Along the Grapevine

America As You Like It • 3 January 2024
Grapevine, Texas is a destination like no other. Located near DFW International Airport and known as the Christmas capital of Texas, experience 1400 events over 40 days during the Christmas season. Walk through Historic Downtown Grapevine that is perfectly nostalgic yet authentic or have a tipple of wine and explore the area with the Urban Wine Trail. 

Urban Wine Trail 

Plan the perfect wine-themed holiday in Grapevine, the headquarters of Texas wine. Grapevine is home to a brilliant and extending urban wine trail that offers daily wine tastings and extraordinary events throughout the year. It is also a leader in the Texas wine industry with award-winning festivals celebrating wineries and winemakers for more than thirty-five years, you will find a variety of tastes for everyone. Visit wineries such as Bingham Family Vineyards, known for bold reds and refreshing whites and Landon Winery boasts spectacular wines. Looking for something a bit different? Try the Cross Timbers Winery inside a historic farmhouse, Cross Timbers will hit your palate with a selection of velvety smooth varietals. Messina Hof Winery is one of the most awarded wineries in Texas and is located inside a replica of the first Grapevine hotel on Main Street to see a glimpse into the past. 

Culinary delights

Grapevine offers you a mix of world-class cuisine and family-friendly affordability that makes for an amazing dining experience. More than two hundred restaurants in Grapevine are sure to satisfy every appetite and budget. Not only will you enjoy blazing Lone Star staples such as steak, barbeque, and cowboy cooking. Take a gastronomy tour to Grapevine restaurants preparing Italian, French, Mexican, Southwestern, and Pacific Rim cuisine. For a great breakfast to start off the day go to Old West Café. Have a longing for seafood, see Big Fish Seafood Grill and Bar, with the freshest fish In Grapevine. A hidden gem for the barbecue’s lovers among you, Bartley’s BBQ has you covered with a meal for every appetite. Dining in Grapevine also offers nightly entertainment. So come with a Texas-sized appetite and look forward to a night of hot food and even hotter music.

Art exhibits 

Explore the transformative power of creative energy at Meow Wolf’s The Real Unreal. Displaying an inspiring tale of chosen family, community. Meow Wolf Grapevine expands into a new era of art and storytelling. Stay for the weekend, encounter the galleries, and fine art working studios that lie at the heart of Grapevine’s art culture. Public art is everywhere on Main Street. Make sure you start at Grapevine Visitor Center, featuring more than 34 public art installations, galleries, and studios, most within walking distance. Try the art of glass blowing near the Grapevine Historical Museum at Vetro Glassblowing Studio and Fine Art Gallery, where you will find a wide variety of professionally crafted glass art. It also has a full-working studio where you can enjoy live glassblowing demonstrations and even try creating your own glass art which can be booked in advance. 

Outdoor activities 

Grapevine has plenty to offer for outdoor activities. On the northern border of Grapevine, lies Lake Grapevine. With a range of choice, you can go paddle boarding, swimming, fishing or rent a boat. These are perfect for when you need to cool off from the hot Texas sun. If you prefer land-based activities, try hiking on the north shore trail with camping by the lake and wake up to the sunrise. See Grapevine from a unique perspective with a lake cruise. The perfect way to relax and put your feet up as you watch the sun fade into the horizon. With multiple operators you will have a choice of many types of charters as well that you can book when you are at the lake. 

Vintage Grapevine 

Climb aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad and you will immediately be taken back in time inside authentic 1920s coaches while enjoying modern amenities. Beginning in Downtown at the Cotton Belt Depot, the 1888 Cotton Belt Railroad Depot is one of areas most important buildings. It was operated by the St. Louis Southwestern Railway, also known as the Cotton Belt Route, until 1972 when the station was closed. Go along the rails through six different cities before ending in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. Once there, explore the Stockyards before re-boarding the train before returning to Grapevine. But, beware, some greedy outlaws have their sights set on Grapevine Railroad. You may be asked to assist Deputy Maverick while on board the train during the Great Grapevine Train Heist! Take a stroll through historic downtown with public art, boutique shopping and restaurants The Historic Main Street District has it all. Anchored by Main Street, this walkable, preserved historic area is home to winery tasting rooms, the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, the Palace Arts Center, the Grapevine Glockenspiel Clock Tower, boutique shops, live entertainment venues, restaurants, and art galleries. 

The Sounds of Tennessee: Discover the Music That Shaped America

by America As You Like It • 26 October 2026
Imagine stepping into the Memphis recording studio where Elvis Presley first made his mark, discovering the Nashville studio where country music legends recorded their hits, or standing in Bristol, where a series of recordings helped put country music on the map. Across Tennessee, in the southeastern United States, music is woven into the places you visit, from historic recording rooms to lively streets where musicians still play late into the night. For music lovers, a journey through Tennessee offers the chance to get closer to the artists, sounds and stories behind the songs. Nashville, the state capital, reveals the evolution of country music and its connections to other genres, Memphis takes you into the blues, soul and early rock ’n’ roll scenes, while Bristol traces the roots of country music. Together, they offer a fascinating insight into the music that helped shape American culture.

