Named for the nearby prairie with an abundance of native wild mustang grapes, Grapevine, Texas, is a sweet stop for groups in the Lone Star State.
The small city has a population of just over 50,000 and is considered a Dallas-Fort Worth suburb. It’s located just a 10-minute drive from the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, making it easily accessible by air and a natural choice for any group exploring the region.
Grapevine is known for its charming and walkable Main Street, with carefully preserved historic buildings containing a robust selection of dining and shopping. Some of the town’s other family-friendly attractions can be found in the Grapevine Mills shopping complex, including the Sea Life Grapevine aquarium, Legoland and Meow Wolf Grapevine, an art and entertainment attraction containing immersive and unusual art exhibits designed to pique visitors’ curiosity.
Though the area was once known for those wild mustang grapes, Grapevine is now known for a more sophisticated wine scene, with grape varietals like tempranillo and roussanne and viognier. It’s recognized as a leader in Texas wine country, hosting the annual GrapeFest each September. The town’s Urban Wine Trail features many tasting rooms, including several that can be found on Main Street.
Whether they visit during Grapevine’s particularly beautiful Christmas season or during any other time of year, here are some of the highlights of this sparkling Texas gem.
Wine
Grape is in the name, and wine is the game. Whether or not your group chooses to imbibe, Grapevine’s many vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms are undeniably the area’s signature attractions. Groups can taste their way through the town or take a more educational approach to learn about winemaking by booking a winery tour. Vineyards and tasting rooms like Messina Hof Winery, Red Dirt Cellars and Bull Lion Ranch & Vineyard are three popular options for groups.
“We also have a company called Wine Tours of Grapevine that takes groups to multiple tasting rooms on one tour,” said Heather Egan, director of international sales and leisure for the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau. The tour also offers wine pairings with a delicious Italian meal.
Christmas
Visiting Grapevine at Christmastime is guaranteed to bring cheer to groups, sans the frigid temps of the North Pole.
“We are the Christmas capital of Texas,” Egan said. “Visitors love to see our historic Main Street decorated with millions of twinkling lights, and there are so many other things they can see and do.”
On Main Street, groups can peruse the beautifully decorated storefronts, shop for gifts and stop by the North Pole Express neighborhood to peek inside Vetro Glassblowing Studio, which makes countless dazzling Christmas ornaments. Groups can catch a Christmas production or a classic Christmas film at the historic Palace Theatre for a magical end to their Christmas itineraries.
Historic Main Street District
The appeal of the town’s Historic Main Street District extends far beyond the holiday season. With dozens of retail shops, restaurants, wineries and local attractions, Main Street is the heart of Grapevine. Groups will find some of their best dining options at Harvest Hall, a European-style food hall that serves everything from pizza to seafood. Another popular choice is Willhoite’s Restaurant, which serves an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet and frequently has live entertainment. After a tasty lunch, groups can cover the dozens of shops, boutiques and galleries, where they’ll find gifts, clothing, home decor and art, among many other stops. Main Street is also home to the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, which operates almost year-round and offers rail excursions and themed train trips. In December, it becomes the North Pole Express for another addition to the town’s Christmas magic.
Nash Farm
The Nash family moved to Grapevine in the mid-19th century, and their historic Nash Farm has been preserved as an educational tool to teach visitors about farm life during this era. It has been converted to a living history museum, with interpreters who dress in period clothing and perform demonstrations of common farming activities of the late 19th century. Guided tours for groups of 25 or more are available, and the farm frequently offers other activities, such as craft-making. In December, the farm hosts Victorian Christmas, a holiday celebration with traditional food and music.
“A lot of living history museums have all their artifacts behind ropes, but at Nash Farm, they invite you to touch things, sit on the furniture, all that,” Egan said.
