Spring Adventures in Plano 2018

No matter how mild winter is, it’s always nice to look forward to spring and its warmer weather! It’s time to get outside and enjoy the outdoors before the onslaught of 90 degree summer days hit North Texas. We’ve come up with a list of spring adventures here in Plano, so get out, explore, and tag your photos #loveplano.

New Attractions

Bring the family to the brand new Crayola Experience where visitors can explore the 60,000 square foot attraction that Parents Magazine calls one of the “Top 10 Trips to Take Before Your Kid Turns 10.” Experience 22 hands-on attractions inspired by Crayola products and their technologies. Visitors can name and wrap their own Crayola crayon, star in a coloring page, create melted wax spin-art, and learn how crayons are made in a live factory show. Don’t forget to check out the retail store!

Legacy West is the largest mixed use destination in North Texas and the perfect place to play, shop, dine, and stay. The 255-acre development boasts 415,000 dynamic square feet of open-air retail and restaurant space. Diners can satisfy every craving, whether for steak or a good old-fashioned milk shake, Spanish tapas, a perfect plate of pasta, or a red velvet cupcake.

Legacy West’s shopping offerings run the gamut from fashion to furnishings to cosmetics and even cars (think Tesla). After a day of retail therapy, shoppers won’t have to go very far to set down their spoils, since this urban village is anchored by the new Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel. The 15 story, 304-room luxury property features a high energy lobby and bar, an on-site Asian fusion restaurant, a third floor amenity deck with swimming pool, a bar concierge lounge, fitness center and outdoor event space.

If you haven’t heard of Plano’s newest foodie attraction, check out the European-style Legacy Food Hall at Legacy West with 22 chef-driven food stalls. You can even get a brewery tour every Saturday at noon, 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. of the third floor brewery – Unlawful Assembly Brewery + Tap Room.  Each tour costs $15 per participant and includes a limited release UABC beer glass, and two complimentary beers. No RSVP or pre-registration necessary. Must be 21+ to attend. Don’t forget to check out the Box Garden Grand Opening party May 17-20!

Across from the luxurious patio of the 299-room Hilton Dallas/Plano Granite Park sits a new 30,000 square foot restaurant park in Granite Park called The Boardwalk. Chips Old Fashioned Hamburgers, Hookline, and Union Bear are the newest restaurants to join the development and five more restaurants are set to open this spring and summer. Come for a round a corn hole by the waterfront fire pit and stay for dinner!

More Shopping, Dining & Live Music

The Shops at Legacy is a great place to spend a few hours when the weather gets warmer. Walk the urban development featuring a wide variety of upscale shopping from clothing and jewelry to home furnishings and specialty items. You’ll also find the Angelika Film Center & Cafe, a stylish five-screen boutique cinema devoted to independent specialty films. You will also find some of Dallas’ best restaurants, including Bob’s Steak & Chop House, Jasper’s, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, and Mexican Sugar.

The Downtown Plano Arts District holds something for everyone….shopping, dining, nightlife, and culture. Unique and one-of-a-kind stores and boutiques line the brick street. In addition to shopping, you can stop for a bite to eat at one of the many eateries and enjoy the spring air over a cold drink at Urban Crust’s 32 Degrees rooftop bar or on other patios like Brix Bar & Grill, The Fillmore Pub, and Urban Rio. Events not to miss: the Downtown Plano Art & Wine Walks, Plano Artfest, and Night out on 15^th.

Plano’s live music scene is stronger than ever before. Even locals may be surprised to learn there are more than 25 venues across the city that offer some sort of live music on a regular basis. From hip restaurants to unique venues like McCall Plaza, you’re bound to find something close by that interests you. Be sure to get your tickets for Beatles Night 2018 at Oak Point Park Amphitheater (pictured in the cover photo)! Check out our page dedicated live music in Plano for more. 

FOR THE OUTDOORSMAN THIS SPRING

Plano has more than 56 miles of recreational trails open to the public. Chances are there’s a trail near you. Get trail information here including downloadable trail maps. Two major parks in Plano offer great opportunities to connect with the outdoors. Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve is 800 acres and has 3.5 miles of concrete trails and 5 miles of soft trails along Rowlett Creek. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is a 200-acre park with hike and bike trails, a 2-mile walking trail and stunning views of the prairie and forest. And now, due to a partnership between the City of Plano, Toyota, American Park Network and Time Warner Cable, free Wi-Fi is now available at some city parks and recreation centers. Also, check out our list of where to see the best bluebonnets in Plano!

With more than 56 miles of trails criss-crossing the city, biking is a great way to see Plano. You can even find the routes on Google! Practice your swing and play a round of golf at Pecan Hollow, Ridgeview Ranch, The Club at Los Rios, and the Courses at Watters Creek. If you’d rather take your adventure above ground, check out Go Ape Treetop Adventure course at Oak Point Park which is made up of numerous rope ladders, 39 exciting crossings, and five zip lines!

The lake at Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve is open for kayaking, canoeing and stand up paddle boarding from dawn to dusk. Bring your own watercraft (canoe, kayak, or stand up paddle board) and see Plano’s largest park from a new perspective, for free! Click here for more information.

FOR THE HISTORY BUFFS THIS SPRING

Explore the Heritage Farmstead Museum as it preserves a way of life during the height of farm prosperity in the early 1900’s. The beautiful Victorian home and 12 outbuildings was the hub of a 360-acre farm operated by local resident, Ammie Wilson.  Next head down the street to the Interurban Railway Museum. Plano transportation history is brought back to life with this interesting and free exhibit. Once a vital part of the Texas Electric Railway which stretched from Denison to Waco, the Interurban represents the original electric cars that ran on the tracks through Plano.

For more events in Plano this spring, view our event calendar. 

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