Plano Family Fun: Enjoy Big Fun With Small-Town Charm
Plano, Texas, is the fourth-largest city in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro region. However, it maintains a small-town atmosphere full of family-friendly activities and charm. That’s one reason why families enjoy vacationing in Plano – they can plan a trip with a mix of adventure and hospitality. Want to learn more? Read about these Plano family fun options.
Plano Family Fun: Fun Things to Do With Kids and Groups
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
Families searching for outdoor recreation activities enjoy Arbor Hills Nature Preserve. The park measures 200 acres, and it’s a great place to spend time outdoors. Explore 6 miles of paved and unpaved hiking trails, an off-road bike trail, and a playground. In addition, families can bring pets, but please make sure to bring water and snacks. There are restrooms, but no stops along the trails.
Crayola Experience Plano
Kids love hands-on activities at Crayola Experience Plano. This attraction ranks among the best places for Plano family fun due to its interactive projects and creative exhibits. At the center, children play on the indoor playground, create their own art, try new games, and interact with other visitors. There are 26 areas that encourage creativity and education.
Hawaiian Falls The Colony
Plano’s warm climate makes it a must for waterpark fun. One of the best places to visit is Hawaiian Falls The Colony, a large waterpark with slides and pools. For example, Kahuna Beach, LED screen pool, Oaha Bay, and Kona Kooler feature pools and lazy rivers perfect for relaxing and staying cool. Those interested in thrills and rides will find pipes, slides, plunges and towers. There is even a water walkway to keep guests cool in between attractions.
In addition, the park has a gift shop with sunscreen and snacks, a tiki bar, shaved ice, and safety gear. Other waterparks near Plano include Frisco Water Park, Oak Hills Splash Park, Hawaiian Falls Garland and The Colony Aquatic Park.
Heritage Farmstead Museum
For more Plano family fun, head to Heritage Farmstead Museum. Upon arrival, guests will find a 4.5-acre living history museum dedicated to showcasing the Blackland Prairie Region.
The permanent collection has 10,000 objects dating from 1890 to 1920. Examples include furniture, accessories, tools, textiles and costumes and equipment. Visitors may also see the Young House, which was built for one of the first families to settle in Plano. Other sites include a schoolhouse and farm. The museum also hosts special classes for preschoolers to adults.
Interurban Railway Museum
Interurban Railway Museum is located in downtown Plano – and it’s free. Interactive exhibits welcome all ages to learn about electricity, science, and history as it relates to Plano and the Texas Electric Railway. Guests may also plan a guided tour of a historic train car.
Other things to do at Interurban Railway Museum range from browsing model trains and getting up-close with electricity in a safe environment. Traveling exhibits have featured baseball and holidays.
Dark Hour Haunted House
Children over 10, teens and adults looking for Plano family fun in the fall can’t miss Dark Hour Haunted House. The attraction ranks among the top scariest haunted houses in Dallas. Dark Hour features terrifying scenes, creatures, a witch coven, costumed characters, and Halloween fun. The house operates on select nights from mid-September through October.
Go Ape Zipline and Treetop
To ramp up the action, take everyone to Go Ape Zipline and Treetop. Activities include treetop obstacles, bridges, long ziplines and swings. For an additional fee, visitors enjoy axe throwing and a monkey drop to complete a 40-foot jump. Families can plan a zipline adventure based on their comfort levels and receive guides.
The Texas Pool
The Texas Pool is a community pool in the shape of Texas. It has 168,000 gallons of saltwater, a diving board, two water slides and wading pool for younger guests. There are also places to play water volleyball, grill food, watch for mermaids and tour a small butterfly garden. Guests may bring their own food and drinks.
Learn more about visiting Plano and other cities north of Dallas. Read more articles about vacationing in Texas.