Grapevine and Texas Wine

Wineries Museums Public Art Trails Vintage Railroads and Mass Transit

Grapevine is a small town located between Dallas and Fort Worth and is home of DFW International Airport, the world’s fourth largest, with nonstop service from more than 200 cities, including over 50 international destinations. Main Street in the historic downtown has a public library, recreation center, antique stores, restaurants, bars, theaters, a park, and many specialty shops. Here, you can also bottle your own wine, explore Historic Nash Farm, the Botanical Gardens and Lake Grapevine.

A Downtown Walking Tour the Main Street Historic District includes over 50 buildings and their architectural descriptions as well as stories, events and people who contributed to the town’s development. Founded in 1844, Grapevine is the oldest community in Tarrant County. In 1888, when the Cotton Belt Railroad came to Grapevine, businesses flourished and the wooden buildings on Main Street were replaced with new structures constructed of locally-made brick. At least 80 percent of the commercial buildings date from that period.

The Grapevine Vintage Railroad follows a scenic route to the Fort Worth Stockyards along the Cotton Belt Railroad right-of-way. The service is a tourist attraction due to its slow speeds. The Grapevine Rail also hosts one of the community’s seven winery tasting rooms.

Mass Transit Service new train stations downtown and north of the airport are included in the proposed commuter route that follows existing rail lines from downtown Fort Worth, northeast to downtown Grapevine and then into the north entrance of Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. The route connects with other transportation services, including the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) commuter rail service, AMTRAK, and downtown bus transfer center at the Fort Worth Intermodal Transportation Center as well as a connection to the Dallas Dart Rail. 

Texas and Wine a major wine producer in the United States, thanks to a sunny and dry climate, and with the earliest recorded wine making in El Paso in the 1650s by Spanish missionaries, Texas boasts more than 4,400 acres of vineyard farmland and a variety of vintages.

Wineries there are 310 wineries in Texas, ranging from small producers who concentrate on tourism to large wineries catering to national and international markets as well as eight American Viti Cultural Areas. Harvest time is normally around the end of July, two months before California and three months earlier than many of France’s wine regions.

Wine Production In keeping with the state’s tradition of doing things big or not at all, more than 1.5 million gallons of wine are produced in Texas, with an economic impact of over $1.83 billion.

Wine Trails Grapevine is home to a vibrant and growing urban wine trail which features daily wine tastings and special events throughout the year. From strong and bold Texas red wines to crisp and clean Texas white wines, you'll find a variety of favorite taste sensations.

Arts & Culture downtown Grapevine is home to numerous art galleries, many within walking distance of one another. Enjoy a live glass blowing demonstration at a glass blowing studio or watch a blacksmith weld at a blacksmith shop. Also, some beautiful works of art at new and recently opened galleries throughout the city, including studios where you can paint your own painting or others where you can design your own pottery. The city also boasts the Grapevine Opry where country music classics are performed, the Texas Star Dinner Theater where the Wild West comes to life and the 1940s Palace Arts Theatre with live performances and classic movies.
A Public Art Trail features bronze works of art that depict characters of the city as well as scenes of Grapevine's history. Museums and Galleries host a variety of art, cultural, historical and educational exhibitions with a wide variety of mediums and artists.

The Grapevine Museums discover what life was like over 100 years ago. The museum plaza is home to two 19th century pioneer homes and a school house. The plaza and the museums speak to life on the Grape Vine Prairie and to the larger story of settling Texas. The three museums, The Donald Schoolhouse Museum, The Keeling House Museum and the Grapevine Cotton Ginner's Museum feature educational exhibits, hands-on activities and a collection of 19^th century artifacts that represent the community as a commercial center. Grapevine's art and museum community continues to expand with art exhibitions ranging from Texas history to space exploration, agricultural heritage and contemporary art. 

Rapid City South Dakota

The Black Hills Mount Rushmore Crazy Horse Memorial Custer State Park and the Badlands

Rapid City is centrally located to visit the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park and the Badlands.

Western and Native American Heritage throughout the city you will find Native American history exhibits, fine arts displays, and interactive museums like the: 

The Journey Museum takes you from the formation of the Black Hills over 2.5 billion years ago to the continuing saga of the Western frontier. Interactive exhibits and displays present the geography, people and events that shaped the history and heritage of this region. 

Dahl Arts Center located downtown, is a city-owned art museum that offers a variety of cultural exhibits, as well as classes, seminars and free art adventures.  

APEX Gallery located on the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology campus, you can explore Rapid City’s ancient past at one of the finest fossil and mineral museums in the country.

Main Street Square in Rapid City with daily activities and entertainment and City of Presidents and get your picture taken with life‐size bronze statues of our nation’s presidents.

Rapid City has two historic districts for your enjoyment. The first is the historic downtown with notable buildings such as the 1914 First National Bank building at 7th and Main. Across the street you will find the 1911 Lions Head Fountain, which was once a watering station for horses. The West Historical District is residential in character; portions of 18 blocks contain examples of the city's finest late 19^th century and early 20^th century structures.

Mount Rushmore carved from a mountain of granite, Mount Rushmore is located only 17 miles from Rapid City.  Visit the park year-round, see mountain goats and walk the Avenue of Flags. 

Badlands National Park consists of 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires blended with the largest, protected mixed grass prairie in the United States. Wall Drug, a tiny store, built in 1931, has boomed to become internationally known for its offering of free ice water, specialty shopping, and a unique backyard experience. While in Wall, also visit Wounded Knee: The Museum and learn about the last, bloody conflict between Native Americans and the US Army Cavalry.

Custer State Park is home to wildlife including one of the nation's largest free roaming buffalo herds and the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, a 66-mile scenic route, the Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road. 

