Blast off with fun at Grapevine’s 5th Annual SummerBlast! Starting Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, Grapevine’s SummerBlast features fun for the whole family including waterparks, fireworks, special exhibits, outdoor activities, dining, shopping and more. Make your plans now for the perfect Grapevine SummerBlast getaway!
See the skies light up over Lake Grapevine every Friday night at the SummerBlast Fireworks Show starting at 9:30 p.m. This weekly show can be viewed on the rooftop of the parking garage at Gaylord Texan Resort, as well as parks throughout Grapevine. For even more fun, download the music that accompanies the show at www.GrapevineTexasUSA.com/Summer (available May 24). You can also download video of the fireworks show. And don’t miss the 31st Annual July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza. This exciting, patriotic show is set to patriotic music and is the perfect way to celebrate America’s birthday. Shows begin May 24. Free.
Have an out of this world experience at the Grapevine NASA Blast, June 1 – August 25. Located at the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Grand Gallery, 636 S. Main St., this space-themed exhibit features more than 100 items on loan from the Kennedy Space Center in Houston including an original Apollo Space Suit and a model Space Shuttle. Capture the imagination of your little astronauts as they enjoy this up-close and personal look at space exploration and the impact of NASA on today’s society. This exhibit is free and is open Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. and Sundays, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Free.
Waterpark fans will find so many ways to slip, slide and celebrate summer at Gaylord Texan Resort’s SummerFest! Join your favorite characters from DreamWorks Animation films such as Shrek, Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda for a summer getaway full of surprises. Dig into a jungle-themed feast at the Madagascar Crack-a-Lackin' Cook-In, meet your favorite DreamWorks Animation characters and then cool off at Paradise Springs 10-acre resort pool and lazy river. You won't want to miss Gaylord Texan’s other seasonal offerings, either including live music, family entertainment, culinary events, fireworks shows, spa specials and pool parties. It's all part of SummerFest at Gaylord Texan Resort.
Splash up some more water fun at the Great Wolf Lodge’s 80,000 square foot waterpark, the only indoor waterpark in North Texas. Enjoy the slides, rides, lazy river and more in this exciting family-friendly resort. Play MagiQuest or visit Scooops, the perfect spa for kids. Make sure to take the kids for some delicious dishes at Loose Moose Cottage or enjoy Wake Up with Wiley daily at Camp Critter Bar and Grille. Grab a seat at 9 a.m. and enjoy breakfast with Wiley the Wolf, Violet or Oliver. The Great Wolf Lodge’s waterpark is reserved for hotel guests only so plan your Great Wolf escape now.
May the LEGO® bricks be with you this summer! On June 8, Grapevine’s LEGOLAND® Discovery Center will debut the brand new Star Wars™ MINILAND Episode IV. This full-room Star Wars display features a life-size Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker in battle along with exciting scenes from this iconic film. Grapevine’s LEGOLAND Discovery Center is the only place in the nation to experience this one-of-a-kind LEGO scene. And if you’re looking for more summer LEGO fun, check out the Sunny Delight Summer Camp for kids ages six to 11. Children will further their love of LEGO bricks through interactive team builds where they get to work hand-in-hand with master model builders to construct giant LEGO creations. Additional activities include free play and team games in the attraction as well as a Sunny Delight snack break. All kids will receive a special goody bag. Session dates are June 17 –June 20; June 24 –June 27 and August 5 –August 8. Cost is $125 per camper. Located at Grapevine Mills mall.
Ahoy mates! Debuting this summer at SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium is the brand new Turtle Rescue Sanctuary. This exciting new exhibit will offer new educational and conservation opportunities and will encourage even the youngest guests to think about turtles and turtle rescue in a new way. And just down the hallway from the turtles, SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium will debut two new sharks this summer. Prior to the debut, there will be learning opportunities for guests of all ages to learn about the new sharks, and even offer a guess as to what variety of sharks will be coming to SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium. Come early and come often to SEA LIFE this summer! Located at Grapevine Mills mall.
Summer is the perfect time to check out Grapevine Mills’ newest attraction, Magic Maze’s Emporium, offering guests a fun opportunity to enjoy an amazing mirror maze, featuring more than 100 projectors. Kids can navigate their way through themed mazes, such as the Candy Adventure, and search for hidden jewels to win a prize when they reach the end. The Laser Maze gives families the mission of finding their way through without touching a laser! Magic Maze’s Emporium, located in Neighborhood 4 across from Janie and Jack Outlet, is open during regular mall hours.
Start your Memorial Day Weekend at the SummerBlast Kickoff Concert featuring The Party Crashers, on Friday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Palace Theatre. This high-energy band specializes in classic Rock and Roll, dance & party music covering five decades from the 50's through the 90's. The Party Crashers are an award-winning band, having won "The Best Party Band in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex,” awarded by the readers of both the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Fort Worth Weekly. Don’t miss your chance to see this exciting group in Grapevine. 300 S. Main St.
