oriented and daytime/evening entertainment options in Grapevine. A popular choice is to see a show at the Grapevine Opry, where established names and up-and-coming acts perform regularly. Festivals take place nearly all year in Grapevine, with a few highlights including the Chocolate Festival, which takes place in mid-March and features live jazz, wine tasting, and art exhibits. Also very popular is Grapevine’s Christmas celebration (the town is nicknamed the “Christmas Capital of Texas”), featuring literally millions of lights, a North Pole Express, the Home for the Holidays Musical, a Parade of Lights, the Opry Christmas Spectacular, and many other events.
But that’s not all; Grapevine is a haven for the value-oriented shopper, with Grapevine Mills – one of the largest shopping experiences in the Southwest – and Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, which offers over 200,000 square feet of heaven to the dedicated outdoorsman or woman.
There is truly something for every traveler in Grapevine, Texas, from fun in the great outdoors, to luxury spa treatments, to entertainment for all tastes and ages. Check out new Grapevine apartments today.
