Plano, TX Things to Do and Attractions
The ArtCentre of Plano strives to support and promote arts and arts education in the Greater Plano area through a variety of education and interesting programming and exhibitions. Located in what was once the first commercial establishment in the
The ArtCentre of Plano strives to support and promote arts and arts education in the Greater Plano area through a variety of education and interesting programming and exhibitions. Located in what was once the first commercial establishment in the city, the venue has hosted over 200 art openings and held over 250 exhibits in its 25 years. Past exhibits have included The Art of the Bicycle and annual shows by the Texas Sculpture Association.
With gallery space, meeting rooms and offices, this Historic Downtown Plano venue is well-suited to private functions. The downstairs area can host up to 220 people standing; when combined with the courtyard, up to 250 standing guests can be accommodated.
The ArtCentre of Plano is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM, though hours may vary based on exhibition.
Historic Downtown Plano invites visitors and locals to shop, eat and play as they explore the best the city has to offer. What was once the sleepy commercial area of a farming community is now brimming with nearly 500,000 square feet of private
Historic Downtown Plano invites visitors and locals to shop, eat and play as they explore the best the city has to offer. What was once the sleepy commercial area of a farming community is now brimming with nearly 500,000 square feet of private development. Historic buildings have been given new life as theaters, art galleries, boutiques, restaurants and more. In addition to great dining and retail options, Historic Downtown Plano is home to many popular city attractions including the ArtCentre of Plano, Plano African American Museum, Interurban Railway Museum and Courtyard Theater.
Located in Historic Downtown Plano, the Interurban Railway Museum makes its home in a former Texas Electric Railway Station that stood for 40 years in the early 20th century. After a complete restoration in the 1990s, the station re-opened as a
Located in Historic Downtown Plano, the Interurban Railway Museum makes its home in a former Texas Electric Railway Station that stood for 40 years in the early 20th century. After a complete restoration in the 1990s, the station re-opened as a museum that highlights the history of both the railway and Plano itself. Guests can explore pictures, artifacts and even a renovated Interurban Railway car as they learn about what was once the most important mode of transportation in the city.
The museum is open Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 2 PM and Saturday from 1 to 5 PM. Tours can be arranged. Admission is free.
Each September, the skies over Plano are lit up by a dazzling array of colorful hot air balloons during the three-day Plano Balloon Festival. Granting the city the title of "Hot Air Balloon Capitol of Texas," this fun-filled event features over 100
Each September, the skies over Plano are lit up by a dazzling array of colorful hot air balloons during the three-day Plano Balloon Festival. Granting the city the title of "Hot Air Balloon Capitol of Texas," this fun-filled event features over 100 balloons and attracts over 75,000 people each year. Family-friendly fun includes concerts, a marketplace, food vendors, sky divers, fireworks and more.
One-time admission to the festival is $5; children under 36 inches tall are free.
Serving authentic Bavarian food since 1993, the Bavarian Grill carries a lengthy list of accolades including the Best German Restaurant in America in 2009. Enjoyed either inside or at one of the communal tables in the Bier Garten, traditional menu
Serving authentic Bavarian food since 1993, the Bavarian Grill carries a lengthy list of accolades including the Best German Restaurant in America in 2009. Enjoyed either inside or at one of the communal tables in the Bier Garten, traditional menu items include slow-roasted ham hock with red cabbage, pan-fried schnitzel with warm herbed potato salad and oven-roasted duck with a potato pancake and fresh vegetables. A sizeable beer list of German varieties is available along with global wine selections.
With two spacious banquet rooms, the Bavarian Grill is a lively and unique venue for private groups. The rooms can seat 42 and 12 people, respectively, and come equipped with television sets, projection screens and high-speed Internet hook-ups.
The Bavarian Grill is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 10 PM. Dinner entrees average $18.
Diners can enjoy one of the best steakhouses in the country in Plano. Since opening a restaurant in Dallas over 15 years ago, Bob's has grown both its number of locations and its reputation, built on its elegant, lively ambiance, fine wines and
Diners can enjoy one of the best steakhouses in the country in Plano. Since opening a restaurant in Dallas over 15 years ago, Bob's has grown both its number of locations and its reputation, built on its elegant, lively ambiance, fine wines and top-notch cuts of steaks, chops and seafood.
Aged for 28 days, Bob's steaks are USDA Prime, hand selected by expert chefs. Broiled salmon, rack of lamb and roasted duck with peppercorn sauce are among the other entree options.
