How to Spend the Perfect Day in Downtown McKinney

Summer is the perfect time to travel and explore new places.  But, our busy summer schedules don’t always allow us to plan exotic vacations. That’s when it’s the perfect time to explore some of the hidden gems in your own backyard! I’m sharing one of our favorite local spots to explore and showing you How to Spend the Perfect Day in Downtown Mckinney.

I love learning about local spots and I especially love being able to support small businesses in our area.  One of the things I have discovered is that no matter how often I visit Downtown McKinney there is always something new to discover and I can’t wait to share my tips for how to spend a perfect day in Downtown McKinney.

As much as I love a good travel adventure I think it’s easy to get stuck in a rut.  I’m guilty of going to the same restaurants, visiting the same places, and rarely venturing out of my suburban comfort zone.  Sometimes with busy schedules and limited time, it’s just easier to go to places you know, but there are so many great spots located within an hour of Dallas that it is worth venturing out for. 

Getting to McKinney, Tx 

Depending on where you are in the metroplex, McKinney is just under an hour’s drive, which makes it ideal for the perfect day trip.  While I normally don’t look forward to an hour commute anywhere in the Metroplex I am always up for a road tripping adventure. Thanks to my friends at Chevrolet I was able to explore Downtown McKinney in the new 2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS.  Chevrolet’s newest crossover vehicle offers the practicality of a compact car and the utility of an SUV. It features a sleek design with a dynamic ride, intuitive controls, and safety features and with a variety of trims all starting under $25,000, it’s a great vehicle to help you explore with confidence.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax comes equipped with the latest and greatest technology to make any road trip a success. The interior was designed to have a lightweight feel to create a sense of airiness.  With its tech-forward design, the Traf offers an array of innovative features from an 11-inch Diagonal Infotainment Color Touchscreen to 4G LTE Wi-Fi availability to the OnStar Technology so you can be sure you are connected at all times on the road.

Apple CarPlay® and Android AutoTM features give you access to all your phone’s features on the vehicle’s display – so you can make calls, send or receive messages, use Google Maps, and listen to your favorite playlists right from the touchscreen.  A road trip just isn’t complete without my favorite “Road Trip” playlist, or 80s jams, it makes getting to your destination fly by!

What to Do in McKinney, TX

This quaint “little” town offers everything from historic buildings and history to shopping, wineries, crafting, and the perfect spots to relax and unwind. Downtown McKinney feels just like a Hallmark movie, especially during the holidays.  And there are so many fun things to do and lots of great photo spots, local boutiques for one-of-a-kind gifts, and dozens of restaurants to enjoy… there is something for everyone!

McKinney Downtown Square

This quaint little downtown brings the past and present together. Historic downtown McKinney is a place to gather. Its sophisticated charm, eclectic shops, rising culinary scene, vibrant entertainment, and blooming arts scene create a magical place to visit and explore.

Since you are already downtown you’ll want to wander around the square and visit all of the darling little shops.  You’ll find everything from delicious cookies from Mary’s Mountain Cookies to a fun vintage record shop, Red Zepplin Records.  After you’ve shopped until you drop you can visit The Yard or the Patina Green for lunch, then be sure to grab a sweet treat from Emporium Pies.

Farmer’s Market

Every Saturday you can visit the McKinney Farmer’s Market located at Chestnut Square.  History intersects with the present and the hustle and bustle of a busy week melts away as you wander in the open air and cultivate a more natural, balanced way of doing your weekly or occasional shopping. 

It is consistently ranked as one of the top markets in Texas with over 75 vendors proudly offering homegrown, harvested, and handmade products…all brought to you through human hands and labors of love!

Grab artisanal and specialty foods to eat, and take in the abundance of wholesome fresh produce, pasture-raised meats, and fresh flowers from local farmers.

Strike a Pose

My favorite part of the day was visiting all of the unique murals and stopping to strike a pose. I love a good photo op and downtown Mckinney has become a hot spot for creative art murals.  These handpainted murals add vibrancy and tell a story about the heritage and the community. What better way to remember your summer adventure than with a colorful photo in front of one of these beautiful works of art?

Click here to find these Instagram-worthy photo op spots.

Shop Til’ You Drop

Take a stroll through the historic square and pop into one of the cute boutiques for unique gifts, clothes, and home decor.  While I love the convenience of shopping on Amazon there really is nothing quite like discovering a cute one-of-a-kind gift our outfit from a local boutique.  Some of my favorites to shop at include Ambrosia, Doozies Corner, My Favorite Room, Landry Kate, and Willow House.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

When you live in the burbs eating out can oftentimes feel monotonous.  As a foodie I love discovering new restaurants that aren’t chains and Downtown McKinney has a fabulous variety.

One of our favorite hangouts is The Yard.  This lush backyard oasis in the middle of downtown is such a fun spot to hang out, catch a game and sip on a cold drink.  Everything is delicious but their nachos and Well Water are my top favorites.

If you are looking for the perfect spot for a date night then you absolutely need to visit Harvest.  This quaint spot is a farm-to-table restaurant celebrating the Texas food movement and features local and seasonal menus.

Craving Texas BBQ be sure to head over to the Local Yocal.  Located in a handsomely renovated former grocery store their menu features specialty Wagyu steaks, world-class barbecue, and southern Americana favorites. They also boast a Texas-sized event space, the Augustus.  With a versatile layout and elegant ambiance, it’s the perfect backdrop for events and celebrations tailored to your needs.

End the evening at the newly renovated Tupps Brewery located at the historic McKinney Grain site.  This rustic, unique, and laid-back venue creates a vibe perfect for everything from date night to a family fun day. This site will feature a large outdoor stage that will host live music and theater performances, lots of green space for kids and families to roam, and of course some of the best locally brewed beverages. 

Why You Should Visit McKinney, TX

It’s a charming little town, packed full of boutique shops, history, and Instagram-worthy photo ops! Locals are passionate about their town and the festivals like Oktoberfest, Arts in Bloom, and Home for the Holidays.

You can view the best little courthouse in Texas, the Wise County Courthouse, stop by the intriguing Petrified Wood Gas Station, Tour the Waggoner Mansion, or take in the views of the sweeping LBJ National Grasslands.  But, if you ask me the best part about this little gem just north of the Dallas Metroplex is the opportunity for adventure, shopping, and reconnecting with new and old friends.  If you are looking for a day trip to escape the ordinary look no further than a trip to the extraordinary Downtown McKinney!