Summer in Plano, Texas, is an exciting time, filled with live outdoor music, entertaining events, and hot sunny days that are perfect for a dip in the pool. If you’re looking for some memorable activities to add to your summer agenda, we have several suggestions. These local destinations are perfect for a summer visit. Whether you’re filling an open lunchtime or a whole day of vacation, we have something for you and your family to enjoy in the Plano area.
Visit the Heritage Farmstead Museum
The Heritage Farmstead Museum highlights life in the Plano area at the turn of the 19th century. The 4-acre farm site is perfectly preserved to bring history back to life in an exciting and immersive way. The 1891 Farrell-Wilson farmhouse, farmstead outbuildings, and one-room Victorian schoolhouse are all open to visitors. You can explore authentic items from the Victorian era ranging from a Sanger Bros. Victrola and an early American Bell Telephone Company telephone to farming tools and blacksmith equipment. The grounds are open for tours Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: 1900 W. 15th St., Plano.
Enjoy a Summer Smorgasbord at Legacy Hall
Legacy Hall features over 20 food and drink stalls where you can dig into all your summer favorites. The spacious tiered patio provides the perfect place to devour your selections while enjoying live music and other events, such as trivia nights or watch parties. The dining options at Legacy Hall are incredibly diverse with something for every taste. You can enjoy contemporary Indian cuisine at Blist’r Indian Kitchen, nosh on Mexican food at Velvet Taco and Chilangos Tacos, dig into a lobster roll at Dock Local, go Mediterranean at Shawarma Bar, or enjoy down-home cooking at Roots Chicken Shak.
From pizza and burgers to plant-based vegan cuisine, Legacy Hall has it all. Plan a summer evening out with friends at the one place in Plano where you can all get exactly what you’re craving — no matter how diverse your tastes. Head down any Monday in July for karaoke starting at 6 p.m. to take the fun to the next level.
Location: 7800 Windrose Ave., Plano.
Take a Dip in the Texas Pool
No summer is complete without a dip in the iconic Texas Pool. This 168,000-gallon pool features warm saltwater for an indulgent experience. The pool itself is shaped like the state of Texas, adding whimsical charm to the destination. The shallow South Texas end of the pool is perfect for wading with small children. Here you’ll find two kid-friendly water slides to add to the fun. The deeper North Texas end has one of the only diving boards in Plano.
The Texas Pool caters to every type of swimmer and even welcomes mermaids and monofins, so you never know what enchanting sights you may enjoy during your visit. The pool area has two gas BBQ grills if you’d like to have a cookout while enjoying a day of watery fun. If you’re looking for something easier, just have a pizza delivered to the pool. Don’t forget to stop and enjoy the pool’s butterfly garden along the back fence to see if any winged visitors are on hand. You’ll have no trouble filling the day with summer fun at this destination.
Location: 901 Springbrook Drive, Plano.
Explore Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
Spanning 200 acres, Arbor Hills Nature Preserve has plenty of open space for families to run off their energy over the summer. The preserve contains three distinct ecosystems. You’ll find a grassy blackland prairie, lush creekside riparian forest, and shady upland forest. The preserve has three paved recreational trails that total 3 miles. Along the trails, you can stop at 25 interpretive markers that tell you more about the environment and its residents, which include turtles, ducks, snakes, rabbits, owls, butterflies, chickadees, and ladder-backed woodpeckers.
More adventurous visitors can branch off the paved trails and explore 4.7 miles of natural surface trails or 2.7 miles of off-road bicycle trails. There’s a playground on-site to add more excitement for children as well as a pavilion and picnic shelters that you can reserve for special events. Consider packing a picnic to give yourself ample time to enjoy your visit. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. but closed for maintenance every Wednesday from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: 6701 W. Parker Road, Plano.
Cool Off at the Crayola Experience
As the summer weather heats up, you may need an indoor escape to help you beat the heat. You can find entertaining activities for kids and adults alike at the Crayola Experience. Located in The Shops at Willow Bend, this engaging attraction includes a wide range of exhibits, such as the color playground, crayon factory show, drip art station, and scribble square. You can name and wrap your own crayons, play with modeling clay, melt and mold wax into fun shapes, and let your creativity run wild around the colossal caddy of craft supplies.
The Crayola Experience includes lots of interactive technology as well. Dance before a digital kaleidoscope, watch animated crayons mimic your moves on the big screen, or catch a rainbow of digital melted wax. From July 1 through Aug. 31, the Crayola Experience will feature the Island Excursion exhibit, where visitors can make a parrot puppet, build a ukulele, and make a whale shark from modeling clay.
Location: 6121 W Park Blvd Suite A100, Plano.
Enjoy Plano’s Highlights All Summer Long
The summer months are the perfect time to get out and enjoy all that Plano has to offer. Whether you’re interested in a meditative hike around a nature preserve or a crafty day of family fun at the Crayola Experience, there’s something for everyone. Make sure you have a vehicle that’s fit for keeping up with it all this summer. Whether you’re looking for an affordable used vehicle or a brand-new car, our team at Huffines Chevrolet Plano can help you find the perfect fit for your lifestyle.