Semi-private dining rooms are available. Bob's is open Monday through Thursday from 5 to 10 PM and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 PM.
Well-reputed chef Kent Rathbun has brought one of his latest restaurant concepts to Plano in Jasper's, named one of Esquire Magazine's Top 20 New Restaurants in America. Described as "gourmet backyard cuisine," Jasper's menu focuses on the best of
Well-reputed chef Kent Rathbun has brought one of his latest restaurant concepts to Plano in Jasper's, named one of Esquire Magazine's Top 20 New Restaurants in America. Described as "gourmet backyard cuisine," Jasper's menu focuses on the best of America's regional cuisine, including steaks, fish, rotisserie chicken, seafood and pasta.
Menu items have included Texas peach barbecued pork tenderloin with bourbon creamed sweet corn; almond-crusted rainbow trout with roasted bell pepper butter sauce; and the popular "sink" salad with feta vinaigrette and crispy pita chips. Diners unsure where to start can opt for the four-course chef's tasting menu.
Jasper's offers a semi-private dining area, large private dining room and enclosed boardroom for functions. The restaurant serves lunch Monday through Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM. Dinner is served Monday through Saturday from 6 to 11 PM and Sunday from 5 to 9 PM. Entrees range from $26 to $35. The four-course Chef's Tasting is $35.
Located at The Shops at Legacy, Nicola's theatrical design matches its equally remarkable menu, populated by authentically prepared Italian classics made with market-fresh ingredients. Slow-roasted pork shank with gorgonzola polenta and herb-breaded
Located at The Shops at Legacy, Nicola's theatrical design matches its equally remarkable menu, populated by authentically prepared Italian classics made with market-fresh ingredients. Slow-roasted pork shank with gorgonzola polenta and herb-breaded lemon sole are favorites, along with popular pasta dishes -- all made with pasta prepared daily -- such as spaghetti with roasted lobster tail and chicken and artichoke hearts layered in lasagna.Nicola's has a private dining space for 16 guests and semi-private spaces for up to 50 guests. Pre-selected group menus are available. Entrees range from $14 to $36.
Located in western Plano, this 200-acre preserve is a great spot to enjoy the great outdoors and catch a glimpse of the resident Texan wildlife. The park has just over two miles of paved trails for walking and jogging, as well as a two-mile off-road
Located in western Plano, this 200-acre preserve is a great spot to enjoy the great outdoors and catch a glimpse of the resident Texan wildlife. The park has just over two miles of paved trails for walking and jogging, as well as a two-mile off-road cycling trail. An observation tower is the perfect spot for leisure groups to check out the three ecosystems that inhabit the park, each home to owls, woodpeckers, turtles, heron and, of course, the state's flower, the bluebonnet.
The park's Burr Oak picnic pavilion is available for group rentals. The Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is open daily from 5 AM to 11 PM. Admission is free.
With a goal of "preserving the past to foster the future," the Heritage Farmstead is a living history site focused on exploring the history of the blackland prairie region of North Texas. Spanning four acres and dating back over a century, the
With a goal of "preserving the past to foster the future," the Heritage Farmstead is a living history site focused on exploring the history of the blackland prairie region of North Texas. Spanning four acres and dating back over a century, the farmstead is comprised of the 14-room Farrell-Wilson home, a blacksmith shop, one-room schoolhouse, curing shed, livestock and several period pieces including children's games and agricultural tools. Guests can take a docent-led tour of the grounds and explore the recurring exhibit "Plano Elegance, Blackland Prairie Farmstead" located at the Farrell-Wilson home.
The Heritage Farmstead is available for private events as well as group tours by appointment. It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 4:30 PM. Scheduled tours depart daily at 1:30 PM. The grounds are open for self-guided tours for $2. Regular guided tours at $5 per person.
Located in the Haggard Park Historic District, the Plano Courtyard Theater is the perfect place to take in some culture and enjoy the warm weather. Restored in keeping with the original style and decor, the venue blends old world ambiance with
Located in the Haggard Park Historic District, the Plano Courtyard Theater is the perfect place to take in some culture and enjoy the warm weather. Restored in keeping with the original style and decor, the venue blends old world ambiance with state-of-the-art technology. Guests can enjoy a full season of performances by the Plano Repertory Theater or any number of dance and musical acts held throughout the year.
With a spacious 3,000-square-foot lobby and seating for 325 guests, the Plano Courtyard Theater is well-suited to meetings and receptions. Performance schedules and ticket prices vary.
