• Restaurants + Bars
  • Entertainment
  • Arts
  • Society
  • City Life
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • Real Estate
  • Home + Design
  • Innovation
  • Travel
  • City Guide
  • Events
  • Charity Guide
  • Subscribe
  • Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
culturemap logo
  • Restaurants + Bars

    THE LATEST

    Hannah J. Phillips: Acclaimed San Antonio chef to debut restaurant and bar at anticipated Austin hotel
    Curing Austin
    Acclaimed San Antonio chef to debut restaurant and bar at Austin hotel
    By Hannah J. Phillips
    Brianna Caleri: Acclaimed East Austin Italian eatery heads west with new restaurant
    Copy and pasta
    Acclaimed East Austin Italian eatery heads west with new restaurant
    By Brianna Caleri
    Brianna Caleri: 6 things to know in Austin food right now: Picturesque resort restaurant reopens
    News you can eat
    6 things to know in Austin food: Picturesque resort restaurant reopens
    By Brianna Caleri

    SPONSORED BY

  • Entertainment

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Influential '80s band Echo & The Bunnymen bring on a new Austin show
    bring on the bunnymen
    Influential '80s band Echo & The Bunnymen bring on a new Austin show
    By Steven Devadanam
    Hannah J. Phillips: Beloved classic summer movie series returns to the Paramount Theatre stage
    Keep it Classic
    Beloved classic summer movie series returns to the Paramount Theatre
    By Hannah J. Phillips
    Alex Bentley: Suicide and comedy make an uneasy pair in On the Count of Three
    Movie Review
    Suicide and comedy make an uneasy pair in On the Count of Three
    By Alex Bentley

    SPONSORED BY

  • Arts

    THE LATEST

    : Texas author thrills with new romance and murder mystery titles set in the Lone Star State
    made in texas
    Texas author thrills with 2 new titles set in the Lone Star State
    By Natalie Harms
    Chantal Rice: Wildly popular Santa Fe art experience Meow Wolf opens 2 Texas portals
    Imagination station
    Wildly popular Santa Fe art experience Meow Wolf opens 2 Texas portals
    By Chantal Rice
    Hannah J. Phillips: Stunning new wildlife film aims to inspire Texans to keep Texas beautiful
    Keep Texas Beautiful
    Stunning new wildlife film inspires Texans to keep Texas beautiful
    By Hannah J. Phillips

    SPONSORED BY

  • Society

    THE LATEST

    Hannah J. Phillips: Austinites gather to toast, taste, and crown top culinary talent at the Tastemakers
    A Delicious Celebration
    Austinites toast, taste, and crown top culinary talent at Tastemakers
    By Hannah J. Phillips
    Katey Psencik Outka: Founder of boozy Austin brand weds local singer in destination event
    Ranch Rider
    Founder of boozy Austin brand weds local singer in destination event
    By Katey Psencik Outka
    Katey Psencik Outka: Local music legend's niece ties the knot in romantic Austin ceremony
    Real Wedding
    Local music legend's niece ties the knot in romantic Austin ceremony
    By Katey Psencik Outka

    SPONSORED BY

  • City Guide

    THE LATEST

    : Vic Mathias Shores
    Entertainment
    Vic Mathias Shores
    : Scottish Rite Theater
    Entertainment
    Scottish Rite Theater
    : Pump Project Art Complex
    Entertainment
    Pump Project Art Complex

    SPONSORED BY

  • Events

    THE LATEST

    : Big Laugh Comedy presents Eric Schwartz
    5.19.22 | 8:00 am
    Big Laugh Comedy presents Eric Schwartz
    : The Driskill Hotel Finley’s Pop-Up Barber Shop
    5.20.22 | 9:00 am
    The Driskill Hotel Finley’s Pop-Up Barber Shop
    : Museum of Ice Cream
    5.20.22 | 11:30 am
    Museum of Ice Cream

