Nestled just north of Dallas, the city of McKinney, Texas offers visitors a charming small-town feel with plenty of activities and attractions. From historic downtown to family fun centers to outdoor adventures, McKinney has something for everyone. Its vibrant community and natural beauty make it a perfect weekend getaway or day trip destination.
The introduction highlights McKinney’s charming appeal and promises a range of fun things to do for visitors.
Historic Downtown
McKinney’s downtown area transports visitors back in time with its beautiful Victorian-era buildings and antique stores.
Explore Downtown
Stroll down the brick-paved streets to admire the historic courthouse, old churches, and restored 19th century buildings. Pop into the quaint shops and cafes.
Heard-Craig Center
Tour this Italianate mansion built in 1855. It now serves as a museum with exhibits about McKinney’s past. Don’t miss the beautiful grounds.
Chestnut Square
Browse the antiques stores and boutiques in this cluster of restored buildings. Grab lunch on the patio at Rick’s Chophouse or The Celt Irish Pub.
Downtown McKinney offers a scenic walk into the past.
This section highlights what to see, do, and eat in McKinney’s charming downtown area.
Family Fun
From indoor play spaces to parks and pools, McKinney has many options to keep families entertained.
McKinney National Airport
Kids will love visiting the free aviation museum to see historic planes and even sit in a flight simulator.
Myers Park & Event Center
This large recreation complex contains swimming pools, sports fields, picnic areas, playgrounds, and walking paths perfect for family fun.
Hackberry Creek Country Club
The whole family can play a round of golf or enjoy the swimming pool and tennis courts at this semi-private country club facility.
With both indoor and outdoor activities, McKinney offers entertainment for families of all ages.
The family fun section focuses on kid-friendly activities like museums, parks, and recreation.
Arts and Culture
While known for its small-town feel, McKinney also boasts an impressive arts scene with multiple performance venues, galleries, and public art.
Chestnut Square
Catch a play or musical at this performing arts center located downtown. They produce family-friendly shows year round.
Monday Night Jazz
Bring a lawn chair and enjoy free live jazz at the Performing Arts Center lawn every Monday evening in spring and fall.
Public Art
Take an art walk to spot the murals, sculptures, and mosaics scattered throughout town. Some good spots include downtown and the libraries.
Experience McKinney’s creative culture by taking in live shows, galleries, or public artwork displays.
This section highlights McKinney’s lively performing arts and culture scene.
Parks and Trails
McKinney’s natural beauty shines with its many scenic parks and trails perfect for hiking, biking, picnicking, and more.
Towne Lake Park
Jog or walk the trails encircling this peaceful lake. Benches scattered along the path offer spots to take in views of the water and wildlife.
Russell Farm Art Center
Create your own art at this facility’s public classes and workshops. The trails surrounding the center are ideal for a reflective walk.
Pecan Grove Park
Have a picnic under the shade of the grove’s pecan trees. Kids will love the playgrounds and fishing pond.
Spend time immersed in nature while exploring McKinney’s many parks and trails.
This section covers McKinney’s natural spots for enjoying the outdoors.
Where to Shop
From the quaint downtown boutiques to modern malls, McKinney offers diverse shopping opportunities in richly historic settings.
Adriatica Village
This Mediterranean-style open air mall contains upscale shops, restaurants, apartments, plazas, and a lakefront boardwalk.
Historic Downtown
Stroll the downtown area to find specialty stores, antiques and collectibles shops, and boutiques housed inside charming old buildings.
Stonebridge Village
Over 60 shops and eateries like Pottery Barn and Anthropologie can be found at this Tuscan-inspired outdoor mall.
McKinney provides unique shopping districts brimming with history and character.
The shopping section covers McKinney’s different shopping areas and styles.
Places to Eat
McKinney’s dining scene ranges from cozy downtown bistros to modern mall staples. Sample some of these top options:
Harvest Seasonal Kitchen
This farm-to-table restaurant serves creative seasonal dishes in a rustic chic setting downtown. Try the duck confit tacos.
Urban Crust
Grab wood-fired pizza, paninis, and salads at this laidback cafe. Kids will love the indoor treehouse play area.
Lucky’s Cafe
Since 1995, this local favorite has served hearty comfort food like chicken fried steak, meatloaf, and homemade pies in a homey atmosphere.
From upscale cuisine to family-friendly casual, McKinney’s restaurants have something to please every palate.
The dining section suggests a sample of popular local McKinney eateries.
Conclusion
With its historic downtown, family-friendly attractions, arts scene, scenic nature, and shopping, McKinney offers visitors the perfect blend of small town charm and modern amenities. Just a short drive from Dallas, it makes for an easy and rewarding day trip or weekend getaway. Whether you seek culture, nature, dining, or shopping, you’ll find it among the treasures of McKinney, TX.
