Warm-ups are good for our health, whether it’s before pumping weight, doing a spin class…. or travelling to the US! If you’re flying from Australia to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), there’s a perfect place to warm up for all things USA: Grapevine, Texas! Only 10 minutes from DFW, enjoy a taster of what’s to come.
With direct flights to DFW from Sydney and Melbourne – and a direct service from Brisbane commencing in October – getting to Texas is as effortless as getting Tex-Mex once you’re there (read: super easy).
While direct flights are fab at mitigating the distance between Australia and Texas, it’s still preferable to have downtime to stretch your legs, recalibrate, accommodate time zones, and get into the swing of things.
Cue Grapevine.
Got-it-all Grapevine
If Texas is the full workout (including legs day), Grapevine is the warm-up you didn’t know you needed. With its small-town charm and rich history, this enlightening city is an ideal place to sample the best of the state in one handy place.
Gateway to DFW
Within 10 minutes of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Grapevine has a whopping 20 hotels. Twenty! And many offer complimentary airport transfers, ensuring you have a hassle-free arrival, refreshing shower, and a chance to rest those weary limbs at a lovely hotel in record time.
No free transfer? No problem! Trinity Metro – TEXRail connects Grapevine with DFW in under 10 minutes. There’s also a free Grapevine Visitors Shuttle from Wednesday to Sunday (on request) from Terminal D (where Australian/international flights land) to Historic Main Street and Grapevine Mills.
Historic Main Street District
Forget big cities that overwhelm jetlagged travellers after a long-haul flight. In Grapevine, you get a gentle introduction to the US, particularly when touring Grapevine’s Historic Main Street District.
Perfectly walkable, this is a chance to tour a beautifully preserved historic area. From winery tasting rooms to the Grapevine Vintage Railroad and the Palace Arts Center, Grapevine Glockenspiel Clock Tower, and one-of-a-kind shops, this is Texan charm personified.
You’ll also enjoy award-winning restaurants, live entertainment venues, and inspiring art galleries.
Grapevine Main Station & Observation Tower
For panoramic Grapevine and Lake Grapevine views, plus a chance to watch planes land at DFW, take a 150m trip to the top of the Grapevine Main Station and Observation Tower.
The exhibits at Main Station reveal Grapevine’s significant place in railroad history via fascinating displays, too.
Grapevine Mills
A spot of retail therapy is a surefire way to warm up your shopping flex, especially as it’s tax-free in Texas!
The 180 stores at Grapevine Mills – including Neiman Marcus Last Call, the Nike Outlet, and Coach Outlet – impress with prices and range. As do the centre’s other attractions, including Meow Wolf Grapevine, LEGOLAND® Discovery Center, SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium, themed restaurants, and so much more.
Grapevine Vintage Railroad
How fun to take a heritage ride in a 1920s-era coach! At the Grapevine Vintage Railroad ride the Cotton Belt to the Historic Stockyards.
The live entertainment – including the Great Grapevine Train Heist – adds to the old-world feels of this popular attraction.
Urban Wine Trail
Did you know Grapevine is Texas’s wine-tasting HQ? With eight winery tasting rooms along a growing urban wine trail, this is the perfect way to relax into vacay mode. Daily wine tastings reveal how Grapevine is setting trends in the vintner space.
Check what’s on during your stay, as winery events are common. If you’re travelling in September, time your Grapevine stay with GrapeFest®, the largest wine festival in the Southwest!
Nash Farm
Living museums are a fabulous way to discover what life was like ‘back in the day’. Grapevine’s Nash Farm offers a throwback to the late 19th century through its interpretive programs and educational tours. The commitment to preserving Grapevine’s agrarian traditions makes this a popular stop for travellers of all ages.
Lake Grapevine
There’s nothing like a spot of watersports fun to put you into holiday mode. At Lake Grapevine, enjoy boating, waterskiing, windsurfing, and fishing across 8,000 acres.
Add in 14.5 kilometres of hiking and biking trails, and you can see why it’s called the best nature spot in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
With a stunning Lake Grapevine location, the grand Gaylord Texan Resort is a top-notch way to settle into all things Texas. The 10-acre Paradise Springs water park, a let-your-hair-down Glass Cactus nightclub, regal-esque accommodations, and ample amenities keep you entertained for hours.
Cowboys Golf Club
Did you know the world’s only NFL-themed golf course is in Grapevine, Texas? Probably not, but now you’ve got the perfect place to add to your itinerary if you’re a golfer (or wannabe golfer).
At Cowboys Golf Club, test your skills at the 18-hole championship golf, enjoy a full-service bar and grill, and, if you want to combine work and pleasure, book a private meeting space or event room.
The deets
To learn more about Grapevine and the ample ways it can ease you into the USA with a multi-night stay, head to Grapevinetexasusa.com.
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