Grapevine, TX

Grapevine first entered the history books as the location of a peace treaty meeting between Sam Houston and the leaders of 10 Indian nations. The area grew slowly over the following century and was primarily known for its cotton and its cantaloupes.

The area saw a major shift with the opening of DFW Airport in 1974, which transformed Grapevine into a center of commerce in the area. The Donald Schoolhouse Museum, Grapevine Cotton Ginner's Museum, and Keeling House Museum allow visitors to further explore Grapevine's rich history.

The existence of numerous area galleries that feature contemporary art supports the local art scene. Grapevine has live theater in the area that features plays or musicals throughout the year. Grapevine also hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year, from GrapeFest to the July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza.

The Palace Arts Center Theatre is a restored art-deco building originally constructed in 1941. This link to the past is a popular place to see modern movies, as well as old classics on Friday night. The theatre also hosts special events such as the Grapevine Opry on Saturday nights and the annual Christmas Spectacular.

Dining options abound in Grapevine. There are more than 200 restaurants in the city, with fare ranging from down-home Southern cooking and Texas barbecue to Mediterranean, Tex-Mex, and some of the best seafood to be found in North Texas. Grapevine also has a surprisingly vibrant nightlife scene. Locals and visitors like to relax with a glass of wine, enjoy a beer with friends, or dance the evening away at a rocking nightclub. A good place to begin a culinary journey of Grapevine is at Café Italia. Though small, the restaurant has incredible, authentic Italian cuisine that pairs perfectly with regional and international wines. Menu items include the savory pollo balsamic and refreshingly good shrimp scampi served with a white wine lemon sauce. For a gourmet experience that combines the best of authentic Mexican food as well as Tex-Mex and fare straight from Santa Fe, Mi Dia is a popular spot. Diners rave about the succulent duck tacos, which come paired with pickled onion and cilantro for a unique twist on a classic flavor. Those looking to pick up a light lunch or perhaps sample a sweet treat after dinner often end up at Main Street Café & Bread Baking Co. The sweet and savory French brie panini, served up with spinach and bosc pairs is very popular. Some people skip straight to dessert and have the ganache crème brulee. This version of the café's perfectly caramelized crème brulee comes topped with rich, decadent dark chocolate ganache. Music lovers enjoy listening to up-and-coming local artists in an intimate atmosphere at Buon Giorno Coffee, or enjoy contemporary and country music acts at Willhoite's. Music venues abound in Grapevine. The locals flock to spots like Love & War in Texas, which prides itself on featuring the Lone Star State in everything from its music to its food. Perhaps the hottest spot for dancing, enjoying a drink, and listening to the best music in town, Glass Cactus merits a visit. The Gaylord Texas Resort is a huge 39,000-square-foot nightclub that regularly features some of the hottest acts in music.

Though most people get around by car, a few other transportation options exist. Disabled and elderly residents have access to Northeast Transportation Services for door-to-door transportation, and a visitor's shuttle connects the mall, Main Street, and DFW airport for easy access. Another popular transportation option in the form of a vintage train runs from Grapevine to the Fort Worth Stockyards. While not a reliable transportation option for daily use, it can be a great way to get to the city for a day out.

Visitors can't hail a cab very easily, but a taxi service is available via phone. Uber also serves the area with its ride share program. Drivers find free public parking around areas such as Historic Downtown Main Street. Easy access to major thoroughfares 114, 121 and 360 allow drivers a quick way to get on the Interstate. The streets do not sport bike lanes, and some neighborhoods may not be safe for cyclists.

Parks of all kinds abound in Grapevine, including lakeside parks such as Meadowmere and Rockledge. The parks provide camping, kayak and paddle boat rentals. They also have a swimming area and a spot popular with birders. Local plants are on display at the Botanical Gardens where visitors like to walk and enjoy the beautiful bridges, water features and changing foliage. The Vineyards is a very popular camping site for tenters and those with recreational vehicles. Most of the parks are free, but some special activities such as camping require a fee.

Plenty of child-friendly playgrounds make for a fun day out with the kids. Visitors of a four-legged variety enjoy the dog park near Grapevine Lake.

Festivals held throughout the year at the parks include SummerBlast, which features fireworks over Lake Grapevine every night. Kids and adults love to see the Butterfly Flutterby at the Botanical Gardens, which showcases the yearly migration of Monarch butterflies from Mexico. There are also a number of great hiking and cycling trails within the parks system for those looking for a workout.

The cost of living in Grapevine comes in at somewhat higher than the national average, and a fair amount higher than the cost of living for surrounding neighborhoods in Texas. None of the available public transportation options go to Dallas, though riders can get to the Historic Stockyards in Fort Worth via the vintage train for a fee of $20 each way.

The average one-bedroom apartment in the Grapevine area trends around $800-900. A beer costs about $4 during the evening or about $2 during happy hour. The cost of gas to get around Grapevine comes in around 12 percent less than the national average.

Grapevine Mills Mall exists as the center of shopping in Grapevine. The mall houses numerous different stores of all kinds in addition to an aquarium and LEGOLAND Discovery Center. Upscale shops, including Coach and Michael Kors, are found in Grapevine Mills as well as in boutiques throughout the area - particularly those located at Historic Downtown Main Street.

Lovers of all things British must take the time to visit The British Emporium on Main Street, where there are an incredible number of gifts and grocery items imported straight from the United Kingdom. Crafters enjoy Beads on the Vine, a specialty shop that features beads, charms, jewelry kits, and much more. Home décor items, jewelry, or the perfect gift are all available at One Posh Place, a spot with a unique sampling of goodies.

Several grocery stores serve the area, including Tom Thumb, Sprouts, and a Central Market. For the freshest produce and handcrafted items, the Grapevine Farmers Market is open Thursday through Saturday.