Family Travel
Sponsor Post

This post is sponsored by Visit Frisco but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.

The Underrated Family Vacation Spot My Kids Are Still Talking About

written by PATTY SCHEPEL
additional reporting by MCKENNA PRINGLE
The Underrated Family Vacation Spot My Kids Are Still Talking About
Graphics by: Caitlin Schneider
The Underrated Family Vacation Spot My Kids Are Still Talking About
Graphics by: Caitlin Schneider

Family vacations can be a bit of a challenge when you have little kids. Between packing snacks, managing naps, and keeping everyone entertained, even the best-laid plans often call for quick thinking and some pivoting along the way. Still, I keep chasing those magical trips that remind me why we do it—the ones that bring our family closer, fill our camera rolls, and make those whirlwind moments totally worth it. So, when we decided to plan a quick weekend getaway, I wasn’t expecting anything extraordinary; more so, a simple change of scenery and maybe a few moments of peace between visiting tourist spots and snack breaks. But Frisco, Texas completely surprised us.

Tucked just north of Dallas, this up-and-coming city turned out to be a hidden gem. Frisco is the kind of family destination that checks every box: fun for the kids, easy to navigate for the adults, and packed with activities that make traveling with kids feel effortless. When it comes to planning the best family vacation, Texas doesn’t get enough credit for being a top kid-friendly destination. But after our stay, I can confidently say that Frisco absolutely is. Here’s a full breakdown of our weekend in Frisco:

Why Frisco is a go-to spot for our family

We live in Fort Worth, so we’ve visited Frisco a few times before. I already knew it was packed with family-friendly activities that my 4- and 1-year-old love, so that’s what prompted me to pick it as our weekend staycation spot. What I enjoyed most about our weekend was how easy it was to pivot when plans changed—because let’s be honest, with kids, they usually do. Between meals, diaper changes, and unpredictable moods, flexibility is everything. And Frisco makes that possible with all its accessibility.

Every corner of the city offers something different: a place to play, a great meal, or an experience that keeps the kids engaged. And best of all, everything is within walking or a short driving distance from one another. It’s a rare destination where everyone—kids and adults—finds something they genuinely love. From pretending to be firefighters at KidZania to exploring a 22-foot T. rex skeleton at The Frisco Public Library, the hardest part of our stay was narrowing down our weekend itinerary (a good problem to have as a mom).

Our Frisco weekend itinerary

Day one

Living just 45 minutes away makes Frisco an easy staycation for us, so after getting the kids ready, we hit the road bright and early.

  • Breakfast: Eggsquisite Café
    • The kids devoured Mickey Mouse pancakes topped with whipped cream while I enjoyed a vanilla latte that hit the spot before a full day ahead.
  • Stay: HALL Park Hotel
    • Right next to Kaleidoscope Park and across from The Star District, this hotel was perfect for our family. My son could barely contain his excitement, jumping on the bed the moment we walked in. The hotel’s amenities (outdoor pool, restaurant, fitness center) made it feel like a mini resort. And later in the evening, when I realized we forgot milk for bedtime, a kind bartender steamed some for us—major parent win.
  • Morning activity: Kaleidoscope Park
    • After sitting in the car all morning, the kids ran wild here. The park had a large slide, a wide-open play space, and even a local Farmer’s Market we wandered through.
  • Lunch: Spitz Mediterranean Street Food
    • A quick walk from the hotel, and bursting with color and character. The kids loved their gyro wraps, and my husband and I enjoyed hearty portions of Mediterranean favorites.
  • Afternoon activity: The Star District
    • Home of the Dallas Cowboys’ headquarters and training field, this area was buzzing with families, restaurants, and shops.
  • Dinner: Didi’s Downtown
    • We ended the day here with live music and a relaxed backyard atmosphere. Between the mahi mahi tacos and the kids’ grilled cheese, everyone left happy (and sleepy).
  • Sweet treat: Cow Tipping Creamery
    • The “It’s Your Birthday” ice cream stacker was as fun as it sounds.

Day two

We kicked off the day with breakfast at the hotel and then set out to explore more of what Frisco has to offer families. Between museums, exhibits, and hands-on play, it was a packed but totally enjoyable day for everyone.

