Lone Star Travelers Blog

 ICE! and a Lone Star Christmas are being celebrated at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine Texas through January 3rd, 2009.  A 50 foot rotating tree is the centerpiece as 1.2 million Christmas lights twinkle and dazzle you in the decorated atriums.  15,000 Christmas ornaments are displayed as well as electric trains and a life size gingerbread house.  Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be on hand with their team of live reindeer.  Strolling entertainers will delight you as you make your way to the featured exhibit ICE!.  Occupying 14,000 sq ft more than 2 million lbs of ice have been hand carved into delightful sculptures such as Old Man Winter, a wondrous Nativity scene, an ice forest, ice slides and a life size Santa Claus lap for a chilly photo op.  ICE is kept at a steady 9 degrees so dress warmly for your tour.  Ticket prices range from $20-$23 for adults, $18-$20 for seniors age 55 and up and military, $10-$12 for children 4-12 years of age with children under the age of 3 years admitted free.  ICE is open Friday and Saturday from 10AM-10PM.  Sunday through Thursday ICE is open from 10AM-9PM.  Discount coupons of $3 off admission Sunday thru Friday on selected Coca Cola products.  gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-texan

The Neiman Marcus Adolphus Children’s Parade steps off in downtown Dallas Texas at 10AM on Saturday December 6th, 2008.  Benefiting Children’s Medical Center of Dallas Texas the parade will be televised live on WFAA-TV in the Dallas/Fort Worth Texas viewing area at 10AM on Saturday December 6th, 2008.  Through national syndication the Neiman Marcus Adolphus Children’s Parade will be broadcast on more than 350 television stations in the United States through December 26th, 2008.  In the Boston Massachusetts area covered by WLVI-TV Channel 56 the parade will be broadcast on Sunday December 21st at 12Noon.  childrensparade.com

Ride the North Pole Express from the Grapevine Texas Depot to the Fort Worth Stockyards beginning on Friday, December 5th, 2008 and continuing through December 21st, 2008.  You will board at the Grapevine Texas depot merrily decked out with sparkling Christmas lights and enjoy a 35 minute live sing-a-long show before boarding the train to Fort Worth Texas.  Once on board there will be more Christmas caroling, story time and a visit from Santa.  All tickets are $16 with children under the age of 2 years free of charge.  Free parking is available at the Grapevine Texas Depot or take advantage of the free shuttle from the Grapevine Texas Convention Center.  817-410-3123  gvrr.com

On Sunday December 14th, 2008 Christmas in the Pines features Christmas cookie decorating, Christmas ornament decorating as well as pine cone and clay crafts to put you in the holiday mood.  Hosted by The Friends of the Lost Pines at Bastrop State Park from 1PM-6PM, there will also be a story corner and a visit from Santa from 330PM-530PM.  Come out with the family and enjoy the activities and refreshments.  The fee for this Christmas event is $2 per adult with children under 12 years of age free of charge.  Bastrop State Park is in the Prairies and Lakes Region.  512-321-2101

The largest lighted Christmas parade in North Texas steps out into the historic district of Grapevine Texas on Thursday December 4th, 2008 at 7PM.  The parade of lights showcases over 100 dazzling floats accompanied by holiday music as the many marching bands pass by.  The parade of lights begins at Main and Vine Streets before it heads north on Main Street to Wall Street.  There is plenty of free parking available in the downtown vicinity.  On Saturday December 6th, 2008 as the sun sinks over Grapevine Lake the lighted boat parade begins it’s merry jaunt across the water from Scott’s Landing to Little Pete’s.  The floating flotilla may be viewed from any of the lake’s parks.  Grapevine Texas is located in Tarrant County and is a suburb of both Fort Worth and Dallas Texas.  The city of Grapevine Texas lies adjacent to Grapevine Lake, a large reservoir impounded by the Corps of Engineers in 1952.  www.grapevinetexasusa.com