Spring Break in Plano 2018

Update: For the 2019 Guide to Planning a Spring Getaway in Plano, click here.

Whether you are visiting Plano and the Dallas area over spring break or planning a staycation, we have your guide for planning the ultimate Plano adventure.

ENTER TO WIN A PLANO VACATION

Don’t forget to enter to win our spring break vacation package for a chance to win a 2-night weekend hotel stay at Home2 Suites by Hilton Plano Richardson, a $100 Visa gift card, a $50 Urban Crust gift card, a $15 XO Coffee gift card, a $50 Hub Streat gift card, and two passes to Go Ape at Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve! The winner will be announced on Visit Plano’s Facebook page on March 1, 2018.

FOR THE ADVENTUROUS

Active entertainment venues for kids and adults? Yes, please! Wear the kids out and enjoy yourself too at PINSTACK and Plano Super Bowl. PINSTACK offers VIP bowling experiences to two-story laser tag, bumper cars, LED lit six-lane rock climbing walls, hundreds of interactive games, and simulator technology. A chef-inspired restaurant offers an upscale dining experience before or after gaming with modern American classics, a stacked bar and craft cocktails. The newly renovated 50-lane Plano Super Bowl offers bowling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! They even have a chef-driven Scratch Kitchen and lounge on-site.

Check out these new escape rooms in Plano: Breakout Games, Escape Expert, and Escape Hunt Dallas. Other kid activity venues include: Jumpstreet and the Play Street Museum. See other family-friendly attractions here.

ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

Plano has more than 56 miles of recreational trails open to the public. Chances are there’s a trail near you! Get trail information here including downloadable trail maps. Two major parks within the city of Plano offer great opportunities to connect with the outdoors. Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve is 800 acres and has 3.5 miles of concrete trails and 5 miles of soft trails along Rowlett Creek. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is a 200-acre park with hike and bike trails, a 2-mile walking trail and stunning views of the prairie and forest. With more than 56 miles of trails crisscrossing the city, biking is a great way to see Plano. You can even find the routes on Google!

The lake at Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve is open for kayaking, canoeing and stand up paddle boarding from dawn to dusk. Bring your own watercraft (canoe, kayak, or stand up paddle board) and see Plano’s largest park from a new perspective, for free! Click here for more information.

Be sure to check out the new Go Ape Treetop Adventure course at Oak Point Park made up of numerous rope ladders and 39 exciting crossings including Pirates Crossing, Fisherman’s Trap, Bosun’s Chair, two Tarzan swings and five zip lines!

PLAN A HISTORICAL DAY

Stop 1: The Heritage Farmstead Museum preserves the way of life during the height of farm prosperity in the early 1900’s. The beautiful Victorian home and 12 outbuildings was the hub of a 360-acre farm operated by a colorful local resident, Ammie Wilson.

Stop 2: Plano transportation history is brought back to life with an interesting and free exhibit at the Interurban Railway Museum. Once a vital part of the Texas Electric Railway which stretched from Denison to Waco, the Interurban is one of the original electric cars that ran on the tracks through Plano. Also on site is Car 360 which carried mail and passengers.

Stop 3: Known as the “world’s most famous ranch,” Southfork Ranch has attracted millions of visitors ever since it became the homestead of the fictional Ewing clan from the hit TV show, “Dallas”. Re-live some of the memorable moments from “Dallas” in the “Dallas Legends: Fact to Fantasy” exhibit then take a tram around the property to the famous Ewing Mansion for a guided tour. You can even experience Southfork Ranch on horse-back; trail rides are available seven days a week.

ATTEND AN EVENT

If you have ever been intrigued by fly fishing but didn’t know where to begin, now is your chance. The Texas Fly Fishing & Brew Festival will be held at Plano Event Center March 10-11 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. View the event schedule here.

Fly fishing professionals from around the country will participate in this two-day extravaganza. Multiple name brand companies from across the country will be available to help you discover what products and trips are right for you. There will be fly fishing guides and fly shops, kayak experts and instructors teaching a wide variety of topics to help you get out on the water more often.

Beer tasting tickets, included in admission, enable patrons 21 years and older to sample the wares of some of the best microbreweries in Texas. General admission is $20 and a weekend pass is $35. Children 17 years old and younger are free with an adult paying ticket and Boy Scouts can earn their Fly Fishing Merit Badge at no cost.

Also not to miss is Toyota Texas Music Revolution March 23-24 at Oak Point Park and Amphitheater with headliners Ryan Bingham and Margo Price. More details here.

St. Patrick’s Day Events

Get in the Saint Patrick’s Day spirit at Dark Hours Haunted House March 16-17, and yes, there will be leprechauns and witches. Guests who are daring enough to go will find themselves caught up in a terrifying power struggle between magical figures from Irish lore.

Join Local Yoakam for some Dwight Yoakam hits along with some classic rock, country and originals. Dust off those boots and get yourself ready for some edgy Honky Tonk music at Ringo’s Pub at their annual St. Patrick’s Day Block Party, March 17 at 1 p.m.

Following in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit, The Fillmore Pub in the Downtown Plano Arts District is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Bash featuring live music, giveaways, specials, and Irish food all day.

DON’T MISS OPPORTUNITIES

Children are mesmerized by trains! And luckily, you can get to and from Plano via DART! Choose from three stops in Plano: Parker Road Station, Downtown Plano and the George Bush Turnpike Station. Visit dart.org for more information.

Don’t forget! You can experience amazing dining and shopping in the Downtown Plano Arts District, The Shops at Legacy, Legacy West, and The Boardwalk at Granite Park. Bring the family, have a date night, or even splurge on a girl’s weekend.

If you haven’t heard of our newest foodie attraction, check out Legacy Food Hall at Legacy West. You can even get a brewery tour every Saturday at noon, 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. on the third floor brewery – Unlawful Assembly Brewery + Tap Room.  Each tour costs $15 per participant and includes a limited release UABC beer glass, and two complimentary beers. No RSVP or pre-registration necessary. Must be 21+ to attend. Don’t forget to check out the Box Garden when it opens in April for live music and more!

The new Crayola Experience at The Shops at Willow Bend is scheduled to open later in March, so stay tuned for opening details; you just may be able to make this a part of your spring break adventure as well!

Check hotel availability and book online here. There are more great events in and around the Plano area; view them here.