Grapevine, TX

During this season, the entire town comes to life with decorations, lights, Santas on every corner (explain that to your kids) and tons of activities. Of course all the shops are decked out from top to bottom with Christmas cheer, including that always festive Good Things for All Seasons where you can find any ornament — from golf clubs to barbecue sauce to dinosaurs. Each year, the shops along Main Street have a contest to see who can decorate the best, which means just walking around Main Street will get you in the Holiday Spirit.

During the Holidays, the Gaylord Texan Resort becomes a Christmas wonderland, with toy soldiers, snow and giant ornaments. However, the decorations aren’t even the main attraction — don’t miss the ICE display made by artists from China who spend countless hours making amazing displays out of solid ice, including a giant slide. They keep the sculptures in a conference room with the thermostat set to 9 degrees — which is ICE cold but they give you giant parkas to keep you warm. There’s also a 25 foot indoor snow tubing hill that will make you think you’re on the side of a mountain.

Looking for that perfect Christmas gift? Make your own at Vetro Glassblowing, where visitors get a chance to be part of the glassblowing process and make an actual ornament by melting glass in a giant furnace! It’ll definitely be the hottest gift you’ll give this year…

The North Pole Express transforms the Grapevine Vintage Railroad into a train ride to the North Pole complete with a visit from Santa, singing with the elves and frosty chocolate snow milk. You can even wear your favorite Christmas pj’s! It’s fun for kids of all ages (and grown up too).

Of course the name Grapevine comes from somewhere, so there are lots of wineries in town that can all pour you a glass of merriment. I love Cross Timbers Winery, not just for the wine but because it’s located in an 1800’s house with a ghostly experience reminiscent of A Christmas Carol. Just keep your eyes peeled for those merry ghosts.