Grapevine Archives - Our Changing Life

Grapevine Texas – One Day Of Discovery

Jeff & Crystal — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 03:30:00 +0000

Our visit to Grapevine, Texas may have been short but it was packed full of fun. When the first settlers arrived in this region, they discovered fields of wild Mustang grapes. It seems like they picked a great name for the town, which was organized in 1844. Our visit was concentrated near the historic downtown. Located in the Dallas-Fort Worth region, Grapevine has developed its own flavor. With 24 hours to explore, we wasted no time in getting started. Let’s see what can be packed into a One Day Stay.

We want to thank the Grapevine CVB for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

Start the Day Right

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Our itinerary was designed to show that there are plenty of reasons that every meal is special in Grapevine, Texas. We chose Chez Fabien to start our day. This French-inspired eatery showcases meals like the ones we enjoyed in Quebec City. While Crystal munched on her quiche and fruit, I stuck to a well balanced meal.

Peaceful Moments

We knew that we were in for a hot Texas day, so a stop at the local botanical gardens was placed early in our day. The peaceful setting was the perfect place to plan our day’s adventure. While the gardens aren’t as huge as some we’ve toured, they were plenty big for a leisurely stroll.

Down on the Farm

Now that our moods were tranquil, it was time to dig into the history of Grapevine, Texas. With such a rich and diverse history, we had to make room in our schedule for a few stops. First up was Nash Farm, which offers visitors a feel for the late 19th Century. The farm is only a few blocks from downtown Grapevine, so it’s easy to add to an itinerary. After watching potatoes being harvested, we spent time touring the family home. We even got to meet a few of the farm animals.

Learning Local History

Next up was a stop at the Settlement To The City Museums. This collection of buildings house a variety of historic artifacts. Visitors can tour an old schoolhouse that showcases the Grapevine prairie. The Cotton Ginner’s Museum chronicles the time when cotton was king of the south. We spent the majority of our time exploring the Keeling House Museum, which holds exhibits about Grapevine’s growth and changes over the years.

Lunch at the Hall

All of this exploring had helped us work up an appetite and we noticed it was approaching lunchtime. We hightailed it over to Harvest Hall for a “food hall” style meal. The interior of this place is stunning. Adding a variety of eateries makes this the perfect lunch or Happy Hour stop.

Local Legends

After lunch, it was time to get back to work. Grapevine, Texas has so much history that we only needed to step outside for our next lesson. Local historian, Sallie Cotter Andrews was waiting to tell us about the “Peace Circle”. A ring of eleven statues honor a meeting between Sam Houston and ten tribal leaders. Sallie made sure we had lots of background on each of the participants. Afterwards, we spent time talking about her relationship with a native tribe in our hometown.

Railroad History

One of the great things about a One Day Stay in Grapevine is that everything is nearby. In fact, our next stop was just a few steps up the road. The Grapevine Vintage Railroad wasn’t originally on our schedule but who could pass up a peek at these old-school cars. We can imagine traveling across the prairie in style, during the early 1900s. They certainly don’t make them like this any more.

Downtown Grapevine, Texas Shopping

Whenever we visit a new destination we look for ways to “Visit Like A Local”. This includes checking out the locally-owned shops and stores. Downtown Grapevine, Texas has a new selection of boutiques that offer lots of variety. Crystal enjoyed perusing the racks looking for some special pieces to add to her wardrobe. I found a few stores that had souvenirs and gifts for everyone in the family.

Dinner Downtown

The day was passing way too quickly and we noticed hunger creeping up on us. For dinner we decided to sample a local eatery that we noticed along our path. Mason & Dixie has a nice variety of dishes, so we had no problem picking. While Crystal dug into her Gulf Shrimp & Grits, I couldn’t pass up the Brisket Grilled Cheese.

Early Grapevine History

After dinner we decided to take one more stroll down Main Street. As we neared the northern end, we happened upon the Torian Cabin. Constructed with hand-hewn logs, this home was moved from the Lonesome Dove community to Grapevine. The structure served as the Torian family’s home from 1886 until the 1940s. Can you imagine life inside of this cabin?

One Day of Discovery

As the day grew to an end, we returned to Harvest Hall to recount our adventure. Grapevine, Texas had shown us plenty of history and some fun to boot. Being a part of a large metro, many smaller cities often lose their small-town charm. Grapevine has managed to retain theirs and have become a great addition to a Dallas-Fort Worth excursion. We certainly enjoyed our time and would love to hear your memories of visits to Grapevine, Texas. Drop us a line in the comments section and tell us about some of your favorite stops.

