Explore downtown and beyond with the best things to do in McKinney, Texas. From indoor activities and live music to getting active outside and enjoying the free things to do in McKinney, these activities will help you enjoy the best of this city.
As a local for over two years, I’ve been finding McKinney’s secret, and not-so-secret, sights and activities. McKinney is one of the best places to go in Texas, so start exploring it now!
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The Best Things to Do in McKinney, TX
1. Window Shop Historic Downtown
Budget: FREE-$$$
You can’t visit McKinney without strolling through downtown. It’s the most charming area of the city and offers amazing restaurants, fun activities, and local shops.
Stop by some of the local businesses, grab an ice cream or coffee, or just enjoy the views and vibes. Exploring Historic Downtown is one of the best things to do in McKinney, TX.
2. Go For a Nature Walk at Bonnie Wenk Park
Budget: FREE
McKinney has a great array of parks for locals and visitors alike to enjoy. One of the best places to get outside is Bonnie Wenk Park.
Here you’ll find a dog park, paved walking trails, playgrounds, sports field, a pond and wide open fields. Bonnie Wenk is a great place to stay active or relax with a picnic and a view.
3. Join One of McKinney’s Live Events
Budget: FREE-$$
McKinney hosts a plethora of events year round to keep locals and visitors busy! From downtown coffee crawls to live music performances and holiday shenanigans, the city of McKinney often has some exciting events to offer.
Visit the City of McKinney to see current events.
4. Game All Day at Arcade 92
Budget: $
A fun indoor activity for all ages is Arcade 92 in downtown McKinney. This iconic arcade features an extensive selection of classic arcade games, ping pong, and game system games. There is also a full bar complete with beer on draft and yummy snacks like potato poppers.
Plan a trip to Arcade 92 and enjoy the full day entrance ticket for a low price. This is perfect for a summer activity when McKinney is boiling, birthday parties and friends outings, or a fun date.
5. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary
Budget: $
See wild animals, gardens, walking trails, and a museum at the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary. This is a great place designed for children to enjoy, but it’s fun for all ages.
It’s relatively cheap to enter the Heard, and there are several things to do. You can easily make this a half day activity in McKinney. Get outside and learn about wildlife at the Heard!
6. Urban Air Trampoline Park
Budget: $$
Keep the kids occupied or plan a fun birthday party at Urban Air Trampoline Park in McKinney. It’s fun for many ages and a great way to burn some energy.
There is a climbing wall, ropes course, dodgeball tournament, playground, battle beam, warrior course, and trampolines to enjoy at Urban Air in McKinney.
7. Historic McKinney Farmers’ Market on Saturdays
Budget: FREE-$$
One of the best things to do in McKinney, TX is visiting the Farmers Market near downtown every Saturday morning. There are so many local vendors selling everything from pastries and tamales to dog treats and fresh produce.
If you’re a local or you plan on sticking around town for a while, make sure you plan a visit to the McKinney Farmers Market to fill up on produce and other yummy foods.
8. Grab Drinks with Live Music
Budget: $-$$
There are several places you can enjoy live music in McKinney. If you’re a lover of music, fresh food, and good drinks, plan a night at one of the following places.
Guitars and Growlers offers live music, a full food menu, and a large selection of beers. They also have trivia nights, family game nights, bingo nights, and more.
Tupps Brewery has a large outdoor venue with live music every weekend as well as other events like trivia night and music bingo during the week. Cadillac Pizza downtown has live music every Friday and Saturday too.
9. Get Cozy at a Local Coffee Shop
Budget: $
Whether you’re working remotely, meeting a friend, or enjoying a solo coffee date, McKinney has no shortage of cozy coffee shops. Enjoy comfy seating, free wifi, and cute patios at the best coffee shops in McKinney, Texas.
Duino
White Box Roastery
Collective
Filtered
Habitat Plants + Coffee
10. Hike or Bike at Erwin Park
Budget: FREE
If you want to get outside in McKinney, plan a visit to Erwin Park. This city park is over 200 acres and offers campsites with firepits, hiking, and 10 miles of mountain biking trails.
If you prefer a more relaxing outdoor activity, take a picnic to enjoy at one of the picnic pavilions or in the grass. Ps. It’s very dog-friendly!
Read Next: Top 25 Things to Do in Dallas, Texas
11. Catch a Movie
Budget: $-$$
See what’s currently showing at the movies. In McKinney, you can choose from the new and decked out Cinemark theater off the 380, or opt for the budget theater off the 75. Either are good options depending on what you want.
Cinemark off the 380 has reclining chairs and larger food menu, and the one off the 75 is much cheaper but has the original movie theater chairs.
12. Pottery Painting at Walls of Clay
Budget: $$-$$$
For a fun indoor activity in McKinney, head downtown to Walls of Clay on Kentucky Street. This artsy gem is one of the very best things to do in McKinney. Choose from a variety of sculptures, dishes, and colors and paint your very own piece to bring home.
There are mugs, plates, figurines, vases, and more to paint at Walls of Clay, and the prices are reasonable for such a fun and rewarding activity.
13. Wine Tasting Downtown
Budget: $$
Who’s down for wine tasting? Pop by for a quick visit or stay for a light meal and live music at Lone Star, you can’t go wrong with a little wine tasting in Historic Downtown McKinney. Below are must-visit wineries!
Lone Star Winery
Barons Creek Vineyards
Landon Winery
14. Self Guided Food Tour
Budget: $-$$$
McKinney is one of the foodie capitals of Texas. For a city much smaller than Austin, McKinney has so many delicious options from sushi and donuts to Italian and Thai cuisines.
Venture downtown to enjoy some of McKinney’s most iconic restaurants like Harvest and Rick’s Chophouse, then head around the city to visit amazing restaurants like Heian Handroll Sushi Bar and Guitars and Growlers.
Best Downtown McKinney Restaurants:
Harvest – High End American
Layered – Brunch & Speakeasy
Rick’s Chophouse – Steakhouse
Cadillac Pizza – Obviously Pizza
Patina Green – Sandwiches
Great Restaurants Outside Downtown McKinney:
Koshi Sushi
Spoon & Fork Thai
Petra Mexican
Delaney’s Irish Pub
Cavalli Pizza
15. Go Brewery Hopping
Budget: $-$$
If you’re more of a beer person, McKinney will not disappoint you either! From grand new breweries like Tupps to fun ones like Brass Tap, McKinney’s few breweries are not to be missed. Don’t forget to check out Guitars and Growlers for good beers and delicious food.
Tupps Brewery
Guitars and Growlers
Brass Tap
Free Things to Do in McKinney
Don’t worry about the cost, these activities are all free things to do in McKinney, Texas!
Window Shopping in Historic Downtown
Hike at Erwin Park
Visit the Farmers Market on Saturdays
Live Music Weekends at Tupps Brewery
Play at Bonnie Wenk Park
Plan a fun day, tasty winery hopping, date night, or family outing with the best things to do in McKinney TX! Check out the best parks in the city or plan a staycation at the best McKinney hotels.
