Colby Holiday and her partner Khaliah, behind the World of a Wanderer Instagram account, recently made a visit to Plano, Texas from Houston for a weekend getaway. From the history of the Plano African American Museum to the exploration of a shopping and foodie paradise, let’s take a look at what all Colby and Khaliah were able to experience during their visit.
“I don’t know what I was expecting from Plano, but it wasn’t this… I absolutely loved it.” – Colby Holiday
World of a Wanderer Itinerary
Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West
Experience West of Zen hospitality at the Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel. Anchoring the south end of Legacy West, the Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel is the place to find what you crave. In addition to its premier location, the Renaissance offers a decadent, unique experience enhanced by a generous, hospitality-oriented staff. As noted in her Instagram Reel, Colby says, “Let me just say, it has some of the best customer service I’ve ever experienced at a hotel. Somebody give this place a MICHELIN key!” And she is not wrong.
Upon arrival, guests are fully immersed in the hotel’s West of Zen culture. Gorgeous artifacts are hidden away in every public corner, and the menus for both beverage + food offer a bold take on Asian Fusion.
As a bonus, there are also live ‘Activations’ scheduled several times a month to showcase local artists + musicians, as well as local alcohol vendors + small businesses. Enjoy DJs on the pool deck every Saturday afternoon during the summer or live music at Whiskey Moon every Saturday evening. These events are a great way to experience the soul of Plano. Find event information here.
Once settled in, guests can drink in the Texas sunset + sip a crafted cocktail on the rooftop pool deck. This third floor oasis includes a heated rooftop swimming pool + spa, with large, resort-style umbrellas along the perimeter. Complete with a bar and grill, it’s easy to lose track of time. Looking for more fun? Secure your space with a cabana rental. Available for reservations through Resort Pass or directly at the hotel, these cabanas allow you to stay shady all summer. After some fun in the sun, retire to one of their stylish guest rooms, which offer a creative blend of Asian textures + Western traditions. Don’t miss the Maneki Neko “Lucky Cat” or the Instagram-worthy George W. Bush quote that climbs from the wall to the ceiling. Each room also includes chromatherapy lighting in the bathrooms, which allows guest to customize the atmosphere of their private bathroom with pink or blue hues.
Legacy West
Plano’s newest entertainment district, Legacy West, is like a Rodeo Drive of Plano; it is the largest mixed use destination in North Texas and is a great place to meet, play, shop, dine, and stay. The 255-acre development boasts plenty of open-air high-end retail (think Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, David Yurman, and Gucci) and restaurants. Here, visitors can satisfy every craving, whether for steak or a good old-fashioned milk shake, French bistro fare, or a perfect plate of pasta. Colby’s favorites were KAI and Legacy Hall.
If shopping is your guilty pleasure, Legacy West will not disappoint. This 415,000 square foot urban village is a shopper’s paradise. With chic brands like Golden Goose, Lululemon, Tommy Bahama, Tory Burch, J.Crew, M.A.C, Johnny Was, West Elm, Sephora, and Tumi, everyone is bound to find something they can’t live without.
Shops at Legacy
One thing is for sure, Colby enjoyed all the shopping Plano offered, calling it a “shopper’s paradise”. One of her favorite “souvenirs” was a set of Golden Girls coasters from a boutique at The Shops at Legacy East.
Legacy Town Center (consisting of Shops at Legacy East & Legacy North) is a mélange of townhomes, businesses, shops, restaurants, the beautiful Dallas/Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center hotel, and open spaces all in an urban village-style setting. The Shops at Legacy features an upscale retail mix of men’s and women’s clothing, home furnishings, beauty, and more. The Shops at Legacy is a part of a 168-acre master planned development of boutique retail, and best-in-class restaurants. Shoppers will discover an expansive selection of upscale stores, independent boutiques and high profile brands in an inviting outdoor setting.
Activate Games
Activate Games, as Colby says, was “a 10/10; highly recommend,” offers a cutting-edge experience where participants engage in high-tech, interactive challenges designed to test physical and mental skills. With a variety of rooms featuring immersive games that combine technology and fitness, visitors can compete, strategize, and have fun in a thrilling environment suitable for all ages. This adventure is perfect for groups, families, or team-building events, providing a unique, energetic experience.
View this post on Instagram
Downtown Plano Arts District
Following that workout, it was time for a cool-down gelato break in downtown! Named one of the top 10 best downtowns in America by Livability.com, the Downtown Plano Arts District offers a charming setting for a simple stroll, an afternoon of shopping, or an evening’s entertainment. Visit more than a dozen restored historic homes, and the Interurban Railway Museum, a railroad car turned urban museum offering a microcosm of North Texas railroad history right in Haggard Park. Walk along authentic brick streets to discover an eclectic collection of antique shops and boutiques selling everything from handmade jewelry to home décor to pottery. Catch a show/performance at McCall Plaza, the Courtyard Theater, or the Cox Building Playhouse, and see the artists in residence.
Plano African American Museum
The Plano African American Museum (PAAM) is located at 900 13th Street within the Douglass Community in downtown Plano. Established in 2002, PAAM celebrated its soft opening during the Juneteenth Celebration in 2023. The beautiful home once owned in the early 1900’s by John “Bud” Thornton, a successful business man and one of the first African Americans to purchase land in Plano, provides a time capsule of Plano’s African American history showing visitors how people over 100 years ago in the community lived. Items include everyday tools, home décor, and a layout of furnishings. PAAM is still undergoing necessary upgrades, but welcomes all visitors during normal business hours and for private tours.
Fowling Warehouse
Then Colby and Khaliah enjoyed a little friendly competition at Fowling Warehouse in downtown Plano. What started as a one-lane mashup of two popular sports while tailgating at the 2001 Indy 500, is quickly turning into a national sensation. Fowling is a unique and entertaining game that merges football with bowling and is perfect for small or large groups. It’s as easy as throwing a football at ten bowling pins until someone knocks them all down. Colby says it’s a lot harder than it looks, so who do we think won that one?!
The Boardwalk at Granite Park
Situated across from the luxurious patio of the 299-room Hilton at Granite Park, this 30,000 square foot expanse features a variety of restaurants with patios serving burgers, gourmet biscuits, southern California boardwalk-style cuisine, brew pub fare, specialty coffee, pastries and more. There are also beachy deck chairs that afford a great view of the park’s inviting water feature and live music stage.
View this post on Instagram
Explore more of Plano at visitplano.com. Ready to come see it for yourself? Book your trip today!