    SPONSORED BY

  • Subscribe
  • City Life

    THE LATEST

    John Egan: Austin still ranks among the most popular U.S. destinations for movers
    Moving News
    Austin still ranks among the most popular U.S. destinations for movers
    By John Egan
    John Egan: Austin drops out of top 10 on U.S. News’ list of best places to live
    Reduced ranking
    Austin drops out of top 10 on U.S. News’ list of best places to live
    By John Egan
    John Egan: Affluent Austin suburb among the richest Texas counties, report says
    In the money
    Affluent Austin suburb among the richest Texas counties, report says
    By John Egan

    SPONSORED BY

  • Fashion + Beauty

    THE LATEST

    Kristen O'Brien: Iconic French fashion house Hermès unwraps elegant Austin store
    Hermès Home
    Iconic French fashion house Hermès unwraps elegant Austin store
    By Kristen O'Brien
    Steven Devadanam: Texas superstar Simone Biles unveils new clothing line full of girl power
    GOAT GEAR
    Texas superstar Simone Biles unveils clothing line full of girl power
    By Steven Devadanam
    Hannah J. Phillips: Austin jewelry maven Kendra Scott clocks in with timely new collection
    Clocking In
    Austin jewelry maven Kendra Scott clocks in with timely new collection
    By Hannah J. Phillips

    SPONSORED BY

  • Real Estate

    THE LATEST

    Arden Ward: City of Austin home price soars to record-breaking $640,000
    Housing Report
    City of Austin home price soars to record-breaking $640,000
    By Arden Ward
    John Egan: Heavenly South Austin condo goes on the market for $1.4 million
    Church-to-condo conversion
    Heavenly South Austin condo goes on the market for $1.4 million
    By John Egan
    John Egan: Austin's historic Driskill hotel rolls out welcome mat for new owner
    Iconic inn
    Austin's historic Driskill hotel rolls out welcome mat for new owner
    By John Egan

    SPONSORED BY

  • Home + Design

    THE LATEST

    Holly Beretto: Step back in time inside 9 grand and historic Galveston homes on popular tour
    living history
    Step back in time inside 9 grand and historic homes on Galveston tour
    By Holly Beretto
    David Phillips: Sustainable outdoor furniture brand selects Austin for first Texas showroom
    Become a Yardbird
    Sustainable outdoor furniture brand selects Austin for Texas debut
    By David Phillips
    Katey Psencik Outka: Tie the knot in style with these unique Austin wedding rental houses
    Setting the scene for the perfect day
    Tie the knot in style with these unique Austin wedding rental houses
    By Katey Psencik Outka

    SPONSORED BY

  • Innovation

    THE LATEST

    John Egan: UT Austin seeks to hook status as ‘most impactful’ public research university
    Long(horn)-range plan
    UT seeks to hook status as ‘most impactful’ public research university
    By John Egan
    : First look at designs for Austin light rail from Lady Bird Lake into downtown
    Light Speed
    Designs revealed for Austin light rail from Lady Bird Lake to downtown
    By Drew Knight, Bryce Newberry, KVUE
    John Egan: This Austin suburb is Texas' No. 1 small city to start a business
    Best for business
    This Austin suburb is Texas' No. 1 small city to start a business
    By John Egan

    SPONSORED BY

  • Travel

    THE LATEST

    Teresa Gubbins: Texas-based Southwest Airlines unrolls big suite of service upgrades
    Airplane News
    Texas-based Southwest Airlines unrolls big suite of service upgrades
    By Teresa Gubbins
    John Egan: Austin airport expansion set to take off with new gates in 2024
    Broadening the horizon
    Austin airport expansion set to take off with new gates in 2024
    By John Egan
    Stephanie Allmon Merry: Step inside the Upside Down at Texas mall's new Stranger Things experience
    El, yeah
    Step inside the Upside Down at Texas mall's Stranger Things experience
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry

