The massive Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex includes over 9,000 square miles, 7 million people, and 200 cities. It’s easy to get lost in the urban bustle and mistakenly think it’s all an endless sea of “plain” conformity. But if you know where to look, you can discover pockets of Texas originality that will make you feel like the big city has all but disappeared. And while this town (population 290,000) is anything but small, it’s also anything but plain.
Downtown Plano
Until recently, I didn’t know there was a Downtown Plano. But this charming district covers a few city blocks with bricked streets and 100-year old buildings that will immediately transport you to small town Texas. Grab a fresh espresso from Lemma Coffee and some fresh air at Haggard Park. Georgia’s Farmers Market is sure to be stocked with seasonal produce while Carrier’s Skate Shop can set you up with a hot new pair of roller blades. Hungry trippers can head to Lockhart Smokehouse for authentic Texas barbecue or to Urban Crust for incredible hand-tossed pizza. My favorite is the “Black and Bleu” with steak and bleu cheese. If you’re not careful, you might spend all day on one street.
Heritage Farmstead Museum
If you want a true trip back in time, this living history museum boasts 15 historic buildings and thousands of artifacts showcasing early life on the Blackland Prairie of Texas. Take a tour of the immaculate 1891 Wilson House to imagine yourself as a rancher and farmer living in the country far from the city life. Roam the grounds and feed the resident animals ranging from guineas to goats. Make sure to give “Poncho” the donkey a high five—he’s my buddy.
Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park
In the not-so-remote wilderness of Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve you’ll find an adrenaline-pumping ropes course that will make you feel like you’ve gone full ape. Every visitor gets the chance to cross balance beams, rope bridges, and dangling cables dozens of feet in the air, all before flying back to Earth on a series of ziplines. It’s amazing to have so much nature in the heart of the city.
Legacy Food Hall
If you remember the shopping mall food courts of the 1990s, this is nothing like those. This indoor food court is comprised of more than a dozen small restaurants serving everything from lobster rolls to ramen to fried chicken. It’s a foodie’s dream that also brews its own beer and hosts outdoor concerts. You can have a cheesesteak at The Philly Special and then wash it down with a Belgian waffle from Press Waffle Co. There are no bad bites in the building, so simply loosen your belt and get to work.
So whether you follow my footsteps or forge your own path, I hope to see you on the road.
Chet Garner is the host of The Daytripper® travel show on PBS.
To view the Plano episode, visit thedaytripper.com.
Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @chettripper.
