Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Enjoy McKinney offerings for spring break fun

By Beth Shumate of McKinneyNews.net

Beth Shumate

Main Street Magic & Fun Company

Spring Break is almost upon us, and for those with kids who’ll be out of school for a week (March 17-21), the decision of how to keep them entertained is upon us, too. While some families take big family trips, heading north to ski or south to enjoy the beach, many will choose to stay right here in McKinney, especially now that gas prices are soaring. Never fear! There is plenty to do right here, so use Spring Break to be a tourist in your own town and enjoy some of the things that make McKinney special.

Go to the Dogs!

Start and end your week with a visit to Myers Park & Event Center (7117 CR 166). Dog agility shows on March 15-16 (7 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and March 22-23 (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.) are free fun for the whole family, watching dogs run through obstacle courses. Grab lunch from the arena concession stand, or pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at the lake’s edge in the park’s rolling hills just north of the arena.

Commune with Nature

Take a walk on the nature trails at the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary, a bike ride on the Erwin Park trails, try your best Frisbee throw at the Alex Clark Memorial Disc Golf course (1986 Park View Drove), or rent a couple duck boats at Towne Lake Park and race the kids around the lake. You can even enjoy a quiet moment, or sit and share family memories while sitting in the Howell Meditation Garden on the Community Center nature trail.

Enjoy a night or two under the stars with a camping trip to either Erwin Park or in the Myers Park Woods and Back 40. Register for Erwin Park tent camping ($1 per person per day) in person at the McKinney Community Center on the Central Expressway northbound frontage road near Towne Lake Park. Myers Park’s campgrounds are open to groups, renting for $100 a day, making it a perfect spot for a scouting or church camping retreat.

Beth Shumate

Clyde Geer stands behind the old wooden soda counter in his ice cream freezer museum.

Treat the Kids to Old-Time Fun on the Square

Make it a day on the downtown square with some old-timey, kid-friendly fun. Start out at Main Street Magic & Fun Company (211 N. Tennessee), walk across the street for a burger and shake at Herby’s Soda Fountain (210 N. Tennessee), get dressed up at Girly Girl (207 N. Kentucky), stop in to see Doc Watson’s Ice Cream Freezer Museum inside Clyde’s on the Square (102 E. Louisiana), then top off your day at Mom and POPcorn Company (215 E. Louisiana) with a sweet treat of popcorn balls, candy, soda or 42 flavors of popcorn.

Learn About the Past

While you’re down on the square, head east about a block to the North Texas History Center (300 E. Virginia) and see the “North Texas in the Civil War Era” exhibit. One Civil War battle was fought in McKinney, and the Faires House at Chestnut Square Historic Village (315 S. Chestnut St.) was in the line of fire. Tours of the square’s homes, chapel, schoolhouse and general store are available every week; during Spring Break, you can tour on March 18 and 20.

Show Off Your Family’s Vocal or Dance Skills

Dust off your microphone or tap shoes and spend Spring Fling week putting together a family act. Then on Friday or Saturday (March 21 or 22), head downtown to the McKinney Performing Arts Center to win a spot in McKinney Has Talent! The McKinney Repertory Theatre is again hosting the city-wide talent show for cash prizes of $500, $300 and $200. Tryouts start both nights at 7 p.m. with semi-finals on April 4 and finals on April 5. Walk-ins are being accepted if room and time permit. Registration is $10. The event is sponsored by Valliance Bank.

Whatever you decide to do for Spring Break, there is always plenty here in McKinney to keep you busy. Stop by the Visitors Information Center in the First Bank building at 321 N. Central Expressway, Suite 101, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or visit the McKinney Convention & Visitors Bureau Web site, www.visitmckinney.com. Contact the CVB staff toll free at 888-649-8499 or Metro 214-544-1407.

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Comments

Pavel Lishin Verified

Will there be bikinis and beer?

4 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )