Written by: Adeina Anderson, Travel Life with Adeina @adeinaanderson
The growing city of Plano, Texas is located in North Texas and is only a 4 1/2 hour drive from San Antonio. You will find a delightful mix of shopping, dining, and outdoor adventures. Whether you’re in the mood for relaxation or excitement, Plano has something for every group of friends. So grab your gal pals and head north for an unforgettable Plano, Texas getaway in this charming Texan gem.
Where to Stay
Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West
The Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West is perfectly located for easy access to Legacy Hall where you can shop, eat, and catch some live music. The hotel has a fitness center, a restaurant, a bar, and a coffee house. The rooms are large and overlook the Legacy West shopping district. You’ll catch some local live music at the bar on the weekends, along with a cool and Zen vibe with their East Meets West feel and high end cocktail options.
What to Do
Relax at Spa Habitat
The perfect way to start this fall getaway is with a visit to Spa Habitat. They offer a wide variety of spa treatments, facials, and organically made products. Many elements make Spa Habitat special and unique. The environment is welcoming, and the massage therapists are very well-trained with unique seasonal sensory experiences. The custom-curated music creates a reclaimed and eco-friendly vibe. This is great way to start your weekend relaxed and rejuvenated. There are two locations in Plano: Legacy North and Downtown Plano.
Get COlorful at The Crayola Experience
The Crayola Experience is for kids of all ages. As you walk into the Shops at Willow Bend location, the smell of crayons brings back memories of crafts and creations from your childhood. You can create a crayon box or marker packet by picking from the wall of color. And be sure to check out the full experience where you can create coloring pages, create melted wax spin art, and more. I would consider this Texas’ most colorful family destination.
Painting Fun at Pipe & Palette
Plano’s most colorful attraction is the Pipe & Palette painting experience. This is such a fun place to take your friends, and just let loose with paint and laughter. They will gear you up with plastic hats, ponchos, booties, and gloves, and let you splatter paint all over a canvas of your choice. I had so much fun creating a masterpiece, and laughing with my friends while covered in paint.
Get Competitive at Fowling Warehouse
What happens when you love bowling and football? You combine them and play one of my favorite games, fowling. This amazing pastime was created by Chris Hutt and a group of friends while they were tailgating at the Indy 500. I know, another one of my favorite things, racing. But this tailgating game needed to be shared with the masses, so Chris created the first Fowling Warehouse in my home state of Michigan. So grab a group of friends and head out to Plano’s location. I promise, you will love it.
Have a Picnic at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
Take a leisurely walk at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve. The lush trails and beautiful scenery make it an ideal spot to chat and catch up while enjoying the great outdoors. Bring along some snacks for a mid-morning picnic under the trees!
Experience the Hot Air Balloon Festival
Did you know that Plano, Texas is Texas’ hot air balloon capital of Texas? Hot air balloon festivals are becoming a big deal throughout the country, and the Plano Balloon Festival is one of the best. It happens the 3rd weekend in September, so make plans for next year.
Visit Historic Downtown Plano
As you stroll through the downtown Plano Historic District, you’ll notice all of its charm. The welcoming feel you get from the train in the park to the restaurants and specialty stores located on the historic strip. Find more information here.
Where to Eat
The walkable entertainment districts are filled with shops, restaurants, and Legacy Hall, where they have outdoor concerts year-round and a variety of food stalls. There are restaurants for everyone in your group, from fine dining to casual eating. You will find world-class shopping, and in the Legacy Food Hall, which was voted the best new food hall in Texas, you can enjoy the “Poor Your Own Wine” stop.
The Bloom Lounge
A great place to stop for breakfast, or brunch is the Bloom Lounge. It’s Instagram-worthy with its beautiful décor, flower-decorated walls, and delectable cuisine. I had the eggs benedict, and my “girls trip” friend had the chicken and waffles. Both dishes came with extras and were amazing.
Tommy Bahama Restaurant
Some of the best coconut shrimp I have ever had can be found at Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar & Grill. Their wide variety of beach-themed cocktails is a great way to enjoy the tropical vibe of the restaurant. If you like fish tacos, you will find some of the most delicious ones you’ve ever had at Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar & Store.
Whistle Britches
How do I explain this place? Have you ever wished you could have fried chicken the way your grandma used to make it? Or the best deviled eggs in the world? This is the place to get that and more. Located at The Shops at Willow Bend mall, Whistle Britches is a casual dining experience and will have you dreaming about their food for years to come.
A Plano, Texas getaway girls trip is all about friendship, fun, and creating lasting memories. With its delightful mix of shopping, dining, and outdoor activities, Plano is the perfect spot to escape the daily grind and reconnect with your besties. So grab your girls and start planning your trip, because adventure awaits in Plano!
