Tag Archives: McKinney Texas

McKinney Historic District

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Searching for a relaxed day trip near home? McKinney offers public art, upscale shopping, and fine dining in its walkable downtown. Established in1849, McKinney has escaped the plight of many Texas-pioneer towns. An infusion of private investment refurbished century-old buildings allowing the area to pivot from a collection of dusty antique malls and empty store fronts to a thriving collection of high-end boutiques and eateries. And, even with newcomers and McKinney’s rapid growth, the historic downtown retains its small town charm.

Western Wear to Handcrafted Décor

birds and words for home decor

The old Collin County Courthouse, now home to the McKinney Performing Arts Center, anchors dozens of surrounding shops. If you seek chic-western, you’ll find it at Orisons. Or visit McKinney Hat Company to be fitted for an iconic Stetson hat. A cluster of women’s boutiques can be found along Virginia Street. My favorite shopping is at the smaller, home décor stores like birds & words. The store sells a mix of new merchandise and items crafted from found objects. Another of my favorites is Petals and Vine where I’m guaranteed to find that perfect gift. And finally, if looking for a vintage item, try the Antique Company Mall and its expansive collection of everything from vinyl records to grandma’s fine china.

McKinney Dining

Portions of the area around the courthouse sport extra-wide sidewalks, allowing outdoor seating areas. Sip a glass of wine at Landon Winery or enjoy Spoons Cafe’s all-day breakfast alfresco. It’s a grand way to relax and do a little people watching. Other casual establishments like Cadillac Pizza Pub and The Yard have limited indoor seating but offer large patio dining.

In addition to relaxed eateries, McKinney is home to a variety of upscale restaurants. Rick’s Chophouse is the type of restaurant reserved for those special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. Rick’s specializes in steaks, but also offers an exceptional selection of seafood. Lunch is a wonderful and a less expensive way to sample Rick’s fare. A new restaurant, Fontina Ristorante, masters Italian cooking with nuanced, house-made sauces, and is well worth a visit. Local Yokel, a long-time McKinney store selling farm fresh meat and eggs, opened a fine dining restaurant a short half-mile from the courthouse. Local Yokel BBQ and Grill elevates barbeque to haute cuisine.

McKinney Arts Community

Unique by Nature is McKinney’s city motto. I might have come up with a different motto—like—Uniquely Artistic. Long before the city’s downtown renovation, visual and musical artists drew people to the historic district with events like Second Saturday art walks. A collective of local artists now manages The Cove. Check their website for local art exhibits. The Millhouse, an all-women creative collective, is located at the old cotton gin and often hosts exhibits.

Van Helton Silo Mural

In 2016, the City of McKinney commissioned its first large mural. Many are found in alleys. One of my favorites is a waist-high, block-long, playful mural depicting Texas flora and fauna by artist Theresa Holmes. It’s a bit like a scavenger hunt finding all the outdoor murals as you walk the area.

The most impressive is the mural painted on old grain silos at the now defunct flour mill. Guido Van Helten, an Australian artist, took over five months to complete the behemoth project. Van Helten is renowned for his large-scale, photorealistic murals.

McKinney City Festivals

McKinney always finds a reason to celebrate. Check the city calendar for events. Three festivals not to be missed are Arts in the Square (April), Oktoberfest (last weekend in September), and Christmas on the Square (Thanksgiving weekend). I’m also a big fan of the McKinney Art Studio Tour. Held on the second weekend of November, local artists open their studios to visitors. It’s fascinating to see the artists at work and gives an appreciation of the breadth and depth of the local creative community.

When you go

Parking is free and abundant around the old courthouse. In addition to ground lots, a parking garage is located at Chestnut and Davis. Store locations: Orisons (102 N Tennessee), McKinney Hat Company (213 N Kentucky), birds and words (100 W Virginia), Petals and Vine (205 N Kentucky), and Antique Company Mall (213 E Virginia). Restaurant locations: Landon Winery (101 N Kentucky), Spoons (100 E Louisiana), Cadillac Pizza (112 S Kentucky), The Yard (107 S Church), Rick’s Chophouse (107 N Kentucky), Fontina Ristorante (216 E Virginia), Local Yokel BBQ and Grill (350 E Louisiana).

Fun Fact: Money magazine named McKinney the best place to live in 2016

McKinney Farmers Market

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McKinney Farmers Market at Chestnut Square is my favorite North Texas farmers market. The vintage buildings of Chestnut Square serve as the perfect backdrop for local producers and artists. Shaded courtyards offer a pleasant respite from scorching Texas heat for both shopper and seller. It’s a little like stepping back in time to what shopping might have been like at the turn of the century — not this one, but the previous century.