  • Breakfast: HALL Park Hotel
    • We skipped our pre-planned brunch spot and opted for breakfast at the hotel—a realistic move for any parent who’s traveled with little ones—and their food selection was delicious.
  • Morning activities:
    • The Frisco Public Library
      • OK, hear me out: This was one of the biggest surprises of the weekend! This library goes beyond books—it’s home to a 22-foot T. rex skeleton, a Tot’s Town play zone, and tons of reading nooks. The kids loved it, and the best part? It’s free.
    • Frisco Discovery Center
      • Just next door, we stopped by for a peek into the Black Box Theater, local art galleries, and the Sci-Tech Discovery Center.
    • National Videogame Museum
      • My husband and I had as much fun here as the kids did, reminiscing about the games we grew up with. There’s even an arcade inside!
    • TrainTopia
      • This miniature train exhibit captivated my kids, who loved spotting details during the scavenger hunt around the display.
  • Afternoon activity: The Ronny Golf Park
    • The Ronny Golf Park is a kid-friendly course that’s both affordable and fun, located on the Northern Texas PGA’s homesite in Frisco. We weren’t able to explore PGA Frisco as much as we hoped due to a tournament, but I’m already planning our return trip. If your family loves golf, it’s worth checking out.
  • Late lunch: Hutchins BBQ
    • Our final stop before heading home. With melt-in-your-mouth brisket, smoked sausage samples at the door, and creamy corn that I’m still thinking about, it was the perfect Texas sendoff.
  • Honorable mention: KidZania
    • We weren’t able to stop at KidZania this time, but we’ve visited the immersive kid-sized city in the past and had a blast. It’s still one of my top recommendations for family activities in Frisco!

Why my kids loved this trip (and why we did too)

When I asked my kids what their favorite part of the trip was, their answers came instantly: running around Kaleidoscope Park and visiting The Frisco Library. The fact that both are free attractions is a huge bonus. From a parent’s perspective, I appreciated how walkable everything was, which is a rarity in Texas unless you’re in Downtown Dallas. Staying at the HALL Park Hotel meant we had dining, shopping, and outdoor space right at our doorstep. And whether it was enjoying a latte in the morning or exploring the farmer’s market while the kids played, it felt like we could truly relax as a family.

Compared to other buzzy vacation spots, Frisco stood out for its balance of convenience, charm, and kid-centered fun. It offered everything we wanted without the stress of long drives or crowded attractions.

Tips for planning your own trip to Frisco

If you’re ready to start planning your own Frisco getaway, here are a few things I learned:

  • Best time to go: Spring and fall are ideal for outdoor fun without the Texas heat.
  • How long to stay: A weekend is perfect for first-timers, but there’s easily enough to fill a longer stay.
  • Don’t miss:
    • Kaleidoscope Park
    • The Frisco Public Library
    • The Star District
    • KidZania
    • Ronny Golf Park
    • Hutchins BBQ
    • National Videogame Museum

Frisco’s growing list of attractions also includes everything from FC Dallas soccer games to the Frisco RoughRiders baseball team and even a Universal Kids Resort opening in 2026, so keep those on your radar, too. While these are the tips and spots I swear by, check out the Visit Frisco travel guide for everything you need to make the trip your own.

A trip we’ll always remember

What I love about Frisco is that it offers the feel of a big vacation without the chaos of a big city. There’s something for everyone—parks, museums, sports, food, and plenty of space to unwind. Weeks later, my kids are still asking when we can go back, which, in my book, makes it the best family vacation in Texas. Whether you’re local and looking for a staycation or planning your next big family trip, don’t sleep on Frisco. It’s a hidden gem that deserves a spot on your travel list.

patty schepel the everymom editorial intern
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Patty Schepel, Editorial Assistant

As the editorial assistant, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. With Patty’s passion for writing, experience as a mother of two, and expertise as a pediatric nurse, she brings a thoughtful and informative perspective to The Everymom.

mckenna pringle
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

McKenna Pringle, Branded Content Editoral Assistant

As the Branded Content Editorial Assistant, McKenna collaborates with our sales team by creating both written and social media content, collecting and analyzing performance data to report back to our partners, and assisting our editors with their everyday tasks to ensure a smooth and productive process.

This post is sponsored by Visit Frisco but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.