With over 100 shops, restaurants and galleries, there is plenty to do in Historic Downtown McKinney, located north of Dallas. The picturesque seat of Collin County, this historic square is the perfect destination for a day trip, or even a fun weekend!
Know Before You Go
Pay Parking is available on the West end of downtown, and some stores and restaurants have complementary parking.
Shops
There are more than 80 shops in Downtown McKinney, and I didn’t take a picture of each, but it’s more than enough to assure you of a fun day of window shopping! Here’s a few of my favorites!
Doozies’s Corner labels itself as a “collection of boutiques”, and this 2 story shop has plenty to see!
Upon entering Plum Creek Primitives, we were greeted by Maggie, a hospitable little doggy! Maggie was one of many shop pups we met during the day! I just love that!
The 1912 First National Bank
The 1912 First National Bank building is McKinney’s only example of Beaux Arts Classicism, easily identifiable by their decorative columns and its flat roofline. The hisotoric building is now home to Mona Lisa Design Market. Please click HERE to visit their website.
Walking through downtown if fun, even if you never enter a shop, it’s such a picturesque town!
Local Yocal
A fun Farmers Market the kids will love sitting on one of the two old tractors out front!
Cadence Cyclery
The sign may look old, but the bikes they carry are all performance bikes. We were greeted by another little shop dog, Jack, as we entered. After looking about, we started talking bike trails. Erwin Park is a 212 acre park with over 7 miles of hike and bike trails, and even offers overnight camping.
Click HERE to visit the Cadence Cyclery website.
1874 Collin County Courthouse
The courthouse that sits in the middle of downtown is no longer used for government matters, and I love that they have retained the historic building, and it the McKinney Performing Arts Center. A community gathering place, residents meet for special events, shows and Friday Night Movies! For more information, click HERE.
Restaurants
These are just a sampling of the many fine and fun restaurants in downtown McKinney.
Rick’s Chophouse offers 4 star fine dining, with a few surprises, such as the Mexican Street Corn! The Sunday Champagne Brunch is amazing, too! The building was once the Heard Opera House, and John Phillip Sousa’s band performed here. Today it is the home of the Grand Hotel.
Spoons Cafe
An eclectic spot with something for everyone, they open for breakfast at 7:30am, and it’s served all day, along with burgers, salads, comfort foods and other favorites, including Henry’s Ice Cream out of Plano, one of my favorites!
Harvest Seasonal Kitchen
Featuring organic, local and regional products, I love that they list the farms where they purchase their dairy, meat and produce! They also produce much of their own at their local farm in Lucas, Texas, where restaurant employees also help! Click HERE to visit their website for more information.
Mellow Mushroom
It’s funky decor in the old building is a kid-winner, but if that’s not enough, you can watch as they toss your pizza crust!
The Pantry Restaurant
Since 1982, guest have enjoyed the large, open ceilings with white Christmas-style lights, and you’ll certainly enjoy their food!
Lodging
The Grand Hotel and Ballroom looks out onto the courthouse square. Click HERE for more information.
1870 Dowell House Bed and Breakfast. It’s beautiful but they also claim to be the home from the original Benji movie (most of which was filmed in Denton). No wonder there were so many cute dogs in town! Click HERE to visit their website.
More to do in McKinney
Heard Museum is so much fun for kids! Click HERE to read more!
Chestnut Village is just steps away from downtown McKinney, but only open on select days, so check ahead. Click HERE to visit their website.
Storybrook Ranch offers horseback riding for beginners and pony rides for children, but they also have rides where they allow you to trot and canter your horse! A petting zoo, hayrides, campfires and much more for a terrific getaway! Click HERE to visit their website.
Annual Events
From Art Festivals, bike races, Mardi Gras and 4th of July parades, and Fall and Christmas events, there is constantly something going on in Downtown McKinney! Click HERE to read more!
Historic Downtown McKinney
111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney
Click HERE to visit their website.
Click HERE to visit their facebook page.
Click HERE to visit them on twitter.
Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!
Michelle
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