International Porcelain Artists and Teachers, Inc.
204 E. Franklin Street, Grapevine, Texas 76051
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1807, Grapevine, Texas 76099
817-251-1185
EXPO IPAT Museum Convention
September 29-October 5, 2024
Some people when they travel like to enjoy the hotel's amenities. For others, it is merely a place to sleep. So why should we make that decision for you on your trip? Below is a list of hotels. For the best price, you may want to consider a site like booking.com or hotels.com. Keep in mind that hotels book quickly in Grapevine. Short term rentals (i.e., AirBnB, Vrbo) are not allowed in Grapevine city limits, but are in some nearby cities.
You can get group rate at your pick of hotel by using the following link: https://groups.bookonline.com/EventPage7495202
Please note that rates fluctuate and are not guaranteed. The hotels through this link are for the best part outside of Grapevine city limits so might be best for people who are traveling with their own transportation.
If you are coming from DFW airport, you can catch the TEXRail from Terminal B to Grapevine.
The City of Grapevine also offers three complimentary shuttle lines to take people around the City. Hotels serviced by the routes are noted above. Routes and times may be found here.
Some hotels offer shuttles to Main Street or destinations of your choosing around Grapevine. Please check with your hotel.
Main Street is very walkable. There is a slight rise in elevation as you head north. The map at the right shows key convention places. To see the full map with places to eat, click here or on the map.
IPAT Museum
Grapevine Main
Farina's--Site of Auction Dinner
In 1843, Sam Houston met with ten Native American leaders to sign the Treaty of Bird's Fort not far from modern Grapevine. The Treaty allowed Texans to settle North Texas without fear of attack from Natives. The next year in 1844, Grapevine was settled. In 2021, the City dedicated the "Peace Circle" on Peace Plaza in front of the Grapevine Main. The ceremony had representatives from the original ten nations whose leaders, along with Sam Houston, are represented by bronze figures at 1.25 the size of life.
The Peace Circle is just one of many in a series of public art features around Grapevine. Funded at no cost to tax payers, there are sculptures and murals all over Grapevine with most centered on Main Street. Be sure to plan a walk after dinner to enjoy these.
In 1888, the agrarian way of life in Grapevine was transformed by the coming of the St. Louis Southwest Railroad, or Cotton Belt Railroad. The original station and section foreman's house from circa 1888 still stand and are open to the public on weekends from free. From the station, you can catch a ride on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. Ride 1920s cars lead by a restored engine. Advance purchase is recommended at GVRR.com.
In the Spring of 2021, the Grapevine Main opened. Across the tracks from the original station, it resembles a train station and houses meeting rooms, a food court, and the Grapevine Visitor's Center. Visitors may go to the top of the tower and enjoy views of the DFW area from 150ft in the air for a small fee.
The City was named for the wild mustang grapes that grew on the prairie. Today, Main Street and nearby is home to several wineries, a couple of breweries and a cidery. There are even places with alcohol infused popsicles and ice cream.
Grapevine is also the home of the largest in tact homestead in Tarrant County located three blocks west of Main Street. In 1859, Thomas & Elizabeth Nash moved to their land. By 1869, a new home was completed. It has been lovingly restored. Open 9 am to 5 pm daily, visitors may tour the home and grounds that include heritage breeds of chickens, turkey and sheep. Admission is free. More information may be found at Nashfarm.org.
The Grapevine Botanical Garden is a few blocks west of Main Street. With free admission from 8 am to 6 pm daily, it is tranquil place to rest for a few minutes. Home to the annual "Butterfly, Flutterby," it also has a large sculpture of butterflies in flight.
For those who prefer indoor activities, Grapevine Mills Mall is a shuttle ride away from Main Street. It features wonderful outlet shopping in addition to Meow Wolf, Legoland, Sea Life Aquarium and Rainforest Café.
There are so many things to do in Grapevine! For a full list, visit GrapevineTexasUSA.com.
Grapevine is located halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth for those who are more adventurous and wish to go further out.