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Dining In Downtown Grapevine

Jeff & Crystal — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 09:30:54 +0000

Each city we visit brings with it a chance to sample new flavors. Dining in downtown Grapevine, Texas offered a wide range of choices. With only three meals to plan, we had to narrow down our decisions. We decided to stick to Main Street, which is where a large portion of our activities were taking place. Picking three from the thirty that were left was difficult, so let us know how well you think we did.

We want to thank the Grapevine CVB for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

Starting the Day Right

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Crystal and I often skip this meal by surviving off of coffee. When we spotted Chez Fabien, we got some serious Quebec City vibes. That was where we had some of the best French cuisine meals of our lives. This restaurant doubles as a bakery so we knew the pastries would be delectable. As we made our way to our table, we noted the charming continental decor.

French Flavors

On the occasions that we do eat breakfast, we make it a meal to remember. Crystal went straight for the Quiche Lorraine and added one of their flaky Almond Croissants to her order. I chose to stick to a traditional path by ordering their Le Parisien. The plate came out filled with scrambled eggs, crispy Applewood smoked bacon, Country-style potatoes and a warm croissant. Each bite reminded me of our breakfasts at Hotel Manoir d’Auteuil, which were the best I have ever had. Our dining in downtown Grapevine was starting well.

Upscale Food Court

It’s hard to say what the best part of traveling would be, but for us it is usually the experiences. After a morning filled with touring the town, we found ourselves ready for lunch. We had more activities planned for the afternoon, so we wanted something that would stay with us. During my research, I noticed that Grapevine had a food hall, which are becoming popular in our hometown. These upscale food courts are the perfect place to sample a variety of cuisines under one roof. Harvest Hall takes it up a notch with an impressive setting that reminded us of days gone by.

Savory Selections

Lunch was a mix of flavors from all around the globe. These new-style dining destinations have multiple eateries, which can rotate in and out over time. What we ate may not be available during your stay, but we are sure you will find plenty of great options. Our meal was made up of BBQ Sliders, a four-flavor pizza, and a meat-filled rice bowl. We had plenty of protein to carry us through until dinner.

Downtown Dinner

Part of our afternoon was spent shopping, which gave us an opportunity to see what we could add as a dinner destination. Mason & Dixie looked like a good option for a casual sit-down meal. The cozy setting offered views of Main Street. The owner relocated from Florida about 12 years ago and brought her love for food along for the ride. We found ourselves fortunate to be on the receiving end of some tasty dishes.

So Much Flavor

The menu, at Mason & Dixie, is packed full of tempting choices, so you can imagine our dilemma. Crystal had no trouble choosing the Gulf Shrimp & Grits, which is pictured at the top of the article. The Parmesan grits were the perfect accompaniment for the Creole sauce. I made my way down the menu until I landed on the Brisket Grilled Cheese. This is a dish that I enjoy at a restaurant in Kansas City, so it was a chance to see how they stacked up. The use of Havarti cheese made this sammie a creamy delight.

Dining in Downtown Grapevine

After dinner, we took some time to enjoy the evening atmosphere. Dining in downtown Grapevine had been a success. Our bellies were happy with us for the choices we had made. As we recounted our day, the meals were a big part of the memories we had made. While we all need to eat to survive, we find that a memorable meal adds much more to our day. If you’ve dined in Grapevine, let us know how our choices stacked up. You can tell us your favorites in the Comments section below. That will give us some alternates to try out on our next visit.

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Harvest Hall History Lesson

Jeff & Crystal — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 03:30:00 +0000

Two of our favorite things are history and eating. If we can find a way to combine the two, then we are about as happy as a couple can be. While exploring downtown Grapevine, we had a chance to do just that. While visiting Harvest Hall, we started with a delectable lunch before moving on to a history lesson about Sam Houston’s “Peace Circle”. This was sure to be a day that we would long remember.

Grapevine Gathering Place

Harvest Hall stands tall on the southern end of the historic downtown strip in Grapevine. This modern-day food hall serves as a gathering place for fun and food. Inside we discovered three main galleries. The North Hall has panoramic views of the Grapevine train depot. The South Hall offers an intimate setting for gatherings and meetings. It is the Great Hall where we spent the largest portion of our time. The large bar area has a commanding presence and makes a great starting point for our visit.

Plenty of Dining Options

After getting a lay of the land, we were ready to find our lunch. Like all good food halls, Harvest Hall offers a multitude of options. There are three kitchens in the North Hall and four in the Great Hall. That allowed us to choose from a wide range of cuisines. I wandered around watching the chefs work their culinary magic. It’s amazing how difficult it can be to zero in on just one. After checking them all out, we were ready to order.

Can't Try Just One

With all of the options replaying in my head, I finally landed on barbecue from Brisket Rules. Their meaty sliders packed a ton of smoky goodness on a bun. With so many delectable choices, I decided to get one each of the brisket and pork. Crystal was leaning in a completely different direction as she inspected the menu at Pizza by Luigi. Her choice of the Four Seasons Pizza was unexpected. I believe this is the first time we have had artichokes, ham, black olives, and mushrooms served up in this fashion.

Heading Outdoors

With our bellies full of deliciousness, we were ready students for our upcoming history lesson. While approaching Harvest Hall from the north, we had seen an art installation up ahead. Now it was time to gain a better understanding of its purpose. The Peace Circle is made up of eleven statues. It serves as a reminder of the meeting between Sam Houston and ten tribal leaders.

History Comes Alive

Our greeting from Sallie Cotter Andrews, who is a local historian in Grapevine, signaled the start of our history lesson. The time was 1843 and by then European settlements had spread far into the lands frequented by native tribes. Houston’s goal was to form an alliance of friendship, peace, and trust. This would be a key step in creating the Treaty at Bird’s Fort later that year. Sallie explained the significance of each tribal leader and reminded us that only the Comanches were not in attendance for that historic meeting.

Our Worlds Intertwine

While Sallie dove into the details of each tribal leader, she also divulged information about the lifestyle of each tribe. It was during this part of our meeting that our worlds collided. When Sallie mentioned that she was a descendant of the Wyandot Nation, we were awe-struck. Crystal was quick to point out that we reside in Wyandotte County, which is named for the tribe. Sallie knew our area well and we were once again reminded just how small our world has become. If you’d like to learn more about the participants at the Peace Circle, here are more details.

Harvest Hall History Lesson

Our visit to Harvest Hall brought two of our favorites together. We not only enjoyed the history lesson but the new friendship we kindled with Sallie. It never ceases to amaze us how often our lives intersect with others, as we find common ground in so many of our travels. We wished we could have continued our conversation, but the Texas sun was pushing us all toward cooler spaces. After saying our goodbyes, we headed off toward more adventures in Grapevine, Texas.

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Nash Farm – Settling In Grapevine

Jeff & Crystal — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 09:24:42 +0000

“Go West and you’ll find plenty of land.” That statement was told to an abundance of farmers who found the eastern states were becoming too crowded. Looking for a place to call home, Thomas Nash moved his family to the Grape Vine Prairie in 1859. We can picture the family’s pleased faces when they arrived at their 110 acre plot. While they had many hard days ahead, they knew that they had found a home and looked forward to settling down in Grapevine. We stopped by the Nash Farm to see how they show visitors what the early days of farming life was like.

The Family Home

When Thomas and Elizabeth Nash arrived in Grapevine, they found fertile soil. Grapevine was named for the “Mustang” grapes that grew wild in this region. The family built a log cabin on their plot, which would serve them until their house was completed in 1869. A nearby forest of pecan, oak, and black walnut trees provided lumber and firewood. These days the farm acreage has reduced significantly, but we still found plenty of farm life to immerse ourselves in this unique Texas history.

Settling in Grapevine

Life on the prairie was difficult, since families had to be self-sufficient. The farm would have grown all of the necessities for daily life, as well as cash crops. Corn, cotton, and wheat were commonplace in this region. The monies earned from these crops would pay for the rare extravagances. As we toured the home, we found that it was filled with many artifacts that would have been found in that era. It was interesting to see the hide-a-bed that would have been used for a child.

Family Life

Thomas and Elizabeth were blessed with six children. In the 1800s, agricultural life required lots of hands. While children always find time to play, we are sure they faced a long list of daily chores. While the home looks large, with its two-story construction, we can imagine how crowded it must have felt when everyone was inside. To top it off, Thomas’ brother William lived with them for most of his adult life.

Bringing in the Spuds

Our visit wouldn’t have been complete without a visit to the fields. We lucked out and found them harvesting a crop of potatoes. The staff at Nash Farms dresses in period clothes, which made our visit feel like we had stepped back in time. While they did use a tractor to till up the land, much of the farmwork was done as it has been for generations.

Meeting the Family

We continued to explore the grounds and soon came to the animals. A coop filled with chickens was a familiar sight. Our guide explained that they let them out at times, but have to protect them from predators. We also got to meet one of the sheep that call Nash Farm home. This baby lamb seemed happy to be carried and enjoyed the attention we showered on him.

Visiting Nash Farm

We wrapped up our visit to Nash Farm with a stop in their store. Here we discovered a variety of sweet treats ready to be enjoyed. There were also plenty of souvenirs to remind us of our visit. Our stop took place on a weekday, so it was business as normal for the staff. We learned that they have a variety of events that allow visitors to immerse themselves into farm life. Their First Fridays showcase a different heritage skill each month. There are also annual events that draw in throngs of visitors looking to experience life on an 1800s farm. Looks like the Nash family started something when they settled in Grapevine, Texas.

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