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If you have heard of the town of McKinney then you’ll know exactly why I had to write 21 Reasons Why I’m Obsessed with Mckinney Texas.
21 Reasons Why I’m Obsessed with McKinney Texas
Mckinney is located (just) 30 miles north of Dallas and is probably my favorite town in Collin County and the entire Dallas Metroplex. Yup, I think it is adorable. Even the hubby loves hanging out in the cute downtown.
We love it because it has that small-town feel (that you would think would be in every Texas city) despite the city’s population which topped 155,000 in January 2015.
It keeps growing and growing!
But let me tell you a secret first….
This is my friend Monica from The Southern Chic Retreat
who showed me this secret gem on the Square. You’ll find this little door on the corner of the old Crystal Cloche. Please take a cute insta and tag me, @beccaniederkrom on Instagram or share on our Facebook page.
Even Money Magazine selected McKinney as its #1 Best Place to Live in America in 2014 (up from the #2 spot in 2012, #5 in 2010 and #14 in 2008). The secret is out 😃
It’s obvi (like totally) that people have all agreed that its an amazing place!
McKinney is on its way up y’all! And up and up and . . .
Soooo here’s why I don’t just like it, but I’m OBSESSED with it (in no particular order):
#1 A 45-acre Croatian village in the middle of the town
The inspiration was taken right out of the village of Supetar, nestled on the Adriatic coast of Croatia and brought here to McKinney, Texas.
Situated at Virginia Parkway and Stonebridge Drive.
Head here next time you are looking for a cup of joe at Starbucks a bite of dinner at Zin Zen Bistro and a leisurely stroll. Its a really spectacular design and community.
We love Puppacinos on the Starbucks patio!
I’ve never see anything like it ❤️
#2 A Beautiful Vineyard that would rival any in Napa
This is exactly the place that I want to spend my weekends, unique and beautiful, this vineyard offers tours, a home for your upcoming wedding and tons of lovely events.
This place has it all set in a gorgeous natural setting, good wine, pizza, a roaring fireplace . . . and just look at that charcuterie board.
There is a lot to see at this vineyard which you can see on this article here but I strongly encourage to take a visit.
#3 Intense Mountain Biking & Hiking Trails
As a frequent mountain biker, Erwin Park delivers!
Its located off 75 and 380 in a huge slice of heaven ➡️ nature.
If you don’t mountain bike, its a great hiking (lots of hills to get a great booty workout) venue or a fabulous place for a picnic and a stroll. This is some of the best mountain biking in the entire metroplex and really challenging too!
Check the DORBA (Dallas Off Road Bicycle Association) website for trail conditions as you never want to ride on a wet trail.
#4 The Square
We love to stroll through the Square.
It never gets old . . . I love wandering thru Birds and Words, Fair & Square Imports or Barron’s and then grabbing a burger and a Pinot at Square Burger before heading back home. Such a great burger spot on the corner.
And on the 2nd Saturday of the month, the Chestnut Square Historic Village offers trolley tours. Make sure to check their website for their exact starting point since it is near the construction site for the new parking garage. Its a great way to get some amazing historical facts about this beautiful area, then hit the Farmer’s Market after the tour.
Speaking of history, check out the JCPenney that used to be where Snug and Birds & Words are now located.
There is a great conversation going on over here
If you like antiques then you’ll want to dig for treasures at the wonderful antique shops like Antique Company Mall, Special Things and the Groovy Coop to name a few.
Make sure to check out the Down & Dirty Guide to Downtown McKinney.
Downtown McKinney has gone through changes and continues to be a fabulous destination and gives that small town feel which keeps bringing us back for more.
#5 A Kickass Brewery
One of the best places to grab a beer is at Cadillac Pizza as I mentioned here but McKinney is also home to not 1 but 2 really awesome breweries, Franconia Brewery and Tupps Brewery aka 2 places I can drop off the hub while I go in the shops.
#6 Antiques
1000’s of antiques are located in this charming city and many of those can be found in shops on The Square. Next time you are there or when you’ve finished your Chicken Spaghetti at The Pantry, cross the street and you will find this gem, the Bear Market (make sure to walk all the way to the back and go upstairs, kids will love it up there)
#7 Chestnut Square Historical Village
Chestnut Square brings history to life with Living History Days, Farmer’s Market, Prairie Adventure Camps, the annual Ice Cream Crank Off, Ghost Walk and the Holiday Tour of Homes. Visit Chestnut Square and of course take the kids for a history lesson!
#8 A World Class Tech HQ
Remember when the game Words with Friends was all the rage?
