Frisco, Texas: Family Fun for Sports, Culture and Theme Parks

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See how the Dallas Cowboy uniforms have changed in Frisco TX
See how the Dallas Cowboy uniforms have changed. Photo credit: Mira Temkin

Welcome to Frisco, Texas, located about 30 miles from Dallas and a part of the sprawling Texas Metroplex. Frisco is aptly named in honor of the St. Louis – San Francisco Railway that used to run through the area. This is not a city resting on its past, but a city going full speed ahead with the 2026 PGA Tournament and a new Universal Studios Theme Park called Universal Kids Resort, also opening in 2026. New hotels, new venues, and new entertainment concepts are springing up like Texas wildflowers.

Like everything in the entire state of Texas, Frisco is bigger and brighter than you ever imagined. This is the ultimate destination for sports fans, whether you’re into football, soccer, baseball, or hockey.

Those seeking a cultural experience will discover world-class museums, hands-on venues, and the only U.S. location of Kidzania.  

Looking for extraordinary cuisine? Frisco is way more than Tex-Mex and barbeque, although you will discover some of the world’s best here. There’s even a Pho-Trail in nearby Garland to whet your appetite for Asian cuisine.

No matter what you and your family love to do, there’s plenty of fun to find in Frisco!

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Your kids will enjoy Tot Town in Frisco TX.
Tot Town helps the little ones get ready for kindergarten. Photo credit: Mira Temkin.

Meet Rexy at the Frisco Public Library

Yes, everything is bigger in Texas and the Frisco Public Library is no exception. The 5th largest library in the state, the FPL is something to see. Formerly a rocket parts factory, you’ll be welcomed into the library by the larger-than-life, 20-foot Tyrannosaurus named Rexy.

But wait, there’s more. The little ones will love Tot Town, a fabulous play space designed to get children ready for kindergarten, teaching them the basics while having lots of fun. Let them explore the vet clinic, train, town market, etc.  

Check out Rexy who stands tall at the Frisco Public Library.
Rexy stands tall at the Frisco Public Library. Photo credit: Mira Temkin.

For the older kids, there’s robotics, building toys, and a Kids Club to stimulate their imaginations.

Especially on a very hot Frisco day, the library is a great place to play and it’s free.

 A full collection of Atari Games awaits you in Frisco TX.
A full collection of Atari Games awaits you. Photo credit: Mira Temkin.

Game on at the National Videogame Museum

On the other side of the library is the Frisco Discovery Center which houses several additional venues like the Frisco Art Gallery, Black Box Theater, and three partner museums: Sci-Tech Discovery Center, TrainTopia, and the National Videogame Museum.

National Videogame Museum in Frisco has all your favorite characters on display.
All your favorite characters on display at the National Videogame Museum. Photo credit: Mira Temkin

I had a chance to visit the National Videogame Museum, and it took me back to the days of Atari, Super Mario Brothers, and the early days of gaming.  Remember pong? Playing on a console? They even have a teen’s bedroom and family room reminiscent of the 80s. But the whole idea of the NVM is to play the games, right? Check out the Head-to-Head Wall where the classic games are lined up for competition and the first computers. With over 100,000 pieces of video game hardware, it’s a wonderful place to learn more about the history and culture of the games.

An American Airline plane that welcomes you to Kidzania, Frisco TX
An American Airlines plane welcomes you to Kidzania. Photo credit: Mira Temkin.

Kids Rule at Kidzania!

If you want to bring your kids to the ultimate kid-size interactive museum, Frisco has the only Kidzania location in the U.S. and it’s making Frisco a go-to destination because of it. This working city offers kids 4-14 a chance to enter the real world with their version of their parents’ lives. In Kidzania, kids have to get an education, land a job and raise a family. A tall order, perhaps, but at Kidzania it’s all in the name of fun.

While in Frisco TX, your ids can enjoy putting out fire in a building.
Kids can put out the fire in a building. Photo credit: Mira Temkin.
The streets of Kidzania in Frisco TX are lined with mini-versions of brand name stores.
The streets of Kidzania are lined with mini-versions of brand name stores. Photo credit: Mira Temkin

Kids are welcomed at the airport, which features a real Boeing-737 fuselage that transports kids to a real city. From paved streets to cars and trucks, stores and buildings, the equipment and tools children use in the activities are authentic. Kids even have their own language at Kidzania.

