If you haven't considered Grapevine, Texas as a family holiday destination before, then you definitely need to check out these reasons why the Christmas Capitol of Texas should be at the top of your holiday travel list...
This post was created in partnership with GrapevineTexasUSA. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own.
When it comes to making travel plans for the holidays, I know that Texas may not be the first destination that comes to mind. I mean, we usually think of snow and maybe a cabin with a roaring fireplace in the mountains when we start thinking about planning an escape from the usual Christmas festivities.
But today I am going to share with you all the very reason why the Lone Star state should be at the top of your holiday destination list this year- Grapevine, aka the Christmas Capitol of Texas!
I had the pleasure of visiting Grapevine near the beginning of last month just as they had started to gear up for their annual 40+ days of over 1400 holiday events. The entire historic downtown area had been transformed into a festive wonderland of lights, wreaths, & evergreen garlands.
All the shops along Main Street were already getting into the swing of the hustle & bustle of holiday shopping. And this was during the first week in November, folks.
Grapevine doesn't play when it comes to Christmas. I mean, you certainly don't earn the title of the Christmas Capitol of Texas by not going all in, am I right? ;)
There are hundreds of reasons why Grapevine, Texas is the perfect family holiday vacation spot, but I can't possibly cover them all in this post. You all might be reading this for days if I did attempt that.
However, I will share with you all my top picks of what to do when visiting Grapevine with your family during the months of November & December starting with my personal favorite- a visit to the Gaylord Texan Resort...
The Gaylord Texan Resort- 1501 Gaylord Trail
The Gaylord Texan is a treat to visit any time of the year, but the entire resort becomes extra magical during the holiday season. During a Lone Star Christmas, the entire atrium is transformed into a twinkling indoor wonderland with giant sparkling jingle bells & towering Christmas trees.
But the real star of the Gaylord Texan from November to the first of January is the ICE! walk-through holiday attraction...
The ICE! exhibit features over 2 million pounds of colorful hand carved ice sculptures that depict the entire story of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas! Since the attraction has to be kept at a very chilly 9 degrees, cozy parkas are provided for each guest during admission.
Just be sure to bring gloves & possibly a hat & scarf! The grand finale of ICE! is a gorgeous interpretation of the nativity scene carved entirely from crystal clear ice.
Photo courtesy of GrapevineTexasUSA.com
ICE! also features 5 two-story high ice slides! Once you have exited the exhibit, be sure to do a little indoor snow tubing as well.
The North Pole Express- 705 South Main Street
Photo courtesy of GrapevineTexasUSA.com
If your kiddos happen to be a fan of the movie Polar Express, then a ride on the North Pole Express is a must-do when visiting Grapevine during the holidays.
You and your family will board a festively lit & decorated Victorian Rail train coach for your 45 minute train ride that will take you all to your final destination- the North Pole, the Christmas Tree Forest, & then to Santa's workshop where you will meet the big man in person. Every child receives a silver Santa bell & a memory mug of Santa's special Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk to take home. :)
Photo courtesy of GrapevineTexasUSA.com
Tickets for the North Pole Express usually go on sale in July & quickly sell out. If you are planning ahead to a holiday trip to Grapevine for Christmas next year, please keep this in mind.
However, ticket holders often have to cancel at the last minute & list their tickets for sale in a buy/sell thread on the North Pole Express Facebook page. If you are looking to hop a ride on the train this year, then you will definitely want to try your luck there. :)
If a holiday train ride experience that is more geared towards the adult crowd is more your speed, then definitely look into booking your seat on one of the Christmas Wine Trains offered by the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. Just note that these boozy train rides also sell out pretty quickly.
Christmas shopping on Main Street in historic downtown Grapevine
No matter what you may already have on your agenda during your visit to the Christmas Capitol of Texas, do make sure to carve out a little time to do some holiday shopping along Grapevine's historic Main Street.
The entire area is so charming during the holiday season! And you can definitely spend hours ducking in & out from one little shop to the next.
If you don't have time to explore all of the shops on Main Street, then definitely make sure you at least pop into the Underwood Boot Company. They can make you tailor-made boots to your exact specifications. And it is worth a visit to the shop just for the smell of freshly tanned leather alone.
Another favorite of mine is Dr. Sue's Chocolate. You can try just about any of her chocolates before you decide to buy. Take a stroll through the Grapevine Olive Oil Company where you can sample dozens of flavored olive oils & balsamic vinegars.
No holiday shopping trip to historic downtown Grapevine is complete until you have popped into the Good Things for All Seasons store (pictured above). The folks at Good Things take Christmas very seriously all year round, but the store becomes extra magical during the holidays.
After browsing their many beautifully decorated Christmas trees, be sure to head to the back of store to check out their festive miniature Christmas village.
Once you are shopped out for the day, relax with a glass of local wine from one of the 10 wineries located along Grapevine's Urban Wine Trail. One of my personal favorites is Bingham Family Vineyards. Ask for a glass of their Fine 'n Dandy, a tasty semi-sweet red. :)
Scuba Diving Santa Claus at SEA LIFE Aquarium- 3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway
Once you are shopped out for the day, relax with a glass of local wine from one of the 10 wineries located along Grapevine's Urban Wine Trail. One of my personal favorites is Bingham Family Vineyards. Ask for a glass of their Fine 'n Dandy, a tasty semi-sweet red. :)
Scuba Diving Santa Claus at SEA LIFE Aquarium- 3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway
Photo courtesy of GrapevineTexasUSA.com
On select dates in December, you can visit the SEA LIFE Aquarium & watch Santa & his elf scuba dive among the sharks, fish, & sting ray in their 160,000-gallon ocean tank. Find out more information by clicking here.
Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge- 100 Great Wolf Drive
Photo courtesy of GrapevineTexasUSA.com
Great Wolf Lodge is already well known for their large indoor water park & kid-centered service & activities, but did you know that the lodge turns into a magical Snowland from the end of November right through until New Year's day?
Enjoy twinkling trees, festive holiday lights, & daily indoor snow showers without having to step foot in the freezing cold thanks to the perfect 84 degree weather in Great Wolf's water park. To book a stay at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, click here.
What would you and your family be most excited to do first while celebrating the holidays in Grapevine, Texas?
For more information & to start planning your holiday getaway to Grapevine soon, be sure to visit the Grapevine Texas USA website! For a full list of Christmas events in Grapevine, CLICK HERE.
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