Well the guys behind Playful were the creators and have made McKinney home.
I noticed that they are often hiring, so go check out their Career page if you are looking for something new.
#9 Restaurants better than you’ll find in Downtown Dallas
There are 2 new-ish restaurants that I have yet to dine in (but they are on the list): Rye – take a peek at their menu and your mouth will be watering – spice crusted scallops, blazing beef tacos or beet salad anyone?
The other restaurant to note is Harvest in addition to great food, they have the most amazing front porch. Not a patio, its def a porch. These are just 2 of the many restaurants in McKinney to note BUT I would love to hear your fave dining spots.
And update . . . Rye is now well established here on the Square and well-loved.
#10 Towne Lake
Not far from the freeway is Towne Lake, home of sand volleyball courts, picnic pavillions, horeshoes, frisbee golf, tennis courts . . . . and the coolest thing – – Swan paddle boats.
I am always game for fun ways to incorporate fitness into my life without the gym. And Towne Lake is the perfect outdoor gym.
#11 Historical Tours via a Trolley
You’ll get a high level overview of the historic district in downtown McKinney + some juicy details on the town on this charming trolley with a trained docent. You’ll view the architecture of the many historic homes and buildings (which I promise you, never gets old), you’ll hear about the infamous Frank and Jesse James gang and learn some interesting facts about other people who left their mark on McKinney.
If you miss the 2nd Saturday in January – although I’m planning to be there and you should come say hi – they also have walking tours on Thursdays and Saturdays.
#12 Vintage Market Days
Anything that sounds remotely Martha Stewartish or RoundTopesque (the kind of place Joanna Gaines from Fixer Upper would love) is always worth checking out. Thankfully, McKinney is home to the adorable and amazing Vintage Market Days! AND, it comes to charming lil Mckinney in the Spring and Fall!
Its currently planned for May 5 – 7, 2017 at the Myers Event Center and it will be back again in November.
#13 Third Monday Trade Days
Third Monday Trade Days in McKinney, Texas is the oldest and largest monthly trade days/flea market in North Texas with roots back to the old county-wide market that began in the 1870’s in McKinney. Over 450 vendors offer almost anything you can imagine – unique gifts, delightful home decor, trendy clothing and accessories, sporting goods, antiques and collectibles, dogs, and specialty items along with many fantastic “state fair” type food concessions.
You’ll find a mix of antiques, trendy apparel and accessories, baby and children’s clothing and accessories, garage sale items, a great variety of home decor– including shabby chic, re-purposed items, vintage, rustic, primitive, western, and seasonal– metal art, pet supplies, garden/outdoor decor and furniture, health and beauty products, etc. If you have not been there yet, I think its worth checking out, go to their website and see when their next date is.
My Mom was in Tupperware heaven at this longstanding booth.
#14 Brand NEW Movies at a Discount Theater
When it comes to movies my hubby and I try our very best (unless its the new 007) to wait until the movie hits the $1 theatre in Plano – Park Blvd & Coit – however, the Cinemark 14 off of 75 is also a discount theatre BUT it shows NEW releases!! The matinee price runs about $3.50. By the time we get 2 tickets and snacks at the Cinemark Legacy it totals about $40. At the Cinemark 14 in McKinney Texas, we are looking at a total of about $12. That’s about $30 bucks back in our pockets!!!
We love it there and now that the construction has cleared up, its easy peasy to navigate to. We don’t claim to be the hippest kids on the block but watching our budget closely is more important than fitting in with the cool kids.
(if you live in McKinney, grab your car decal here – click the pic)
#15 Farmer’s Market
Nestled in between the historic buildings of Chestnut Village, you will find an adorable Farmer’s Market every Saturday morning. Make sure to bring your own reusable bag (pretty please). Green it up y’all.
Also, with all of the new construction, they tend to move around the Square a bit so check in with them on their latest location.
#16 Awe-inspiring Architecture in the Historic District
Don’t drive through the historic district of McKinney Texas otherwise you will miss so much. I recommend parking, making sure your pedometer app is working well and then go get those 10,000 steps. Each house is unique and demands your attention. We love walking through this area as our workout. Or in the Summer, we park close to Finch Park, then unload our bikes and ride around the neighborhood, we finish it off with an iced tea from Filtered.
#17 Bonnie Wenk Park in McKinney Texas
Such a fun place in the center of the city with a fishing pond, dog park, dog splash pad (that my Dog Moms just love), hike and bike loop, outdoor amphitheater and more.
Everyone tells me how much they ❤️ to play in this outdoor space.
