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McKinney Staycation – Spring Break Version

a close up of a camera

Seems like we just boxed up the holiday ornaments and sent the kids back to school, but Spring Break is actually upon us! With the wacky weather we’ve been having, Texas isn’t sure if spring is really here to stay or not? Nevertheless, our weatherman predicts beautiful weather for the upcoming Spring Break week, so for those of us who are not sunning on a Florida beach or visiting Mickey, let’s get our McKinney Staycation on and have a good time!

We are fortunate to have many diverse activities to choose from right here in McKinney without even having to leave Collin County – but I’ve selected 5 suggestions (most are family-friendly, or you can grab your best girlfriends or PTA Mom friends) designed to get you outside and/or making fun Spring Break memories in your “own back yard,” knowing that you may want to conserve your energy for St Paddy’s Day fun on Saturday!

1) Explore downtown McKinney in a unique way – take a walking food tour!

Discover the tastes and sights of historic downtown McKinney on this guided walking, food tour while enjoying food tastings at 6 diverse eateries. Perfect for visitors or locals, you’ll learn about our city’s fascinating history while enjoying its best eats. I promise you will learn things you never knew about McKinney and eat some tasty food!
Food Walks: Fri 3/16, Sat 3/17, Sun 3/18 10:45 am-1:45 pm
Cost: $59, includes all food/drink
Website: www.foodwalksoftexas.com

2) “Laughter is an instant vacation,” said Milton Berle….

If you want to try improv or just watch others have a blast on stage, check out the free Improv Jam at McKinney’s new comedy club, the Comedy Arena. They will do a wide variety of improv games chosen randomly each night. With each game, you get a chance to join in the performance or enjoy from the audience. No one is put on the spot and anyone is welcome to join. Their Motto: “We feel if you came in and didn’t have a good time, well then, we didn’t do our job.”
Improv Jam: Thurs 3/15 at 7:30 pm
Cost: Free
Website: www.comedysportzdallas.com/the-comedy-arena-1
NOTES: Must be 18+

3) Don’t be bored, get your DIY Board on!

The Board Bar is a new-ish DIY studio located in the downtown historic district of McKinney. Their team of board-tenders will lead you through the creative journey of distressing, sanding, staining, painting, and assembling raw lumber so that your finished sign has a farmhouse, vintage feel. I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time – it’s on my Must Do List!
Open Workshop: Tues 3/13 at 3-5 pm
Cost: $60
Website: www.theboardbar.com
NOTES: *Register by Mon 3/12; Must be 18+; you can BYOB and also bring light snacks

4) Take a step back to simpler times at the Chestnut Square Historic Village

Chestnut Square Historic Village is a collection of six historic homes, a replica of a one-room schoolhouse, chapel, and store on 2.5 acres just south of the downtown McKinney square. The grounds also include a blacksmith shop, smokehouse, and a reception house and reception gardens. The buildings include period artifacts showing how people lived in Collin County from 1854-1940. You’ll have a renewed appreciation for your dishwasher after this tour!
Village Tours: Thursday 3/15 and Saturday 3/17 at 11 am
Cost: Free
Website: www.chestnutsquare.org

5) Be one with Nature at the Heard Museum

Escape the traffic on Highway 75 and the concrete of the city and hike over 6.5 miles of self-guided or interpreted nature trails that wind through the diverse habitats of the Heard’s 289-acre wildlife sanctuary, including tallgrass prairie, bottomland hardwood, and limestone escarpment. The Heard is one of McKinney’s real gems!
Hours: Mon 3/12 – Sat 3/17, 9 am – 5 pm
Cost: Adults: $10; Seniors 60+ & Children 3-12: $7; Heard Museum Members & Children 2 and Under: FREE
Special Spring Break Discount ($2 Off Child Admission)
Website: www.heardmuseum.org

BONUS: McKinney St. Patrick’s Day Festival & Shamrock Run at TUPPS!

This family-friendly festival kicks off at 9 am with a 5K run and goes until 3 pm. Expect live music, St Pat’s photo booth, 50 boutiques and artisans, local restaurants and multiple food trucks, Irish dancing, kids play zone, beer from TUPPS Brewery, a wine garden, and more. After the festival, the party doesn’t stop there! A DJ takes the stage from 7-11 pm to really get the party started.
Hours: Sat 3/17 10am – 3pm, DJ: 7-11pm
Cost: No cover fee; all beers $5, flights $15
Website: www.tuppsbrewery.com/tours-events

We are so lucky that there are fun and interesting activities right here in McKinney and nobody needs to get on the Toll Road or fight the crowds in Dallas. So get out your calendar, grab some friends, and be a tourist in your own town!

I hope to run into you! 🙂

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