We had the opportunity last week to preview the Gaylord Texan’s ICE! holiday event while it was still under construction. That’s me in the giant blue parka in the photo above. We can’t wait to see the completed village, which opens to the public on Nov. 10 and runs through January 1. There are plenty of things for kids and adults to do. The over-21 crowd gets the opportunity to sit and sit specialty drinks in the On the Blocks ice bar! Where else in Texas can you do that?

ICE! takes place in a tent attached to the Gaylord Convention Center and chilled to nine degrees. Yes, NINE! They will provide parkas for everyone, but you should dress in layers and bring gloves and ear muffs.

In addition to ICE! other activities include outdoor ice skating, snow tubing, shopping, and Build-a-Bear workshops. Inside the Gaylord Hotel itself, there are Gingerbread building workshops and decorations around every turn in the atrium. Two million lights will adorn the hotel.

A visit to the Gaylord makes a perfect way to kick off the holidays or a unique way to entertain your holiday guests. And if this Texas heat wave continues through the holidays, it may be the coolest ticket in town!

The Gaylord Texan is in Grapevine, where you can shop and dine away from the big city crowds. Take the kids on a train ride, or shop for local wine and crafts in Downtown Grapevine.

Here are our a few of our freezing behind-the-scenes photos!

Read more about our behind-the-scenes tour of ICE!

Get 50% off your tickets when you click the coupon below and use the code JINGLE. Feel free to share the post with your friends and family members so they will have the code as well. And be sure to follow us on Facebook so you can let us know how you like the event!