Quintessentially Frisco

Whether you’re new to Frisco or a long-time resident, it’s important to be in the loop. Where are the best places to eat and shop? What is there to do? And, most importantly, where do all the cool kids hang out? We’ve compiled our non-inclusive list of must-do events and attractions, and must-see and visit restaurants, businesses and other hotspots that should be atop your Frisco bucket list.

TIME TO DINELet Your Inner Nerd Geek Out: NerdvanaWhether you grew up playing an Atari or Nintendo Switch console, Nerdvana has a game for you. Enjoy gaming at your dining table while devouring dishes and sipping drinks from its scratch kitchen. 5757 Main St., Suite 112.; nerdvanafrisco.com
Knock-Your-Boots-Off Barbecue: Hutchins BBQIt may have started in McKinney, but Hutchins’ Frisco location is a smoked-meats lover’s dream. Brisket? Check. Burnt ends? Double-check. Ribs? Yesssss. Texas Twinkies? Heck yeah! 9225 Preston Road; hutchinsbbq.com
Home Cooking to Soothe the Soul: Babe’s Chicken Dinner HousePrepare to do the chicken dance while devouring some of the best home cooking around. Fried chicken, fried catfish and chicken fried steak are served family style with all the sides and fixin’s. 6475 Page St.; babeschicken.com

Tried-and-True Tex-Mex: La Hacienda Ranch“La Ha” (as the locals call it) is a Frisco institution that serves up some of the best chips and salsa, queso (with several varieties to choose from) and Tex-Mex food around. The owner invented the frozen margarita machine (now housed at The Smithsonian), so those are pretty good, too. 4110 Preston Road; laharanch.com

Truck on Over: Frisco Rail YardWhen the weather is nice, the Frisco Rail Yard is the place to be with its revolving lineup of food trucks as well as live-music offerings and family-friendly yard games. Be sure to bring Fido along for the fun since it’s also dog friendly. 9040 First St.; friscorailyard.net 
Ice, Ice, Baby: Frisco Snow Cone LadyThe woman. The myth. The legend. The Frisco Snow Cone Lady has been serving up arguably the best snow cones in the city for more than three decades. It just wouldn’t be summer without her. 6427 Elm St.; facebook.com/frisco-snow-cone-lady
WELCOME TO SPORTS CITY, USAGoooooooooal!: National Soccer Hall of FameFrisco is known as Sports City, USA – and with good reason. Get a kick out of the memorabilia and interactive tours featured at the National Soccer Hall of Fame, which opened in 2018. 9200 World Cup Way;
brnationalsoccerhof.com