Hotel | Address | Shuttle |
|---|---|---|
Comfort Suites DFW North/Grapevine | 1805 Enchanted Way | |
Courtyard/Towneplace Suites by Marriott | 200 Bass Pro Ct | Merlot, Green |
Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas DFW Airport North | 2401 Bass Pro Dr | Merlot, Green |
Gaylord Texan | 1501 Gaylord Trl | Merlot |
Grand Hyatt DFW | 2337 S International Pkwy | Green |
Great Wolf Lodge | 100 Great Wolf Dr | Merlot |
Hampton Inn & Suites DFW Airport North/Grapevine | 1750 N Hwy 121 | |
Hilton DFW Lakes | 1800 Highway 26E | Merlot |
Hilton Garden Inn DFW North/Grapevine | 205 W Hwy 114 | Merlot, Green |
Hilton Garden Inn Grapevine At Silverlake Crossings | 2240 Bass Pro Ct | Merlot |
Holiday Inn Express DFW/Grapevine | 309 W Hwy 114 | Blue |
Homewood Suites by Hilton DFW Airport North/Grapevine | 2214 Grapevine Mills Cir W | Merlot |
Hotel Vin, Autograph Collection | 215 E Dallas Dr | Merlot, Blue, Green |
Hyatt Place Grapevine | 2220 Grapevine Mills Cir W | Merlot |
Hyatt Regency DFW | 2344 N International Pkwy | Green |
Residence Inn by Marriott/DFW Airport N/Grapevine | 2020 Hwy 26 | Merlot, Green |
Springhill Suites by Marriott Dallas Airport North/Grapevine | 2240 Grapevine Mills Cir W | Merlot |
Super 8 by Wyndham Grapevine | 250 Hwy 114 E | Blue |
I am planning on driving my car. Where can I park?
If you are planning on driving for the Pre-Convention School or the Convention itself, there is a 525 space, covered parking garage attached to the venue. The first 90 minutes is free each day. After that, the fee is $1 per hour. There is also limited free public parking available across Main Street in a lot accessed via Brinker Street. If you are enrolled in the Benedetti class or a workshop at the Museum, there is limited parking there. Most of the spaces are hidden behind the buildings, simply drive between them. A few cars may park to the in front of the Carriage House Studio as well, but they are not lined. Additionally, there is a public lot immediately to the west, but it tends to fill quickly after 10 a.m. Please note that for Friday’s evening event there will be no parking at the Museum. There is additional public parking along Main Street and just off it as well, but sometimes, it can be difficult to get a space, especially after 10 a.m.
I am coming from out of town. Do I need to rent a car?
That really depends on how much exploring of Grapevine you want to do. Many hotels have shuttles to and from the airport, as well as, to and from Main Street. You will have to check with your hotel to see when it is available. The City of Grapevine provides a free shuttle service between many of the City’s hotels and the venue. It runs hourly. You can see the whole schedule by clicking here. You also have the choice of going from DFW airport to the venue by TexRail. Go to Terminal B, proceed to the bottom floor and exit heading left. After a couple of minutes, you will be at the kiosk to purchase tickets for TexRail. It heads west to Grapevine one-two times an hour. Click here for the schedule. Currently, a one-way ticket is $2.50. Grapevine is the 2nd stop. From where it lets you off, it is a short walk to the pickup for the City of Grapevine Shuttle.
How walkable is Grapevine? Can I just walk from my hotel?
Main Street is very walkable. It would be very easy to find your parking spot in the morning, and not drive again until you are ready to return to the hotel at night. From the main venue at Harvest Hall, the Museum is only a five-minute walk. Farina’s, the site of the Gala dinner is about the same. (The Museum is a slight right turn off of Main Street, while Farina’s is on Main Street.) There are plenty of places to eat, drink and shop located on Main Street.
What is missing from Main Street are the hotels.
While there is one connected to Harvest Hall, it may not be a good fit for all. Most of the hotels are a mile or more away. While that may not sound like much, the best walking route might involve going along busy highways without much sidewalk. Texas gets close to 100°F for much of the summer, and most people have cars, so the area just wasn’t designed for long walks.
Can I carpool?
Absolutely! The best way to figure out who is staying where you are, would be to check out the IPAT Convention page on Facebook.
Hotels make me feel claustrophobic. Why can’t I find an AirBnB?
The City of Grapevine is one of the many cities that doesn’t allow short term rentals. If you are willing to stay a little further away, then look at someplace like Coppell or Irving. They allow short term rentals and are a fairly short drive.
Besides the Convention, what is there to do in Grapevine?
There is so much to do here! There are historic locations, art galleries, tons of shopping, there is something for everyone. You can visit https://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/ for more information on Grapevine. If you are more adventurous, then you can take the TexRail west to Ft. Worth and visit the Stockyards. Or travel east to Dallas to visit the museums or catch a show in the big D.
What is there to eat nearby?
Grapevine is a city of 50K people with over 200 restaurants. Harvest Hall has eight. There are close to two dozen restaurants just on Main Street within a ten-minute walk of the venue. There are a half dozen wineries on Main Street, many of which also have a full menu. So there is plenty--from a quick bite to a relaxing meal, you can get it.
What should the weather be like?
The end of September and beginning of October is usually one the best times of the year to visit North Texas. Temperatures are usually in the lower 80s°F in the day and about 20° cooler at night. Humidity tends to be around 50-60% which keeps the feels like close to the actual temperature. Breezes keep it from feeling hot. If you want to look at the forecast yourself, and your app needs a zip code use “76051.”
I have another question that isn’t here…
If you have a question, odds are someone else has it too. Just email office@ipatinc.org. The office manager will get back to you as quickly as possible, and it just might be added here as well.