Expanded Market

As McKinney grows, so does its farmers market. In addition to sellers nestled among the old buildings, you’ll find tent stalls lining Chestnut Street. The once small market has grown from thirty vendors to almost a hundred. And no more fighting for parking as there’s now a free parking garage kitty-corner to the market on Howell Street.  Despite its growth, it still exudes character with friendly vendors, artists, and street musicians. There is even something for youngsters. The kids will love a chance to ride a pony at T Bar Pony Rides located on the south edge of the market. McKinney Farmers Market vendors map can help newcomers navigate the larger market.

Sustainable Shopping

McKinney Farmers Market is an organic shopper’s nirvana. Buy grass-fed beef from Keeton Beef, fresh mushrooms from Farmboys Fungi, and local honey from numerous sellers. Claiming center stage are multiple fruit and vegetable vendors many of who are Collin County farmers. The produce varies based on the time of year. Expect fresh beets in spring and melon in summer. Some items are sourced from within Texas, like fresh peaches from Pittsburg, Texas.

Yes, it’s a great shopping experience, but markets like McKinney Farmers Market are important to communities and the environment. These markets support local producers and small businesses. Buying local also reduces the carbon footprint (energy cost) associated with transporting and storing goods as they make their way to grocery stores. Finally, the budget conscious shopper will often find high quality, seasonal fruits and vegetables at bargain prices.

To help guide the sustainable shopper, the market cues customers with how much of the product sold … be it food or crafted work … is actually produced by the vendor.

My Market Favorites

Stonebranch MicroFarms. Micro farms are small scale operations, normally on five-acres or less. Stonebranch is a family farm that brings to market what’s ripe in their farm plot. During my visit this week, produce included bok choy and walking onions. I love that every week, they offer flower arrangements in mason jars for $6. And this year, I see they’ve add some beautifully crafted cards to their wares. Visit early as they often sell out.

Yatab Mandazi. A newcomer to the market, Yatab Mandazi sells what is dubbed as African beignets from a tradition passed down from the baker’s grandma. I reheated mine at home and sprinkled them with powdered sugar. The beignet nuggets are a little denser than New Orleans-styled beignets, but truly yummy.

The Tamale Company. If you want to eat at the market, The Tamale Company sells hot, individual tamales. Or buy frozen packages to take home. Varieties include two vegetarian options.

When You Go The McKinney Farmers Market (315 S Chestnut Street, McKinney) runs every Saturday morning, 8 to noon from April through November; and the first and third Saturday December through March. Arrive early for the best selection of farm fresh produce and baked goods.

Hike The Heard

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The Heard Wood Duck Trail
The Heard Natural History Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary Wood Duck Trail

The Heard Natural History Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney offers more than just a gorgeous natural setting for local hikes. During winter months, youngsters will delight in the exhibit of life-sized dinosaurs and naturalists of all ages will enjoy the year round museum exhibits. And did I mention the hiking trails through diverse habitats from forest to prairie to wetland?

Dinosaurs Live

A thunderous roar shatters the forest stillness. Beware. Beasts not seen for millions of years stalk the Heard Natural History Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary. Young paleontologists will find Brachiosaurus, Diabloceratops, Dilophosaurus, and the infamous Tyrannosaurus Rex roaming the trails at the sanctuary. View ten different dinosaurs along a loop trail through forest and meadow. These life-sized dinosaur replicas roar and move delighting young dinosaur enthusiasts.

North Texas Ramblings - Dinosaurs Live Heard Natural Science Museum
Dinosaurs Live at The Heard

Billings Production in Allen makes the animatronic creatures. The Heard dinosaurs are part of over 200 Billings’ dinosaurs found at zoos and museums throughout North American. The robotic dinosaurs are uniquely adapted to operate outdoors. A hinged steel structure within the fabricated body allows dinosaur heads and limbs to move. A computer program further enhances dinosaur movements making these monstrous creatures look and act almost real — Jurassic Park Texas style. The Heard’s fifteenth annual Dinosaurs Live continues through February 15.

Hike The Heard

While the dinosaurs draw the crowds, there is more to The Heard. Five hiking trails offer differing habitats to explore.

Bluestem and Wood Duck

We live in an ecoregion known as Blackland Prairie running from the Red River to San Antonio. Farming, ranching, and urbanization has decimated the original prairie land of tall grasses to just one percent of its original acreage. The Heard has restored several meadow-sized areas to prairie by careful cultivation of indigenousness grasses and plants. Bluestem trail gets its name from one of these clumping prairie grasses. The trail is one mile out and back, and easy walking.

