Grapevine Travel Guide

Plan your trip to Grapevine, Texas with this comprehensive travel guide, featuring top attractions, food scene, hiking and biking routes, and more.


Introduction to Grapevine

Grapevine, located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, in Prairies and Lakes, Texas, is a charming small city that offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. The city is known for its rich viticultural heritage and boasts over 200 restaurants, wineries, and boutiques. The historic downtown area is home to several museums, art galleries, antique shops, and cultural centers. Grapevine also has many outdoor activities, from hiking and biking trails to scenic parks and lakes.

List of Places to Visit in Grapevine

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

Grapevine offers several museums and historical sites for visitors to explore. The following are a few must-visit attractions:

  • Grapevine Vintage Railroad: Take a nostalgic ride on a vintage steam train
  • Nash Farm: A 150-year-old farmstead featuring early Texas architecture and living history interpreters
  • Settlement to City Museums: This complex includes the Grapevine Historical Museum, the Ted R. Ware Plaza, and the 1888 Cotton Belt Railroad Depot, which has artifacts and exhibits on the city’s history.
  • The Palace Arts Center: This multi-purpose facility includes a movie theater, art gallery, and performing arts theater.
  • Vetro Glassblowing Studio: Experience the art of glassblowing and watch skilled artisans create unique pieces of glass art.
  • Grapevine Glockenspiel Clock Tower: A whimsical 45-foot animatronic clock tower that puts on a show four times a day.

Natural Attractions of Grapevine: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

Grapevine offers many scenic parks and lakes perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Some of the top natural attractions include:

  • Lake Grapevine: A 7,276-acre lake offering water sports such as fishing, boating, kayaking, and swimming.
  • Oak Grove Park: This park has over 40 acres of land with playgrounds, walking trails, and picnic tables.
  • Meadowmere Park: Located on the north shore of Lake Grapevine, this park offers a beach area, volleyball courts, and hiking trails.
  • Bob Jones Nature Center: This 758-acre park has over 20 miles of hiking and biking trails, perfect for nature lovers.
  • Great Wolf Lodge Waterpark: A family-friendly indoor waterpark that features a wave pool, lazy river, and numerous water slides.

Hiking/Biking Routes of Grapevine

Grapevine is an excellent spot for biking and hiking enthusiasts. Here are some of the best trails in the area:

  • The Cotton Belt Trail: A former railroad line transformed into a 10-mile biking and walking trail.
  • Northshore Trail: A 9-mile trail that offers picturesque views of Lake Grapevine.
  • DFW Adventure Park Trails: This park has 176 acres of land with a 40-mile trail system frequented by bikers.
  • Grapevine Lake Trail: A 4.5-mile trail that offers scenic views of the lake and a perfect place for bird watching.

Best Things to Do in Grapevine: Activities and Tours

Grapevine offers a variety of activities and tours that cater to everyone’s interests. Here are some of the top things to do in Grapevine:

  • Wine Tasting Tours: Over 200 wineries are in the city, and there are several wine tour companies available to take you around the top spots.
  • Sea Life Grapevine Aquarium: A family-friendly indoor aquarium that features exotic sea creatures.
  • LEGOLAND Discovery Center: An indoor theme park that caters to children’s Lego building and playtime.
  • Gaylord Texan Resort Convention Center: A luxurious resort with amazing interior areas, world-class restaurants, and boutique shopping.
  • VIP Tours of Grapevine: Experience the city’s deeper history with a tour that delves into its heritage and cultural background.
  • Grapevine Escape Room: A group puzzle game that features unique themes, riddles, and puzzles for teams to solve together.

Week-Long Itinerary for Grapevine

Here is a week-long itinerary to help you explore Grapevine:

Day 1: Explore the Grapevine Historical Museum and the 1888 Cotton Belt Railroad Depot.

Day 2: Take a winery tour of one of the city’s many wineries in the area.

Day 3: Spend time outdoors at Oak Grove Park, with picnicking, walks, and relaxation.

Day 4: Visit Nash Farm and get a feel of an 1800’s farmstead.

Day 5: Take an art class at Vetro Glassblowing Studio followed by a wine tasting experience at a local winery.

Day 6: Spend the day at LEGOLAND Discovery Center or Seal Life Grapevine Aquarium for a family-fun day.

Day 7: Hike the Northshore Trail, or bike down the Cotton Belt Trail.

