A Short History of the Square
McKinney is named for Collin McKinney, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, and it's the Collin County seat. The square grew up around the county courthouse. Collin County commissioners voted to build it in 1874, and it was completed in 1875. A 1926 to 1928 renovation added a third floor, a basement, and a new roof, and covered the stone exterior with brick.
County offices moved out in 1979, and the last court case was heard there in 1980. The building became a Texas Historic Landmark in 1998, and after a renovation from 2000 to 2006, it reopened as the McKinney Performing Arts Center. The current renovation adds new theater seating, acoustic and infrastructure upgrades, a permanent stage, and restores the 1930s green paint color found in a historic finish analysis. The old judge's bench is coming out of storage to serve as a bar.
The National Register district around it is roughly bounded by Herndon, Wood, Cloyd, Davis, Louisiana, MacDonald, and Virginia streets. That's why the buildings around the square look the way they do: changes to historic properties go through review.
Shopping Downtown
Downtown shopping leans local. The city describes art galleries, furniture stores, antiques, gift and home decor shops, and apparel boutiques, and most of the businesses are independently owned. A few names that recent travel coverage highlighted:
- Texas Monkey Business for gifts
- Mom and Popcorn for popcorn and candy
- Carpe Diem Comics for comics
- The Groovy Coop for gifts and decor
- Spice and Tea Merchants for spices and loose tea
Shops downtown open, move, and close like anywhere else, and hours vary. Many close earlier on weekdays and stay open later on weekends. If you're driving in for a specific store, check its hours first.
Where to Eat and Drink
Downtown's food scene has grown up. These are spots I'd point a first time visitor to, drawn from local and travel coverage. Hours and menus change, so check before you go.
| Spot |
What it is |
Note |
| Harvest at The Masonic |
Restaurant, 215 N. Kentucky St. |
Recommended in the Michelin Guide's first Texas edition, November 2024 |
| Rick's Chophouse |
Steakhouse |
Special occasion pick |
| Square Burger |
Burgers |
Casual |
| Spoons Cafe |
Locally owned restaurant |
Strong reviews |
| Emporium Pies |
Pie shop |
Frequent "best pie" reviews |
| Hutchins BBQ |
Texas barbecue |
Islands calls it a Texas barbecue staple |
| The Celt Irish Pub |
Irish pub |
Evening option |
| TUPPS Brewery |
Brewery, 402 E. Louisiana St. |
East of the square in the old grain silos |
For coffee, dessert, and wine, there are more options than I can list here, and new ones show up every year. Walking two or three blocks off the square in any direction usually turns up something new.
Events on the Square
This is the downtown calendar the city publishes, with typical timing. Dates shift a little each year, so confirm before you plan a trip.
| Event |
Typical timing |
What to expect |
| Bridal Show |
Second weekend in January |
Vendors for weddings at downtown venues |
| Krewe of Barkus |
Sunday before Mardi Gras |
Dog parade |
| Arts in Bloom |
Second weekend in April |
Art and wine celebration |
| Texas Music Revolution |
First full weekend in June |
Music festival |
| Juneteenth Celebration |
June |
Community celebration |
| Oktoberfest |
Last weekend in September |
Three days on the square, the biggest crowd of the year |
| Home for the Holidays |
Thanksgiving weekend |
"A McKinney Christmas" kicks off the season |
There's also plenty between the big events. In late October 2026, for example, the calendar listed a Spooktacular Brews and Boos Walk downtown on Oct. 31 and an art talk at the Heard Craig Carriage House on Nov. 4.
Museums and Historic Sites Near the Square
- Chestnut Square Heritage Village, 315 S. Chestnut St.: historic homes, a chapel, and event space. It hosts the Saturday farmers market, which runs 8 a.m. to noon from April through December and 9 a.m. to noon from January through March. Living History Day is scheduled for Nov. 7, 2026.
- Collin County History Museum, 300 E. Virginia St.: in a historic post office one block east of the square, open Fridays and Saturdays.
- The Tiny Doors and Monarchs: small hidden art doors around downtown and eight Monarchs of McKinney butterfly sculptures in the cultural district.
Parking and Getting Around
Parking is easier than it looks once you know where to go. Starting in 2018, the city added more than 400 downtown spaces, including the Chestnut Commons garage at Chestnut and Herndon streets and public spaces at the Davis at the Square development. Street spaces near the square have time limits, and the city resumed regular enforcement in October 2022 after improving signs and stall markings, so read the signs.
The city has run a small free on demand shuttle called DASH in the Cultural District, but its availability has varied, so check before counting on it. On festival weekends, park at a garage or a few blocks out and walk in.
What's Changing East of the Square
East McKinney is where the most visible change is happening. TUPPS Brewery opened its new campus at 402 E. Louisiana St. in March 2024 inside the old grain silos, with a bigger taproom, outdoor stage, and small businesses in the repurposed silos. McKinney gave the project an $11.3 million grant as part of an east side redevelopment push.
A bit farther east, McKinney National Airport starts commercial passenger service with Avelo Airlines on Nov. 11, 2026, from a new 46,000 square foot terminal at 1910 FM 546. For downtown residents, that means a short drive to a commercial flight, and potentially more airport traffic on the east side. If you're looking at a house east of downtown, check flight paths along with everything else. I cover the investor angle in my McKinney investment areas guide.
