25 Fun Things to Do in Plano, TX

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There are many things to do in Plano, like exploring Legacy West

Located in North Texas, Plano is a destination you have to add to your must-visit list! This vibrant town has something for everyone, from couples to groups of friends and families.

Fun things to do in Plano, TX, range from visiting specialty museums, like the Heritage Farmstead Museum, to dining at contemporary eateries and ziplining through Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve.

Being close to other Texas cities, you can also plan a day or overnight trip. Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington are just a few cities within an hour or two of Plano. Keep reading to discover 25 fun Plano activities!

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🏨 Top accommodations in Plano

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25 Fun Things to Do in Plano, Texas

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Plano, Texas, Things to Do

You can see animals like lambs at Heritage Farmstead Museum

See animals at the Heritage Farmstead Museum

Heritage Farmstead Museum is an old-fashioned farm with 365 acres of land and a Victorian-era farmhouse. The farm was constructed in 1891 and today acts as a living history museum. Visitors can explore the farmhouse, which has a small museum. You can then look around the farmland and see animals, like goats and donkeys.

🏨 Place to stay close to the Heritage Farmstead Museum

Tour Downtown Plano

You'll find lots to see downtown, and joining a Downtown Plano Walking tour is the ideal way to see everything the area offers. Your guide will take you to various landmarks and attractions and offer some facts on things you see. You'll also visit local bars and eateries where you can enjoy drinks.

🏨 Places to stay near Downtown Plano

Tackle adventure activities at Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park

Outdoor and adventure activity enthusiasts will want to plan a trip to Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park. The adventure course is located in Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve and offers something for all thrill levels.

Activities to enjoy include tackling treetop adventures complete with ziplines, platforms, Tarzan swings, and much more. As you complete the course, you'll reach platforms up to 28 feet high and fly along ziplines that are 423 feet long! You'll also get to admire views of the surrounding forest and nature preserve.

You can spend time at the rooftop pool when staying at Renaissance Dallas

Stay at Renaissance Dallas

If you're visiting Plano and need a place to stay, consider booking a room at Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel. The four-star Marriott-owned hotel has a selection of stylish rooms to choose from, including king and queen rooms and suites.

The hotel also has an array of amenities. You'll be able to use a state-of-the-art gym, plus a beautiful rooftop pool and whirlpool with views over the city. Multiple restaurants and bars are also located within the hotel, including Asian fusion and classic American options.

Hike at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve

Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is a perfect place to go hiking. It has three miles of paved trails, three miles of unpaved trails, and an off-road bike trail. As you explore the 200-acre park, you'll likely see a range of wildlife and will get to enjoy the beautiful surrounding landscape.

🏨 Accommodations nearby the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve

The lake at Oak Point Park is a scenic spot to walk around

Follow trails at Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve

Another of the best things to do in Plano, TX, for those that love the outdoors is going to Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve. Covering 800 acres, the park has multiple trails which will take you along Rowlett Creek. There's also a large pond in the park where you can kayak, paddleboard, or canoe.

Watch a movie at Angelika Film Center

If you're looking for something fun but laid back to do, one of the best things to do in Plano, Texas, is seeing a movie at Angelika Film Center. The boutique cinema is part of a small independent chain that was started in New York City.

At the theater, you can see both new releases and independent and classic films. As you enjoy the movie, you can order alcoholic drinks and snacks like cauliflower wings or flatbreads.

The Boardwalk at Granite Park has many fantastic eateries and is a great dinner spot

Dine at the Boardwalk at Granite Park

The Boardwalk at Granite Park is a trendy dining complex with many bars and restaurants. Places to check out range from local breweries and coffee shops to stylish eateries that serve contemporary dishes and delicious cocktails.

The venue is open from early until late in the evening, allowing you to stop by for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. You can also enjoy events at the Boardwalk, including exercise classes, farmers' markets, and live music sessions.

Eat from local vendors at Legacy Food Hall

Another of the great Plano, TX, things to do for foodies is going to Legacy Food Hall. The venue has about 20 bars and eateries to choose from.

