Moving to (or Visiting) Collin County? Here Are Our Top 5 Areas to Explore!

Moving somewhere new can be extremely daunting. And showcasing your town to visitors in a way that does it justice can be a ton of pressure. Lucky for you, Collin County Moms has you covered! Here’s a list of our favorite areas in Collin County, each with limitless potential for fun, entertainment, and unforgettable dining experiences.

lil' red flower truck downtown McKinney
Lil’ Red Flower Truck in Historic Downtown McKinney

1. Historic Downtown McKinney

Local Yocal

BBQ and Grill or Farm to Market, Local Yocal has you covered with quintessential Texas dining experiences. This favorite among natives serves up locally sourced, fresh, grass-fed beef, cooked to order in their restaurant or packaged in their butcher shop for you to prepare at home.

Enjoy a Steak 101 class with Local Yocal’s owner, Matt Hamilton. Courses include educational information on the meat industry, beef and steak cuts, and grilling (with samples, too!).

TUPPS Brewery

This local craft beer hotspot will be moving to the 120-year-old grain mill in the heart of McKinney later this year (2022). Enjoy live music, events, and fun for the whole family on this new four-acre, 40,000-sq.-ft., state-of-the-art brewery, complete with retail and dining areas. In the meantime, you can still visit the original location—always a great time!

The Yard

Another super family-friendly option, this casual, outdoor dining space feels more like a backyard get-together than a restaurant. Enjoy tacos, burgers, and drinks while the kids play corn hole or giant Connect Four.

Hutchins BBQ

This local favorite serves Texas classics such as tender, moist, slow-smoked brisket with an outrageously flavorful bark. Dine in for an authentic, Texas atmosphere or cater your backyard pool party, and you’re sure to have full bellies and smiling faces all around.

Collin County History Museum

Are you or someone you know a history fanatic? Schedule your tour inside this historic post office today! You’ll leave feeling like a Collin County history scholar. Or tour the entire downtown square!

2. Legacy West | Plano

Mesero

Contemporary Mexican food for the traveling (or new-in-town) foodie.

Haywire

Texas comfort food with a modern flair!

child eating pizza at legacy food hall

Legacy Food Hall

Satisfy the diverse cravings of the whole family with 20+ options of restaurants and bars, all while enjoying live music and frequent special events.

Iconic/Exclusive Food Chains

Visit Starbucks Reserve, Shake Shack, Sprinkles (complete with a 24/7 cupcake ATM, perfect for late-night cravings) and more!

Upscale Retail

Shop ’til you drop at an array of fashion and retail locations, such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Madewell, Tesla, and Peloton.

legacy west at night, best areas in Collin County
Legacy West in Plano

3. The Boardwalk at Granite Park | Plano

Union Bear Brewing Co.

This trendy take on a microbrewery feels more like a West Coast getaway than a suburban Dallas watering hole. Indoor or outdoor, the casual yet elegant ambiance is sure to please any out-of-towner’s taste.

The Biscuit Bar

Get your Southern cookin’ fix at this casual Collin County eatery. Indulge in classic biscuits and sausage gravy or sweeten things up with a decadent Hot Chocolate Biscuit (which is more like a s’more than hot chocolate).

Farmer’s Market at the Boardwalk

Local vendors sell their handmade items and fresh produce at this waterfront farmer’s market. Come for the shopping, stay for the food!

4. Grandscape | The Colony

Andretti Indoor Karting & Games

Take fun to a new level at this indoor, high-speed playground for big kids.

Electric Game Box

State-of-the-art, fully immersive virtual reality gaming for groups of kids (and kids-at-heart).

Grandscape Wheel

Technically just outside county lines, the air-conditioned view of Collin County from the top of the Grandscape Ferris wheel will wow any out-of-towner.

kids high in the grandscape ferris wheel, best areas in Collin County

Hard Eight BBQ

Get your Texas BBQ fix at this local favorite.

Truck Yard

Imagine the charm and intrigue of vintage, rusted cars and trailers, minus the junky feel. That’s Truck Yard—the most casual, laid-back food truck bar in town. Big enough for the whole family, there’s always something to do at this fun, country dive.

5. Historic Downtown Plano

Lockhart Smokehouse

Lockhart is another local BBQ hot spot. And everything from their tender brisket to their 110-year-old-recipe sausage can be shipped to you when you’re craving it weeks after eating at their Plano location.

Urban Crust, Urban Rio, & Urban Seafood Company

You can’t go wrong at any of these three delicious and diverse restaurants, all part of the Urban Family.

Georgia’s Farmer’s Market

This frequently overlooked storefront has been in the family for generations. Locally sourced, fresh produce and great customer service are what makes this colorful, fragrant, vintage spot so unique.

McCall Plaza

Enjoy live music and other family-friendly events in the heart of downtown Plano. Conveniently located by the DART Station, you can take a train down to CityLine or further down to Dallas for even more dining, shopping and entertainment!

Interurban Railway Museum

Another historical landmark, this free museum tells the story of the Texas Electric Railway and City of Plano. And they do free story time on Friday mornings at 10:30am for preschoolers.

couple at interurban railway museum plano, best areas in Collin County


These are only a few of the many bustling areas of our ever-growing Collin County. Be sure to follow Collin County Moms on Facebook and Instagram for more kid-friendly restaurants and upcoming events for the whole family!

Lauren Escobedo
Lauren serves as Beal Media Council member and resource editor. A transplant from New York, Lauren now lives on the border of Collin and Dallas counties with her husband and their two sons. On any given day, you will find Lauren working as a full-time mom, attending classes, storytimes, and yoga with her kids. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys cooking on a budget, crafting with her Cricut, and drinking mocktails with friends. Lauren hopes to support, encourage, and uplift other moms, as her closest friends have done for her.

6 COMMENTS

  1. I love this!! I have lived here my whole life and have never been to some of these places. I will have to go try them out.

  2. Wonderful recommendations! Great article for All Collin County Moms and Grandmas, too. Thank You!

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