The Boardwalk at Granite Park is a waterfront oasis right here in Plano. (Charles Davis Smith, FAIA/City of Plano)
As one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, there are so many things to do in Plano, Texas. Check out 11 of our favorite activities.
People have been drawn to Plano, Texas, for nearly 200 years, with settlers first arriving on the land in the 1840s. It’s still full of historical charm, but now, Plano also boasts four walkable districts, a bustling arts and culture scene, world-class events, and some of the most beautiful outdoor areas in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
It’s one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and it’s easy to see why! There are so many things to do in Plano.
Plano was named the 2025 Destination of the Year by Texas Travel Awards, one of the 12 Best Places to Live in Texas by WorldAtlas in 2024, and the Happiest City in Texas by WalletHub in 2023. It’s a welcoming community, with an ever-expanding list of activities and attractions, and easy access to major nearby cities.
It’s one of my favorite spots to hang out, grab a bite to eat, and try something totally unique. Where else can you swim in a Texas-shaped pool or see a parade of hot air balloons float through the sky? Exactly.
This city is anything but plain—and there are so many unique and interesting things to do in Plano!
1. The Texas Pool
901 Springbrook Drive
Summer can’t begin without a splash in Plano’s historic Texas Pool, which is registered as a national landmark in the National Register of Historic Places. The saltwater pool is shaped like the Lone Star State, and features a diving board, two water slides, a “North Texas” island, and a “South Texas” wading area for kids.
Water and sunshine are all you need for a good time, but Plano takes it to another level. You can take mermaid classes to learn how to safely swim with tails or visit during a mermaid meetup time for magical fun. There is yoga by the pool, chess by the pool, water volleyball, lounge chairs on the deck, and a snack shack to make your pool day even more fun.
2. Legacy Hall
7800 Windrose Avenue
Legacy Hall is like a mall food court on steroids, with premier chefs and local artisans serving high-end culinary creations in the European-style food hall.
More than 20 artisanal restaurants are located on three levels, serving a diverse range of dishes, from spiked ice cream to hibachi ramen noodles, Mexico City-style tacos to Japanese-inspired sashimi, as well as burgers, pizza, and craft cocktails. It’ll be difficult to decide what to order, but there’s no pressure—everything here is top-notch!
3. Go Ape Treetop Adventure
5901 Los Rios Blvd.
Looking for adventure this summer? Plano has its own treetop adventure course that rivals those found in Costa Rican rainforests. It was even named one of the Top 10 Best Aerial Adventure Parks in the US by USA Today, so you know it’s good.
Located at the Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve, Go Ape Treetop Adventure allows you to connect with your wild side in nature. Swing through the trees like Tarzan, glide down 423-feet tree-to-tree ziplining, and cross bridges and go through obstacles at up to 28 feet high. It’s two to three hours of heart-pumping fun!
4. Fowling Warehouse
1714 14th Street, Suite 300
Going bowling is so boring when you could go fowling instead. This game is a combination between bowling and football—and, no, it’s not as odd as it sounds.
Fowling was invented at the 2001 Indy 500 while tailgating. It works like this: throw a football at bowling pins until you knock down all 10. The first team to knock down their opponents’ pins wins!
An on-site restaurant and bar make it easy to hang out at the Fowling Warehouse all night long.
5. Mic Drop Comedy
7301 Lone Star Drive, Suite A-110
Things are just plain funny at Mic Drop Comedy, where a night of laughter awaits you from professional comedians and rising stars. But it’s not just stand-up shows or improv parties—Mic Drop has hilarious matchmaking shows for divorcées, drag brunch bingos, and comedy hypnotists, too.
Unlike many comedy clubs, there is no minimum drink purchase requirement. Still, you’ll be tempted by their extensive cocktail list, including shareable drinks, and delicious flatbreads, appetizers, and desserts.
6. Historic Downtown Plano
1021 East 15th Street
You can feel the elegant, rustic charm when walking down Historic Downtown Plano, now rebranded as the Downtown Plano Arts District. Many of the buildings have remained standing since the fire of 1895, but now, there are playhouses, art galleries, retail spots, restaurants, businesses, the Plano DART station, and so much more to do.
Tour the Interurban Railway Museum, then get a tattoo. Grab coffee or lunch from a local spot, then have your palm read at the Plano Psychic. There are yoga studios, hair salons, non-profit organizations, museums, pubs, apartments, and tons of events, including the Plano Water Lantern Festival on September 6 and the Art and Wine Walk Rodeo Barbie Edition on September 25.
This is a great spot to hang out, explore something new, and enjoy all that Plano has to offer.
7. Urban Crust
1006 East 15th Street
Urban Crust is not your typical neighborhood pizza place. The pies prepared here are artisan and incredibly delicious—pizza with burnt ends and hot honey, wood-fired sirloin and roasted mushrooms, and fig preserves and prosciutto are just some of the unique options.
But that’s not all. Upstairs, visit the 32 Degrees Rooftop Ice Bar, named for the freezing temperature at which the draft beers are poured. (By the way, it would be called Negative Five Degrees if it were named after the temperature of the liquor taps.)
8. The Wilfred
4017 Preston Road, Suite 530
Hidden inside the Sea Breeze Fish Market & Grill—which has been voted Best Seafood in DFW by The Dallas Morning News in 2024—patrons with a password can access a hidden speakeasy called the Wilfred.
This secret cocktail lounge boasts a “cozy and quiet” vibe, according to Yelp, featuring a selection of classic cocktails, house specialties, and a wine and beer menu. Find the passcode before you go by following the bar’s Instagram.
9. Pipe & Palette
6121 West Park Boulevard
Sometimes, things get downright messy in Plano. Skip dinner and splatter your date in paint at Pipe & Palette instead! (Yes, you read that right; yes, it’s as fun as it sounds.)
You’ll go in a private room to splatter art on a canvas (and each other) in this fun event, which is separated into four parts: design, freestyle brush painting, splatter painting, and splatter war. Add a wine and chocolate painting to your evening to make it even more romantic.
Leave with your finished canvas to display at home and memories of an epic night out.
10. The Boardwalk at Granite Park
5880 State Highway 121
You don’t have to live in a beach town to enjoy the bustling, waterfront atmosphere on a boardwalk. The Boardwalk at Granite Park gives you that community oasis feeling right here in Plano.
Stroll the area with gelato, grab a drink at Union Bear Brewing Co., or take the family out to dinner at one of the amazing restaurants. Come back for the monthly night market to shop from local vendors. It’s the perfect summer hangout spot.
11. Plano Balloon Festival
2801 East Spring Creek Parkway
Plano marks the end of summer in style, with their dazzling Plano Balloon Festival. Every year in mid-September (September 18-21 this year!), more than 30 hot air balloons soar across the Plano skies.
The weekend festival includes performances by a parachute team, live music, a kids’ zone, and more. In the evenings, the balloons will glow; afterward, a nightly fireworks show will take your breath away. Adventurous folks can even pay to take their own tethered balloon ride—your perfect opportunity to mark off a bucket list item!
