The Daytripper Shines a Spotlight on Grand Prairie
The Daytripper Shines a Spotlight on Grand Prairie
Season premiere airs October 4 on PBS, with big-screen community viewing at FireHouse Gastro Park
(Oct. 2025 - Grand Prairie, TX)—What happens when Texas’ favorite road-tripping host scales a mountain after digging into legendary Tex-Mex barbecue? You can find out when The Daytripper featuring Grand Prairie premieres Sat, Oct. 4, launching the Emmy Award-winning PBS show’s 16th season. The episode airs locally on KERA at 10 a.m.
Laser tag, horseracing, and more: Host Chet Garner packed a full day of exploration into his Grand Prairie itinerary, kicking things off with lunch (including a signature “Sloppy Juan”) at the legendary Zavala’s Barbecue. From there, it was indoor thrills at Bolder Adventure Park and a deep dive into the adventure at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, then derby-themed excitement at Lone Star Park. The day wrapped with dinner and live music at Grand Prairie’s historic fire station turned dining destination, FireHouse Gastro Park, and capped off with a final stop at Illuvia, the dazzling Vegas-style water-and-light spectacular at EpicCentral.
Other familiar Grand Prairie favorites also make appearances throughout the episode, from Downtown landmarks like Fire Station #1, Farmers Market, and the Uptown Theater, to local businesses and restaurants including Botanica, Legendz Barbershop, Mas Coffee, and Roma’s Italian Bistro. Viewers will also catch glimpses of the city’s distinctive public murals, along with one of its most iconic attractions, Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark.
Sara Dedeluk, director of Visit Grand Prairie, said the episode ably captures the quality, flavor, and breadth of destination offerings that help Grand Prairie live up to its name. “We were delighted to welcome Chet and his crew to our city and thrilled to showcase our unique blend of attractions,” she said. “This episode isn’t just for visitors—it’s also for our residents, who may discover new adventures and hidden gems right in their own backyard.”
Jason Smith, co-owner of FireHouse Gastro Park, said hosting Chet Garner was a memorable experience for his team. “Chet was so present and genuinely interested in our destination and in Grand Prairie as a whole,” Smith said. “He made everyone feel special, took time to go behind the scenes, and had great conversations with us. He was down to try everything and put in the work. And if someone comes in and wants to ‘have what Chet had,’ just let us know—we’ll make it happen.”
Catch it on the big screen—with brunch: To celebrate the premiere, FireHouse Gastro Park will show the episode on the big screen Sat, Oct. 4, with screenings at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., and 11 a.m. Guests can settle in with FireHouse’s delicious brunch menu while enjoying the show in one of the venues featured in the episode. As a special treat, the first 25 coffees of the day are courtesy of Visit Grand Prairie.
About The Daytripper: The Daytripper is hosted by Chet Garner, who explores Texas one road trip at a time—highlighting the food, attractions, culture, and hidden gems that make each community special. The program has won multiple awards and airs on PBS stations across Texas and nationwide.
How to Watch: Catch the Grand Prairie episode of The Daytripper on Sat., Oct. 4 at 10 a.m. on KERA in the DFW. Then start planning your own adventure with The Daytripper’s Guide to Grand Prairie at Visit Grand Prairie.