Prior to settlement in 1850, this well-watered location on the blackland prairie was site of important negotiations between Indians and Gen. Sam Houston, which led to the...

Prior to settlement in 1850, this well-watered location on the blackland prairie was site of important negotiations between Indians and Gen. Sam Houston, which led to the signing of the Treaty of Birds Fort that opened this North Texas settlement. Named for the wild mustang grapes that grew throughout the area. Population was 1,813 in 1950; growth parallels that of most metroplex cities and location of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport here has stimulated growth.

Much of Main Street is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. A walking map tour of the historic renovated downtown area is available at Convention and Visitors Bureau in re-created Wallis Hotel building. (See Heritage Walking Tour.) The original 1891 hotel was near railroad depot; closed in 1926, the building was demolished in the 1930s. Open Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–5 p.m. One Liberty Park Plaza.

Three championship public golf courses are open daily.

The city’s annual Grape Fest celebration is held the second weekend in September and, in 2003, it was selected as one of the “Top 100” events in North America by the American Bus Association.

Bed and breakfast accommodations are available in city.

Shoppers find bargains galore at Grapevine Mills mall and the Bass Pro Shops, both just off Texas 121 north of D/FW Airport.