    SPONSORED BY

  • Charity Guide
  • Tastemaker Awards
Visit Plano Austin
Promoted articles are produced by CultureMap sponsors and not by the editorial staff.
Home » Travel
Outdoor adventures
Texas' ski-lift bike park takes you to new heights in the Hill Country
Broadening the horizon
Austin airport expansion set to take off with new gates in 2024
LATEST NEWS
Beloved classic summer movie series returns to the Paramount Theatre
Summer Destination

An unforgettable summer vacation is only a short drive away in Plano

An unforgettable summer vacation is only a short drive away in Plano

By CultureMap Create
May 10, 2022, 12:00 pm
Enlarge
Slideshow
High Bar Kitchen & Tap
Choose from dozens of artisan stalls at Legacy Hall. Photo courtesy of Legacy Hall
Texas Pool in Plano
Think Texas this summer. Texas Pool/Facebook
Go Ape at Oak Point Park
Scale the treetops at Go Ape!. Photo courtesy of Visit Plano
Renaissance Plano
Enjoy some Western flair at the Renaissance Dallas. Photo courtesy of Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West
High Bar Kitchen & Tap
Texas Pool in Plano
Go Ape at Oak Point Park
Renaissance Plano

It's summer, and we're all ready for a vacation. Luckily, you don't have to go far to have fun — just hop in the car and head to Plano, a little over four hours away from Houston.

The North Dallas suburb has something for everyone, from shopping and dining to family-friendly activities designed for all ages.

Here's your guide to where to stay and what to do while you're there.

Where to eat, drink, and shop
If shopping is your cardio and the way to your heart is through your stomach, you've come to the right place. Plano is packed with places to shop 'til you drop, eat to your heart's content, and dance the night away.

From sparkly jewelry at Kendra Scott to mouthwatering meals from more than 30 eateries, The Shops at Legacy is nonstop fun.

Just across the Tollway, Legacy West boasts more than 20 restaurants and big-name brands like Coach, Tecovas, Warby Parker, Gucci, Tory Burch, and more. Legacy Hall, the shopping center's curated food hall, features a wide variety of artisanal vendors, an award-winning brewery, live music at the Box Garden, and events nearly every night of the week.

In southwest Plano, The Shops at Willow Bend is a staple of shopping with high-end retailers like Neiman Marcus, Restoration Hardware, Vineyard Vines, and Crate & Barrel, while The District at Willow Bend is home to local chef-driven restaurants and an inviting and relaxing courtyard.

Granite Park might be known first as a collection of office buildings, but The Boardwalk at Granite Park livens everything up with eight restaurants and a hotel, all set on a waterfront view.

Downtown Plano Arts District delivers antique shops, boutiques, and art galleries on charming, brick-lined streets, and plenty of unique restaurants. Also not to be missed is McCall Plaza, featuring weekly entertainment that ranges from free live music to karaoke nights.

Where to have fun with the fam
Color your world at the Crayola Experience inside The Shops at Willow Bend, where kids can name and wrap their own crayons, star in their own coloring page, and embark on a 4-D coloring adventure.

For a bit of history, visit the free Interurban Railway Museum to learn about electricity, science, transportation, and the history of the City of Plano. Likewise, the Heritage Farmstead Museum is a 4.5-acre living history site with a home and grounds built in 1891.

Get some energy out at Pinstack, where kids of all ages can bowl, play arcade games, scale a climbing wall, and run the ropes course.

Leave time to shoot down the waterslides at Jack Carter Pool or relax at the famous Texas Pool, a saltwater pool in the iconic shape of the Lone Star State that's been drawing dippers since 1961.

Where to enjoy nature
Go Ape! is a treetop adventure course that spans 40 obstacles, up to 28 feet in the air, and even includes a 423-foot-long zipline that crosses Rowlett Creek.

Want something a little more serene? Spend time in Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve or Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, with their trails, fields, and plenty of wide open spaces.

