McKinney is a popular destination for a romantic getaway, and whether it's Valentine's Day or just any day of the year, we've gathered some suggestions of "date-worthy" ideas for your next romantic outing!
Wine Tastings and Tasty Eats:
Among all the great restaurants in Downtown McKinney, you'll also find four wine rooms with others located in Hub 121 and Adriatica. Each has its own character and several serve wine made at their vineyards in North Texas. You'll find a list of all six McKinney wine rooms HERE.
In Downtown McKinney, the city's historic cultural center with more than 120 businesses including one-of-a-kind chef-driven and locally-sourced restaurants, boutiques, specialty shops, history museums, public art, and fun attractions as well as four wine rooms: Baron's Creek, 4R Ranch Winery, Landon Winery, and Lone Star Winery
In Adriatica, you'll find the Zin Zen Wine Bistro nestled among the cobblestone streets and Mediterranean architecture. This favorite with the locals is know for its wine and a nice menu of savory snacks as well as live music by local musicians.
Over in Hub 121, you can enjoy date night at Wine a Little McKinney, a wine room attached to Chopshop McKinney Sports Garage. Enjoy a wine tasting, small bites off the varied menu, or even a fun couples or girls' night classes offered throughout the year. On weekend nights most months (except in winter), you can take in a concert. listening either from the wine room's patio or from the lawn in front of the stage.
Date Worthy Attractions:
Downtown McKinney's Cultural District has some great date-night spots if you're looking for a fun activity you can't find just anywhere:
Arcade 92: If you're a little competitive and into playing games - video, pinball, console, and e-sports - head over to Arcade 92 where all the machines (from the late 1970s to today) are set to "free play." Just stop at the front desk to buy your wristband for $12 to play as long and as many games as your heart desires. A little date night bonus - after 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, the arcade guests are 18 and over. (There are plenty of hours for the kids to play but adults need a little kid-free time, right?) If you need sustenance to keep your gameplay on, Arcade 92 has a full menu of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages as well as tasty eats and desserts! Check out their FAQs to learn more.
The Comedy Arena: Wanna share some laughs with your favorite love? McKinney's very own comedy club, The Comedy Arena, offers all types of comedy shows. Whether you like improv, guest stand-up comics, sketch comedy, or maybe even open mic night to take the stage yourself, you can find it at The Comedy Arena, and not just on the weekends! You'll find more about this little gem HERE as well as a list of their upcoming events. Von, Jared, and the rest of the Comedy Arena crew also offer classes for those who want to learn how to take the stage and make people laugh! (Oh, and they also offer a full drink menu with snacks, too, and you can enjoy live music there some nights as well.)
The Horse's Axe: Ever try your hand at axe throwing? One of the newest fun spots in Downtown McKinney enables you to test your throwing strength while having a great time. For those who love to compete, the crew here can help you add a variety of special targets and games to the throwing wall. They offer great merch, too, including tees and even axes so you can buy your own personal axe to bring back for a discount on your future rounds of throwing. You'll also find a bar with a variety of drinks as well as snacks like charcuterie boards, or feel free to grab a pizza or sandwich at a nearby restaurant to bring in with you.
- Room One Eleven: Step back in time to the days of prohibition at hidden clubs. By day, this spot serves breakfast and lunch at 111 E. Virginia (a.k.a. Layered), but on weekend nights, the lights go down and you enter through a "secret" door. (Hint: Knock on the Coke machine.) Enjoy craft cocktails, live jazz, and a cool, historic atmosphere... and maybe even dance a little!
HUB 121 & District 121 are two of McKinney's newer entertainment districts, both in McKinney's Craig Ranch area, that offer great dining with scenic patios as well as large lawn areas for live music concerts and other events taking place throughout the year. (Live music concerts at both districts are free!)
Adriatica, McKinney's Croatian-inspired village, is home to a beautiful music shop, The Guitar Sanctuary, that is attached to The Sanctuary Music & Events. Here, you can take in live music by some of the finest musicians in the area and other parts of the country. Keep up with their calendar of upcoming events for easy date night planning.
Hot Air Balloon Rides
Take a romantic ride above McKinney and Collin County in a hot air balloon! Whether you choose a private flight (great for engagements!), champagne flights, or tethered rides, experiencing a hot air balloon ride together will be a memory you'll share forever. Celebrating their 30th anniversary of balloon rides in North Texas, Rohr Balloons has an experienced crew of pilots (all FAA-licensed) and ground crew members who will all work to make your ride safe, memorable, and FUN! Give your special someone the gift of a hot balloon ride; gift certificates are available on Rohr's website. Wonder what to expect during a hot air balloon ride experience? Check out Rohr's tips for first-timers.
The Challenge of an Escape Room
Like a good puzzle (or multiple puzzles) you can figure out together? Check out one of McKinney's two escape room businesses. North Texas Escape Rooms offers five themed rooms including Penthouse, Submerged, Aunt Carol's Closet, Principal's Office (a fun one to try with the kids), and Amnesia. Escapology's six rooms include Scooby Doo and the Spooky Castle Adventure, Mansion Murder, Narco, Antidote, Under Pressure, and The Code. Will you and your loved one(s) escape in time?
Keep it Simple
Don't forget the simplest (and perhaps least expensive) of romantic dates - a picnic in the park! Pack a blanket or quilt, and a basket of your loved one's favorite meal or just snacks, a bottle of wine, bubbly water, or soda, and head to one of McKinney's beautiful community parks with benches/tables such as Towne Lake Park, Bonnie Wenk Park, Finch Park. or Erwin Park.
Learn Something New or Make Something Together
If you'd like to try something completely new, and step out of your comfort zone, why not try making something together or taking some other kind of class?
Art Classes, Studio Exhibits, and Public Art Tours:
Several of McKinney's art galleries and studios offer classes that run the gamut of art mediums - pottery, painting, jewelry making, and more. Check out the visual arts spots where you could either take a tour of a gallery, sign up for a class, or even take a tour of McKinney's public art installations.
Dancing:
If you'd like to learn to tango, waltz, or even line dance, McKinney has a couple of dance studios where you can learn together how to "trip the light fantastic"!
- You'll be in the graceful hands of former competitive ballroom dancer Georgia at Fancy Shoes Ballroom Dance who teaches couples classes and private lessons in the heart of Downtown McKinney.
- Lone Star Ballroom in central McKinney offers couples a wide range of dancing style classes to help you discover the joy of music and movement in the arms of your beloved.
Food-Related Class:
Learn more than you ever thought you could about the meat industry and various cuts of beef/steaks before indulging in taste-testing some incredible beef cuts during Steak 101 classes. Rancher, restaurateur/businessman in Downtown McKinney, and sometime auctioneer Matt Hamilton teaches the classes that are always entertaining, informative, and delicious! Great for dates or to gift to someone special in your life. (Matt Hamilton, shown in the hat carving meat. raises cattle that is then sold in his downtown butcher shop, Local Yocal Farm to Market, and served in his restaurants Local Yocal BBQ & Grill and LOYO Burger.)
