Welcome to the latest edition of our reader recommendations series, this time with an educational twist. Today we’ll find out where our fellow readers like to go for family-friendly fun with a side of learning. Check out the best historical and educational spots in Collin County! And if you missed it, check out all previous CCM Readers’ Choice entries here.
By the way, if you aren’t following CCM on Facebook, that’s where we conduct the informal polls. Be sure to share your faves next time!
Plano
Heritage Farmstead Museum got some love and FB likes from y’all. Their mission is to collect and preserve 18th and 19th century Blackland Prairie history at an authentically restored farmstead (which includes animals and a little red schoolhouse). COST: $3 per person, children 2 & under are free. CLOSED MONDAYS.
- Don’t miss Preschool Wednesdays, a bimonthly literacy program for ages 18 months to 5 years – themed story time, crafts, a wagon ride, wholesome farm-y kind of stuff. Pre-register your spots for this one.
Interurban Railway Museum features interactive exhibits on electricity, science, and Plano history. They also offer guided tours through historic Car 360. Best news – it’s FREE! CLOSED SUNDAYS.
- Every Friday at 10:30am, Genie and Eugene the Motormouse do a free storytime designed for toddlers and preschoolers. Also, since it’s summer, be advised that they don’t do the rail car tours when temps get too high.
2021 Update: Storytime is on hold for now, but the museum has reopened for visitors.
McKinney
The Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary is a 289-acre wildlife sanctuary and natural science museum with the primary purpose of educating children about nature. Check out their tips and guidelines page for all you need to know before you go. COST: Members, and children 2 & under, are free. Ticket prices are seasonal so check here for dates/deets. CLOSED MONDAYS.
- Their Dinosaurs Live! exhibit featuring outdoor animatronic dinos opens back up on September 1. They also do weekly story times and frequent special events (a Shark Week Celebration, National Fossil Day, annual Halloween party, etc.). I try to post these to our monthly event guides, but you can always check here if you want to plan ahead.
Chestnut Square is your classic historic village, showing us how people lived from 1850-1940. It’s a collection of six historic homes, a one-room school house, chapel, and store. The grounds also include a blacksmith shop and smoke house, all just south of the downtown McKinney square.
- Their Saturday Farmers Market is quite popular, but check to make sure it’s happening before you go. Guided tours on Thursdays and Saturdays at 11am; this is the only time you can actually go in the buildings. COST: They periodically do FREE guided tours, but right now tickets start at $7, 2 & under free.
Frisco
Sci-Tech Discovery Center provides hands-on discovery experiences in science, math, and technology to kids of all ages. Here’s a list of their current permanent exhibits – things like the Coordination Station, systems of the human body, nanoscience, bubble tables, a preschool zone, and more. COST: $10 per person, 2 & under free.
- Membership for a family of 4 is $100 annually, which could pay for itself pretty quickly if you’re bringing the whole crew.
Frisco Heritage Center is a historical park where you can visit the Frisco Heritage Museum, historic buildings, a steam locomotive, a wooden caboose, and more. COST: Tickets from $5, kids 4 & under free. CLOSED SUNDAYS & MONDAYS.
- Heritage Center historic buildings are open for Third Sunday Open House only and museum admission is also free on this day. Although the buildings are closed on regular weekdays, you can still explore the grounds while visiting the museum.
Museum of the American Railroad offers outdoor guided walking tours of the diverse locomotive collection while educating visitors on the history and technology of railroading. Traintopia is a separate model train exhibit that you can purchase tickets for independently or as a bundle with your museum tour. COST: Tickets from $10. Kids 2 & under are free. CLOSED SUNDAYS, MONDAYS, and TUESDAYS.
Got anymore educational or historic faves in Collin County? Let us know below!
