Travel Guide
This Beautiful Texas Town Transforms Into A Winter Wonderland
Oct
When you fly into Dallas, you’re not landing in Dallas — you’re landing in one of many sprawling suburbs that make up the DFW Metroplex.
Here at Travel Off Path, as much as we all love exploring concrete jungles, there’s something intangible about small towns that makes us feel right at home.
Sandwiched between the rootin’ tootin’ Yosemite Sam vibes of Fort Worth and the glitz and glamour of Dallas lies a storybook town boasting surprising luxury, an underrated wine scene, and a delightful downtown district that transforms into a festive winter wonderland.
Lined with down-home eateries and boutique shops where it’s all but a crime to not greet you with a “howdy, ya’ll!”, you’ll feel the draw of southern hospitality in the charming town of Grapevine, recently hyped by Southern Living as one of the South’s must-visit destinations to cap off 2025.
Welcome To The ‘Christmas Capitol Of Texas‘
Here’s a question you likely never thought you’d ask yourself:
“Should I jet off to Europe’s Christmas markets, or settle for an easy to flight to Dallas instead?”.
Well, the choice is yours, but Grapevine is undoubtedly the simpler option, and one that will surely blow your mind.
If you’ve flown into DFW before, you’ve already been to Grapevine, whether you know it or not.
But, as most visitors do, it’s likely you headed through the airport toll booth and ventured down one of many highway overpasses to either Dallas proper or Fort Worth’s Stockyards.
If there were ever a time to plan a trip to Grapevine as your main stop, it’s winter.
Dubbed the ‘Christmas Capitol of Texas’, as reported by Southern Living, there are a whopping 1,400 festive events spanning 40 days throughout the holiday season.
The only thing missing here is timeless, ornate plazas housing architectural marvels to gawk at as you sip endless cups of Glühwein.
Otherwise, Grapevine is one of the most cheery Christmas getaways imaginable — and downtown is at the heart of it.
A Real-Life Hallmark Movie
Wintertime in Grapevine is classic. I mean, just guess what the main street is called…
Main Street — just like the movies.
Be prepared for hot cocoa to grace your lips, or even mulled wine at select spots. The town is named Grapevine after all, known for its Urban Wine Trail.
Unfortunately, you missed out on September’s GrapeFest, but there’s always next year!
I’ve been visiting Grapevine for years and years as an alternative to Europe’s fairytale Christmas markets when I don’t feel up for the long-haul flight.
While Grapevine’s festivities won’t hold a candle to the likes of Munich or Vienna, for Southern standards, it couldn’t be any more storybook.
Historic Main Street lights up with millions of lights, festive facades, and even a Grinch sighting to keep the kiddos off the naughty list!
Rustic shops with old-timey general store vibes are open selling holiday trinkets and souvenirs, and the whole town spreads Christmas.
Downtown is very walkable, but one of Grapevine’s year-round attractions are vintage trains that become even more enticing come Christmas time with the North Pole Express departing from Historic Cotton Belt Depot, steps away from the action.
Surprisingly Luxurious Stays – And More Festive Beyond Downtown
Across from the aforementioned train depot, you’ll find a crowd heading indoors because, yes, North Texas does become a frigid winter getaway.
It may lack a quintessential “white Christmas” most years as postcard blankets of snow rare, but don’t be like me wearing shorts as shown above (what was I thinking?!).
This is how I know crowds gather at Hotel Vin to warm up and take in even more festivities with the soundtrack of Sinatra among other catchy Christmas hits.
They’re currently advertising their own Winter Wonderland taking place December 3 – February 14 as the “WineYard” transforms into a ski lodge-style escape.
Away from downtown, the Gaylord Texan is a powerhouse of Christmas spectacle. The best part you can get a start on Christmas cheer before you even take a bite of Gam Gam’s bland turkey.
The Gaylord is starting Christmas early with dazzling displays of holiday decor November 14 – January 4.
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