The Best Things To Do In Plano

Plano has been a growing suburb of Dallas for the last decade. With this new growth has come more and more residents, tourists, and business travelers, and Plano has kept up with amazing things to do and see. Whether you’re a local of Dallas, a new resident of Plano, or just visiting for a few days, explore Plano fully by following our list of the best things to do.

Explore the Shops at Legacy and Legacy West

The Shops at Legacy and Legacy West are the top entertainment areas in Plano. They sit right next to each other and offer a wide array of shopping, dining, spa services, and entertainment every day and night of the week. You’ll want to hit the highlights like Legacy Food Hall, a European-style food hall with 24 food stalls, nine bars, and a large stage for concerts and screenings. The Angelika Film Center shows independent films, while live music can be enjoyed at Blue Martini or Sambuca 360. Grab a meal at Mexican Sugar or The Keeper, or even at Barnes & Nobles’ stylish on-site restaurant, the first to open in Texas. And don’t forget to shop—with dozens of stores at the Shops at Legacy and Legacy West, you’re sure to find anything you might need.

There’s nothing better than shopping with friends at The Shops at Legacy

Ride, bike, or hike through nature

Arbor Hills Nature Preserve has a fantastic lookout point

Stay at the Renaissance Plano

The Renaissance Plano is one of the coolest hotels in Plano, and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex for that matter. Their interior design is a mash up of Asian and Western influences. This appears in the throw pillows on the beds embroidered with the words “Cowboy” and “Samurai” and the cowboy hats and Asian-style cat statues in all the rooms. It can also be found in the cuisine offered at the restaurants and bar and in the art of the public spaces. The Renaissance Plano is also well-known for having an amazing rooftop pool and bar, live music occasionally, and a daily punch bowl service at 6 p.m. made clear by the sounding of the gong.

Renaissance Dallas is known for their rooftop pool and Asian and Western decor

Explore Downtown Plano

The Historic Downtown Plano Arts District is a fascinating place to visit. Along 15th Street, Plano visitors can take in lovely views of historic buildings from the 1800s. The buildings are filled with a variety of boutiques and shops that sell everything from clothes to antiques. Eat at notable restaurants like Urban Crust, a pizzeria with a rooftop ice bar, and Jorg’s Café Vienna, which serves authentic Austrian cuisine. Art lovers can sign up for an art class at Pipe and Palette or take a bunch of selfies at the mural on the wall of Georgia’s Farmers Market. The Interurban Railway Museum offers great exhibits and a tour of an on-site railcar. Be sure to check out Downtown Plano’s events page to stay up-to-date with live musical performances in Haggard Park.

Downtown Plano is a charming historic district with restaurants, boutiques, and more

Have fun at the Heritage Farmstead Museum

History buffs will have a blast at Heritage Farmstead Museum. Set in a restored farmstead, the Heritage Farmstead Museum seeks to preserve the historical life of the Blackland Prairie region of Texas in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Visitors can explore the Farrell-Wilson house, a school house replica, and the grounds of the Heritage Farmstead Museum with a tour guide or at their own pace. They also host a variety of programs like yoga, blacksmith demonstrations, and cooking classes.

Kids will love the farm animals and historic museum at Heritage Farmstead Museum

Attend the Plano Balloon Festival

Plano has a bunch of festivals throughout the year but the Plano Balloon Festival in September is by far their most popular. Visitors can watch as 40 colorful air balloons take to the sky in a magnificent event. Some even glow at night! There’s also other entertainment available during the festival like live musical performances, a marathon, parachute team performance, kid’s zone, and fireworks.

The Plano Balloon Festival is a colorful and awe-inspiring experience

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.