Historic Downtown McKinney
Streets surrounding the McKinney Performing Arts Center
111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney
972/547-2650, mckinneyperformingartscenter.org
McKinney Convention & Visitors Bureau
214/544-1407, visitmckinney.com
Hours: Vary by venue. Many shops and restaurants stay open from 7–10pm the second Saturday monthly.
Admission: Ticket prices vary for events at the McKinney Performing Arts Center.
Parking: Free parking on the square for up to three hours; more lots available without time restrictions.
The City of McKinney frequently lands at the top of national and statewide lists for “best places to live,” thanks in no small part to the small-town charm of its flourishing downtown square. Along the brick-paved sidewalks of Historic Downtown McKinney, you’ll find boutiques, restaurants and novelty shops with a level of vintage Americana unequaled elsewhere in North Texas. A casual outing with the family to this hub of entertainment is well worth a regular spot on the calendar, and for first-timers, don’t miss these top three kid-centric destinations.
Step through the velvet curtains of Main Street Magic & Fun Company to learn the secrets behind card tricks and sleight of hand. The resident magicians perform free demos Tuesday–Saturday and year-round classes are open for kids as young as 5. For $10 admission, catch the public shows in the shop’s second floor Magic Attic at 7pm and 9pm during downtown’s Second Saturdays.
Seated in the middle of the square, the McKinney Performing Arts Center (the restored Historic Collin County Courthouse) offers an ever-changing roster of concerts, films and plays. This month, look forward to The Belle of West Texas, a live production by the McKinney Repertory Theatre running weekends August 1–10. Join in the melodrama by buying a bag of popcorn for $1 and throwing it at the actors during the show.
And speaking of savory snacks, the MOM and POPcorn Company sells more than 45 flavors of popcorn made fresh daily, including the kid-favorite cornfetti, a mixture of all the flavors combined. Peruse through this '50s-style candy shop’s individually wrapped sweets, saltwater taffy, retro lunch boxes and candy bar brands you forgot existed.
