Photo Courtesy of Grapevine CVB
It may still be a bit cold and rainy in Grapevine, TX, but that doesn’t stop us from having fun! The Christmas Capital of Texas is also a must-see town all year long, with several festivals and more vendors, stores and entertainment venues than I can count!
Keep reading to get a peek into what’s worth it (on a budget), what’s family-friendly and what’s the most fun – all from a local resident!
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If you’re coming to town with no real agenda, make sure you stop at the Grapevine Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, located at 436 S. Main St., which is the “main drag” here in Grapevine. The knowledgable folks there will be able to give you advice and literature to tailor-make your vacation into what you want it to be.
The Usuals – Hotels:
Of course, Grapevine is famous for the Gaylord Texan Resort and the Great Wolf Lodge year-round. If you’re planning a vacation at either of these venues, check sites like Groupon, Grapevine CVB and the venue’s site to learn about any deals or specials that are going on.
Both venues are located minutes from the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (DFW). If you fly into Love Field, I’d recommend renting a car with a GPS if you’re not familiar with the area. There’s lots of construction going on on the highways and many drivers never replace their “blinker fluid.” 🙂
The Gaylord Texan Resort
The Skinny: The Gaylord Texan is hard to beat. No matter what time of year it is, they always have something special going on. They recently installed a water park to compete with Great Wolf – it’s smaller than the Wolf, but there are less children running around and all of the amenities are first-class, but so are the prices. The Gaylord is operated by Marriott, so if you are a Marriott Rewards member, you can cash in your chips for discounts, free rooms, etc.
The Great Wolf is, well, full of children. The amazing indoor/outdoor waterpark and inside games guarantee that your little one (and probably you, too) will have a blast! You can go get breakfast in the morning in your pajamas, have all kinds of souvenirs made, and the kiddos can play “MagiQuest,” which is described on the Great Wolf website as such:
Explore the lodge and take part in the adventure of a lifetime! MagiQuest turns Great Wolf Lodge into a live-action game where you’re the star. You’ll choose a special magic wand, top it with extra powers, and set off on a quest. Play for a few minutes or all day. Be sure to take your wand home and continue your adventure on your next trip to Great Wolf Lodge.
Or “ShadowQuest:”
Take your quest to the next level, young Magi! We need your help to battle the Shadowlord and collect runes in this challenging interactive adventure. The ShadowQuest guidebook provides secrets and clues to help you cast spells and complete your mission to save the light before it vanishes forever. When you succeed, you’ll receive a medal for your courage!
Photo Courtesy of the Great Wolf Lodge
The rooms can be fun, with a separate area for the kids that resembles a treehouse, while the adults have a traditional King or 2 Queen bed set-up adjacent to the bunk beds. Of course, “regular” rooms are also offered, housing one King or two Queen beds and no bunks.
The bottom line is if you don’t want to be surrounded by children, then skip Great Wolf. Go to the Gaylord or the many hotels located in Grapevine, such as the Embassy Suites, Hyatt Place, Hilton Garden Inn or Springhill Suites. There are also plenty of motels – Super 8 and Motel 6 being among them.
Photo Courtesy of the Great Wolf Lodge
Restaurants abound in these areas, so you can have your pick of whatever you’re craving. For some guidance on local fare, click HERE.
NEXT: LOCAL DELIGHTS THAT YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF
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