When you fly into Dallas, you are not touchdown in Dallas — you are touchdown in one in all many sprawling suburbs that make up the DFW Metroplex.
Here at Travel Off Path, as a lot as all of us love exploring concrete jungles, there’s one thing intangible about small cities that makes us really feel proper at house.
Sandwiched between the rootin’ tootin’ Yosemite Sam vibes of Fort Worth and the glitz and glamour of Dallas lies a storybook city boasting shocking luxurious, an underrated wine scene, and a pleasant downtown district that transforms right into a festive winter wonderland.
Lined with down-home eateries and boutique retailers the place it is all however against the law to not greet you with a “howdy, ya’ll!”, you will really feel the draw of southern hospitality within the charming city of Grapevine, just lately hyped by Southern Living as one of many South’s must-visit locations to cap off 2025.
Welcome To The ‘Christmas Capitol Of Texas‘
Here’s a query you seemingly by no means thought you’d ask your self:
“Should I jet off to Europe’s Christmas markets, or settle for an easy to flight to Dallas instead?”.
Well, the selection is yours, however Grapevine is undoubtedly the easier possibility, and one that may certainly blow your thoughts.
If you have flown into DFW earlier than, you have already been to Grapevine, whether or not you realize it or not.
But, as most guests do, it is seemingly you headed by means of the airport toll sales space and ventured down one in all many freeway overpasses to both Dallas correct or Fort Worth’s Stockyards.
If there have been ever a time to plan a visit to Grapevine as your fundamental cease, it is winter.
Dubbed the ‘Christmas Capitol of Texas’, as reported by Southern Living, there are a whopping 1,400 festive occasions spanning 40 days all through the vacation season.
The solely factor lacking right here is timeless, ornate plazas housing architectural marvels to gawk at as you sip countless cups of Glühwein.
Otherwise, Grapevine is without doubt one of the most cheery Christmas getaways conceivable — and downtown is on the coronary heart of it.
A Real-Life Hallmark Movie
Wintertime in Grapevine is basic. I imply, simply guess what the principle road known as…
Main Street — identical to the flicks.
Be ready for decent cocoa to grace your lips, and even mulled wine at choose spots. The city is known as Grapevine in any case, recognized for its Urban Wine Trail.
Unfortunately, you missed out on September’s GrapeFest, however there’s at all times subsequent yr!
I’ve been visiting Grapevine for years and years as an alternative choice to Europe’s fairytale Christmas markets after I do not feel up for the long-haul flight.
While Grapevine’s festivities will not maintain a candle to the likes of Munich or Vienna, for Southern requirements, it could not be any extra storybook.
Historic Main Street lights up with thousands and thousands of lights, festive facades, and even a Grinch sighting to maintain the kiddos off the naughty record!
Rustic retailers with old-timey basic retailer vibes are open promoting vacation trinkets and souvenirs, and the entire city spreads Christmas.
Downtown may be very walkable, however one in all Grapevine’s year-round sights are classic trains that grow to be much more attractive come Christmas time with the North Pole Express departing from Historic Cotton Belt Depot, steps away from the motion.
Surprisingly Luxurious Stays – And More Festive Beyond Downtown
Across from the aforementioned practice depot, you will discover a crowd heading indoors as a result of, sure, North Texas does grow to be a frigid winter getaway.
It could lack a quintessential “white Christmas” most years as postcard blankets of snow uncommon, however do not be like me carrying shorts as proven above (what was I considering?!).
This is how I do know crowds collect at Hotel Vin to heat up and soak up much more festivities with the soundtrack of Sinatra amongst different catchy Christmas hits.
They’re at the moment promoting their very own Winter Wonderland happening December 3 – February 14 because the “WineYard” transforms right into a ski lodge-style escape.
Away from downtown, the Gaylord Texan is a powerhouse of Christmas spectacle. The better part you will get a begin on Christmas cheer earlier than you even take a chew of Gam Gam’s bland turkey.
The Gaylord is beginning Christmas early with dazzling shows of vacation decor November 14 – January 4.
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