Outlets include those selling craft cocktails and boozy milkshakes and places serving world cuisine, including Indian, American, and Japanese dishes. You'll also discover many places to indulge in sweet treats, like Belgian waffles or homemade marshmallow sundaes.

Going to the Interurban Railway Museum is one of the fun things to do in Plano, TX

Learn something new at the Interurban Railway Museum

The Interurban Railway Museum is a fascinating specialty museum housed in Plano Station, the former station for the Texas Electric Railway. At the museum, you can see old train cars and learn about railroad history in the area. You can also learn more about science and electric railways. Best of all, admission is free for everyone!

🏨 Accommodations in close proximity to the Interurban Railway Museum

Wander around Bob Woodruff Park

Bob Woodruff Park has lots of open green space and features trails, volleyball courts, and a children's playground. It's a great place to spend time in the fresh air, whether going for a walk or jog, playing sports, or relaxing on the grass. There's also a creek and scenic pond within the six-acre park to sit next to or wander around.

Shop for unique items at Dallas Vintage Shop

Dallas Vintage Shop is one of the fun places to go in Plano, TX, for those that like thrifting and vintage shopping. The vast store sells an array of vintage clothing and jewelry. You can also find many costume pieces and items from almost every decade in the 20th century.

Pinstack not only has bowling alleys but also laser tag, an arcade, and more!

Bowl and enjoy other amusements at Pinstack

Pinstack is a fun bowling alley to hang out at during the day or in the evening. Along with bowling, you can enjoy a high ropes course, laser tag, indoor rock climbing, arcade games, and much more. You can also get food and drinks here, including alcoholic beverages.

Cool off at the Texas Pool

The Texas Pool is a public swimming pool shaped like the state of Texas! Interestingly, this Texas landmark is also on the National Register of Historic Places. The pool is seasonal and is generally open from May through August. At the pool, you can swim and enjoy events like poolside yoga.

Legacy West is a popular Plano attraction with shops, bars, and restaurants

Explore Legacy West

Legacy West is one of the most fun places to go in Plano, Texas. The business and cultural district is home to numerous shops, bars, and restaurants. Retail options include designer stores, like Gucci and Louis Vuitton, plus some independent boutiques and mid-range chain stores, such as J. Crew.

Dining options also include many luxurious and unique spots. Eateries to try include those serving Mediterranean dishes, contemporary Asian cuisine, and American classics with a twist. Bars and dessert outlets, like Sprinkles Cupcakes, can also be found.

Sip cocktails at Peppersmash

If you're looking for things to do in the evening, add a trip to Peppersmash to your list! This trendy cocktail bar is the ideal place to relax with drinks. The bar specializes in cocktails with both classic and more unique options on the menu, including a cotton candy drink with vodka, lemon, bubbles, and cotton candy!

You can also order beer and wine and happy hour offers are available on select days. Peppersmash offers bar food, too, like sliders and tacos.

The Fillmore Pub is another popular bar in the city if you want to spend the night bar hopping. The pub serves a wide array of beers, plus cocktails and classic pub food.

The Crayola Experience is a great place to take kids, especially if they like art

Take your kids to the Crayola Experience

The Crayola Experience is a fun place to visit with family. The kid-friendly attraction has lots of art activities, including coloring, creating your own Crayola crayons, and doing other crayon art, like melting crayons to make cool designs.

There's also an indoor playground, and you can treat your kids to a new box of crayons and other Crayola merch at the on-site shop.

Grab drinks at Mudleaf Coffee

There are lots of great independent coffee shops in Plano to stop at for a drink. If you're unsure where to go, checking out Mudleaf Coffee is a must. The coffee shop has a trendy interior complete with murals and rattan swinging chairs.

The menu includes many hot and iced coffee drinks, and most hot drinks will be complete with latte art. You can also get teas, and matcha lemonade, among other refreshing beverages. Baked goods, like croissants, toast with various toppings, and other treats are available too.

