Things to see/do in Downtown Plano

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ForagedFoodie@reddit

Yes, it's the red line north. Sign will say Parker road station. That's the train you want. But you will get off at downtown plano (second to last stop). During peak hours, they do also run orange line service, but make sure the orange line train says Parker road on the led display, not LBJ/Central or you will get stuck in the middle of nowhere to wait for a red line anyway.

By the time you leave service will most likely be red line only, which runs ever 22 minutes or so. So keep that in mind. Last train back to Dallas is shortly after 1 am weekdays.

You might want to try voodoo brewing for plano craft beer, but as others have said, urban crust or urban rio (tex mex) are the elevated buildings. I don't really care for urban rio but urban crust is good.

Downtown plano in general doesn't have a whole lot going on when there are no fearivals or events. Just food and shopping. If you can arrange it to align with a sip and shop event (3rd Thursday of the month sept-dec), those are fun.

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Rabbit_Silent@reddit

For those just finding this post while planning a visit to Plano by rail, Voodoo Brewing is permanently closed in Plano.

Kind of disappointing how few breweries are walking distance to a DART rail line.

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PickyYeeter@reddit

I want to add a caveat that Voodoo's beer isn't brewed in Plano. The Plano location is locally owned, but Voodoo is a nationwide franchise.

That being said, the restaurant and staff are great! I live next door and go there often.

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JustMeInBigD@reddit

Most charming walkable areas in DFW are way less active in the super hot summers. I still think it's nice for a change of scenery with fun restaurants and pubs.

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Gullible-Bathroom914@reddit

Honestly, take an Uber, the trains here are like most other big cities. Ticket purchase is not enforced, at all. You will be met with a bunch of homeless menacing people. It is not a pleasant ride. I’ve tried it a few times.

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BlueSky3lue@reddit (OP)

No thanks. I’ve had 0 problems taking public transit in Dallas and will continue to use it.

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PickyYeeter@reddit

An Uber from Dallas will likely get stuck in traffic on Hwy. 75. It'll take forever to get there and will cost an arm and a leg.

People who tell you to avoid DART are typically just afraid of being around individuals that look "threatening" to them. Take what you will from that statement.

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Gullible-Bathroom914@reddit

Sounds disingenuous

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Gullible-Bathroom914@reddit

I highly doubt that. Your post sounds like a fishing expedition to see if people like your restaurant

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psgray2521@reddit

Ignore the homeless, they don’t bother you for the most part.

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Havingfunsecrets@reddit

Haywire is a nice restaurant in Legacy West, many other portions as well

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Cloudy_Automation@reddit

And, there is now a bus line from the DART station to Legacy West, it mostly runs on Legacy. It's a long ride from DART though.

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Elbynerual@reddit

Lockhart has excellent Texas BBQ and it's right on the main road in downtown Plano, but you need to get there kinda early for the dinner hour

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ALaccountant@reddit

I would say Lockhart is slightly above mediocre Texas BBQ, unfortunately they've fallen off in the last 4 or 5 years. That being said, EBESU is an amazing Japanese restaurant with an James Beard award winning best chef in Texas. Jorg's Cafe Vienna is absolutely sublime Austrian food. Bar Ranch Steak House is a high end steak house that's very well regarded.

Overall, there's a lot of neat restaurants and bars in the area that you should check out.

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psgray2521@reddit

Burnt is better for BBQ

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Elbynerual@reddit

There's a lot of people on reddit who say Lockhart has gotten worse, but every time I go, it's still the exact same to me. I think people just tend to shift towards newer options. Once things have become old and well known, they become less popular.

Lockhart is still fantastic BBQ.

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tylerrobb@reddit

Hutchins is really solid (and where I take out-of-towners), but also MUCH busier. I'd pick Lockhart as a 2nd place without a doubt. The Lockhart Bishop Arts and Downtown Plano locations haven't done me wrong yet after 5 years.

That said, I've seen Reddit recommendations for Ten50 BBQ and it's close by. I haven't been there yet so it's next on my list to try.

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Elbynerual@reddit

I sorta know one of the guys who used to work there in the kitchen and just knowing him I don't trust it, lol. I'm referring to Ten50

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tylerrobb@reddit

Thanks for the heads up!

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ALaccountant@reddit

I mean Hutchins is older than Lockhart as far as I'm aware and I think it's absolutely amazing.

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tylerrobb@reddit

EBESU is great, but I'm partial to the smaller and quieter Uni Sushi just a few minutes walk away.

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ALaccountant@reddit

I've been to Uni Sushi and ended up walking to EBESU after one order of sushi. No plans to go back. Its not bad, its just not much better than average imo

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Boatwarden@reddit

Better than sex is a great place for desert and drinks

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Mental-Foundation901@reddit

I came here to say this! Such a good spot, great desert.

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tylerrobb@reddit

If you're not from Texas, there's some great BBQ at Lockhart!