#18 Heard Natural Science Museum
For a slice of Texas wildlife, the Heard Natural Science Museum offers a 289-acre wildlife sanctuary where you can get up close and personal with nature.
#19 Live Music
You can find live music at Landon Winery, Spoons, The Yard and pretty much everywhere you walk.
Its kind of like Austin.
Kinda.
#20 Bill Smith Cafe
This cafe has some happy customers because they serve up down home country cooking every day of the year and have been doing it for over 50 years. And they serve lots and lots of yummy coffee. Starbucks has nothing on this place.
#21 They Show Texas How its Supposed to be Done =)
Its a little down home, a little fresh, a little historic but all about community. This is how every town in Texas should be.
What did I miss? Is there something that you are obsessed over that only McKinney has?
Oh hey . . . don’t forget to check out the
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You missed that now you can take a Segway tour of historic McKinney. Segways are a fantastic way to see all those great old homes and you will learn some fun history along the way.
How cool would that be?!?! Would love to know about your schedule!
Don’t forget Hugs Cafe!! They have been the star of many viral videos, including Upworthy & people magazine! Hugs Cafe is an incredible restaurant that employs adults with disabilities. You can feel the love as soon as you walk in the door!Delicious unique sandwiches menu & fresh sides keep you dreaming of what you’ll try next time. Don’t forget the Wedding Cake cookie, it’s downright craveable! I go there weekly to get my Hug!
And police patrol the square on horseback!
Hugs Cafe! I have friends all over the country who are gaga over the idea of Hugs…and its right here in our hometown!
Also, you can campout overnight at Erwin Park! How many cities have camping sites in a public park?
And a top-notch outdoor tennis facility.
And I forgot to mention the awesome almost monthly downtown festivals…Arts in Bloom, Bike the Bricks (a professional biking race), Jazz Festival, Oktoberfest, Home for the Holidays and a lot more…like I said, almost one every month!
I love living in McKinney to enjoy all the open green spaces. I also love driving on the country roads in McKinney north of Hwy 380. Horses in pastures, hay bales, cows grazing, wildflowers, huge ranch homes and most of all plain old BEAUTY!
Very own hometown radio station!!!
97.5 KLAK is here in McKinney covering Collin and Grayson counties.
Broadcasts MISD football games, awards a Teacher of the month and so much more right here in our community (Dallas stations do not cover our community like this)
KLAK has great radio talent too! Listen to morning show Johnny B. He has a very impressive resume with over 30 years in radio including #1 morning show in Delaware, where the market included stations from D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and some even New York. This is why he was asked to come to McKinney TX 10 years ago when KLAK moved their station here.
McKinney is very fortunate to have a Hometown Radio Station!!!
Def don’t forget Oktoberfest for sure. Very cool. We are opening a psa in the with a huge water park where you can buy day passes if you don’t have a monthly membership :). Thanks for including tupps they are really awesome!
Jesus Christ. There’s nothing to do in adriatica, the square has horrible places to eat, with the exception of harvest which is a great concept but isn’t as good as some of the places in the highland/university park area. Cadillac pizza is mediocre, the music scene is a joke. Who wrote this? This is a very biased article. I grew up in McKinney. Not only is the town riddled with racist, snooty, southern white people who run a very corrupt city council, but it’s also full of children exprienceing one of the worst drug epidemics I’ve ever heard of. I grew up here. I’m well aware of how this town is run. And I’m glad I’m gone.
Perfect list of all the amazing things our town has to offer! Come for a blow out at Skylight Salon on the square to add it to the list of things to love in downtown McKinney ??
Come pop into our FB group – We Are Collin County and share your service
Too many things to name that I love! We have lived here since 1989 and it just keeps getting better. Thanks for this great article!
P.S. One thing I will name that I love is the Mayor!
P.S.S. He’s my husband!
You bet Donna! Well of course I know that Loughmiller name =) Tell your hubby to keep up the awesome job!
I was born and raised in McKinney during the time when the city limits signs still read “Population: 16,238” and graduated from THE McKinney High school in 1986. In fact, my classmates and I will reunite next month at our Homecoming football game weekend to celebrate our graduation 30 years ago and reminisce about a time when the hot spots in McKinney were places like the Westgate parking lot and Jim’s Pizza. There are a few places on your list that were around back then as well, like Bill Smith’s Cafe and the well known downtown square, but for the most part, Mckiney is a brand new city that has just been built over the sleepy little map dot in which I was raised. It’s an exciting list that I’ll use to help my friends and I decide what all we’ll try to do during our short weekend visit in late September! Thank you!
I❤️ McKinney! GO LIONS! ?