Bluestem joins with Wood Duck to offer a completely different wetland habitat. The Wood Duck boardwalk takes you on a loop over shallow water and in among flooded trees. During summer months you’ll find turtles and snakes galore sunning themselves on fallen trees. We even found a few confused turtles out soaking up rays from a warmer than normal January sun. Across from the boardwalk, egrets often use the wetland for their rookeries. Combining Bluestem and Wood Duck trails, gives you a pleasant two-mile hike.

Hoot Owl

Located at the lower level of the museum, you’ll find the trailhead for Hoot Owl. The loop takes you through forest to the highest elevation at the sanctuary. At the overlook, you get a glimpse of Texas from before the dinosaurs when our region was covered by an ancient inland sea. The soil all around the overlook is white and part of the geological formation called Austin Chalk formed by long-dead sea creatures.

Hikers descend from the overlook into older forest of elm and oak. At the bottom of Hoot Owl, is the oldest tree on the sanctuary, a great Burr oak that has been core dated at over 230 years old. The Hoot Owl trail is a mile loop, but a more moderate hike due to changes in elevation.

Animals of the World

After your hike, check out the Animals of the World outdoor exhibit. The Heard houses a small number of native and exotic animals. Many exhibit animals imprinted with humans and cannot be released into the wild. Seized from an illegal animal breeder, some animals found new homes at the wildlife sanctuary. There are deer, bobcat, fox, and capybara, the world’s largest rodents. An albino raccoon found a home here too. My favorite are the bobcat brothers. These two were rescued by a farmer from a fire. The farmer brought the small kits to a rehabilitation center. The bobcat brothers recovered from their burns, but spent too much time with humans to be released back into the wild. The ‘boys’ are beautiful cats. During colder winter months, some of the exhibit animals, like the lemurs, are housed inside the museum.

When You Go

The Heard Natural History Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and on Sunday from 1 until 5 p.m. Pets are not allowed in the sanctuary and there is an admission fee. The trails around Dinosaurs Live are accessible with a stroller, however all trails within the sanctuary are on natural, unpaved surfaces — challenging for wheel chairs and strollers. Picnic areas are available. Restrooms are inside the main building. The Heard Natural History Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary is at 1 Nature Place in McKinney.

Pandemic Impact

The Heard outdoor and indoor exhibits are open, however, masks are required throughout the sanctuary. Trails are narrow and there is enough crossing traffic, that masks are needed even when hiking. Because the dinosaurs draw so many families, you may want to consider a visit during the weekdays when trails are less crowded.

Dinosaurs Live at Heard Natural Science Museum

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Dinosaurs Live! A thunderous roar shatters the forest stillness. Beware; beasts not seen for millions of years stalk the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary in North Texas Ramblings - Dinosaurs Live Heard Natural Science MuseumMcKinney. Young paleontologists recently discovered Dilophosaurus, Apatosaurus, and the infamous Tyrannosaurus Rex roaming the trails at the wildlife sanctuary. Sighted along a half-mile trail through forest and meadow, nine different dinosaurs roam. These life-sized dinosaur replicas roar and move delighting young dinosaur enthusiasts. View the creatures first hand now until February 15, 2015, as the Heard hosts Dinosaurs Live.

Billings Production in McKinney makes the animatronic creatures. The Heard dinosaurs are part of over 200 Billings’ dinosaurs found at zoos and museums throughout North American. The robotic dinosaurs are uniquely adapted to operating outdoors. A hinged steel structure within the fabricated body allows dinosaur heads and limbs to move. A computer program further enhances dinosaur movements making these monstrous creatures look and act almost real — Jurassic Park Texas style.

While the dinosaurs draw the crowds, there is much more to the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary. Once you’ve explored the dinosaur trek, take a stroll through The World Conservation exhibit to see modern day animals. Some animals are native to North America and others like the lemur are from exotic locales. Many exhibit animals imprinted with humans and cannot be released into the wild. Seized from an illegal animal breeder, some animals found new homes at the wildlife sanctuary. There are mongoose and capybara, the world’s largest rodents. An albino raccoon calls the Heard home,too.

Be sure to visit the Heard Natural Science museum basement. You’ll find small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. The Heard museum exhibits change periodically. Its permanent collection includes Texas snakes, geology and habitat dioramas. The museum is ideal for families with small children.

The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and on Sunday from 1 until 5 p.m. Pets are not allowed in the sanctuary and there is an admission fee. The trails around Dinosaurs Live are accessible with a stroller, however all trails within the sanctuary are on natural, unpaved surfaces — challenging for wheel chairs and strollers. Picnic areas are available. The Heard Natural History Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary is at 1 Nature Place in McKinney. Contact them at 972-562-5566 or through their website at heardmuseum.org.