Relaxing Grapevine, Texas

Hello from the sunny side of the Cloud! It’s an Indian Summer here and the day is warm and relaxing.

When I experience those beautifully warm and sunny days in autumn that denote an Indian Summer, I think about Grapevine, Texas which used to be in American Indian territory. This relaxing suburb between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth has a surprising amount to offer for such a small community.

In October 1843, General Sam Houston (the eponymous hero that gave his name to the city in South Texas) camped at Grape Vine Springs to meet with the chiefs of ten American Indian nations. They forged a treaty to open up the region for settlement. The area had a profusion of wild grapes which was characteristic of the region. On 12 January 1914, the US Post Office decided to change the name from Grape Vine Springs to Grapevine – thus making the town a single word that was easier to address on letters.

Even though its population is less than 75,000, Grapevine has a lot to offer for such a small place! The area has grown up to provide entertainment and tourism options for the region. Main Street is a good place to start a jaunt around the town. Grapevine has gone through a fairly recent urban renewal that has revitalized commercial  spaces on Main Street that have the feel of the 1920s and 1930s. So, Main Street looks like it is old when it has all of the conveniences of a modern community.

Can you tell they love Christmas!

Here’s a pro-tip: If you happen to be around Grapevine during the holidays, be sure to take in the decorations and sights of Main Street.  Grapevine prides itself on being the “Christmas Capital of Texas”  and pulls out all of the stops when it comes to decorating the city.

Take a ride in a 1920’s Victorian Coach Carriage

One fun attraction is the Grapevine Vintage Railroad that operates old steam trains from Grapevine to the stockyards in downtown Fort Worth. Both ends of the line are cool places to relive the experience of a cattle town in the early twentieth century. If you take the train, make sure you explore the Fort Worth Stockyards and maybe even visit the rodeo there! You are liable to see real cowboys riding horses through the stockyards; it happens all the time! When you arrive back in Grapevine, make sure to visit the tasting rooms of the local wineries that produce surprisingly high-quality vintages in the region. My favourite is the Umbra Winery right on Main Street.

Grapevine has many outdoor activities to offer. Lake Grapevine is just a few blocks north of Main Street and  provides water sports, mountain biking, hiking and running opportunities. There is a challenging golf course on the East side of the lake that is named after and owned by the Dallas Cowboys Football club. If you golf like me, use an old ball when you tee-off over the water!

Here’s another pro-tip: A short drive from downtown Grapevine is the Bass Pro Shops store. Visit Bass Pro for all sorts of outdoor sports gear. There are lots of activities and demonstrations of the equipment throughout the store. I can’t go to Grapevine without spending several hours in this cool place!

Real Cowboys! Grab your Stetsons

Grapevine has a world-class convention centre named The Gaylord Texas Hotel. The Gaylord offers hundreds of hotel rooms, all sorts of restaurants, sport bars, cocktail bars and even a nightclub all within a beautifully presented indoor garden themed on Texas. Right across the road from the Gaylord is the Great Wolf Lodge, a similar concept hotel and waterpark aimed at families. These facilities are much more than hotels. They are destination venues in their own right.

There are many other hotels around the area because Grapevine is very conveniently located right next to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. These hotels range from the budget brands to the Grand Hyatt. DFW Airport is built on part of Grapevine’s land so when you land, you are practically already in Grapevine. This means that it is a very short ride from the airport terminal to your hotel. Ride-sharing services are widely available as are taxis.

Cattle Country means Steak time on the menu

For such a small place, Grapevine has a surprisingly vibrant nightlife. Bars and entertainment venues line Mainstreet and offer music, drinks and excellent food choices. Being Texas, you’d expect the barbecue to be excellent, and it is, but so is the Mexican food and the Tex-Mex chili – all of which are painstakingly authentic. Grapevine is in cattle country and the options for beef steak are excellent.

My favourite is Bob’s Steak and Chop House – it offers the finest of meats prepared exactly the way you like it. There are a myriad of other food options though from Asian and Sushi to Cajun, French and endless fast food options. You won’t go hungry in Grapevine!

Here’s a final pro-tip: Stay in Grapevine when you have business in either Dallas, Fort Worth or both cities. Grapevine is very centrally located for the larger cities and it has the small-town friendly feel that is lacking in the bigger metropolises. You can still visit the cultural, sports and entertainment venues of the big cities while enjoying a more relaxing small-town atmosphere.

Check out Grapevine whenever you are in the region. You won’t be disappointed by this vibrant and exciting community!

Love

Isabella