Though it sits outside the ever-sprawling Metropolis of Dallas, McKinney has found a way to keep its small town charm. With a bustling town square, hundreds of years of preserved history and alot of good eatin', it's a great place to slow down for a day.
Culture
Sitting on the square, the Groovy Coop is a novelty and totally groovy antique shop! Find everything from funky artwork to retro video games and records!
The old 1874 Collin County Courthouse in the middle of the square has been turned into the McKinney Performing Arts Center. The courts have been swapped out for a stage, and some folks even think it might be haunted!
The Collin County History Museum in the old post office is the perfect place to start a historic tour. There’s even an augmented reality app you can download for the exhibits to see how the city has changed over the years. It’s pretty cool!
Chestnut Square Historic Village is 2 city blocks full of homes and stores dating back to the beginning of McKinney in the 1850s! It’s awesome to see how well preserved this history is. And it even comes alive with demonstrations on certain days, like a fully working replica of a blacksmith shop!
Food
Calling all shoppers and barbecue junkies — stop in at this market for the B.O.B. (brisket on a biscuit with jalapeno blackberry jelly, that is) and stay for the shelves of fresh baked cookies, sweet smelling soaps and handmade candles.
This is the “people’s backyard.” A place where the locals come to hang, eat, drink and play. Serving up delicious “Tex-Ranch” style cuisine out of a historic home, every night is a block party!
Locally popped and flavored in over 50 “popcoctions,” this is every popcorn-lovers dream. Try the wild combos like jalapeno caramel popcorn or go crazy with a little mac-n-cheese-flavored popcorn. Sweet-tooths are also in for a treat, because it’s also an awesome candy shop.
This old grocery store warehouse-turned upscale-restaurant is probably not what you picture a Texas BBQ joint to look like. But Local Yocal Bar & Grill is taking fire and meat to another level. Sure, they serve up the traditional ‘que, but they’ve also got a dry-aged 20-oz Wagyu Bone-In Ribeye that’s to die for.
Outdoors
Outside is 289 acres of wetlands, prairies and forests. Inside is tons of exhibits on our local environment and (most importantly) LEMURS. It’s a wild time.
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McKinney, TX