Crazy Horse Memorial is the world's largest sculpture-in-progress. When completed, it will stand 563 feet tall by 641 feet long.  See the mountain carving in progress, museums and laser light show.

Stavkirke - Chapel in the Hills - is a replica of an 850‐year‐old church in Norway. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the Outdoor Campus West featuring educational outdoor activities. Tour one of the Black Hills Gold jewelry factories and watch as each piece of jewelry is hand‐crafted.

Fort Meade Museum, home of the 7th Cavalry, re‐formed after the disastrous Battle of the Little Big Horn in 1876.

Deadwood area attractions include the Black Hills Mining Museum, the Homestake Visitor Center in Lead and Mount Moriah Cemetery where Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried.

Aberdeen South Dakota

Aberdeen South Dakota Before the arrival of European settlers, the area was inhabited by the Sioux Indians. The first group of Euro-American settlers to reach the area in the 1820s was a party of four people, three horses, two mules, fifteen cattle, and two wagons. This group of settlers was later joined by another group the following spring, and eventually more settlers migrated toward this general area. Like many towns of the Midwest, Aberdeen was built around the newly developing railroads. Officially plotted as a town site on January 3, 1881 by the Milwaukee Road which was presided over by Alexander Mitchell, who was born in Scotland, hence the name Aberdeen. The town was was officially founded on July 6, 1881, the date of the first arrival of a Milwaukee Railroad train.

The Dacotah Prairie Museum The idea for a community museum in Aberdeen dates back almost 70 years. In 1938, John Murphy, a Northern State College professor, and Marc Cleworth, a salesman, created the Northern South Dakota History Museum which was housed in the Central building on Northern's campus. The collection of this first museum grew rapidly through loans and donations until by 1941, it had amassed a collection of over 500 items.
 

The Pheasant Canteen Exhibit, located in the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad depot on north Main Street, opened on August 19, 1943 as a project of the American Red Cross and the USO. Its purpose was to bring food and encouragement to servicemen and women who were traveling through Aberdeen toward training facilities or deployment. An average of 500 military persons a day passed through Aberdeen on 4-6 trains. The Pheasant Canteen was known for its pheasant sandwiches. Farmers first donated the pheasants for the sandwiches and later pheasant hunts were organized to aid the canteen. The last meal was served on March 31, 1946.
The Historic Alonzo Ward Hotel has been restored to its full grandeur as demonstrated by the elegance, architectural detail and fine appointments of the lobby. Dining at the Ward Plaza is an experience in itself; a unique combination featuring American and International cuisine artfully presented and creatively prepared.

Aberdeen Trails Since 1989, over 20 miles of trails have been developed for use by the citizens of Aberdeen. The trails are meant for a multiplicity of users including bicyclists, walkers, and joggers. Trails are either constructed on public rights of way along greenways, through park areas, or along city streets.
The Aberdeen Community Theater on historic Main Street opened in January of 1927. This French art deco theater is also home to the Capitol Theatre which has been providing quality, award-winning live theater productions for northeastern South Dakota. Along with ACT’s live theater season between April and November, the Capitol Cinema programming features special film events throughout the year and Hollywood films seven nights a week from December to March.

The Highlands Historical District Featuring homes built from 1907 to 1969, it is comprised of 17 houses. The area was first given the lofty title of highlands because it rose three feet higher than the commercial district which was located in a slough. Over the years, houses of varying styles have been blended together to form a pleasing combination of both modern and classical architecture. Many of the homes are among the most outstanding examples of period architecture in the state.
The Grassland Hutterite Colony Discover a people whose ingenuity allows them to fashion their own clothing, handcraft their own furniture, and live in a self-sustaining community. A truly unique culture that has changed little in over four centuries and has thrived more than a century in South Dakota. Tour the wood working shop where some of the finest wood furniture in South Dakota is made, the granite shop and turkey barns. Then experience German food and fresh vegetables from the 15 acre garden.
The Ethanol Corn Industry learn how corn gets made into the ethanol. Also experience hunting, fishing and numerous other outdoors sports activities.

Bieber Red Angus Ranch is approximately 9000 acres. Bieber’s run 700 Red Angus cows and handle all the development bulls and heifers. Great pride is taken in managing the grasslands that the Red Angus herd grazes. Grassland is one of the largest recyclers of CO2 and good management of that grassland is essential to the sustainability of the operation. The operation take prides on working cattle on horses. Branding happen in early April, Late April and early June. Visiting this operation will give participants a great insight into the use of agricultural land to rough for grain production and how efficient beef cattle are in using this landscape.

Wylie Park Step back in time and experience all the childhood fables you grew to know and love. L. Frank Baum, noted author and resident of Aberdeen from 1888 to 1891, wrote his story and timeless children's classic, "The Wizard of Oz." The theme, setting and characters from "The Wizard of Oz" provided the inspiration for Aberdeen's newest theme park. The Land of Oz features several attractions including Dorothy's House, complete with tornado special effects. See cows and chickens fly through the air! Your group will have a chance to visit Munchkin Land, Scarecrow's and Tin Man's houses. Travel the Yellow Brick Road through the Haunted Forest, where the Talking Trees shout out as you make you way to the Lion's Den and the Wicked Witch's Castle.

Aberdeen's magical theme park, Storybook Land Follow the Yellow Brick Road to a land of enchantment which includes more than 65 larger than life nursery rhyme-themed exhibits. Visit a medieval castle, complete with moat and guarded by knights in armor. See Rapunzel with her hair let down over the castle wall waiting for her prince to arrive. Climb aboard Captain Hook's boat, see Humpty Dumpty's Wall, or crawl through the tunnel to the middle of "Dog Town," a prairie dog exhibit at the zoo.