McKinney is one of those towns that surprises people. You come for a wedding or a visit with family, and you leave wondering why you didn't plan an extra day. Here are our favorite things to do in McKinney, TX, and because Bungalow 214 sits about half a mile from the historic square, we've added how long each one takes to reach from our front door.
Walk and drive times are approximate; drive times assume no traffic.
1. Spend a morning on the Historic Downtown McKinney Square
10-minute walk · 2-minute drive
The heart of town is the Historic Downtown McKinney Square: red-brick storefronts, local restaurants, patios and something happening almost every weekend. Leave the car in our driveway and walk. Parking downtown on a busy Saturday is the one thing you won't miss.
2. Start the day with coffee and something sweet
9 to 13 minutes on foot
Downtown is packed with independent coffee shops and treat stops, all within a short stroll:
- Wattage Coffee (9-minute walk): European-style espresso drinks and pastries, close to the courthouse square
- Filtered (11-minute walk): a craft coffee house in a red-brick historic building that also hosts live music and open mic nights
- Café LaFaye (13-minute walk): beignets and café au lait inspired by New Orleans
- Emporium Pies (10-minute walk): pie by the slice, with fresh twists on classic flavors
- Mom & Popcorn (11-minute walk): gourmet popcorn, old-fashioned candy and a carhop figure out front that kids love to pose with
See all 18 coffee and sweets spots on our Explore page.
3. Visit Chestnut Square Historic Village
6-minute walk · 2-minute drive
The closest outing to the Bungalow is a living-history village of restored historic homes just off the square. It's also home to the McKinney Farmers Market, a great Saturday-morning stroll for picking up local produce and treats. Check the market's website for its current hours.
4. Let the kids run at Finch Park
7-minute walk · 1-minute drive
When little legs need a break from shopping, Finch Park is right around the corner: a playground, a splash pad and a lighted 1-mile loop. It's our go-to when guests ask where to burn off some energy before naptime.
5. Browse independent shops
9 to 13 minutes on foot
Downtown McKinney skipped the chain stores. A few favorites:
- Neighbor Books, an independent bookstore (10-minute walk)
- Red Zeppelin Records, a woman-run record store for vinyl hunters (10-minute walk)
- Expressive Aromas, where you can blend a fragrance of your own (13-minute walk)
- Spice & Tea Merchants, with loose teas, spices and Texas-made salsas (10-minute walk)
Add dozens of boutiques, jewelry and home stores, all listed on our Explore page.
6. Get outdoors at Towne Lake Park and Wilson Creek Trail
32-minute walk · 4-minute drive
Towne Lake Park has a lighted 1.2-mile loop around the lake, plus fishing, kayaking and sand volleyball. It connects to the Wilson Creek Trail, about 10 miles of path through a wooded greenbelt, part of the National Trails System, all the way to Bonnie Wenk Park.
7. Explore nature at the Heard Museum
9-minute drive
The Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary is a 289-acre sanctuary with walking trails and hands-on nature exhibits for kids. It's an easy half-day outing, especially on a nice-weather day.
8. Catch a show or an arcade night
12-minute walk · 2-minute drive
When the sun goes down, two downtown favorites sit side by side on East Virginia Street:
- The Comedy Arena puts on improv, sketch and stand-up shows
- Arcade 92 is a throwback arcade with rows of retro games, plus food and drinks
For a movie night, Cinemark North McKinney (10-minute drive) has recliner seating and a wraparound ScreenX auditorium.
9. Make a day of it nearby
- Topgolf Allen (12-minute drive): climate-controlled hitting bays and games for every skill level, no golf experience needed
- Bonnie Wenk Park (8-minute drive): 3.4 miles of paved trails, a fishing lake, a splash pad and a big off-leash dog park
- Erwin Park (19-minute drive): about 10 miles of wooded trails for hiking and mountain biking
10. Plan your trip around a downtown event
Downtown McKinney hosts big community events throughout the year, including Arts in Bloom in the spring, Oktoberfest in the fall and Home for the Holidays during the holiday season. Event weekends book up fast, so check the Downtown McKinney events calendar and our availability early.
Where to stay in McKinney
If you're planning a trip around any of these, we'd love to host you. Bungalow 214 is a family-friendly 1960s Craftsman about half a mile from the square, with two bedrooms, a full kitchen, a private backyard and all the baby and kid gear you'd otherwise have to pack. See our short-term stays (2-night minimum), or our monthly stays if you need a home base for a month or longer.
For every place in this guide, plus 150 more with one-tap directions, visit our Explore page.