Plano is a mid-sized city close to some great natural attractions and a healthy historical scene, so there’s plenty to check out during a weekend trip. The five ideas below are examples of the fun and interesting attractions Plano has to offer.
Exploring Downtown
Plano has a historic downtown area with charming restaurants and shops, and folks regularly note that parking is easy to find compared to the downtown areas of bigger cities like Dallas. You’ll see well-kept brick buildings with hanging signs, interesting monuments, and more. Consider making time to visit the Interuban Railway Museum, where you can see exhibits on the industrial history of Plano, an exhibit on the baseball history of Plano, and many others.
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
This public park and nature preserve features hiking and biking trails, serene ponds, an open pavilion, playgrounds, and lovely forests. It’s a great spot for a picnic, and a fun place to take the dogs for a walk. For great views and photo opportunities, check out the Tower Trail and upper lookout. If you’re after some quiet time with nature, Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is just the place.
Shopping at Legacy
This outdoor shopping complex has all sorts of stores, including some unique and high-end businesses you won’t find at nearby malls. Seasons 52 and other sophisticated restaurants make it a great place for a romantic night out. You could also visit the more casual bar and grill joints or gastropubs. If you’re a film buff, Legacy is also home to Angelika Film Center, a classy five-screen cinema that shows various independent films.
Heritage Farmstead Museum
As the name implies, this charming outdoor attraction is both a farm and a museum of old-timey life in Plano. Explore the gorgeous, preserved farmhouse, barns, and vast fields. You can also take a hay ride over the property, visit fascinating exhibits, see an old-fashioned blacksmith at work, and check out livestock and other animals, all in one place. Heritage Farmstead hosts events throughout the seasons and has summer camps for every age, from pre-K to high school.
Escape Rooms
If you’ve never tried an escape-the-room game with friends, family, or coworkers, you’re missing out! These thrilling teamwork puzzles involve a group of people pretend-locked in a themed room, such as a mad scientist’s basement, and the team has use both observational skills and ingenuity to escape before the time limit expires (usually one hour). Escape room businesses are a huge hit in Plano and the Dallas area. There are all kinds of difficulty levels, room sizes, and themes from dark and scary to comedic. For first timers, consider Escape Experts and their Secret Vault room.
Plano is a great place to live if you want the same thriving atmosphere and range of activities as Dallas, but don’t want the crowds of the larger city. Whether it’s a date, a night out with friends, a day with the family, or just a chance to explore the city and all it has to offer, there’s guarenteed to be something fun for everyone.
Photo by QuesterMark via Flickr | Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 | Cropped from original