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    Sip, Savor, Celebrate

    Uncork the fun at GrapeFest's ultimate wine weekend in Grapevine

    CultureMap Create
    Aug 22, 2025 | 12:00 pm
    GrapeFest

    You'll want to get your tickets now.

    Photo courtesy of Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau

    This September, Grapevine’s Historic Main Street transforms into a wine paradise with a Roaring Twenties twist as the 39th Annual GrapeFest – A Texas Wine Experience, presented by Bank of the West, uncorks four days of flavor, fun, and festivities.

    Running September 11-14, this year’s “Grape Gatsby” theme pays homage to the glamour and indulgence of the 1920s — minus the prohibition, of course.

    Fresh off being named one of USA TODAY’s Top 10 Best Wine Festivals in the U.S., GrapeFest promises an unforgettable experience filled with live music, artisan vendors, iconic festival bites, and plenty of opportunities to raise a glass.

    GrapeFest Photo courtesy of Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau

    The People’s Choice: You be the judge

    The People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic, presented by Audi Grapevine and the largest consumer-judged wine competition in the country, puts the power in your hands. Across ten 90-minute sessions, you’ll sample Texas wines in categories from dry whites to bold reds, delicate rosés to rich blends, and cast your vote for the best.

    Opt for a VIP People’s Choice session and enjoy limited-capacity tastings that offer a more intimate wine experience, plus a souvenir glass and wine guide to help you navigate the flavors. With Texas winemakers on hand to share their craft, this is your chance to sip, swirl, and decide who takes home the bragging rights.

    GrapeFest Photo courtesy of Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau

    Barossa bound: Win an Australian wine escape

    This year, tasting could be your ticket across the globe. Thanks to Qantas, Barossa, and South Australia, one lucky festivalgoer will win a six-night, seven-day luxury getaway Down Under to Barossa and Adelaide.

    The prize includes roundtrip Qantas economy flights from DFW, upscale accommodations, private Barossa winery tours, and luxury transfers. To enter, simply stop by the Qantas booth during the festival.

    While you’re there, immerse yourself in the flavors of Barossa through the Barossa Premium Wine Experience, engaging wine master classes, and expert-led wine seminars.

    GrapeFest Photo courtesy of Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau

    More ways to enjoy the 'Grape Gatsby'

    Beyond People’s Choice and the Australian getaway, GrapeFest is overflowing with opportunities to sip, savor, and celebrate:

    • International Wine Experience – Travel the globe without leaving Main Street, featuring wines from around the world, sponsored by Gaylord Texan Resort.
    • Champagne Terrace – Effervescent delights in a stylish, relaxed setting, sponsored by Hilton DFW Lakes.
    • GrapeStomp – Kick off your shoes, roll up your pants, and live your best Lucy Ricardo moment.
    • Champagne Cork Shoot-Off – Cheer on the corks as they fly.
    • Live Music & Entertainment – From jazz to Texas country, the soundtrack to your weekend is set.
    • Artisan Marketplace & Festival Bites – Shop unique finds, savor festival classics, and discover gourmet treats.

    All of this takes place along Grapevine’s Historic Main Street, lined with charming shops, tasting rooms, and the kind of small-town character that makes this festival as welcoming as it is world-class.

    Plan your GrapeFest getaway

    Whether you come for the competition, the culture, or the sheer joy of wine tasting, GrapeFest is the kind of event that becomes an annual tradition.

    Tickets are on sale now, and popular tastings — especially the VIP People’s Choice sessions — sell out fast. Secure yours today at GrapeFest.com and get ready to toast to Texas wine, Gatsby-style.

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    family vacay with the dinos

    Dino-sized Texas state park declared No. 5 best for families in 2026

    Amber Heckler
    Apr 17, 2026 | 12:30 pm
    Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose
    Photo courtesy of Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
    Dinosaur Valley is the best place for families to camp in 2026.

    Camping trips are core memory makers for children, and Dinosaur Valley State Park in North Texas has emerged as one of the top five best places to camp with kids in 2026.

    The campground at Dinosaur Valley was the only Texas locale to be included in The Dyrt's 2026 list of the 10 best family-friendly camping destinations in the country. The winning sites "pull out all the stops" with activities, playgrounds, fishing opportunities, and much more to cater to young campers.

    Dinosaur Valley State Park is located in Glen Rose, 60 miles southwest of Fort Worth and about a four-hour drive from Houston. As its name suggests, dinosaurs once roamed the park and left tracks in the bed of the Paluxy River, which visitors can still see and experience for themselves today.

    "The sheer wonder of standing in an actual dinosaur footprint is something children never forget, and the park makes it easy to find them," the report said. "The park also features a dinosaur interpretive center and life-size dinosaur replicas that kids of all ages will love."

    Dinosaur Valley State Park dinosaur tracks See the dinosaur tracks for yourself.Photo courtesy of Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

    The park offers many more activities for families to enjoy, such as 20 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding tours, or swimming and fishing in the river.

    The Dyrt says there are 70 campsites for visitors to book, which include sites with electricity, hike- or walk-in primitive camping areas, and 20-person group camps. Nightly rates for camping trips range from $16-$60, plus the $8 daily entrance fee.

    In addition to the well-kept campground, reviewers praise the park's dedication to preserving its dinosaur tracks and the natural landscape.

    "Every camp spot has its own water source and electricity hookup, [which] makes a huge difference at the hot Texas summer days and perfect for spending the nights not in a complete dark in case you’re using only a tent without a generator," one reviewer said. "The trails are great even in the Texan summer as many of them are beside the river where you can cool off. Highly recommended for families with kids all ages!"

    The top 10 best places to camp with kids in 2026 are:

    • Normandy Farms Campground, Massachusetts
    • Greenbrier Campground, Tennessee
    • Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Florida
    • Spacious Skies Bear Den, North Carolina
    • Dinosaur Valley State Park Campground, Texas
    • HTR Niagara Campground, New York
    • Camp A Way Campground, Nebraska
    • Ocean Lakes Family Campground, South Carolina
    • Jellystone Park Quarryville, Pennsylvania
    • Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Minnesota
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