Ranked at the Number 1 Best Place to Live in America by Money Magazine in the year 2014, McKinney is one of the most upcoming tourist spots in the state of Texas. With a population of 131,117 (US Census 2010), McKinney is also the 19th most populous city in the state. It has also been ranked as the fastest growing city in the nation between the years of 2000 and 2003 and again, in 2006. With a rich culture and history, the city is home to a number of tourist attractions that attract a myriad of visitors each year.
History of McKinney
On 24th March 1849, William Davis donated 120 acres of land, out of the 3000 acres he owned, for the location of McKinney city. Ten years later, the city was incorporated and in the year 1913, McKinney assumed the commission form of government.
The city and the county are named after Collin McKinney, the congressman for the Red River District of Republic of Texas and the signer of Texas Declaration of Independence. For the initial 125 years, the city operated as the main commercial center for Collin County. It provided farmers with not just various essentials including flour, cotton mills, corn, cotton compress, cotton gins and cottonseed oil mill, but also other services like banks, schools, churches, newspapers and an opera house.
Important Locations in McKinney
Surrounded by lush greenery, the city of McKinney is a great place to visit in the state of Texas. Apart from that, the city is also home to a number of museums, art galleries and other recreational activities for the tourists. Here are some popular places for tourists to explore in McKinney:
Historic Downtown McKinney
McKinney’s historic downtown center has something for everyone. From quaint restaurants, interesting local shopping to events and other types of entertainment, one can never get bored over here. It is also one of the oldest successful downtown centers in the state of Texas. Home to more than 100 shops and restaurants, McKinney’s Downtown center also houses a number of art galleries, fashion boutiques and home decor stores.
Address: 111 N Tennessee St, McKinney, TX 75069, United States
Phone: 1 972 547 2660
Website: http://www.mckinneytexas.org/567/Explore-Downtown
Old Collin County Courthouse
Established at the same time William Davis donated 120 acres of land to the government for the city site, the Old Collin County Courthouse is yet another significant historic location in McKinney. Since the county was created, there have been 4 courthouses in the square. The current courthouse in the city represents the era when cotton was the king. The Greek architecture of the courthouse represents equality and justice of the government. It was restored in the year 2006 and now serves as the McKinney Performing Arts Center.
Address: 221 N. Tennessee St., McKinney, TX 75069
Phone: 1 972 547 7416
Website:
https://www.mckinneytexas.org/
Collin County History Museum
Also known as The North Texas History Center, the Collin County Historical Society and Museum is a popular stop for visitors. It has the largest collection of artifacts representing the North Texas History. Some popular exhibits include Cowboys and Cattledrives, Pioneering Roots and Texas’ Role in the Civil War. Each exhibit in the museum focuses on the life of settlers that came to North Texas. It was founded 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
Website: http://www.collincountyhistoricalsociety.org/
People and Culture of McKinney
According to the 2010 Census of United States of America, McKinney had a population of 131,117. This city is a dwelling for several racial compositions including White (74.8%), Hispanic (18.6%), African American (10.5%), Native American (0.7%), Asians (4.1%), Pacific Islander (0.1%) and Two or more Races (3.1%).
Time Zone and Phone Codes of McKinney
McKinney is in the Central Time Zone (UTC – 6). The Summer Daylight Saving Time (DST) is Central Daylight Time (UTC − 5).
Standard Time Zone: UTC – 6 hours
Daylight Saving Time: UTC – 5 hours
Daylight Saving Time: 1 hour
Time Zone Abbreviation: CST, CDT
Phone Codes of McKinney
McKinney Area Code: 214, 469, 972
International Country Code: 1
Best Time to Visit McKinney
The best time to visit the city of McKinney is between the months of March and May, and September and November. However, keep in mind that spring season is also the main tourist season over here. Therefore, most hotel prices would be high and advance booking would be required. Fall season brings about a relief in the hot temperatures along with reduced tourist traffic, which is best for people who are not a fan of crowded places. Winter season is ideal for those who prefer the chilly winds to the hot sun. Moreover, fewer tourists along with great hotel deals make it quite an attractive season for travelers on budget.
Seasonal Events and Festivals in McKinney
Krewe of Barkus Mardi Gras Dog Parade (February)
Music in the Garden and Ladies Night Out (April)
Arts in Bloom (April)
Bike the Bricks (May)
Killis Melton Ice Cream Crank-Off (June)
Flamefest Soccer Tournament (June)
Red, White and BOOM! (July)
Mickey Mantle World Series (August)
Oktoberfest (September)
Dinosaurs Live! (October to February)
Halloween at the Heard (October)
Scare on the Square (October)
Legends of McKinney Ghost Tours (October)
Dickens of a Christmas (November)
Believe 1 Mile / 5K / 10K Run (November)
Holiday Tour of Homes (December)
Holiday Trail of Lights (December)
McKinney Map Guide
