Ranked as one of the top places to live in the country by Money Magazine, McKinney is a beautiful historic city with a unique identity and a plethora of family-owned businesses. Even though it is located just 30 minutes from the largest urban center in Texas, the city has a completely different atmosphere and ambience than Dallas. Besides being home to a number of 19 century buildings and structures, the city also houses a number of other tourist attractions including art galleries, museums, parks, historic sites and much more. Here are some popular tourist spots in the city of McKinney:
Chestnut Square Historic Village
Located just a few minutes drive from Downtown McKinney, Chestnut Square Historic Village is definitely a must-visit in the city. Home to six beautiful historic homes between the period of 1853 and 1918, a chapel, one-room school house, general store and a boarding house, the village transforms you back to the earliest days. The grounds of the village are also home to a blacksmith, reception house and gardens, and a smoke house. Moreover, the experience becomes even more realistic when you are greeted by several volunteers dressed up in historic costumers, who also demonstrate the skills that were required to live in the 19th century. Several guided tours are also offered here.
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/
Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary
Founded in the year 1967, this beautiful and interactive museum brings you and your family in direct contact with nature via a number of exhibits. It is also one of the most important attractions in the city. Home to a 289 acre wildlife sanctuary, 50 acres of wetlands, 5 hiking trails, butterfly house, 2 acre native plant garden, live animals and a number of indoor and outdoor displays, the museum welcomes more than a 100,000 tourists every year.
While inside, tourists can explore a variety of natural history collections like minerals, mammal skins, fossils and sea shells and on the outside, they can browse through the various gardens where the eco-systems have been preserved in their natural state. The hiking and walking trails offer a chance for the visitors to explore the butterfly gardens, bird sanctuaries, native plants and a Pioneer Village featuring eight miniature structures that imitate the prairie settlements during the 1800’s.
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/
Towne Lake Recreation Area
As the name suggests, Towne Lake Recreation Area is the perfect place in the city to spend time with friends and family. Spread over 108 acres, this beautiful neighborhood park is home to several activities for both children and adults. The park offers picnic shelters, volleyball courts, horseshoe pitching courts, restrooms, hiking and biking trails, an 18 hole golf course, pavilions (reservation required) and abundant parking. On top of that, the park is set around this stunning 22 acre lake, which is complete with fountains, fishing piers and paddleboats for the guests. Towne Lake Recreation Area is the ideal place to relax during those lazy days.
Address: 1405 Wilson Creek Pkwy, 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/
Mitas Hill Vineyard & Winery
If you love wine tasting, then this is the place for you. Located just outside the city, Mitas Hill Vineyard & Winery is a gorgeous winery known for their Zinfandel, Black Spanish, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Venus wines. Their heavily laden vines and a wooden background make them highly unique and exciting. At Mitas Hill, they produce more than 15000 gallons wine each year. Visitors can either take a guided tour of the winery or relax at their restaurant with a glass of wine and freshly made pizzas.
Address: 2300 Vineyard Hill Lane, McKinney, TX 75071, United States
Phone: 1 972 316 7991
Timings: 05:00 pm to 09:00 pm (Wednesday and Thursday), 05:00 pm to 09:00 pm (Friday), 11:00 am to 10:00 pm (Saturday), 11:00 am to 07:00 pm (Sunday), Monday and Tuesday Closed
Website:
https://www.mitashill.com/
Franconia Brewing Company
Founded in the year 2008 by Dennis Wehrmann, an experienced brewer from Germany, Franconia Brewing Company is known for its beer heritage that dates back to the 1800’s. This place is known for offering some of the best and authentic Bavarian beer in the state. Several guided tours are also offered over here that explain the entire process of how malt barley, yeast, hops and water are combined and fermented to make this famous beer. Moreover, you get to taste the beer that they make at the end of the tour!
Address: 495 McKinney Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75071, United States
Phone: 1 (972) 542 0705
Timings: 11:00 am to 1:30 pm (Saturday), Sunday to Friday Closed
Website: http://franconiabrewing.com/Franconia/
Lone Star Wine Cellars
As the wine industry in the state is growing by the year, Texan wine is becoming quite popular among wine tasters. Lone Star Wine Cellars is the perfect example of delicious Texan wine. Tourists can visit this laid back wine bar and sample some of their best wines. There is also a small take out restaurant nearby, from where visitors can also bring in food to eat along with wine. This place also offers music and entertainment on weekends.
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/
A Complete Map Guide of Best Tourist Spots in McKinney
