Ride the rails across Texas or across the country to experience the newly developed Grapevine Main Station and fun for everyone in Grapevine, Texas
Looking for a getaway without the hassle of congested highways? Ride America’s rails and visit Historic Grapevine, Texas! With train connections from across the country to DFW, travelers looking for adventure have easy, car-free access to Grapevine’s many hotels and resorts, bistros and cafes, boutiques and outdoor adventures. Not to mention further train experiences onboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad.
Getting to Grapevine, Texas
Enjoy a ride with Amtrak as they celebrate 50 years of connecting people and places across the country. Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer will put you in a cowboy state of mind with its daily connections from Oklahoma City to Fort Worth. Additionally, Amtrak’s Texas Eagle now runs daily and connects to more than 40 stops that stretch from Chicago to Los Angeles. Along the way, it takes you deep in the heart of Texas as it rolls through San Antonio, Austin, San Marcos, Waco, Mineola, Marshall, Dallas and Fort Worth.
“On Amtrak, we don’t care if your socks match or not because we are never going to see your feet,” said Marc Magliari, Public Relations Manager for Amtrak Government Affairs and Corporate Communications. “Amtrak offers roomy travel and is friendly to people with disabilities. Our trains are reliable and are built for going farther with roomier seating and options to ride in coach, a private roomette or bedroom.”
On Amtrak’s Texas Eagle, enjoy traveling free from the hustle and bustle of highway traffic and take a walk to the Sightseer lounge. With its domed windows, riders experience unlimited views of the passing countryside and expansive Texas skies. The trains also offer a variety of food options to keep you satisfied along your journey.
“Unlike in a car, on a train you don’t have to pull off the highway to find somewhere to eat. We offer full meals in the dining car and a snack bar as well. You can eat on the train and save time as you travel,” Magliari said.
For your next trip, watch the world roll by from the roomy comfort of a train. For more information on Amtrak, call 800-USA-RAIL.
Amtrak Meets TEXRail at Fort Worth Central Station
Both Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer and Texas Eagle lines connect passengers to Fort Worth Central Station where they may ride the new Trinity Metro TEXRail commuter train Eastbound to Grapevine. Launched in 2019, the technologically advanced, Swiss-designed TEXRail carries passengers along 27 miles to nine stations between Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport and Downtown Fort Worth.
“Anyone arriving by Amtrak at Fort Worth Central Station can walk to the other end of the platform and board TEXRail for a relaxing trip to Grapevine Main Station,” said Jon-Erik Arjanen, Trinity Metro Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Rail. “The multi-modal hub, owned-and-operated by Trinity Metro, offers easy public transit connectivity so travelers do not need to rent a car. Visitors who arrive at DFW Airport can enjoy a quick 10-minute ride to Grapevine to enjoy tourist attractions, great restaurants and the new Hotel Vin and Harvest Hall.”
TEXRail’s model is the first of its kind in the United States that merges modern amenities and efficiency with the railroad experience. TEXRail riders will enjoy the safety, comfort and attention reminiscent of the railroad glory days when riders traveled in luxury in the finest rail cars in the nation.
Riders will appreciate the quiet and smooth comfort of TEXRail as well as its vertical bike racks, luggage storage, USB ports for device charging and the designated quiet car. Additionally, the train offers level boarding so that passengers can easily transition from platform to train with strollers, luggage and wheelchairs.
“Trinity Metro values safety for our passengers, employees and the community,” Arjanen said. “Conductors are on each train to assist passengers, check tickets and answer questions.”
Whether traveling from a great distance or just wanting a local getaway, a $5 TEXRail ticket provides riders unlimited access to ride all day long. Fort Worth area travelers can use the same pass to ride on Trinity Metro buses and ZIPZONE on-demand service.
“When it comes to our passengers, reliability and consistency is of the utmost importance, and TEXRail provides that with a year-to-date on-time performance exceeding 99 percent,” Arjanen said.
Destination Grapevine, Texas: A Tale of Two Railroads
Upon exiting TEXRail at the Grapevine station platforms, travelers experience the merging of railroad past and present. The sleek and modern luxury of TEXRail stands in sharp contrast to Grapevine Vintage Rrailroad sitting on parallel tracks. The train platforms are home to both the cozy and quaint 1888 Historic Cotton Belt Depot and the newly developed Grapevine Main Station with its impressively expansive scale. The stations, just steps away from each other, transport visitors to two different 19th century experiences.
The Historic Cotton Belt Depot carries visitors back to rural, farming America with its simple, wooden architecture and small-scale footprint. The Cotton Belt Railroad Depot once served as a transportation hub not only for passengers but also crops, produce and poultry. It’s now the ticket office for the Grapevine Vintage Railroad.
Step back in time and book a ride on the 1920s Victorian-style coaches of the Grapevine Vintage Railroad (GVRR). Riders on the GVRR Cotton Belt Route to the Historic Stockyards Station in Fort Worth and on the Grapevine Tahwahkarro Creek Train Excursion should be on the lookout for greedy outlaws who may attempt a train heist! While in Fort Worth’s Historic Stockyards, ride the Trinity River Train Excursion for a leisurely and scenic experience. Ticket prices vary by excursion. Schedules are subject to change. Please check GVRR.com for the most up-to-date information.
