Grapevine is a city of about 50,000 people between Dallas and Fort Worth, right beside DFW International Airport, and it calls itself the Christmas Capital of Texas. From mid-November into early January, its brick Main Street fills with lights, music, carolers and more than 1,400 holiday events. The first day stays on and around historic Main Street on foot, with a slow morning, a train depot and the lights after dark.
Historic Main Street
Where to eat: Breakfast tacos at Esparza's Restaurante before the walk.
Start on Grapevine's historic Main Street, a row of brick storefronts from the late 1800s and early 1900s with toy shops, sweets, boutiques and the old Palace Theatre. In the holiday season the street is hung with lights and greenery, and Santa often visits along the sidewalk. Walk the length slowly with the kids, peek into the window displays and stop at the glockenspiel clock tower near Liberty Park.
The Grapevine Vintage Railroad depot
Walk south to the Cotton Belt Railroad depot, a restored 1888 station that is home to the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. Kids can look at the old engines and rail cars in the yard and visit the small historic buildings in Grapevine Heritage Center nearby, where a working blacksmith shop sometimes runs demonstrations. It is a hands-on stop that sets up tomorrow's holiday train ride from the same platform.
Lunch and sweets on Main
Where to eat: Fudge and caramel apples at Kilwins on Main Street.
Back on Main Street, take a long lunch and a sweet stop. Main Street has family kitchens, burger counters and an old-fashioned candy store, and Kilwins makes fudge and caramel apples in its window. The street stays lively in the afternoon with carolers, strolling characters and pop-up holiday crafts on weekends. If the kids need a break, the Grapevine Public Library has a cozy children's corner a short walk away.
Lights on Main Street and the twinkle show
Where to eat: Hot cocoa and a cookie from a Main Street stand.
After dark, Main Street becomes a glowing corridor of white lights. Walk to the Peace Plaza area and Liberty Park for the tree, then watch the evening light show and look for the town's famous Twelve Days of Christmas displays and its gingerbread exhibits. Hot cocoa stands pop up on weekends. Plan a short loop for little legs and save the longer stroll for older kids.
Where to eat and stop
- Breakfast · Esparza's Restaurante — Main Street Why here: A long-loved Grapevine kitchen in an old building, great for kids.
- Lunch · Weinberger's Deli — Main Street Why here: A simple deli lunch with plenty for picky eaters.
- Dinner · Mason and Dixie — Main Street Why here: Hearty Southern plates in a family-friendly room near the lights.
- Quick stop (treat): Kilwins Grapevine — Main Street Why here: Watch the fudge being made in the window.
Grapevine is about twenty-five minutes northwest of Dallas and thirty minutes northeast of Fort Worth, just north of DFW International Airport. Park in a public garage near Main Street and walk the whole first day.
Where to stay
- A hotel near historic Main Street — A few hotels sit within walking distance of Grapevine's Main Street, so families can walk to the train depot, the shops and the evening lights without moving the car.
- A lakeside resort — Large resorts near Lake Grapevine have indoor pools, holiday displays and room for kids to run, a few minutes' drive from Main Street.
Dinner: Chicken-fried steak at Mason and Dixie, steps from the lights.
Tomorrow: Ride the North Pole Express to visit Santa, spend the afternoon at the resort holiday displays and see ICE! made from carved ice.
Bad-weather plan
On a cold or rainy day, spend longer in the shops, the library and the Grapevine Heritage Center buildings, and watch the light show briefly from under the Main Street awnings.
Main Street · The depot · Lunch and sweets · Lights on Main
Good to know: North Texas winter weather swings fast; a mild afternoon can turn cold by evening, so pack jackets and hats for the lights.