How ‘bout them Cowboys: The StarGet your fanboy or girl on at The Star, featuring dozens of restaurants, bars and retailers. Then head over to the public practice field to toss around the ol’ pigskin. (Pro tip: Schedule a tour of the Dallas Cowboys World Corporate Headquarters for a behind-the-scenes peek.) 9 Cowboys Way;
brthestardistrict.com
Batter Up: Frisco RoughRidersRiders Field (formerly Dr Pepper Ballpark) is one of the most recognizable ballparks in Minor League Baseball. It boasts a lazy river from which fans can cheer on the Frisco RoughRiders, the Texas Rangers’ Double A affiliate. Home games often conclude with fireworks. 7300 Roughriders Trail;
brmilb.com/frisco
Put Me In, Coach: Miracle League of FriscoMiracle League of Frisco is a sports organization for special-needs children ages 5-22 at all levels of ability. Offering baseball, soccer, bowling, football, cheerleading, basketball and track opportunities, the league plays a tremendous role in the community. friscomiracleleague.org 
ART, CULTURE AND FUN, OH MY!Get a Job, Kid: KidZaniaKids can get their pretend on while learning about more than 100 occupations – from veterinarians and pilots to nurses and firefighters – in a safe, fun environment at KidZania’s only U.S. location. 2601 Preston Road (in Stonebriar Centre); kidzaniausa.com
Beat the Heat: Frisco Water ParkTexas summers can be brutal. Cool off at Frisco Water Park, located at Frisco Athletic Center, by taking a slow spin in the Lazy River, a drop down the Preston Plunge, or let the Squirt Station wash all of your cares away. 5828 Nancy Jane Lane; friscotexas.gov
Wheelie Cool: Frisco Skate Park at Northeast Community ParkLocated at Northeast Community Park, Frisco Skate Park is the largest skate park in North Texas. Measuring around 47,000 square feet, it’s sure to provide plenty of space for – and from – any of the angsty teens at your house. 12895 Honey Grove Drive;
brfriscotexas.gov
Where to Spend an Art-Full Afternoon: Texas Sculpture GardenLocated on the grounds of the Hall Park office complex, this secluded gem is an oasis in the middle of the bustling city. Contemporary sculptures line the path around the pond, and there are plenty of places to picnic on the grass. 6801 Gaylord Parkway;
brtexassculpturegarden.org
Relive Your Childhood: National Videogame MuseumYou’ll find all of your favorite 8-bit classics, plus some new digital friends, at the National Videogame Museum. Be sure to hit up the fully-stocked throwback video arcade. 8004 N. Dallas Parkway; nvmusa.org
A Blast from the Past: Frisco Heritage MuseumIf you’re new to Frisco, or just curious about local history, a visit to the Frisco Heritage Museum is in order. Trace the history of Lebanon (Frisco’s original name) and learn fun facts along the way. 6455 Page St.; friscotexas.gov/1355/Frisco-Heritage-Center
All Aboard!: Museum of the American RailroadThe Museum of the American Railroad offers unique opportunities to tour the full-size trains on the expansive grounds. Inside, TrainTopia allows visitors to explore the intricacies of elaborate miniature-train displays. 8004 N. Dallas Parkway; historictrains.org
Get a Dose of Culture: Karya Siddhi Hanuman TempleCompleted in 2015, the breathtakingly beautiful Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple is the first outside of India to boast a jade stone Hanuman idol. Myriad cultural programs as well as children’s art classes are scheduled here throughout the year. 12030 Independence Parkway; dallashanuman.org
FRISCO FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS A Whole Lotta Holiday Spirit: Christmas in the SquareFrisco Square transforms into a winter wonderland from late November through early January each year. Visitors can walk or drive through to view dancing lights that are synchronized to holiday music, and skate on an outdoor ice rink, among other activities. 8843 Coleman Blvd.; friscosquare.com
Fight the Tryptophan: North Texas Turkey TrotBefore you gobble ‘til you wobble this Thanksgiving, get out and run (or walk) in the annual North Texas Turkey Trot, benefiting Miracle League of Frisco. northtexasturkeytrot.com
Party in Patriotic Style: Frisco Freedom FestNo place parties like Frisco does on July 4. Celebrate Independence Day with the Party in the Plaza featuring food, family-friendly activities and, of course, fireworks. 6101 Frisco Square Blvd.; friscofreedomfest.org
Run, Frisco, Run!: Gary Burns 5K & Fun RunBenefiting the Frisco Education Foundation, the annual Gary Burns 5K & Fun Run is a 5K-certified race held in October at Toyota Stadium. But it’s not only about the cardio: There’s also plenty of food, entertainment and family-friendly fun. 9200 World Cup Way;
brfriscoisd.org
A Foodie’s Paradise: Frisco StrEATS FestivalThe longest-running annual food truck festival in North Texas, Frisco StrEATS, which is held in May, features gourmet food trucks, live music, entertainment and family-friendly activities in the heart of the Rail District. 4th and Elm Streets; friscoraildistrictmerchants.com/streats
RETAIL THERAPYShop Small, Shop Local: The Rail DistrictSituated in the heart of downtown Frisco, the Rail District is brimming with small, locally-owned businesses, restaurants and boutiques. Make plans to visit and feel good about supporting local merchants. 6891 Main St.;
brfriscoraildistrictmerchants.com
Get Some Local Trinkets: Frisco MercantileWhether you’re on the hunt for vintage antiques, boutique clothing and accessories, or a selection of one-of-a-kind items, the Frisco Mercantile has a booth for you. The best part: It’s open daily (except for major holidays). 8980 Preston Road; friscomercantile.com
Show Off Your State Pride: Tumbleweed TexStylesVisit Tumbleweed TexStyles’ flagship store in the Rail District to get your hands on all of the Texas gear – tees, hats, home decor, koozies and more – that your Lone Star State pride demands. 7511 Main St., Suite A120; tumbleweedtexstyles.com 
Don’t Panic, It’s Organic!: Farmers’ markets Visit Frisco’s pair of farmers’ markets for the fresh-from-the-field fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy. Stay for the unique, ready-to-eat foods and other vendor stalls. Frisco Fresh Market, 9215 John W. Elliott Drive, friscofreshmarket.com; Frisco Rotary Farmers’ Market, 6048 Frisco Square Blvd., friscorotaryfarmersmarket.com
LOCAL LANDMARKS Honoring the Brave: Frisco Veterans Memorial and Gold Star Family Memorial Monument These moving memorials, at Frisco Commons Park, pay tribute to the military servicemen and women who fought for our nation’s freedom. 8000 McKinney Road; visitfrisco.com 
‘Til the Cows Come Home: Central ParkThis eight-acre park is home to the herd of life-size bronze statues that comprise Cattle Drive, a wildly popular public art display. It’s quintessentially Texan – and a great place to snaps pics for the ‘gram. 3155 Parkwood Drive.; visitfrisco.com
When Frisco was ‘Dallas’: Brinkmann Ranch house View the skeletal remains of the once-stately mansion (destroyed in an ‘80s-era fire) that served as the Ewing family homestead during the first season of the mega-hit CBS series Dallas. A herd of longhorns still roams the ranch’s perimeters. 10514 Main St. 
Amy Kryzak is a wife, mom and blogger who loves connecting fellow moms, food in all shapes and forms and loves all things Frisco.