Planning a vacation to any place can be both very exciting and daunting, especially if it is to a city you have never visited before. Apart from being home to a number of tourist attractions including beautiful historic sites, charming neighborhoods and verdant parks, this city has also been ranked as the number one best place to live in America by Money Magazine. To make your planning much easier, we have compiled a list of things to see and do in McKinney in just one day. To get the maximum out of your holiday, wear comfortable walking shoes and rent or hire a car, so that you can roam at your own leisure.
Breakfast at 08:00 am
Start your day early in the morning with a delicious and hearty breakfast at Bill Smith Cafe (1510 W University Drive). Founded in the year 1956, this quaint breakfast joint is known for their freshly prepared food. From pies, biscuits, gravy to yeast rolls, everything is made from scratch. Snug on the Square (109 N Kentucky Street) is another popular breakfast place in the city, known for its waffles, coffee and sandwiches.
Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary at 09:00 am
After breakfast, head to one of the most important and popular tourist attractions of McKinney - Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary. Founded in 1967, this interactive and exciting museum helps to bring you and your family one step closer to nature through a number of exhibits. The sanctuary is home to 50 acres of wetlands, 289 acres of wildlife sanctuary, 2 acres of native plant garden, butterfly house, 5 hiking trails and several indoor and outdoor displays. While inside, visitors can discover natural history collections of minerals, sea shells, fossils and mammal skins and on the outside, they can explore the various eco-gardens that are preserved in their natural state.
Address: 1 Nature Pl, McKinney, TX 75069, United States
Phone: 1 972 562 5566
Timings: 09:00 am to 05:00 pm (Tuesday to Saturday), 01:00 pm to 05:00 pm (Sunday), Monday Closed
Website:
http://www.heardmuseum.org/Distance from Downtown McKinney: 5.7 miles or 9 minutes drive
Towne Lake Recreation Area at 11:00 am
Spread over 108 acres, Towne Lake Recreation Area is the perfect place to spend time with friends and family. It features a number of activities for both children and adults including picnic shelters, horseshoe pitching courts, volleyball courts, hiking and biking trails, restrooms, 18 hole golf course, parking and pavilions (reservation required). Other than that, the park is also home to a 22 acre stunning lake that is complete with fishing piers, fountains and paddleboats.
Address: 1405 Wilson Creek Parkway, McKinney, TX 75069, United States
Phone: 1 972 542 4865
Timings: 09:00 am to 05:00 pm (Monday to Sunday)
Website:
https://www.mckinneytexas.org/Distance from Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary: 4.3 miles or 9 minutes drive
Main Street at 12:30 pm
This is one of the first places shoppers usually visit in McKinney. Surrounded by a quaint and small town atmosphere, Main Street is filled with numerous restaurants, cafes and old buildings, some as old as 165 years. Moreover, with various events like the Oktoberfest taking place over here, this street is the heart of the city. Apart from admiring this beautiful neighborhood, shoppers can also indulge in a plethora of antique shops, boutiques and art galleries.
Phone: 1 972 547 2660
Timings: 10:00 am to 05:00 pm (Monday to Saturday), 12:00 pm to 05:00 pm (Sunday)
Website:
https://www.mckinneytexas.org/Distance from Towne Lake Recreation Area: 2.5 miles or 7 minutes drive
Lunch at 01:30 pm
If you love Mexican food, then head towards El Juarez Mexican Restaurant (311 E Louisiana Street). With polite and friendly staff, this offers some of the most delicious Mexican food in the city. If you want something unique, then head to Patina Green Home and Market (116 N Tennessee St #102). A restaurants and a market, this place offers dishes that are made with locally sourced ingredients. Another popular place for lunch in the city is Square Burger (115 N Kentucky Street), known for their delicious grass-fed beef burgers.
Chestnut Square Historic Village at 02:30 pm
As the name suggests, Chestnut Square Historic Village is a popular historic neighborhood in the city of McKinney. It is home to 6 gorgeous homes that were built between the period of 1853 and 1918, one room school house, a chapel, boarding houses and a general store. Other than that, the village also houses a blacksmith, a smoke house, gardens and a reception house. Moreover, the entire experience becomes even more realistic with volunteers dressed up in historic costumes demonstrating skills needed to live during the 19th century.
Address: 315 S Chestnut St, McKinney, TX 75069, United States
Phone: 1 972 562 8790
Timings: 09:00 am to 03:00 pm (Tuesday to Friday), Saturday to Monday Closed
Website: http://www.chestnutsquare.org/Distance from El Juarez Mexican Restaurant: 0.3 miles or 7 minutes walk
Collin County History Museum at 03:30 pm
Also called The North Texas History Center, the Collin County Historical Society and Museum is a popular tourist spot. It is home to the largest collection of artifacts representing the North Texas History. Some popular exhibits are Cowboys and Cattledrives, Pioneering Roots and Texas’ Role in the Civil War. Each display in the museum represents the life of settlers that came to North Texas. It was established in the year 1957 as a part of the Collin County Historical Society.
Address: 300 E Virginia St, McKinney, TX 75069, United States
Phone: 1 972 542 9457
Timings: 10:00 am to 04:00 pm (Thursday to Sunday), Monday to Wednesday Closed
Website:
http://www.collincountyhistoricalsociety.org/Distance from Chestnut Square Historic Village: 0.4 miles or 8 minutes walk
Old Collin County Courthouse at 04:30 pm
The Old Collin County Courthouse was founded at the same time William Davis donated 120 acres of land to the government for the city. Since the county was established, there have been 4 courthouses. The current one represents the period when cotton played a major role. Restored in 2006 and built in a Greek architecture style, the courthouse reflects the equality and justice of the government.
Address: 221 N. Tennessee St., McKinney, TX 75069
Phone: 1 972 547 7416
Website: https://www.mckinneytexas.org/Distance from Collin County History Museum: 0.1 miles or 3 minutes walk
Lone Star Wine Cellars at 05:30 pm
Known for its luscious Texan Wine, Lone Star Wine Cellars is another famous tourist spot in the city. A laid back wine bar, visitors can indulge in their wide collection of wine. There is also a quaint restaurant nearby, from where guests can bring their food to go with the wine. Lone Star also offers live entertainment and music on weekends for the guests.
Address: 103 E Virginia St, McKinney, TX 75069, United States
Phone: 1 972 547 9463
Timings: 02:00 pm to 09:00 pm (Tuesday to Thursday), 02:00 pm to 11:00 pm (Friday), 11:00 am to 11:00 pm (Saturday), 02:00 pm to 07:00 pm (Sunday), Monday Closed
Website:
https://www.lonestarwinecellars.com/Distance from Old Collin County Courthouse: 256 feet or 1 minute walk
Dinner at 08:00 pm
For dinner in an upscale setting, tourists can head to Rick’s Chophouse (107 N Kentucky Street). Located in The Grand Hotel and Ballroom, this place is known for its filet, sea bass, wedge salads, burgers and crab cakes in a charming yet comfortable ambiance. Another great restaurant for fresh cuts is Hutchins BBQ & Catfish (301 N Tennessee Street) in McKinney.
Explore McKinney’s Nightlife at 10:00 pm
For the delicious combination of freshly made pizza, beer and pulsating music, head to Cadillac Pizza Pub (112 S Kentucky Street). Also known as ‘The Cady’, this place is one of the most popular nightlife spots in the city. However, if you are in a mood for something more relaxing, head to The Pub McKinney (204 W Virginia Street), known for its fully stocked bar, wide variety of cocktails and a comfortable environment.
A Complete Map Guide of 24 Hours in McKinney
