Things to do in Plano Texas
Home to gourmet restaurants, a great outdoor shopping area, and historic attractions, Plano is a great city to explore on your weekend trip. In fact, the city was recognized by Livability.com as one of the top 100 best places to live in the country.
Plano is known for its great jobs and technological growth and houses the headquarters of more than 25 companies, including Pizza Hut, JC Penney, Frito-Lay, Dr. Pepper, and Cinemark Theatres. Additionally, residents have access to fantastic schools and 3,800 acres of parkland.
As one of the Top Collin County Realtors we are well informed on all the great Plano, Texas attractions the city has to offer. So we compiled a list that will make planning your next adventure easier.
Looking for some fun things to do in Plano, TX? Read on for some exciting suggestions to make your weekends and holidays truly magical!
What to Do in Plano, TX
1. Angelika Film Center & Café
The Angelika Film Center & Café is a stylish five-screen boutique cinema located in the popular Legacy Town Center. It’s a real treat to see a wonderful, thought-provoking and darkly comedic film after a day of sightseeing and shopping in Dallas.
The theater’s look is modern, stylish, and very relaxing.
You’ll find the café and bar at the second level of the cinema building. The menu consists of salads, soups, and sandwiches. You can even take your food with you inside the movie theatre.
2. Go Ape Zip Line & Treetop
Go Ape Treetop Adventure is like no other attraction in Myrtle Beach. It’s a highly interactive two to three-hour outdoor experience featuring awesome obstacles, Tarzan swings, and zip lines at heights of up to 50 feet above.
The area is also a perfect choice for any travelers eager to escape the busy city streets of Plano thanks to the beautiful sections of woodland, streams, and trekking paths.
3. Pinstack
Pinstack is the ultimate fun destination. It offers 50,000 square feet of fun. There are fancy private rooms for special parties, hundreds of video games and a twenty-foot-high rope course. For adrenaline junkies, try the rock-climbing wall or the two-level laser tag arena. You can also find a well-stocked bar, a gourmet restaurant with an in-house chef, and a state-of-the-art bowling alley with 28 lanes.
4. Urban Crust
If you’re wondering where to eat in Plano, Urban Crust is an Italian noshery and pizza shop featuring wood-fired pies in a buzzy, club-like atmosphere. It’s home to some of the most authentic Mediterranean cooking in the entire city, thanks to pizza maestro and Sardinian-born Chef Salvatore.
Here, you can order anything from the conspicuously Texan-influenced Cowboy ribeye to Caesar salads, truffle-topped carpaccios and the mouth-watering platters of real Tuscan cold cuts.
5. Plano Balloon Festival
Plano Balloon Festival is held each September at Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve. With attendees exceeding 90,000, it’s easily one of the city’s largest celebrations. The fun-filled festival lasts three days and is topped with live music, sumptuous food, fireworks, tethered balloon rides, kiddie rides, shopping, crafts, and other family-friendly fun.
6. Kenny’s Smoke House
Kenny’s Smoke House is a full-service restaurant that offers a relaxed, comfortable vibe. Their diverse menu offers everything from the smoked prime rib and fresh seafood to traditional Texas barbeque.
The restaurant also offers a variety of smoked sausages, pork beef ribs, brisket, and pork – all of which are sourced from the Southside Market in Elgin, Texas.
Kenny’s Smoke House also has a bar. Bar options include wine, happy hour, full bar, and beer.
7. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
Located on the western border of the city, Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is a 200-acre park boasting of vast areas of natural beauty for outdoor activity such as orienteering, hiking, jogging and walking.
If you’re looking for fun things to do in Plano this weekend, this nature preserve hosts all sorts of wildlife such as snakes, armadillos, tarantulas, owls, coyotes, and deer.
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8. The Ginger Man
The Ginger Man is a premium bar best known for its tasty beer. It takes pride in offering more than fifty unique beers on tap from all over the globe. Ginger Man is well known for their beer float, a concoction made of your preferred beer and ice cream.
The atmosphere is laidback and relaxed. You can also enjoy live music or play in-house games.
The Ginger Man also provides a limited sundries menu. The menu consists of mouth-watering snacks, flatbreads, and sandwiches.
9. ArtCenter of Plano
The ArtCenter of Plano is one of Plano’s artistic jewels. Located across Prince of Peace Catholic School’s Baseball Field, it offers some of the best theater in Plano. You are sure to have a great time from the moment the curtain opens.
The center also offers a variety of classes, including music lessons, and perform
ing and visual arts classes. It also supports the development of independent and emerging artists within the community.
10. Historic Downtown Plano
Many of the buildings here are some of the city’s earliest, dating back to the 19th century. Today, Historic Downtown Plano is a vibrant community of urban living, unique shops, event venues, performing arts and galleries.
When it comes to shopping, the neighborhood doesn’t slouch. The options include pottery, custom scooters, women’s fashion, art, jewelry, cigars, and home décor.
Foodies will like it here. There are plenty of sumptuous options, from pizza at Urban Crust and cake balls at Amazeballz to some of the most delicious barbeque in the state at Lockhart Smokehouse.
For some modern entertainment in a beautifully restored historic building, head over to the 321-seat Courtyard Theatre.
11. Heritage Farmstead Museum
If you love history, then you’ll definitely love the Heritage Farmstead Museum. Once inhabited by the Farrell clan, the Heritage Farmstead Museum is arguably one of the most enthralling museums in the city.
Today, visitors are able to tour the 1890’s Victorian Farmhouse and explore its history. Visitors also have the opportunity to unravel stories of the 20th-century inhabitants, as well as explore the old outhouses that were built by the Farrell family.
There are also various seasonal events, including holiday events such as spring activities, pumpkin picking, and trick or treating.
With all these things to do, see and visit, there’s no doubt that Plano is the perfect place to spend the weekend. In fact, it’s no wonder it was named the third best place to live in America by Money Magazine.