More Than Just Wine: The Ultimate Guide to Grapevine’s Best Festivals & Events

by America As You Like It • 15 October 2026
Discover Grapevine where historic streets, local wine tasting and the unmistakable spirit of the American West come together. Located in Texas between Dallas and Fort Worth , Grapevine offers the perfect base for discovering local culture, enjoying outdoor adventures and exploring the wider region. Wander along Historic Main Street, step into welcoming winery tasting rooms and browse independent boutiques tucked inside characterful historic buildings. Then take your adventure onto Lake Grapevine, where you can paddle along the shoreline, before heading to Fort Worth to watch the famous Stockyards cattle drive and experience Texas’s Western heritage. Plan your holiday around a lively wine festival, a summer day on the water or Grapevine’s spectacular Christmas celebrations. However you choose to explore, you will find plenty of ways to experience the character of this Texan town.

Wild Maine: A Season for Every Adventure.

by America As You Like It • 12 October 2026
Maine is the largest of the New England states, where rugged Atlantic coastline, forest-covered mountains and historic towns create a holiday full of contrasts. Sail past rocky islands, enjoy a lobster roll beside a working harbour and head inland to discover clear lakes and winding country roads. Add maritime traditions, independent galleries and wildlife encounters, and you will find plenty of reasons to explore beyond the coast. Whether you are planning a summer escape by the sea, an autumn road trip or a winter break surrounded by snow-covered scenery, knowing where to go and when makes all the difference.

Jacksonville: The Flip Side of Florida

by America As You Like It • 1 October 2026
Jacksonville offers a different perspective on Florida. While many travellers head south in search of theme parks and packed resorts, Florida's largest city combines 22 miles of Atlantic coastline with historic neighbourhoods, a thriving food scene and one of the largest urban park systems in the United States. Here, mornings begin with sunrise over the ocean, afternoons are spent exploring rivers, marshes and coastal parks, and evenings revolve around waterfront restaurants, rooftop bars and local sporting events.

Where Adventure Meets Sunshine: Exploring Central Florida

by America As You Like It • 10 July 2026
You have heard of Florida, but let us introduce you to Central Florida, where the Real Florida Magic comes to life. Home to seventeen welcoming communities, including Lakeland and Winter Haven, this region offers a wonderful mix of exciting attractions, rich culture and unforgettable adventures, all within easy reach of Orlando. Whether you are looking for family fun, outdoor adventures or a relaxing escape, you can enjoy everything from thrilling airboat rides and world class theme parks to historic attractions, beautiful gardens and peaceful natural surroundings, making Central Florida the perfect destination for your next holiday.

Nevada: From Neon to Nature

by America As You Like It • 11 June 2026
There are some places that surprise you, and Nevada is one of them.

Make it Memorable―Dutchess County

by America As You Like It • 10 June 2026
Located in the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley, Dutchess County blends scenic beauty, rich history, and a vibrant cultural scene. Spanning 800 square miles of rolling countryside and historic landmarks, it invites discovery at every turn—from the riverside charm of Poughkeepsie, known as the Hudson’s Queen City, to its picturesque towns and villages. Home to the Culinary Institute of America and President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt, Dutchess County is where heritage, flavour, and landscape come together in unforgettable ways.

Exploring Crystal River, Florida

by America As You Like It • 14 May 2026
Crystal River invites you into a gentler side of Florida, where spring fed waters wind through quiet forests and wildlife drifts just beneath the surface. Days here move at an unhurried pace, shaped by warm Gulf breezes, peaceful lakes, and encounters with nature that feel both intimate and unforgettable. Whether you are gliding across clear water by kayak, cycling beneath towering trees, dining on freshly caught seafood, or wandering through centuries of history, the region offers a sense of calm and connection that stays with you long after you leave.

My Journey through the Pacific Northwest

by America As You Like It • 8 May 2026
Exploring Oregon and Washington State is an opportunity of a lifetime. From the Hoh Rainforest to the newly renovated Seattle waterfront, there are spectacular opportunities to experience these remarkable states across a variety of climates. I was fortunate enough to travel from Portland to Seattle, including stops along the way in Astoria, the Evergreen Coast, and the Olympic Peninsula.

Race to Bourbon City: Discover Louisville

by America As You Like It • 27 March 2026
Louisville is Kentucky’s largest city and a destination rich in culture, history, and sporting heritage. Nestled along the Ohio River on the border with Indiana, the city is perhaps best known for hosting the world-famous Kentucky Derby. Explore attractions such as the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory and the Muhammad Ali Center, making Louisville an engaging destination for travellers with diverse interests.
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