**EEK!! I accidentally posted this yesterday, then headed to Kinder Splash Day, and didn’t realize until it had been up for hours. So sorry, if you saw it yesterday!**
One of the questions I get asked/e-mailed a lot is
“What are your favorite things to see/do in Dallas?”.
I’m doing my best to answer part of that question today. I’ve lived in the metroplex (that’s what we call the whole Dallas/Ft. Worth area) since 2005 and while I definitely haven’t seen it all, I’ve had my fair share of fun.
I sat down to write this about the entire Dallas/Ft. Worth area and got stuck on my own town, so today I’m sharing McKinney and next week I’m sharing the rest of the DFW area.
Local girls, I’d LOVE for you to add to this list. Please comment away with your faves. 🙂
I HAD to start the list off with my favorite town in the area, right? McKinney!
Our downtown area has the cutest shops, stores, and restaurants. I’d definitely recommend eating a meal and enjoying a stroll around the square.
Some favorites with kids…
Spoon’s has delicious breakfast that is served all day!
Delicious pizza!! I recommend the “Smoky Pie”….brisket, bacon, barbeque sauce, onions, and cheese? Yes, please! It’s my fave!
This spot has the most delicious pies EVER!!
Square Burger (apparently doesn’t have a website?)
This restaurant makes boutique style burgers and all the fixin’s. Think fried pickles, sweet potato fries, etc. My kids love a burger so they’re fans of Square Burger, for sure!
I haven’t made it to this spot either, but I’ve heard great things. This lunch location has an awesome mission…to provide special needs adults with training and employment opportunities all the while serving up lunch.
Favorites without kids…
I’m not even sure what “sugarbacon” is. But I know when you add some of that deliciousness to a burger the end result is YUMMY!
This is one of my favorite places for Girl’s Night. I’m a big fan of the crunchy crab tacos and the deviled eggs. Because that combo always goes together. ha! It doesn’t sound like it should, but trust me-it totally does.
This spot is perfect for date night! Delicious steaks are on the menu.
You can totally take your kiddos to this spot. If the weather is nice, you can eat outside. They have great sandwiches. Bowen’s fave is the grilled cheese. My favorite is when he doesn’t eat it all and then I can “help” him.
Snug has my very favorite sandwiches. I’m talking pimento cheese, jalapenos, AND bacon. Yes, ma’am!
I haven’t had a chance to check out this spot on my own, but Tab went with a couple neighborhood guys. He thought it was a cool spot. It’s a brewery that has live music most nights, games for all ages, and they have special food brought in every weekend (might be open only on weekends). When I checked the calendar this is all coming up…Tennessee style hot chicken, bbq, and burgers.
Another favorite area in town is Adriatica. This spot has homes, a wedding chapel, office buildings, restaurants, and a Starbuck’s. 🙂
And it happens to be gorgeous. 🙂
Cavalli’s Pizzeria is our favorite place in Adriatica. Wood-fire pizza and delicious salads!
Mesa’s Mexican Grill is our favorite Mexican food in McKinney. It’s a bonus that it’s SO close to our house!
If you have small kids, there’s a new Playstreet Museum in McKinney that is really fun for littles. It’s super clean and has a “town” set up including a farm with a cow you can pretend to milk. (Bowen talks about that cow STILL.)
For older kids (we haven’t tried this out yet but I’ve heard great things) there’s a new Ninja Warrior Kids. I think it’s obstacle courses-kind of like the show American Ninja Warrior but for kids.
We also have the Heard Museum in McKinney. It’s a cool (mostly) outdoor natural science museum. They have special exhibits throughout the year. We went last year to check out the dinosaurs with the grandparents.
Throw in some fun parks, pools, our church, and friends and you have one of my most favorite places on earth. 🙂
Seriously, if you come to the Dallas area, you should set aside a day to check out the fun (and food) in McKinney.
And please local girls….add your faves!