In contrast to the Historic Cotton Belt Depot, Grapevine Main Station invites visitors to experience the grace and grandeur of 19th century urban train stations. Upon arrival, visitors are transported back to an age when the rails reigned supreme in the travel industry. The station’s clock tower with its four large, glass clocks harkens back to the welcoming beacons of train stations of the past. The Station offers an elevator ride to the top of its 12-story tall Observation Tower, offering 360-degree views of Grapevine and the surrounding Dallas/ Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex.
“The new Grapevine Main Station seamlessly blends our history as a rural railroad town and with the urbanization that has happened around Grapevine and in the surrounding DFW area,” said Paul W. McCallum, Executive Director of the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Grapevine Main Station is steeped in the past, but also conjures up connections to international dining and travel experiences.”
With its trestled 40-foot ceilings, colorful murals depicting Grapevine’s history and heritage, and vintage- inspired tiled floors, historic charm meets modern function within Grapevine Main Station. Housed inside Grapevine Main Station is Harvest Hall, modeled after European dining halls and home to seven globally- inspired scratch kitchens. The kitchens offer everything from classic Italian and Mediterranean to Latin fusion and Southern comfort. The North Hall offers views of both Grapevine Vintage Railroad and TEXRail’s platforms through its soaring windows while the Great Hall offers views of unique art installations reflecting the town’s founders and railroad past. In the South Hall, enjoy a craft brew or cocktail and take in a live performance in the evenings at Third Rail, an intimate entertainment venue. Third Rail features the best local and regional comedians, musicians and more.
Adjacent to the station is Hotel Vin, a luxurious 120-room Marriott Autograph Collection boutique hotel that offers guests a refined Southern hospitality experience for business and leisure travelers alike. It’s wine-centric decor and experiences thematically connect to Grapevine’s reputation as the epicenter of the Texas wine culture. Within the lobby of Hotel Vin is Bacchus Kitchen + Bar, a farm-to-table restaurant that offers carefully curated food and wine experiences. It’s floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of the comings and goings of both the TEXRail line and the Grapevine Vintage Railroad.
Grapevine Main Station serves as a gateway for local commuters and global travelers who are interested in taking in Grapevine’s culture for a one-of-a-kind experience. The station is walking distance to Grapevine’s Downtown Historic District with its many events and locally-owned boutiques and restaurants.
Walk Your Way Through Grapevine
Grapevine’s knowledgeable Visitor Concierge Team, located in the Grapevine Main Station Visitor Information Center, is ready to help visitors discover all that Grapevine has to offer. Only here for a few hours? Check in your bags or other items at the Visitor Information Center for an easy, breezy walking experience.
There’s no need for a car to experience all that Grapevine has to offer! Just steps away from the station is Historic Main Street, home to a variety of art galleries, historic sites, boutiques, tasting rooms, bistros and cafes. Walk the public art trail to experience Grapevine’s outdoor bronze sculptures, art galleries and working artist studios. Learn about Grapevine’s past by visiting Nash Farm, Settlement to City Museums and other historic locations throughout the city. Treasures abound in the more than 80 locally- owned shops and boutiques along Main Street, and local bistros and cafes offer menus to satisfy every craving.
Additionally, Grapevine, a is considered the epicenter of Texas wine culture. Stroll along the Urban Wine Trail and savor fine Texas wines from a variety of tasting rooms along and around Main Street. Locations offer daily tasting options and special events throughout the year. Grapevine is also host to several award- winning festivals that celebrate all things wine and craft brew.
Shuttles Services for Easy Access
Travel in style from one Grapevine location to the next with a ride on the Grapevine Visitors Shuttle, currently running Thursdays through Sundays. Shuttles provide easy access shopping, to area hotels, resorts and more. Visitors may ride the shuttles to and from Main Street to the Gaylord Texan where guests may enjoy family-friendly fun within its 10 acres of watery wonder at Paradise Springs. Additionally, visitors will enjoy Texas-sized adventure within the hotel with its stadium-size atrium which features Spanish architecture, limestone pathways and bridges reminiscent of renowned Texas icons. Extend the relaxation with a live show and waterfront views at Glass Cactus. Float in the lazy river, zip down water slides or enjoy games and activities at Great Wolf Lodge. Visitors will find Texas-sized fun at Grapevine Mills, which offers more than 180 stores as well as attractions like LEGOLAND® Discovery Center, SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium, Peppa Pig World of Play, The Escape Game and more.
Book Your Trip and Stay Today
Looking for a staycation or weekend getaway? Book your train tickets and your getaway to Grapevine, Texas. Enjoy a range of fantastic lodging options, including resort-style, boutique and budget-friendly hotels. With more than 20 lodging options to choose from, there is a place for every type of vacation experience and every budget. Visit https://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/hotels/ to book your stay today!
ABOUT GRAPEVINE, TEXAS
Historic Grapevine, Texas, centrally located between Dallas and Fort Worth, is the premier go-to destination when planning a getaway or vacation in North Texas! Step back in time on Historic Downtown Main Street with a collection of charming boutiques, art galleries and bistros and cafes. Enjoy fantastic hotels and resorts, great attractions for the entire family, a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities, exquisite winery tasting rooms, world-class shopping and much more. For more information, visit GrapevineTexasUSA.com.