Plano is truly the land of plenty and is a favorite North Texas fall getaway! For families, couples, or girlfriend getaways, Plano brims with attractions making for the perfect weekend trip. With more than 1,000 restaurants of every variety, world class shopping, a lively arts and nightlife scene, walkable entertainment districts, and abundant natural beauty, there is so much to discover this season.
Kick off festival season in Plano with the most vibrant celebration of color and music at the HEB | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival held from Thursday, September 21 to Sunday, September 24 at Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve. From morning balloon launches and nighttime balloon glows to parachute sky diver exhibitions and tethered balloon rides, this is truly a must-see event. Plano, also known as the official Hot Air Balloon Capital of Texas, is proud to host the largest balloon festival in the Lone Star State with more than 100,000 guests attending each year.
Experience the convergence of many world cultures at the Plano International Festival. The 19th annual event will be held October 14 at Haggard Park in the Downtown Plano Arts District. The free, family-friendly event features art, music, food, and fashion from around the world.
Sip and savor at the Plano Food + Wine Festival at Legacy West on October 21 featuring more than 100 award-winning wines, food from delicious local restaurants, and culinary demos from local chefs.
On October 28, if you dare, walk through the gates of RIP Fest in the Downtown Plano Arts District, a free Halloween-themed festival for all ages. With an Apparition Expedition ticket, take a peek into Plano’s paranormal past with this walking tour through the city’s haunted history. The ghoulish guides will lead visitors into homes and businesses full of true tales of the macabre.
Looking for a unique way to wine and dine? Try Legacy Hall, one of the nation’s largest and most unique food halls. In this one-of-a-kind artisanal food hall, visitors can wander from stall to stall to meet local purveyors and sample everything from lobster rolls and Philly cheesesteaks to spiked shakes. The three-story venue also includes a brewery and a live music box garden. The fall music line-up has something for everyone.
Fall football has a whole new meaning! Fowl-on at Fowling Warehouse where older kids and parents can have a blast playing this new sport that is quickly turning into a national sensation. It’s as easy as throwing a football at ten bowling pins until someone knocks them all down. Fowling Warehouse’s Plano location is the first in the south, their largest venue, and the first venue with full food and beverage options.
Fly high at Go Ape! This vast area of natural beauty sits on 800 acres and features five individual sections with rope ladders and 39 exciting crossings.
With 60,000 square feet of attractions, Crayola Experience is Texas’s most colorful family destination for interactive, creative play. Families typically spend 3-4 hours exploring the 22 hands-on attractions. Kids of all ages can embark on a wonderful, whimsical adventure with such unique experiences as starring in their very own coloring pages, naming and wrapping their very own Crayola crayon, learning how crayons are made in a live manufacturing show and so much more.
Walk the historic brick-lined streets of the Downtown Plano Arts District offering a charming setting for a simple stroll, an afternoon of shopping, or an evening’s entertainment.
Or stroll The Boardwalk at Granite Park featuring a variety of unique restaurants featuring a variety of restaurants serving burgers, gourmet biscuits, southern California boardwalk-style cuisine, brew pub fare, and more. Every restaurant’s patio overlooks the park’s inviting water feature and live music stage.
In nearby Parker, saddle-up at Southfork Ranch for a picturesque horseback trail ride through the property of the hit TV show Dallas.
