Written by: Yocheved Schlachter, Texas Wanderers blog. Find more to do @Texas Wanderers.
Plano, TX is a suburb of Dallas, but a vacation destination in its own right. We spent a few days there and were astonished at the plethora of family-friendly activities in Plano. Whether you’re traveling with little kids, teens, or even just adults, you’ll definitely want to check out Plano for your next Texas vacation destination.
Here are just some of the incredibly fun things to do in Plano, TX. For a full list, check out the Visit Plano website!
Family Friendly Fun in PLANO, TX
Crayola Experience
Perhaps one of the most famous of the family-friendly things to do in Plano, TX is the Crayola Experience. Plan to spend at least half a day here, as there is just so much to explore.
When we first walked in, we were faced with several giant crayon machines where we used one of the tokens we received with our admission to customize our own crayon. We were able to select a color for our crayons and then design our very own labels, including a specific icon and crayon name. After the label printed, we made the mistake of trying to peel the sticker off and wrap the crayon on our own, which was pretty difficult. Luckily, we soon spied the crayon wrapping machine, where we were able to lay out the label and our crayon and pull the lever to roll the crayon over the wrapper, leaving us with a beautifully wrapped, custom Crayola crayon.
Next we were able to use the second token to get a package of modeling clay. We used the various tools they had available and pooled our colors to create a cute little parrot, based off the step by step instructions on a plaque at the table. We also got to take a selfie to print out on a cute coloring page background and color in a picture of each of us with a fun background, using crayons from a giant stash of thousands of colors.
There is a large indoor play structure suitable for kids ages 5-12, and the kids had a great time running around and sliding down. There is a smaller play area for little kids, too. We watched a movie about how Crayola crayons are made and then made our way over to the dozens of other activities. We melted crayons into spin art, painted with glow in the dark paint, made crayons into fun shapes, colored outfits and race cars that were displayed on the big screen, colored pictures and played games on tablets, decorated miniature whales with washable markers that we were able to wash right off and decorate again and again, and so much more!
Admission starts at $26.99 for ages 3+ when purchased online. They’re open 10am to 5pm Sunday-Friday and 10am to 6pm on Saturday.
The Texas Pool
If you’ve ever wanted to travel from El Paso to Houston in just a few minutes, this is your chance. The historic Texas Pool lets you swim all the way across Texas in a 168,000 gallon Texas-shaped pool. You can jump off the diving board into the 10 foot deep water in the panhandle, play volleyball across central Texas, wade in the shallow areas in the South Texas plains, or slide into the Rio Grande Valley.
Admission to The Texas Pool is $10 per person for guests over the age of 2. Note that while there are bathrooms, there are no changing rooms, so plan accordingly. Outside food is allowed, so feel free to bring a cooler and enjoy a picnic at one of their shaded picnic tables.
AcTIVATE GAMES
Activate is a great activity for older kids and adults. This high-tech, high-action gaming experience has you jumping, running, ducking, and climbing around any of ten different rooms to beat the game, or your opponent! There are ten different rooms, each with a different game that can be played in multiple ways on multiple levels. We loved the climbing wall, which is one game they don’t have at the Katy location back home.
The minimum age for Activate is 6 years old, but it’s really better suited for children 10 and up. Admission is $24.99 for weekdays and $29.99 on weekends.
PIPE & PALETTE SPLATTER PAINT
Prepare for a messy experience! We suited up in a poncho, plastic shoe & leg covers, a hair net, hood, and goggles to get ready for our splatter painting session. First we taped off our canvas to create the design we were looking for. We were also able to use stickers for more precise designs.
After we painted the whole canvas a solid color, over our taped lines and designs, the fun began. We had a great time splattering our paint all over our canvases, and once we were satisfied with how they looked, we were able to use the paint to splatter each other, as well! The kids loved the splatter war!
Once the paint dried, we peeled off the tape and enjoyed our masterpieces.
PINSTACK
Pinstack was perhaps the most high-tech amusement center I’ve been to. They offer arcades, laser tag, rock climbing, bumper cars, giant foosball, a ropes course, and bowling. The arcade games all looked state-of-the-art and they had some really unique ones I’d never seen before, like dodge ball!
At the bowling alley, we were able to pick from a variety of bowling games, each complete with its own set of characters projected on the lanes that reacted to every throw. I never knew there was more than one way to play a game of bowling, but apparently there are many! We loved the cute little characters dancing on the lane every time we bowled.
SOUTHFORK RANCH HORSEBACK RIDE
Just minutes outside Plano, we were able to visit Southfork Ranch, where the TV show, Dallas, was filmed. You can tour the mansion and the grounds, as well as a little museum, and then when you’re done, you can saddle up for a trail ride. The wranglers were so good with the kids, one of whom was terrified at the beginning and dismounted at the end asking when we can go horseback riding next!
LEGACY WEST SHOPPING
For an upscale shopping experience, or to just window shop, you definitely need to check out the Legacy West shopping center. This outdoor shopping center features fountains, cafes, and shops like Aritzia, Lululemon, Madewell, Tiffany & Co., and more. There is even a storefront for Peloton and Tesla!
ARBOR HILLS NATURE PRESERVE
This beautiful nature preserve spans 200 acres with paved and unpaved trails for biking, walking, running, and hiking. There’s also a playground and multiple picnic areas. We visited just before sunset during the summer and while the park was full of people running and walking, it still felt like a quiet escape from the city.
WHERE TO STAY
HILTON DALLAS/PLANO GRANITE PARK
We stayed at the Hilton Dallas/Plano Granite Park, which was perfectly located just minutes from all of Plano’s top attractions. The hotel itself is beautiful. The lobby features a full bar and multiple seating areas, each focused around a TV, or the giant gas fireplace. Outside is another large seating area with fire pits and a small pool. There’s also a fitness center and an on-site restaurant. The hotel sits on a beautiful man-made lake across from The Boardwalk at Granite Park, where you can find numerous restaurants and bars.