Living Near the Square
Living within walking distance of the square is a different kind of McKinney life. You trade a newer house, a big garage, and an HOA pool for porches, mature trees, sidewalks, and dinner a few blocks away.
What Homes Cost
Homes near downtown run from small older houses to fully restored historic homes well above the city median. Redfin's data for the McKinney Historic District showed a median sale price of $718,500 in June 2026, based on only 12 sales, with a median of about $283 per square foot and 58 days on market. With that few sales, one big house can move the median a lot, so treat it as a rough marker.
For a sense of the top end, a 1910 home on N. Church Street with about 4,430 square feet plus a garage apartment listed in September 2026 at $1,725,000. Across the broader 75069 ZIP code, Resideline showed a median sale price of $459,900 for the six months ending Oct. 26, 2026, which includes plenty of homes away from the historic core.
Schools
Most homes around the square are in McKinney ISD. The 2026 Church Street listing above was zoned to Caldwell Elementary, Faubion Middle, and McKinney Boyd High. McKinney ISD earned a B (87) from TEA for 2025 to 2026, and all three of its high schools earned an A. Zoning changes, so verify any address. My schools page can help.
Historic Neighborhood Improvement Zone Tax Exemptions
McKinney created the Historic Neighborhood Improvement Zone in 2007. It's bounded by US 75 on the west, US 380 on the north, Airport Drive on the east, and Industrial Boulevard and Wilson Creek Parkway on the south. Owner occupants who invest in qualifying work can apply for city property tax exemptions. Per the city's December 2022 program guide:
- Level 1, Historic Marker: 100% exemption for 10 years, for a home with a historic marker designation and at least $10,000 in improvements in the prior three years.
- Level 2, Restoration: 50% for 10 years, for a home at least 40 years old with at least $10,000 in eligible work.
- Level 3, Preservation: 30% for 10 years, for a home at least 40 years old with at least $5,000 in eligible work.
You need to live there with a homestead exemption, get the required permits and a Certificate of Appropriateness, and stay current on city taxes. The guide refers to city taxes; it doesn't say the exemption applies to school or county taxes. Confirm the current rules with the city's planning department, because the program has been amended before. For the rest of the tax picture, see McKinney property taxes, PIDs, and MUDs explained.
The Honest Downsides
- Older systems. Foundations, plumbing, wiring, and windows in older homes need careful inspection. Budget for surprises.
- Design review. Exterior changes in historic areas can require approval, which takes time.
- Insurance. Older homes can cost more to insure. Get a quote before you're under contract.
- Festival weekends. Oktoberfest and other big events bring crowds, noise, and street closures near the square.
- Commute. Downtown sits east of US 75. If you work near SH 121 or Legacy, west McKinney is closer.
If you want walkability without an older house, look at newer homes and townhomes a short drive away. Browse McKinney homes for sale, townhomes, or my McKinney area page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is downtown McKinney walkable?
Yes. The square and the surrounding blocks are compact, with shops and restaurants close together. Most visitors park once and walk.
Is the McKinney Performing Arts Center open?
It closed Feb. 1, 2026 for a $10 million renovation, with completion estimated for fall 2026. Check for reopening dates before you buy tickets.
When is the McKinney farmers market?
Saturdays at Chestnut Square, 8 a.m. to noon April through December and 9 a.m. to noon January through March.
How much are homes near downtown McKinney?
Redfin showed a June 2026 median of $718,500 for the McKinney Historic District, on a small number of sales. Prices range widely by size and condition.
Is there free parking downtown?
Yes, between street parking and public garages, including Chestnut Commons at Chestnut and Herndon. Street spaces have time limits that are enforced.
Can I get a tax break for restoring a historic home?
Possibly. The Historic Neighborhood Improvement Zone offers city tax exemptions of 30% to 100% for 10 years for qualifying owner occupied homes and work.
What's the biggest downtown event?
Oktoberfest, held over three days on the square on the last weekend in September.
Want to Live Near the Square?
Homes near downtown McKinney don't come up often. I can set up a search for the blocks you care about, help you judge an older home's condition with the right inspectors, and run the loan numbers so you know your payment. Contact me through the contact form on this site to get started.
Sources: City of McKinney, Explore Downtown; City of McKinney downtown events; Islands on downtown McKinney (July 2025); Jasmine Alley downtown guide; National Park Service, McKinney Commercial Historic District; Community Impact on the MPAC renovation (March 2026); Community Impact on Harvest and the Michelin Guide; Visit McKinney events; Visit McKinney, Chestnut Square; Visit McKinney, Collin County History Museum; Community Impact on downtown parking (2018); Community Impact on parking enforcement (2022); Community Impact on TUPPS Brewery; Community Impact on the TUPPS grant; Visit McKinney, McKinney National Airport; Redfin, McKinney Historic District (June 2026); @properties listing, 611 N. Church St.; Resideline 75069 market data; Community Impact on McKinney ISD ratings; Community Impact on the historic home tax program; City of McKinney HNIZ program guide.
