Plano

Plano is truly the land of plenty and is a favorite North Texas getaway! For families, couples, or girlfriend getaways, Plano brims with attractions making for the perfect weekend trip. With over 1,000 restaurants of every variety, world class shopping, a lively arts and nightlife scene, walkable entertainment districts, and abundant natural beauty, there is so much to discover.

Plano’s first settlers were subsistence farmers who received land grants in the 1840's. The town incorporated one year after the Texas Central Railway arrived in 1872, connecting local farmers and ranchers to markets in Dallas and beyond. Although a fire destroyed all 51 buildings in the downtown district in 1881, the good people of Plano rebuilt, putting the city back on the path of expansion.

Between the growth of Dallas toward Plano and the mega-success of a handful of Fortune 500 companies that call the city home, the 20th century saw Plano become one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. Today it is the largest city in Collin County and a nationally recognized center of business and enterprise.

Part of that same railroad that put Plano on the map welcomes visitors to this very day. The Interurban Railway Museum features exhibits on the history of the area and a fully restored train car from 1908. For a living history experience, tour the Heritage Farmstead Museum, where a former homestead built in 1891 now serves as a window into life on the Blackland Prairie. And you can get your fill of fictional history at Southfork Ranch, known to fans the world over as the site of the beloved TV show Dallas. Horseback trail rides are also available at the ranch.

Recently designated a Cultural District by the Texas Commission on the Arts, Downtown Plano Arts District is a vibrant community of urban living, performing arts, galleries, event venues, alongside boutique shops and unique restaurants. Downtown Plano has free outdoor concerts and movies, festivals for every season, easy access via DART light rail station, all set against a backdrop of historic buildings.

Close to downtown, fowl-on at Fowling Warehouse! What started as a one-lane mashup of two popular sports while tailgating at the 2001 Indy 500, is quickly turning into a national sensation. Fowling is a unique and entertaining game that merges football with bowling and is perfect for small or large groups. It’s as easy as throwing a football at ten bowling pins until someone knocks them all down. 

Across town, Legacy Town Center is a mélange of homes, businesses, shops, hotels, restaurants and open spaces all in an urban village-style setting. The Shops at Legacy feature an upscale retail mix of men’s and women’s clothing, home furnishings and more. The development is also home to the Angelika Film Center & Café, a stylish five-screen boutique cinema devoted to independent specialty film, as well as some of the area’s best restaurants, including Bob’s Steak & Chop House, Fleming’s and Mexican Sugar. The Marriott Dallas/Plano at Legacy Town Center is the center’s premier hotel property.  Baccus Plaza boasts the Trails in Legacy Sculptures, which were created by Texas native Robert Summers and depict a cattle drive along the Shawnee Trail, a principal route on which Texas longhorn cattle were driven before and just after the Civil War.

Visitors won’t want to miss Legacy West. Opened in June 2017, this “city within a city” is the largest mixed-use destination in North Texas and the perfect place to play, shop, dine and stay. The 255-acre development boasts 415,000 dynamic square feet of open-air retail and restaurant space.  Here, diners can satisfy every craving, whether for steak or a good old-fashioned milk shake, French bistro fare, a perfect plate of pasta, or a red velvet cupcake. For those who can’t decide, Legacy Hall has it all. In this one-of-a-kind artisanal food hall, visitors can wander from stall to stall to meet local purveyors and sample everything from lobster rolls to Philly cheesesteaks to duck-fat fried chicken. There’s also an on-site brewery and live music stage. Legacy West’s shopping offerings run the gamut from fashion to furnishings to cosmetics and even cars. After a day of retail therapy, shoppers won’t have to go very far to set down their spoils, since this urban village is anchored by the new Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel.

With 60,000 square feet of attractions, Crayola Experience is Texas’ most colorful family destination for interactive, creative play.  Kids of all ages can embark on a wonderful, whimsical adventure with such unique experiences as starring in their very own coloring pages, naming and wrapping their very own Crayola crayon, learning how crayons are made in a live manufacturing show and so much more.

Across from the Hilton Granite Park sits a new 30,000 square foot restaurant park called The Boardwalk where visitors enjoy eateries featuring cuisine like southern—inspired gulf seafood to gourmet biscuits and even a new local brewery and restaurant.  Each restaurant has a patio and there are Adirondack chairs along the Boardwalk to enjoy the view of the water feature.

Situated across from the luxurious patio of the Hilton at Granite Park, The Boardwalk features a variety of restaurants with patios serving burgers, gourmet biscuits, southern California boardwalk-style cuisine, brew pub fare, Tex-Mex BBQ, and more. There are also beachy deck chairs that afford a great view of the park’s inviting water feature and live music stage.

Don’t forget to enjoy Plano’s natural beauty while you’re in town. There are more than 4,000 acres of parks in Plano. Glide over the forest canopy at Plano’s Go Ape! Zip lines, Tarzan swings and suspended obstacles bring out your inner monkey and provide a fun challenge amid 800 acres of natural beauty at Texas’ first Go Ape location.

Thanks to its high-end shopping centers, 1000+ dining options, and lush parks, Plano has just as much appeal for those who love urban fun or outdoor adventure. For more about Plano, explore the Plano Insider blog at visitplano.com.