I have always been a fan of metroplex downtowns . Mesquite, Plano, Irving and Carrolton have all grown past their humble beginnings as a small town. But if you search, you can find their original downtowns. Some are quaint, some have become home to antique shops and a restuarant or two, but few could be called vibrant.
But vibrant is exactly the word I would choose for downtown McKinney. I am bit embarrassed that I haven't found it before. (It is a pretty for from Fort Worth, where I lived for most of the past many years) But next to downtown Fort Worth, I can't think of another downtown that has this much to offer. I snapped a few pictures Saturday night when I discovered downtown McKinney for the first time.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzgE896YKxR_yF4WGAG3oiNBoDs_JusyIazvzf1i64X25pRhrFQHuYggs4RCf8zUEZtDD-q-KfiJXD6_1vXVTqUggDKk3zOauXKwr8p4bXRFbAYaYMAlJr8-VumaKINdm6bd_NEcHAg/s320/P4300533.JPG) |
The old Collin County Courthouse, now home to the McKinney Performing Arts Center |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNgmsHBs60gvltj-nEL1Fu48X3GpYjIDsdHDdkqQ5VVz5kllJsP9zJLkxjMrFWPdLtJtzaIjW92YTmlOaPnWd4FwnVPupzf-u1aqbmd6jXxqTFOrHqNflFhAGf7i5P8W_EuieioxI4w/s320/P4300527.JPG) |
Sauce, one of the many restuarants to offer sidewalk seating |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYoqBfNBTI-yYd7o7JIGGm9et7u4-9E3OHP4hP6rODta6rKFyRM8p6OproWvqiWuBK-rZp3mzA7rHnA_9Ak0a_1RNizIlfMiSuIMekrXKHdgHDd5FcHj34zpv9OOjHRIp0TokkxeVZA/s320/P4300526.JPG) |
The lobby of the Grand Hotel. Their 2500 Square Foot Ballroom was once the Opera House of McKinney |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_3uoFzaPjk1FugIQXUS6oCJY1HfhGTAtlVpqMwzoQJWsFqF2EQUEbacDziflWgB1PTSXNF-dXBDGYfhPYaW9NGa8wzPYnoYMoQ_JfSS2WJTzytFSRJgWPhYTLfFOpb3aR5G5A3Y4CQ/s320/P4300528.JPG) |
This block offered 5 restuarants including one that offers live jazz |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczWJLv7mmh6MNGC-S2Q8DDjO1RP1qAeNKbHz86GK91QtDKYMUcwE68bZZwUdfN6uyt15FDV3_r4BtR4mbRj7aeApkqljjsgSX6SI08AovGi5MwI76Tp6zimaCs5CVvfXlH9RtDzSkBw/s320/P4300529.JPG) |
I love the name of this shop |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpja1AkiuafigC403sjqel5jJNPzc3BBQgX86IVeWhPxF32S0jTOtgg13QKajEWq_EPQ_9HLswHjmUSevAE0cEnS_a67alpqz6p7CqJNKQ9J-tQNyu3BT-1a9pkEoRiqhzXkVGWiccQ/s320/P4300530.JPG) |
The Palace Barber Shop. 4 chairs, no waiting. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgcDYV8J2aB-ALsHzaRSBa8uv5uan_AUW9bqE8Qurh9XpNjYsj0qm5V6q9V13Lh3d5wL9yXSiU_GR9sMIGQ-LIKmTTD0kkSAAGJDysuizfjXHc8JUMPUf5B69qx6hiyvezNj-ZIEwdw/s320/P4300532.JPG) |
People of all ages go to downtown McKinney. It happened to be Prom Night for McKinney High School |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsUO1E1yLj_Tgd6hsGnxZDXvsJ171ruSxRiC8ddtsFz2MWnGRfh_vn3IvUxkGe99Eah6alRlpwz8LynGXWdmSgKIwhjqeR3dYjQrhzzT2ReX2FkIAg1olCwnqq_PUhnX26wP1WyrvSA/s320/P4300534.JPG) |
Square Burger, a hip joint in an Art Deco building across from the courthouse. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflxXzXOVt2FDDndVQ6BWk2pJU8DcIkH8ufJ6hqG1Bh2PCkrNG7dNDCMpNtlGgCKUrIqGgm6cFZELHbBQ44InWPLw9WRuVRRNKL1qI6Scey5Rlh5uCL6aSJS-PIYK9Yo5TdoDxn9Umkw/s320/P4300535.JPG) |
Shopping on the Square, at Gray Living, one of many downtown. |
No comments:
Post a Comment