Food and Drink Scene of Grapevine

Grapevine offers a wide range of cuisines, with over 200 restaurants in the area, and is known for its country-style cooking. Here are some must-try dishes:

Must-Try Dishes

  • Fried Chicken: Texan-style fried chicken at Babe’s Chicken Dinner House is a must-try dish.
  • Texas BBQ: Locals love the BBQ at Meat U Anywhere BBQ, with brisket, ribs, and homemade sausage.
  • Margaritas: Enjoy a freshly made margarita with Tex-Mex cuisine at Esparza’s.
  • Pancakes: Be sure to try the legendary pancakes at Main Street Bread Baking Co, made from scratch with fresh ingredients.

Local Beverages

Grapevine is known for its world-class wineries such as Delaney Vineyards, Grapevine Springs Winery, Homestead Winery, and more. Many local bars, such as Tolberts, offer local beer produced from Grapevine’s craft brewery.

Where to Stay in Grapevine: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses

Grapevine has a wide range of stay options suited for everyone’s needs and budgets. Some of the top options are:

  • Great Wolf Lodge: A family-friendly hotel with an indoor water park.
  • Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center: A luxurious resort and conference center with over 1,500 guest rooms.
  • SpringHill Suites by Marriot: A budget-friendly hotel with spacious rooms and a swimming pool.
  • Hyatt Regency DFW: Located inside Terminal C at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, this hotel offers easy access to the airport.

What to Buy in Grapevine: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

Grapevine’s Main Street is a perfect destination for avid shoppers. The area has many souvenir shops, boutique stores, and antique stores. Here are some popular souvenirs and local products to bring home for your loved ones:

  • Wine and Wine Accessories: Grapevine is known for its world-class wines, with over 200 wineries in the area. Be sure to grab a bottle or souvenir wine accessory for your loved ones.
  • Art Pieces: Grapevine art galleries showcase talented artists, so a piece of art from Main Street is a great idea.
  • Custom-made T-shirts: A fun T-shirt design depicting the city’s viticulture heritage or iconic buildings is an excellent Texas souvenir.

Local Culture and Customs of Grapevine

Grapevine is known for its Southern hospitality, and the city’s residents pride themselves on being friendly and welcoming to tourists. Texans take immense pride in their history, and visitors will find excellent civic structures and memorials throughout the city.

Best Time to Visit Grapevine

The best time to visit Grapevine is from March to May or September to November when the weather is mild and temperatures are comfortable. Summers can be hot and humid, but it’s a great time to enjoy water activities at Lake Grapevine.

Do’s and Don’ts of Grapevine

Do:

  • Enjoy the city’s rich history and culture
  • Indulge in the city’s delicious Southern cuisine
  • Visit the local wineries and taste local wine
  • Attend Grapevine’s annual festivals and events

Don’t:

  • Be loud and disruptive
  • Litter and damage the city’s natural beauty or historic sites.
  • Bring pets into restaurants or wineries that don’t allow them

Safety and Health

Safety in Grapevine

Grapevine is a safe city for tourists, but, like any other city, visitors should always take safety precautions and be vigilant. It’s advisable to carry your identification with you and keep a record of your emergency contacts. Check for updated warnings and travel alerts before planning your trip.

Health in Grapevine

Grapevine has many pharmacies, clinics, and medical facilities in case of medical emergencies. It’s essential always to carry any prescribed medication with you or have a copy of your medical records; if needed, take necessary health insurance.

Getting to Grapevine: Transportation Options and Logistics

Airports Near Grapevine

  • Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): 2 miles from Grapevine
  • Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL): Thirty miles from Grapevine

Bus Stations Near Grapevine

  • Grapevine Public Transit Center

Other Options:

  • Car rentals
  • Uber/Lyft rides
  • Shuttle services

How to Get Around in Grapevine

Grapevine has several options to get around, including:

  • Grapevine Vintage Railroad
  • Grapevine Visitor Shuttle
  • Local taxis(available on Phone calls)
  • Rented Bicycles.

Where to Go Next from Grapevine: Nearby Destinations and Excursions

Some nearby cities around Grapevine that you should add to your travel itinerary are:

  • Fort Worth: The Cowtown has many attractions such as the Fort Worth Stockyards, Downtown Fort Worth, and Soak up some local culture at the Kimbell Art Museum and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art.
  • Arlington: Home to the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium, The Rangers at Globe Life Park, and Six Flags Over Texas amusement park.
  • Dallas: The bustling Metroplex boasts attractions such as Downtown Dallas’ Dealey Plaza, the JFK Memorial museum, and Reunion Tower.

Conclusion

Grapevine, a Texas gem, has something to offer for everyone. From its rich wine-making heritage to historical sites, water sports to hiking/biking routes, the city has it all. So, start planning your trip to Grapevine and experience the hospitality and charm that Texans are famous for!