This Beautiful Texas Town Transforms Into A Winter Wonderland

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 residence.

Sandwiched between the rootin’ tootin’ Yosemite Sam vibes of Fort Worth 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 outlets the place it is all however a criminal offense to not greet you with a “howdy, ya’ll!”, you will really feel the draw of southern hospitality within the charming city of Grapevine, 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 doubtless 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 choice, and one that may absolutely blow your thoughts.

If you’ve got flown into DFW earlier than, you’ve got already been to Grapevine, whether or not it or not.

But, as most guests do, it is doubtless you headed by 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 predominant 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 infinite cups of Glühwein.

Otherwise, Grapevine is among the most cheery Christmas getaways conceivable — and downtown is on the coronary heart of it.

A Real-Life Hallmark Movie

Wintertime in Grapevine is traditional. I imply, simply guess what the primary 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 called 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 a substitute for Europe’s fairytale Christmas markets once 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 listing!

Rustic outlets 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 change into 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 change into a frigid winter getaway.

It might 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 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 better part 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.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based mostly in San Diego has visited 36 nations and written over 1000 articles with a concentrate on sharing his personal journey experiences and shining a lightweight on lesser-known gems.

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