Enjoy ribs, fried okra, baked beans and cole slaw at Hutchins, Frisco TX.
Ribs, fried okra, baked beans and cole slaw at Hutchins. Photo credit: Mira Temkin

Chow down at Hutchins Barbecue

There’s nothing quite like authentic Texas Barbeque and Hutchins is the real deal. Serving smoked beef brisket, ribs, chicken, turkey, and more, you can pair them with all the fixings — potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans, even creamy Mac & Cheese. Then top it off with peach cobbler or banana pudding and you have yourself one heck of a meal.

Enjoy some crispy Brussel Sprouts make a hearty appetizer in Frisco TX.
Crispy Brussel Sprouts make a hearty appetizer. Photo credit: Mira Temkin.

Get Dialed in at the J Theodore and Rare Books Bar Speakeasy

You gotta know the password to get in, but once you do, prepare for an amazing dining and cocktail experience.  The Rare Books Bar is located inside the J Theodore Restaurant, one of Frisco’s best-kept secrets. Indulge in a whiskey adventure with various flights—each crafted to satisfy your deepest whiskey cravings and the perfect pour.

To to get into J Theodore Frisco, you have to know the password
You have to know the password to get into J Theodore! Photo credit: Mira Temkin

For starters, share the truffle parm fries and crispy Brussel Sprouts. Recommended dinner entrees include one of the housemade flatbread or signature Cast Irons. I practically devoured the Braised Short Rib Gnocchi, but the Wagyu Burger sure looked appetizing.

Stand on the Star in Frisco TX.
Stand on the Star! Photo credit: Mira Temkin

Tour the Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Earning the title of “Sports City USA,” Frisco is home to the Dallas Cowboys, long considered “America’s Team.” Get a behind-the-scenes “Tour of the Star” which includes the practice facility, Ring of Honor Walk, Super Bowl Memorabilia, and more. See where the Dallas Cowboys train and work 355 days of the year. Learn about the history of the team and their star players. Take an iconic picture of your family on the field with the Dallas Star. Check out the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Get lost in the gift shop with tons of Dallas Cowboys swag.

Now, using the latest AI technology, you can sit in a conversation with Dallas Cowboys’ Hall of Fame Owner, President and General Manager Jerry Jones via an interactive technology-driven hologram.

Ask Mr. Jones a variety of questions from his early life to his collegiate football playing days at Arkansas, early business ventures, and more. Choose from several tour options.

The new PGA Headquarters in Frisco.
New PGA Headquarters in Frisco. Photo credit: Mira Temkin.

Tee Up at the new PGA Headquarters Complex

Frisco is the premier destination for golf in Texas with six 18-hole golf courses. That’s a lot of green real estate.

If golf is your game, the new PGA Headquarters offers everything you love about the sport. From a Coaching Center to a pro shop, golf courses, Top Golf, and more, this is the place to learn, play, and improve your game.

The focal point is the new Omni PGA Frisco Resort where the game just keeps getting better. Here you’ll find two championship golf courses, a spa, four pools, and delightful dining, all centered around a 500-room contemporary hotel. The Omni even has suites where you can hit the ball out your front door.

Practice your swing before you hit the golf course in Frisco TX.
Practice your swing on a real course. Photo credit: Mira Temkin.

At the Coaching Center, you can participate in group programming, swing evaluations, private instruction, and junior golf camps. Kids can also get in the game with their own classes.

The complex also offers family-friendly events like “Fireworks on the Fairway.” Practice your swing on one of the largest natural-grass putting courses in the U.S.  called the Dance Floor, a lighted 2-acre putting course. The Dance Floor is even open at night for a summer movie series.

Make plans to visit Frisco. This was my first visit to Frisco, but it won’t be my last.

With more than 20 years of travel writing under her bling-y belt, Mira Temkin understands the expectations of the leisure traveler and writes to those expectations. From destinations to tours to cruises and luxury resorts, her articles cover the world: across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Central America, South America and Europe. She is a proud member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and past member of the International Food Wine Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). Mira always has her bags packed and is ready to go! You can read her other travel stories at miratemkintravel.com.
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