Plano, Texas

1. Heritage Farmstead Museum

The Heritage Farmstead Museum is an 1890’s Victorian Farmhouse that was once inhabited by an original Plano settler family. Today, it is a restored and preserved heritage site and one of the top Plano attractions. Visitors are able to tour the home and examine the exhibits, including demonstrations, interactive events, and interpretive historical information on the families who once managed the property.

Today, the museum offers visitors the opportunity to engage in a small number of farm-like interactions, including livestock and barn tours. Visitors will enjoy walking through and admiring the fully furnished home, complete with authentic artifacts from past tenants.

Throughout the year, the Farmstead offers various seasonal events, including holiday events such as trick or treating, pumpkin picking, and spring activities.

Address: Heritage Farmstead Museum, 1900 W 15th St, Plano, TX, Phone: 972-881-0140

2. Historic Downtown Plano

Historic Downtown Plano is still comprised of many of the city’s earliest buildings, which date back to 1896. If you are wondering what to do in Plano today, this is a great place to start exploring.

Today, the historic area, which covers six city blocks, is an urbanized space, and various restaurants, shops, downtown housing, bars, cafes, and offices are housed in the restored and preserved buildings.

The lively district is the epicenter of Plano’s cultural events, and it frequently hosts street events, block parties, art festivals, and other exciting activities.

Downtown Plano’s event calendar, which is available on its website, outlines both regular events and seasonal festivities, both of which occur year round.

3. Interurban Railway Museum

The Interurban Railway Museum, also known as Plano Station, Texas Electric Railway, is a historic train station. The city’s first train station, built in 1908, was situated at this location in the very building in which the museum now resides. Trains continued to run through this stop until 1948.

The station was vacant until 1990, when the city converted the space into a museum with the intention of demonstrating the impact and value the station had on the city of Plano’s growth and success in the early 20th century. Today, visitors can tour the old museum using the interpretive displays and hands-on activities to learn how the train system worked and where it traveled.

Address: Interurban Railway Museum, 901 E 15th St, Plano, Texas, Phone: 972-941-2117

4. ArtCentre of Plano

The ArtCentre of Plano is a non-profit art exhibition center located in Plano’s downtown historic area. It is housed in a grand early 20th century Victorian mansion that was once the home of the Harrington Furniture Store. The ArtCentre is host to a variety of exhibits throughout the year, and it is dedicated to supporting the development and growth of independent and emerging artists within the community.

The centre also offers a variety of classes, including performing and visual arts classes along with music lessons. Throughout the year, the centre is host to various cultural events, meetings, and lectures, all of which are listed on the centre’s online calendar.

Address: ArtCentre of Plano, 902 E 16th St, Plano, TX 75074, Phone: 972-423-7809

5. The Shops at Legacy, Plano

Designed as a town center, The Shops at Legacy offer a unique experience with its tree-lined streets, great restaurants, trendy boutiques, coffee houses, bars, entertainment venues, and movie house. You can do so much more than shopping at the Legacy Town Center. As you stroll down the town alleys, you will eventually reach Baccuss Park, a 1847 Texas historical landmark and the home to Baccus Cemetery.

Walk down the Shawnee Trail, which used to be the main route for the Texas longhorns’ trip north. Today, instead of live cattle, you can see three life-sized cowboys and nineteen longhorn bronze sculptures cast by renowned Texas artist Robert Summers.

6. Angelika Film Center & Cafe

Located in the popular Shops at Legacy, Angelika Film Center & Cafe is a modern five-screen cinema where shoppers at Legacy can take a break from browsing the stores and enjoy the latest blockbuster or an obscure Indie film.

On the second level of the cinema building, you can find a gourmet restaurant The Angelika Cafe & Bar. What makes this restaurant and cinema so special is the fact that you can take your food and drinks with you to the movie theatre and enjoy them while watching your favorite film. You do not have to go to the cinema to enjoy the restaurant, as it is open to the public.

They offer light fare such as soups, salads, and sandwiches. With all its facilities, the Angelika is a great venue for conferences and presentations.

Address: Angelika Film Center & Cafe, 7205 Bishop Rd, Plano, Texas, Phone: 972-943-1340

7. Pinstack

Pinstack offers 50,000 square feet of fun, including a state-of-the-art bowling alley with 28 lanes, a gourmet restaurant with a chef ready to indulge the most demanding of foodies, a well-stocked bar, a laser tag arena on two levels, a rock climbing wall for adrenaline junkies, a high ropes course 20 feet up in the air, hundreds of video games, fancy private dining rooms for special parties, and much more. It is a fabulous place to spend a day off or the whole weekend with a bunch of friends. You can also host a birthday party no guest will ever forget.

Address: Pinstack, 6205 Dallas Pkwy, Plano, Texas, Phone: 972-781-2695

8. Plano Balloon Festival

The sky over Plano, Texas offers a spectacular show every September, when more than 45 colorful, fun-shaped balloons ascend high into the air, taking the brave and curious on a magical ride.

Plano Balloon Festival is a very popular three-day event that offers more than just balloon rides: there are RE/MAX parachute jumpers, great inflatable rides for kids of all ages, live music by local bands on the main stage, dance groups, martial arts teams, and plenty of food and drink vendors to suit any taste. As night falls, a few glow-in-the-dark balloons will rise up into the air, and spectacular fireworks will light the sky with thousands of colors.

Address: Plano Balloon Festival, 2801 E Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, Texas, Phone: 972-867-7566

9. Granite Park Boardwalk

Situated on the southeastern corner of the Dallas North and Sam Rayburn Tollway, the Granite Park Boardwalk is a foodie paradise that is home to eight popular waterfront restaurants. Dine with unbeatable views of Plano’s waterfront, then enjoy a stroll right after at this gastronomic oasis. At the Granite Park Boardwalk, guests can choose from restaurants like the Suburban Yach Club, a coastal cantina-style restaurant offering Mexican fusion cuisine and tropical cocktails, or Edith’s French Bistro, which offers a high tea service alongside mouthwatering entrees and hand-crated desserts. Chip's Old Fashioned Hamburgers and The Biscuit Bar are great for people looking for a quick bite, while Fork and Fire offer local and sustainably sourced proteins cooked slow and steady over a wood-fired grill. Other options include the Blue Mesa Grill and the Golden Boy Coffee and Wine Bar.

Address: Granite Park Boardwalk, 5880 State Highway 121, Plano, Texas 75024

10. Whiskey Cake

Considered a premiere destination for cocktails and drinks, Whiskey Cake is open for lunch and into the late night hours, serving a variety of drinks and creative, thoughtful bar food. Whiskey Cake’s focus is on their expansive liquor menu, which includes a variety of innovative cocktails, beers, wines, and diverse whiskeys.

However, their food menu is equally tempting and provides a variety of updated bar staples along with exotic snacks, diverse salads, and numerous entrees, all classified as New American fare. Whiskey Cake’s space is trendy and casual with an industrial vibe and a youthful energy that consumes the modern space.

Address: Whiskey Cake, 3601 Dallas Pkwy, Plano, Texas, Phone: 972-993-2253