McKinney has grown into a big suburban city, yet its old downtown still feels like a county seat from another era. The courthouse square was laid out in 1848, and the blocks around it sit in one of the largest historic districts in Texas, packed with independent shops and restaurants.
It’s about 35 miles north of downtown Dallas, close enough for a spur-of-the-moment Saturday, and there’s enough here to fill a whole day if you pace yourself.
Start at the old courthouse
The building in the middle of the square was finished in 1876 as the Collin County Courthouse and remodeled in 1927 with a neoclassical look and an added third floor. After the county moved out in 1979, it sat empty for years before reopening in 2006 as the McKinney Performing Arts Center. Today it hosts concerts, plays and community events, and its lawn makes a natural meeting spot when your group splits up to shop.
Shop and eat around the square
The Downtown McKinney directory lists more than 200 businesses, including well over 100 shops plus dozens of restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, galleries and evening spots. Many are tucked into restored 19th- and early-20th-century storefronts, so half the fun is ducking in and out.
A few names the downtown association highlights that give you a feel for the mix:
- Harvest at the Masonic, a farm-to-table restaurant in a historic Masonic building.
- Hamm’s Meat Market, an old-fashioned butcher shop.
- Emporium Pies and Bresnan Bread & Pastry Bakery for sweets.
- Square Burger for a casual lunch right on the square.
Also watch for the 32 life-size painted birds by muralist Andrea Holmes hidden around downtown, along with McKinney’s tiny doors. Kids love hunting for them, and so do plenty of grown-ups.
Two stops for history lovers
One block east of the square, the Collin County History Museum fills McKinney’s former 1911 post office at 300 E. Virginia St. It keeps short weekend hours, generally Friday and Saturday, so call 972-542-9457 before you plan around it.
A few blocks south, Chestnut Square Historic Village at 315 S. Chestnut St. gathers historic homes and buildings across two city blocks, including the 1854 Faires House, often called the oldest house in McKinney. The village lists guided tours Thursday through Saturday at 11 a.m., and the Saturday-morning farmers market there is a local favorite. Chestnut Square also hosts a long-running holiday tour of homes; check its site for this year’s dates.
Mark your calendar: Home for the Holidays
Downtown’s biggest weekend of the year comes right after Thanksgiving. Home for the Holidays is set for Nov. 27–29, 2026, and admission is free. Plans include a community tree lighting, visits with Santa, live music and family activities, and a production of A Christmas Carol by McKinney Repertory Theatre in the Courthouse Theater. It also lines up with Small Business Saturday, so the shops are bustling.
If you have little ones along, the tree lighting and Santa visits are the main draw, so look at the schedule early and pick a time when the kids will be fresh. For a quieter experience, come back on a weekday in early December, when the decorations are usually still up but the square is far less crowded and you can browse at your own pace.
Expect heavy crowds and plan to park a few blocks out and walk in. The festival information page lists hours, parking and maps closer to the date.
Tips for a smooth visit
- Weekday mornings are the calmest time to shop; Saturday afternoons and evenings are the busiest.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The historic district stretches several blocks beyond the square.
- Many shops keep shorter hours early in the week, and some are closed on Mondays.
- If you love historic courthouse towns, this pairs well with a visit to Waxahachie or Granbury on another weekend.
Good to Know
- Where: Historic Downtown McKinney, Collin County; about 35–45 minutes north of Dallas via U.S. 75, traffic permitting.
- Home for the Holidays: Nov. 27–29, 2026; free admission.
- Collin County History Museum: 300 E. Virginia St.; weekend hours, call 972-542-9457.
- Chestnut Square: 315 S. Chestnut St.; tours Thu–Sat at 11 a.m.; 972-562-8790.
- Parking: Street parking and public lots around the square fill up fast on weekends.
Hours, dates and prices can change. Check the Visit McKinney website before you head out.
McKinney manages to feel like a small town even as the city around it keeps growing. Spend an unhurried day on the square, and you’ll see why so many North Texans make it a regular stop.
Featured photo: Mistermckinney via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