Hammer out your hook at Pecan Hollow, Ridgeview Ranch, and The Courses at Watters Creek, three top-notch golf courses that are open to the public and offer a range of difficulty for different levels.

Where to stay
Enjoy waterside dining and entertainment at The Boardwalk at Granite Park, then walk mere steps to your room at Hilton Dallas Plano Granite Park. If you're hitting up The Shops at Legacy or Legacy West, then the Marriott at Legacy Town Center and Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West — with its modern Asian-Texas decor — are both excellent nearby choices.

For slightly funkier digs, check into the Sandman Signature Plano-Frisco Hotel or the Nylo Dallas-Plano Hotel. The former is a sister company to the Dallas Stars, while the latter offers a free shuttle to anywhere within five miles.

Side note: The hotels featured here are just a sampling and are not "preferred" hotels. See all your Plano accommodation options here.

What to plan for
Get your calendars out: You'll want to time your trip to coincide with Plano's All-American 4th and the Happy Hour Hike, a monthly sip-and-shop event at Legacy West that also features live music, photo opps, and special discounts.

If you want to see a truly legendary Texas event, return again September 23-25 when magnificent hot-air balloons take to the sky for the H-E-B Central Market Plano Balloon Festival. It's a sight you won't want to miss.

---

Plan your summer trip to Plano, and learn more about what to do, where to stay, and what to eat, here.

Read These Next
ATX_401 Black Wolf Run
Contemporary Lakeway home sports a dream kitchen and backyard oasis
AAPI chefs
Central Market celebrates AAPI and Pride months with cooking classes
Long Center Drop In concert series
Free outdoor music series returns to Long Center lawn all summer long
ATX_401 Black Wolf Run
Contemporary Lakeway home sports a dream kitchen and backyard oasis
AAPI chefs
Central Market celebrates AAPI and Pride months with cooking classes
Long Center Drop In concert series
Free outdoor music series returns to Long Center lawn all summer long
  • Latest News
  • Most Popular
  • Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers offers up jokes and nostalgia aplenty
  • Contemporary Lakeway home sports a dream kitchen and backyard oasis
    - promoted -
  • 6 things to know in Austin food: Japanese spot unrolls new happy hour
  • Global fitness brand Barry’s brings the heat with first Austin studio
  • Longtime downtown Austin Latin restaurant says adios after 10 years
See All Latest News >
  • Austin drops out of top 10 on U.S. News’ list of best places to live
  • Affluent Austin suburb among the richest Texas counties, report says
  • Longtime downtown Austin Latin restaurant says adios after 10 years
  • City of Austin home price soars to record-breaking $640,000
  • Heavenly South Austin condo goes on the market for $1.4 million
Vote Now
Austin Tastemaker Awards 2022
5/2
Austinites toast, taste, and crown top culinary talent at Tastemakers
4/28
Austin's best restaurant and chef revealed at 2022 Tastemaker Awards
4/25
8 top Austin chefs cooking with passion and feeding the city's soul
Austin First-time Homebuyers Guide 2022
5/18
City of Austin home price soars to record-breaking $640,000
4/29
Austin sees biggest spike in mortgage payments in U.S., says Zillow
4/19
Austin market hits all-time high as home price surges to $624,000
Where to Eat Austin
3/11
Where to eat in Austin: 12 hot spots to feed your face during SXSW
10/1
Where to eat in Austin right now: 10 spots near ACL Fest to feast on
8/13
Where to eat in Austin right now: 10 best restaurants for summer bites
Home | About Us | News Tips & Suggestions | Submit An Event | Submit A Charity | Advertise | Media Sponsorship | Jobs | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
© 2022 CultureMap LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Be A CultureMap Insider
Get Our Emails
Sign Up

We will not share or sell your email address

Newsletters for exploring your city

Thank you for signing up Please verify your e-mail by following the link we just sent you.
Look for an e-mail from CultureMap <info@culturemap.com>