You’ll never run out of things to do and see in the DFW Metroplex. But have you ever considered adding Frisco, Texas to your list of places to explore? Did you know that Frisco has long been known as the Sports City of the USA? It’s a top destination for business, sports fans, and family fun. Frisco has also been featured in numerous national publications, listing it as the fastest growing city, best sports business city, one of the safest cities in the USA, and one of the best places to travel in the world. But what really sets Frisco apart is its diverse range of activities, from sports to music, festivals, museums, art, and great activities. There are beautiful new parks, great lodging, and a fantastic culinary scene. If you’re looking for a diverse and exciting travel experience, head to Frisco, just a 30-minute drive east from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Few small farming towns can boast the same reputation as Frisco. Today, the town is a far cry from the original, founded and named for the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad that passed through the town in the early 1900s. After several name changes, Frisco’s official name was settled on and the small farming community was officially incorporated in 1908. Two years later, Frisco’s population was recorded at 332. Fast forward to last year and the population is now 231,115, a staggering 69,600 percent population increase. This rapid growth has transformed Frisco into a vibrant, dynamic city that’s great to explore.
Today, Frisco is a growing city whose growth and vitality show no signs of slowing down, and as I discovered, Frisco is a wonderful place to visit for a variety of reasons.
Frisco sports teams
If you’re a sports enthusiast, Frisco is a must-see destination. The city is home to professional sports year-round and is home to a variety of unique attractions, including the National Soccer Hall of Fame. With a vibrant sports culture, Frisco is a must-visit destination for any sports fan.
Local Texas teams that play and train in Frisco include:
- Dallas Cowboys
- NHL’s Dallas Stars
- Texas Rangers AA Affiliate
- Frisco Roughriders
- Dallas Mavericks Affiliate – Texas Legends
- NBA G League
- Frisco Fighters – Indoor football team
- Frisco Pandas, Major League Pickleball
- And a year ago, the PGA of America headquarters moved to Frisco.
Top things to see in Frisco
The list is endless, but here are some of my favorites.
*PGA of America Headquarters and Omni PGA Frisco Resort
The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations and has moved its world headquarters to Frisco. The PGA is made up of over 30,000 trained golf professionals who work to increase interest and participation in the game. For over 100 years, they have promoted the game in the United States and around the world by sponsoring premier spectator events such as the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup, and the Women’s PGA Championship. This is a golf lover’s dream, boasting a 2-acre putting course, a 10-hole par-3 course, and two championship 18-hole golf courses.
This unique, hands-on experience offers high-tech services for golfers of all levels, from beginner to advanced, and offers a diverse range of programs within the PGA Coaching Centre, individually designed to meet the needs of golfers at every stage of their game.
Additionally, the nearly 30-acre Fields Ranch practice facility features an area reserved for PGA members, not to mention a pro shop where you can find official PGA and event merchandise. The two-acre Ronnie is designed specifically with junior golfers in mind, and every October you can watch the best young golfers from across the country compete at the PGA Frisco.
The outdoor PGA District is a great place to unwind with a variety of renowned restaurants and retailers, plus virtual gaming experiences and live entertainment. The district also features the Dance Floor Putting Course, Swing 10 Hole Par, Ice House and Lounge by Topgolf.
What could be better? Yes, there is. The beautiful new Omni PGA Frisco Resort is a family-friendly, 500-room resort with a golf-centric focus. It has 13 restaurants, Mokara, a world-class spa, four pools and an adults-only rooftop infinity pool. All just steps from PGA World Headquarters.
*Star District
The Star District is now the Dallas Cowboys’ world headquarters and practice facility, occupying a 91-acre entertainment district. It is the brainchild of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. This unique complex allows fans to connect with the Cowboys in ways they never imagined, including the opportunity to watch the legendary team practice.
Located adjacent to the Dallas Cowboys World Corporate Headquarters, the Ford Center consists of a 12,000-seat multi-purpose indoor stadium and the entire Dallas Cowboys football operations and practice facility. The Ford Center indoor stadium features state-of-the-art facilities and is used by the Cowboys as well as hosting many events, including the Academy of Country Music Awards.
