Once 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.
Right here at Journey 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 residence.
Sandwiched between the rootin’ tootin’ Yosemite Sam vibes of Fort Price and the glitz and glamour of Dallas lies a storybook city boasting stunning 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 a criminal offense to not greet you with a “howdy, ya’ll!”, you may 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‘
This is a query you seemingly by no means thought you’d ask your self:
“Ought to I jet off to Europe’s Christmas markets, or accept a straightforward to flight to Dallas as a substitute?”.
Nicely, the selection is yours, however Grapevine is undoubtedly the less complicated possibility, and one that may absolutely blow your thoughts.
For those who’ve flown into DFW earlier than, you have already been to Grapevine, whether or not you recognize it or not.
However, as most guests do, it is seemingly you headed via the airport toll sales space and ventured down one in all many freeway overpasses to both Dallas correct or Fort Price’s Stockyards.
If there have been ever a time to plan a visit to Grapevine as your most important cease, it is winter.
Dubbed the ‘Christmas Capitol of Texas’, as reported by Southern Dwelling, there are a whopping 1,400 festive occasions spanning 40 days all through the vacation season.
The one factor lacking right here is timeless, ornate plazas housing architectural marvels to gawk at as you sip countless cups of Glühwein.
In any other case, Grapevine is among the most cheery Christmas getaways possible — and downtown is on the coronary heart of it.
A Actual-Life Hallmark Film
Wintertime in Grapevine is traditional. I imply, simply guess what the primary road is named…
Important Avenue — identical to the films.
Be ready for warm cocoa to grace your lips, and even mulled wine at choose spots. The city is known as Grapevine in any case, identified for its Urban Wine Trail.
Sadly, you missed out on September’s GrapeFest, however there’s all the time subsequent yr!
I have been visiting Grapevine for years and years as a substitute for Europe’s fairytale Christmas markets once I do not feel up for the long-haul flight.
Whereas 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 Important Avenue lights up with hundreds of thousands of lights, festive facades, and even a Grinch sighting to maintain the kiddos off the naughty checklist!
Rustic retailers with old-timey normal 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 points of interest 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 Extra Festive Past Downtown
Throughout from the aforementioned practice depot, you may 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 pondering?!).
That is how I do know crowds collect at Resort Vin to heat up and absorb much more festivities with the soundtrack of Sinatra amongst different catchy Christmas hits.
They’re at the moment promoting their very own Winter Wonderland going down 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 very best half you will get a begin on Christmas cheer earlier than you even take a chunk 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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