What a cute town with so many things to offer! It reminds me of a Hallmark movie! 🙂
That's so funny! That first picture totally looks like a Hallmark movie!
oh Snug! How I love thee… it makes me feel all hipster and stuff. Totally not like a mom who can't fit her massive stroller in there. I wear my TOMS, with highly distressed jeans,a grey simple t-shirt, and a thick head band, while I sip my coffee when I go there. Haha! Love this post girl!
Haha! You're too funny! I agree though-super hipster but THE best sandwiches!
This is awesome. My best friend and I are huge fans of you and Shay (we're from Boston) and because of the two of you we were interested in visiting Texas and possibly making a day trip to McKinney! So this is really helpful. Looking forward to the Things to do in Dallas post.
Thanks for sharing!! Yes, it's coming Monday. 🙂
All those restaurants are making me hungry! Loved this post! 👍🏼
I was hungry just writing it. 🙂
Oh I love McKinney, TX! Your list is spot-on friend! I would add that our charming little square has so many fun seasonal activities/parades/festivals that cannot be missed either! Loved this post!
So true!! I'm glad you added this! Yes, all kinds of festivals and events happen downtown!
What a great little guide to our town! I just love living here!
I also realized I forgot to add the name of the brewery. Tupp's Brewery! And it's listed as a place without kids but from what I've heard it's totally kid-friendly!
We really do live in an amazing town!! Love it! Your list is perfect, girl!!
My kids are allllll about some ninja warrior. Is this part of the play street museum or seperate? We may need to add this to our summer bucket list.
Everything looks sooooo fun. Do you guys have a trade days…kinda like Canton?
Thanks
Lesley McFarland
http://Www.kltfamily.blogspot.com
Great review! You should go work in tourism for McKinney 🙂
Love your town! If I ever make it to Texas, I know where I'm going!
The Pantry is another great family friendly restaurant! We hit it up after church on Sunday's sometimes. 🙂 Rick's is delicious too and so is Emporium Pies! I think I need to meet you up for a girls night with Ann Marie in McKinney this summer!
Couple of things…
1. McKinney looks so charming! Such a sweet place to raise your family. I live in a bigger city so I love that small town charm!
2. I've never in my life ordered a deviled egg at a restaurant. I'm trying to think if I've ever even seen a deviled egg offered at a restaurant!
Spot on with all these places! I can't get enough of Downtown and all the good places to eat. Snug probably has to be my favorite for the food AND coffee. Next time you go to Sugarbacon, order the actual sugar bacon as an appetizer…ridiculous! We love The Pantry too with kids. I have yet to try Patina Green. And Ryan and I were just talking about going to Mesa Grill, but then went to Cristina's instead (our spot). Someone told me I need to take B to that Ninja Warrior place…that it'd be right up his alley but we haven't gone.
We love going to all the different parks in McKinney, especially with splash pads in the summer. Every now and then they'll show a movie at the park around town.
And about Ricks…you MUST go during their brunch on Sunday's. It is amazing. You have to call ahead as it's always booked, but it's so great. I'd suggest not going with kids though.
Thank you for posting this! We are visiting in two weeks! Would love to hear any insight into the stockyards/rodeo that you might have. And possibly a good aquarium.
This is perfect timing! I was just looking at the map for our trip to Springfield later this month and we will drive right through McKinney and more than likely it will be in time to stop for a quick bite!
Shelly||The Queen in Between
Great minds think alike, Erika! I did a similar post a few weeks ago, but I combined all the DFW area…with lots of McKinney thrown in! I would love for you to check it out. http://simplyaroughdraft.blogspot.com/2016/04/you-ask-me-what-i-like-about-texas-dfw.html
I love mckinney!! It really has the best downtown and restaurants. The donut kitchen is really yummy too. They have a great lunch menu. Have you checked it out yet?? I love patina green. Yum!!!! Okay now I need a visit!!!!!!!
Yes!! They have a delicious egg frittata breakfast sandwich!!
Erika, I always love to read your blog! It feels like I know your kiddos on a first-hand basis! ha! I'm forwarding this one to Matthew as he will be moving to Texas later in the fall. This will give him some ideas for weekends. Thanks!