New to the Star is a brand new high tech exhibit featuring Jerry Jones, Hall of Fame Owner, President and General Manager of the Dallas Cowboys. It’s a technologically advanced interactive hologram. It really makes you feel like he’s real and it’s fun to ask Jones questions. Photography is not permitted in the area but we had a lot of fun.
The Star District is a must-see when visiting Frisco – it’s interesting, unique and a great place to enjoy premieres, dining, shopping, events and entertainment.
*National Football Hall of Fame
This is the ultimate soccer experience. The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a place that honors the past while incorporating the latest technology of the present and future, including virtual reality, gesture technology and interactive digital video boards. This fascinating new technology is used throughout to honor the players, veterans and builders who have elevated American soccer to the level it is at today. The Hall of Fame features interactive exhibits with iconic soccer memorabilia and is the site of an annual induction ceremony.
*Kidzania and Hyatt Regency
The beautiful Hyatt Regency is perfectly located for easy access to all the fun things to do in Frisco, but best of all, it’s adjacent to Frisco’s Stonebriar Centre Mall, which features 200 shops and restaurants. Located inside Stonebriar is Kidzania, a must-see if you have kids in tow. It’s the only Kidzania in North America and unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
KidZania is a real-life city built by experts, with real sponsors and designed to inspire, educate and empower kids through immersive learning experiences. With over 100 hands-on activities, kids can role-play and let their imaginations run wild. Kids can become a variety of real experts, including firefighters, doctors, news anchors, robotics engineers, police officers, chefs, astronauts, secret agents, airline pilots and more.
The Aviation Academy is a big hit. KidZania International Airport is the largest area in KidZania. It features a real American Airlines jet that kids can explore in multiple rooms inside the fuselage, flight simulators and training. My husband Ron, a former commercial airline captain, was very impressed. “You can actually learn to fly an airplane in the real facilities at KidZania,” he said. I had a hard time pulling him away from the flight simulator. KidZania is a fun learning experience for both kids and adults.
*Frisco Public Library
Libraries aren’t usually at the top of my list, but this one is a must-visit. It’s the sixth largest library in Texas and has so much more than books. When you walk in, you’ll be greeted by a life-sized Tyrannosaurus Rex named “Lexi.” This state-of-the-art library offers innovative programs and events for children and adults, the latest books, movies, music, and new technology. Their mission is to inspire the mind, curiosity, and imagination. The fun and possibilities are endless.
*Historic railway district
Now it’s time to head into the heart of Frisco. The historic Rail District was once bustling with farmers, ranchers, horses and wagons. Today, it’s still a gathering place for locals and tourists, with a wide variety of independent businesses, restaurants and more, where you can experience local arts, music, entertainment and more. This is where Frisco holds most of its annual festivals and events. There’s something going on every month of the year. We were so pleased to find Heritage Table Restaurant tucked away in the Rail District. It’s a hidden gem. Located on Main Street, this charming restaurant is set in a modest 100-year-old Victorian farmhouse. The food was fantastic, fresh farm-to-table cuisine made with great quality ingredients. Chef and owner Rich Vana uses locally sourced produce and truly takes his cuisine to the next level.
Coming soon to Frisco
Frisco has countless great activities and things to do for all ages, and it’s not slowing down: With an eye on the future, numerous projects are currently under construction or in the works, including expanded shopping and dining options, new hotels, attractions, mixed-use developments and more.
Notable new Frisco projects include:
*Universal Kids Resort
Universal Kids Resort breaks ground in 2023. This imaginative and original resort will incorporate Universal’s creative storytelling style, especially for families with young children.
*Dallas Open
The Dallas Open is a unique partnership between GF Sports & Entertainment and the Dallas Cowboys. The sporting event brings the globally known football franchise to the professional tennis stage. With its recently announced upgrade to an ATP 500-level tournament, beginning in 2025, the Dallas Open will bring professional tennis players from around the world to Frisco’s Ford Center at the Star, the Dallas Cowboys’ world corporate headquarters and training facility.
Frisco is truly magical – with year-round professional sports, family-friendly attractions, beautiful hotels and over 9 million square feet of retail and dining, it’s fun for the whole family in a safe, playful environment. What was once a small farming town has become very large in many ways and is now one of the most popular travel destinations in the country.
For more information on Sports City USA, please visit: Visit Frisco
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