Fly and Drive: Go Big on Entertainment in Texas

When it comes to Texas fun, Grapevine and Frisco deliver. Grab a rental car and hit the road for nonstop entertainment in these lively Lone Star cities.

Live It up on Main Street

Just 15 minutes from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Grapevine offers big-city fun in a small-town atmosphere. As you stroll down Main Street, you can pop into locally owned shops for souvenirs, apparel and more. One stop you don’t want to miss is Dr. Sue’s Chocolate. Featuring gourmet dark chocolates in flavors like blueberry ancho chile and ginger fig, each treat is crafted with health in mind by its namesake, a practicing physician.

For panoramic views of Grapevine and the surrounding area, take an elevator ride to the observation tower at Grapevine Main Station, a rail station that includes a European-style food hall, an entertainment and event venue, an outdoor plaza and a hotel. While you’re at the rail station, don’t skip out on a ride on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. You’ll find a variety of excursions that include a trip to the historic stockyards in Fort Worth, a short-line excursion and even seasonal trains like the Christmas wine train and Santa’s North Pole Express.

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Near the train station, Vetro Glassblowing Studio & Fine Art Gallery provides an opportunity to watch artisans at work as they turn glass shards into unique souvenirs. You can create your own through the studio’s Community Help Create events. Check the website to see what events are taking place during your visit, and you could return home with a new tumbler, bowl or seasonal souvenir.

As you might expect from such a bustling city, Grapevine boasts an impressive culinary scene. Grab breakfast at Main Street Bistro & Bakery and lunch at Mister 01 Extraordinary Pizza (get the star pizzas for an extra burst of ricotta!). For dinner, try Teatro Bistro from acclaimed chef Carla Pellegrino. Her menu includes many Italian standards such as penne vodka and rigatoni Bolognese, as well as such entrees as lamb lollipops and New York strip.

Get Your Game On

When you’re ready, head about 35 minutes northeast to Frisco. A great starting point is The Star in Frisco, home of the Dallas Cowboys. You don’t have to be a Cowboys or football fan to enjoy a guided tour behind the scenes of the Cowboys’ world headquarters and practice facility. Afterward, you can grab Cowboy swag at the pro shop and snap photos on the Tostitos Championship Plaza.

The Star is also home to a variety of restaurants, ranging from casual to elegant. At Sidecar Social, try your hand at pingpong and darts in between bites of birria tacos and barbecue chicken flatbreads

For a different kind of football, the National Soccer Hall of Fame showcases the history of soccer through informative exhibits and artifacts such as iconic jerseys, soccer balls, trophies and more. Using interactive displays, you can show off your skills by trying to shoot the ball, test your trivia knowledge of the sport, build your own national team and even design your own uniform.

Golf lovers can have their moment at PGA Frisco. The facility features two championship courses. If you’re still learning or want help improving your swing, book some time at the PGA of America Coaching Center, which utilizes cutting-edge technology to make the most of your instruction. For family or casual fun, check out The Swing, a 10-hole, par-3 course, or The Dance Floor, a 2-acre putting course, where you can enjoy as little or as much golf as you like.

If your gaming skills lean toward the technical, check out the National Videogame Museum. Not only can you see the evolution of the gaming system and games, but you also can play some of your favorites in the interactive exhibits and the accompanying arcade. 

Like Grapevine, Frisco has a thriving culinary scene for all taste buds. The menu at The Glen is filled with seafood, steaks, pasta and more. And barbecue diehards can’t miss Hutchins Barbecue, where you can fill your plate with chopped brisket, house-made sausages, pork ribs and pulled pork. Located in a historic home, The Heritage Table offers country-fried chicken and spaetzle, prairie farmstead pork pie and Texas striped bass, each crafted using locally sourced ingredients.

You can find all this and much more in these Texas cities. Plan a few extra days so you’ll have time to take everything in.

Plan your trip with a AAA travel advisor and rent your car with Hertz. AAA members can save up to 20% on Hertz rentals.