Things to Do in Plano, TX ~ City Spotlight

Posted by My Dallas Mommy on Thursday, April 9th, 2015 at 10:30 AM
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Things to do in Plano, TX

As a new feature on MyDFWMommy, we are going to put the spotlight on the suburbs of our great Metroplex! We’ll take one city and break down all it has to offer!

For our first installment, we will talk about things to do in Plano, TX.  In 2005, 2006, and 2011, Plano was chosen as the best place to live in the Western United States by CNN Money magazine. It is actually the 7th biggest city in the state even though we all think of it as a Dallas suburb. Here’s a summary of our must see places and activities that happen in this this hip, family friendly town!

Annual Festivals

Plano Balloon Festival~ For more than 35 years, the nationally recognized, Plano Balloon Festival brings a glow to Plano where thousands gather for family-oriented activities, a 5K and marathon, food, music and more in September!

All-American Fourth~ Each Fourth of July, a spectacular fireworks show choreographed to music and simulcast on 97.5 KLAK-FM from Oak Point Park. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and the whole family! Admission and parking is free. This extravaganza is held at Oak Point Park.

Downtown Feastival~ This event takes place each October in Historic Downtown Plano with a high-energy celebration of top music, vintage car show, food and art from Collin County and North Texas. Not to be missed are The GREAT Pumpkin Race, and Special Olympics of Texas Fire Truck Pull.

Dickens in Historic Downtown Plano~ Each holiday season, Historic Downtown Plano embraces the spirit of Christmas through Dickens in Historic Downtown at Haggard Park. Enjoy caroling, story telling, live performers, food, shopping, a visit from Santa Claus, tree lighting ceremony and visit the Interurban Railway Museum!

ASIAFEST~ The first weekend every May is ASIAFEST, the Celebration of Asian Heritage and Culture with Demonstrations and Exhibits. The community-wide festival is sponsored and produced by Plano’s Asian Communities.

Plano International Fest~ October is alive with diversity during the Plano International Festival which takes place in Historic Downtown Plano at Haggard Park to celebrate Plano’s diversity and instill culture awareness through demonstrations, entertainment, and food.

 

Parks & Museums

Arbor Hills Nature Preserve~ Features many acres of open space in its 200-acre boundaries. People can use the pavilions, jog on the track, hike, play on the playground, bike, and climb the observation tower.

Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve~ Over 800 acres are waiting to be explored and the park features 8.5 miles of hiking trails, bike trails, an amphitheater, and a pavilion.

Heritage Farmstead Museum~ Visitors to the Heritage Farmstead Museum can see over 10,000 objects related to farming on Texas’s Blackland Prairie from 1890 to 1920. Also at the museum, visitors can tour the 1840 Stone House that is an example of a late Gothic Victorian home.

Interurban Railway Musuem~ Vistors can tour a railway post train car to learn about how mail moved on trains, see advertising from the early 1900s, and learn more about the people who lived in the area during the early 1900s.

Unique Restaurants (Kid Friendly & found only in Plano)

Whiskey Cake~ Tasty farm-to-kitchen dishes & cocktails ‘from scratch only’ kitchen and bar.  And all this goodness is served to you as you kick your feet up in one of our rocking
chairs, dine at a fancy table or relax out on the porch.

Jorg’s Cafe Vienna~ Family-owned restaurant serving authentic Austrian and German food in a warm, comfortable, Old World atmosphere. They have a cozy dining room with a bar, a Bier Stuben, and an outdoor Biergarten.

The Latin Pig~ They focus on providing true Cuban flavors, as though you are eating in my Momma’s kitchen. The food is a fusion of Cuban, Native Latin American Indian, and Caribbean influences making it healthy and full of flavor.

Covino’s Pasta & PizzaCarrying on the NY tradition, Joe Covino opened his first Italian restaurant and like his dad’s place, nothing fancy, just great Italian food with a New York neighborhood flair.

Bavarian GrillA costumed staff, polka band & big beer selection fuel the festive mood at this German eatery.

Poor Richard’s Cafe~  This local Texas fixture provides comfort cooking for breakfast & lunch in a standard cafe with early hours and has been open for over 40 years.

Daily Boutique Deals

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