Taverna Rossa serves delicious dishes for brunch, lunch, and dinner

Have brunch at Taverna Rossa

Taverna Rossa is another top-rated dining spot in Plano. It's a popular place for brunch on Saturday and Sunday, with dishes like avocado toast and breakfast burritos on the menu. You can also order brunch drinks to accompany your meal, like a bloody Mary or mimosa.

Brunch isn't the only time to dine at this eatery, though. The restaurant also serves lunch and dinner, with craft pizzas, salads, pasta dishes, and more available to order. Live music acts are on-site on the weekends too!

Things to Do Near Plano, Texas

A city skyline with some mirrored buildings under a sunset sky
Dallas is 25 minutes from Plano, so visiting for the day or a night out is a must!

Spend the day in Dallas

Dallas is one of Texas's most well-known cities and is about 25 minutes away from Plano. Spending a day exploring the city is a fun idea, and you can find many exciting and unique things to do in Dallas.

Activities range from admiring the views from Reunion Tower to going on a JFK assassination tour. Notably, you can find many fun things to do on a date in Dallas, making it an ideal location for a couples getaway.

🏨 Stay nearby Dallas

Hang out at Breckinridge Park

Going to Breckinridge Park is a great idea if you want to spend some time outdoors. Located ten minutes from central Plano, the park has multiple trails that take you through woodlands and past three ponds. There's also a play area for kids and sports facilities, including 12 soccer fields!

neilld/Depositphotos.com
A sign that says "Fort Worth Stock Yards" over a street with old-fashioned buildings
Fort Worth Stock Yards is one of many places to visit when in the city

Go to Fort Worth

Visiting Fort Worth has to be on your Texas bucket list! Conveniently, the city is just a 50-minute drive from Plano. When spending the day, you'll find no shortage of fun things to do in Fort Worth. Activities range from visiting the iconic Fort Worth Stock Yards to checking out honky tonk bars and getting some Texas BBQ.

🏨 Places to stay close to Fort Worth

Plan a trip to Wichita Falls

Wichita Falls is a city in North Texas that's two hours from Plano. It's a unique place to plan a day or overnight trip, and you'll discover many fun things to do when in Wichita Falls! Activities to add to your to-do list include seeing the " World's Littlest Skyscraper," visiting parks like Lake Arrowhead State Park, and enjoying the waterfalls at Lucy Park.

digidream/Depositphotos.com
A football-shaped stadium with a glass front and a sign that says "AT&T Stadium"
Seeing the Dallas Cowboys play at AT&T Stadium is one thing to do in Arlington

Visit Arlington

Arlington is located near Dallas and Fort Worth and is another excellent day trip location. Located 40 minutes from Plano, you'll find an array of attractions to enjoy in the area. Fun things to do in Arlington include going to a Dallas Cowboys or Texas Rangers game, enjoying a day at Six Flags, or seeing artworks at the Arlington Museum of Art.

🏨 Accommodations close to Arlington

Cuddle cats at The Charming Cat Cafe

If you love cats, one of the fun things to do near Plano, TX, that you won't want to miss is going to The Charming Cat Cafe. Located in Lewisville, 20 minutes from Plano, the cafe is home to many cute and adoptable kitties.

The cafe mimics a traditional cat foster home, with multiple individual rooms, all of which are themed. As you hang out, you can play with and pet the cats. You may even find a feline friend or two you'd like to adopt!

🏨 Stay near the Charming Cat Corner

In Conclusion

There's no shortage of fun and unique attractions in Plano, TX! Things to do in this Texan city include seeing animals at the Heritage Farmstead Museum, learning about trains at the Interurban Railway Museum, and shopping and dining at Legacy West.

You can also plan some fun day trips to destinations like Dallas and Fort Worth. Whether you check out all of these attractions or just a few, you will have a fun and memorable trip!

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Written by Alli Sewell

allisewell FORMER WRITER Currently based in Canada, Alli has also lived and worked in the UK and Brazil and traveled in North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. She loves finding the best photo-ops and food and drink locations wherever she goes.

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