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BlueSky3lue@reddit (OP)

I love me some brisket!

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janejacobs1@reddit

If you’re coming during the day and it’s not too hot for walk of a couple of blocks north of the park, visit Holman Pottery on 18th two doors west of the tracks. Tony is a producing potter so you can possibly see him in action, and see a beautiful collection of pottery for sale.

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BlueSky3lue@reddit (OP)

Great! Thank you!

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legitsm10@reddit

Jorg’s Cafe Vienna for some great German / Austrian food!

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BlueSky3lue@reddit (OP)

Excellent, another place to try for dinner

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mass922@reddit

Jörg's Über Alles

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ALaccountant@reddit

I’ve had a lot of German food in my life and Jorgs is at the very top of the list. Absolutely phenomenal

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stewartdesign1@reddit

Also, try Voodoo brewery. Cool new hangout with some nice beers and fried pickles. And across from it, Urban Rio which is good and has a nice 2nd floor bar. I also really like Urban Seafood.

There are 2 good independent coffee shops as well. 1418 is my favorite. And I love to visit Shinola and check out the handmade leather goods, bikes and watches that I can’t afford! Also, up Ave K is a quirky little Scandinavian shop and restaurant that has been there forever.

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Loud_Internet572@reddit

I honestly cannot imagine why anyone would go out of their way to visit "downtown Plano". You would spend your time better visiting historic sites in and around Dallas or something.

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stewartdesign1@reddit

Downtown Plano is about as historic as it gets around here. Cute and walkable, with a lot of good bars, restaurants and shops, a park, a train stop, a historic railway museum which is small but interesting, buildings dating back to the late 1800s…. Downtown Plano is actually very cool.

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ForagedFoodie@reddit

Presumably they've already done that on other trips.

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BlueSky3lue@reddit (OP)

Correct

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thhpht@reddit

Take the Green Line to downtown Denton instead. There’s a lot to do on and around the Square. Restaurants, bars, shopping, live music, and more. Bonus: it’s very walkable.

https://www.discoverdenton.com/things-to-do/attractions/downtown-square/?view=list&sort=qualityScore

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JustMeInBigD@reddit

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the green line will get you to Denton. You have to connect to DCTA in Carrollton.

This matters because DCTA has different operating hours.

This is a very good suggestion if the timing works for you.

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ForagedFoodie@reddit

This is correct. You will also need to purchase the "regional" ticket to go between the two systems. It's twice the cost and has no half-day option.

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BlueSky3lue@reddit (OP)

Thanks! I will plan a visit to Denton next weekend :)

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janejacobs1@reddit

ArtCentre of Plano, a short block west of Downtown Plano station, and diagonally across Haggard Park from downtown proper. Good place to cool off and view the current exhibition in the gallery, plus see the beautifully restored Saigling House in which it’s located.

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bionica@reddit

Good view of a sunset will be from the rooftop patio at Urban Crust. They have great pizza!

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TXVette121@reddit

Urban Crust is great!

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BlueSky3lue@reddit (OP)

Fantastic! Urban crust for dinner it is!

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ALaccountant@reddit

It’s a really neat atmosphere, you won’t be disappointed. Ebesu and Jorgs are two other fantastic options if you’re looking for great food

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janejacobs1@reddit

Interurban Railway Museum. Interurban was an electric system just as DART is today. Built because roads weren’t yet consistent and not everyone had cars. Done in when everyone got cars postwar. Ironically DART rail was built because…now too many cars.

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Icy-Essay-8280@reddit

Red line for Plano. Downtown is small but really neat, park nearby, not sure you can get a good view of the sunset rhere.

One of the best views in Dallas, in my opinion, other than the skyline, is go to Cedar Ridge Preserve in Sourh Dallas. It's for mild hiking, hilly, overseas Mountain View Lake and is gorgeous.

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jamaica1@reddit

Legacy west is cool. Worth seeing and can eat there

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sn0ttyd0g@reddit

legacy West is nowhere near downtown plano, and def not accessible by the dart!

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ForagedFoodie@reddit

It's DART accessible. You have to go by bus though. If you time it right there are express busses to nw plano park and ride (in theory), and from there it's only 3 stops on a regular bus.

The express buses are actually the best of DART. they are travel busses, so super comfortable. And it's all commuters, so no smells or other issues.

Unfortunately, since they can't get enough drivers, express bus service is often cut, since it can be backed up by regular service. Of course, regular bus service isn't express and takes over twice as long. And the bus seats are super uncomfortable.

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UKnowWhoToo@reddit

I regularly enjoy Filmore Pub when getting together for a happy hour. Laid back scene with good service.

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reddituser5379@reddit

It's one street and a park. Vickery and the gazebo at the park are neat.

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BlueSky3lue@reddit (OP)

Thanks, I’ll give Vickery a try.