Looking for a way to stay cool this summer? Bring the kids to Grapevine’s Palace Theatre to see Le Theatre de Marionette’s adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Little Mermaid. This impressive presentation will have children spellbound by the beautifully carved marionettes and the underwater kingdom. Shows are scheduled from June 12 – August 14 at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Show dates and times vary. For up to the minute show dates, times and tickets, visit www.GrapevineTexasUSA.com. Weekday admission is $10 for adults and $8 for children. Weekend admission is $12 for adults and $10 for children. For more f un at the Palace Theatre, check out the Grapevine Opry, showcasing up and coming North Texas country music talent on Saturday evenings.300 S. Main Street.
Saddle up for a real trail ride at Grapevine’s Austin Ranch! Unplug the video games, turn off the computer and tune in to the ultimate virtual reality at Austin Ranch. Once your kids hop on one of our friendly horses, they’ll definitely want to hit “replay.” And once they head down a shady, cool trail ride at Austin Ranch, one of the most historic dude ranches in Texas, they will discover what yee-ha really means. Roping, riding, relaxing on more than 90 wooded acres of serene, meandering trails, surrounding a tranquil, 10-acre private lake – it’s all here. Our professional wranglers are standing by at our onsite stable to make sure everyone has a safe and fun day. 2009 Anderson Gibson Rd.
Take a trip back in time to experience life in late 19th century Texas at Grapevine’s Historic Nash Farm. Purchased by Thomas Jefferson Nash in 1859, this Grapevine landmark brings history to life. Nash Farm hosts First Fridays at the Farm, a series of monthly special events highlighting different aspects of farm life. Summer First Fridays events include June 7: Crops; July 5: Keeping Cool and August 2: Cotton. All First Fridays at the Farm events are 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and a $3 participation fee is required. For more fun on the farm, on June 22, enjoy Dairy Day at Nash Farm. Celebrate National Dairy Month and learn where milk comes from, milk a cow and churn butter. Admission is free. 626 Ball St.
Crack the case at the Texas Star Dinner Theater! Railroad tycoon Horace Grimsby has been murdered and a deadly gunslinger is in town! Come along with the Marshal Jim Courtright as he and the audience try to figure out which of the zany characters including Homicidal Hank, Buffalo Joe, Catastrophe Kate and Sissy Mae Prissbottom, is the guilty party. Dinner is included and shows are on select Thursdays, as well as Fridays and Saturday evenings. Tickets are $55 per person, plus tax and include dinner and the show. 816 S. Main Street.
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy a variety of activities at the 8,000 acre Lake Grapevine! Sail away with Black Watch Sailing Charters, Lake Grapevine Cruises, Tranquil Sails or Waterway Adventures. Create your own water adventure with jet skis, pontoon boats and more at Silver Lake Marina, 2500 Fairway Drive. Stop by Bass Pro Shops to get all your equipment, licenses and more for a day of fishing fun on Lake Grapevine. Have a family paddleboat or kayak excursion with equipment rented at Meadowmere Park.
Wheel away the hours at the more than 22 miles of paved and natural trails surrounding Lake Grapevine. Bicycles and other equipment can be rented at Grapevine Bike Center, 1106 W. Northwest Hwy., and Mad Duck Cyclery, 721 E. Northwest Hwy. Want a wheels-up adventure of a different sort? Try touring the trails around Lake Grapevine on a Segway PT x2, rented from Grapevine Segway. Contact Grapevine Segway at 817-631-3273.
Make healthy choices this summer with produce and locally-grown products at the Grapevine Farmers Market, held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m, behind the Town Square Gazebo now through October 19. Check out the Grapevine Market, Thursdays and Saturday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m, located in Liberty Park, across from City Hall, for unique gifts, accessories and more. Both are open through October 19.
Step back in time on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, these 1920s Victorian-style coaches will transport riders of all ages back in time on this celebrated railroad. And don’t miss the Great Train Robberies on Saturdays and Sundays, as your little deputies can help capture the notorious outlaws that stop the train. The Grapevine to the Stockyards train departs Grapevine at 1 p.m. with an expected return of 5:45 p.m. Round-trip tickets start at $10 for children and $18 for adults. 705 S. Main Street.
This summer, discover Western lore right in the heart of Grapevine! While you’re here, come see Grapevine’s Glockenspiel Clock Tower featuring two, larger-than-life, 9-foot tall Glockenspiel characters, known as the Would-Be Train Robbers, Nat Barrett and Willy Majors. Approximately 75 feet above ground, these figures emerge from the Tower several times each day to attempt a lucrative train heist. Visitors gather each day to see this exciting look into just what might have happened on the Grape Vine Prairie. 636 S. Main Street. Free.
With more than 20 hotels in Grapevine, you’re sure to fine the perfect place to stay during your Grapevine getaway. To find the perfect hotel option to complete your getaway, visit www.GrapevineTexasUSA.com/getaways and click on the Family Fun section. For more information about Grapevine, call the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-457-6338 or 817-410-3185 or visit www.GrapevineTexasUSA.com.
Story courtesy of the Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau