The Gaylord Texan

Need an easy getaway for your family this spring or summer that won’t break the bank? Just north of Dallas, you will find Grapevine, Texas and the Marriott Gaylord Texan resort. Stay at the Gaylord for days with an endless amount of food & fun at your fingertips. Your kids are sure to love the Gaylord.

Being in the heart of the Midwest, trying to plan a family trip with 3 little boys can be daunting to say the least. Flying with a 2 year old? Ugh. I’m not a good road-tripper, but a 5-hour drive to Dallas from Southeast Kansas sounded so much easier than packing us all up and flying to California.

These boys will be old enough for that soon…..

Just north of the actual metropolitan area of Dallas/Fort Worth, you have Grapevine. Grapevine is north and right in between the two cities, sitting on a lake named after its town. Or maybe the town is named after the lake? Either way, we had a great view of the Grapevine Lake from our room inside the Gaylord Texan.

There are several upscale suburbs in the area including the popular Southlake with tons of shopping and gourmet eats. If you are flying into Dallas, the DFW airport is directly south of Grapevine.

Fun Fact: the Gaylord Texan is the official housing resort of the Dallas Cowboys for home games. For this reason, my dad, an avid Cowboys fan, introduced us to the incredibly unique hotel years ago.

About 5 years ago, we stayed at the Gaylord with my family before a Dallas Cowboys game and ate at the onsite steakhouse, Old Hickory Steakhouse. Fabulous. A couple of my college girlfriends lived in Dallas at the time and met up with us for dinner… We had a large group and received excellent service at Old Hickory.

Not limited to just an upscale steakhouse, there are 10 different eating options literally within this Grapevine hotel. Directly inside the entrance, you’ll find The Cocoa Bean coffee shop or for something a little stronger stop in the Silver Bar outside of the atrium. Littered throughout the main level and lower levels of this insane atrium, you’re offered the Texan Station Sports Bar & Grill and Zeppole Italian restaurant.

Downstairs along the charming river, you can eat at the Riverwalk Cantina or grab a quick bite and coffee at the Mission Plaza Marketplace. If you’re looking to get primed up, head out to The Glass Cactus on the lake, where food and drinks are offered with a nightclub-esque atmosphere. Probably not preferred if you have your 3 little boys in tow.

The big hit with this hotel is Paradise Springs Waterpark. Located at the front entrance of the hotel, it’s easiest to take the hotel shuttle back and forth as there is minimal parking.

This waterpark has it all: a lazy river, slides, zip lines, beach entry for the babes, several separate areas specifically for the littles so they don’t get knocked down. The main attraction is a giant wooden jungle gym with slides, water spouts and water guns, steering wheels, and a giant bucket that fills with water until it tips over and drenches the entire area. Cal, 2, was absolutely terrified. The other two boys couldn’t get enough.

There is restaurant seating at the waterpark so you can eat as you catch rays, or you can grab a table, as well as a full-service bar and staff to bring drinks directly to your chair. Using the waterpark is completely free with your stay at the Gaylord Texan. You can also rent cabanas at Paradise Springs for a fee.

In addition to the waterpark, there is another outdoor pool at the main hotel with a whirlpool as well as an indoor pool by the Riverwalk Cantina inside the atrium. This hotel is failproof for your family stay.

Once you’ve wandered through all the waterways, spent hours (days) at the pools and waterpark after grabbing your morning coffee in the atrium, I’ve made a list of some nearby attractions and food recommendations if you’re looking to stretch your legs a little.

To do in the local Grapevine area:

Legoland
Sea Life Aquarium
Cowboys Stadium
Rangers Ballpark
Paradise Springs Waterpark inside the Gaylord Texan is the best local attraction for kids in my honest opinion, and it’s free with your stay!

Eats

Mesa Mexican – local favorite
Gloria’s Latin Cuisine – local favorite, verified it’s amazing.
Bone Daddy’s – Hooters-style BBQ – my husbands favorite “for the food”
Pappadeaux – a Texas take on Seafood. I’m always on the hunt for the worlds best scampi..

Shopping:

Grapevine Mills Mall
Dallas Galleria

Are you local to the Grapevine, Southlake or Greater Dallas area? Drop me a line of your must-do’s and favorite family eats!

Downtown Dallas

Ross Perot Museum of Nature & Science: this museum is incredible, with or without kids!