Itinerary: 24 Hours in Frisco This Fall

Comfortably cool temperatures, pumpkin spice lattes on the menu, and football on the gridiron — it’s beginning to feel like fall around Frisco! It’s also the perfect time to pick out your favorite flannel and plan a full day in The City That Plays. Whether you live in the Metroplex and are looking for a staycation close to home or a vacationing visitor, this is the perfect place for a getaway. Here’s our itinerary for 24 hours in Frisco, where we’re not afraid to say, “It’s fall, y’all.” Follow along with an interactive version of the itinerary here.

9:00 to 9:45 A.M. Breakfast at La Finca Coffee & Bakery

Breakfast is known as the most important meal of the day, so we’re making sure your 24 hours in Frisco start strong. First, fuel up at La Finca in the Frisco Rail District. Items on the menu are made from scratch, including Chilaquiles, Huevos Rancheros, omelettes, waffles, French toast, burritos, and more. Pair your meal with one of their specialty tea or coffee items for the perfect way to fuel up.

After breakfast, it’s time to head over to The Star in Frisco, located 1.1 miles away.

10:00 to 11:15 A.M. Tour The Star in Frisco

Frisco, fall, football — it’s an unbeatable trifecta. For the ultimate football experience, take a guided tour of The Star in Frisco and get an up-close-and-personal look at the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters. This guided tour gives you the opportunity to explore the day in the life of a football player for America’s Team in the place where they train all year. It includes a stop at Ford Center, the War Room, the Nike Star Walk, the Grand Atrium, and more. There’s also Super Bowl memorabilia and other football artifacts that will interest any football fan. We recommend the VIP Tour & Visit as it comes with a few souvenirs and exclusive promotions for the restaurants and retail locations in The Star District. A VIP Guided Tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, so be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.

11:15 AM to 12 P.M. Shop & Explore The Star District

Once your tour of The Star wraps up, it’s time to explore The Star District before lunch. This one-of-a-kind entertainment district is the place to be to experience all things Cowboys, the best Texas cuisine at restaurants, boutique shopping, fine art, and more. There’s always something new to discover at The Star, including the Southern seafood restaurant Tricky Fish and women’s boutique store Monkee’s.

After shopping, it’s pizza time at Pizzeria Testa. It’s 4.1 miles from The Star.

12:15 to 1:30 P.M. Pizza on the Patio at Pizzeria Testa

Everything’s bigger in Texas, so of course this applies to pizza as well. Settle down on the large outdoor patio of Pizzeria Testa and enjoy the warm fall air combined with the smell of authentic Neapolitan pizzas baking in the wood-fired ovens. It’s also where you’ll find Pizza Metro, a meter-long pizza. You can’t go wrong with the Metro Superiore, Pizza Metro divided into quadrants with margherita, salsiccia, testa rossa, and quattro formaggi pizzas. Take a bite and close your eyes to be transported to the southern coast of Italy. Pair your pizza with a drink option from the extensive wine list, try a craft cocktail such as an Aperol spritz, or combine Texas with Italy with an Italian Daisy featuring Tito’s vodka, Aperol, and lime juice.

Once your chef’s kiss experience is over, head about a mile south to the National Videogame Museum.

1:45 to 3:45 P.M. An Afternoon at the Museum(s)

Frisco is the home to a roster of fascinating museums, including the National Videogame Museum, the only museum in America completely dedicated to the history of the videogame industry. There are more than 100,000 pieces of videogame memorabilia here, including consoles and games that are sure to stir up nostalgia in gamers of all ages. And if you’re a big fan of Pong, you’re in luck — this museum is the home of the world’s largest home Pong console. It’s an experience that’s both educational and entertaining.

You’ll find the National Videogame Museum inside the Frisco Discovery Center, which also houses the Sci-Tech Discovery Center and TrainTopia. TrainTopia, in particular, is an only-in-Frisco experience with approximately a quarter mile of G-scale track and a giant layout modeled after the American Southwest, including Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. Want to learn more? Visit our blog for 6 Reasons to Check Out TrainTopia.

Hop off the train and head up to The Game Show Experience, located 1.1 miles away.

4:00 to 5:00 P.M. Win Big with The Game Show Experience

A unique game experience is lighting up Frisco. The Game Show Experience promises to be fun for friends, families, co-workers, pretty much anyone. It’s located right in the heart of Frisco's historic downtown, known as The Rail District, and features a set based on your favorite shows, giving you a chance to become a game show contestant.

The game may be over, but the fun continues with dinner at eight 11 | place across the street.

5:30 to 7:15 P.M. Dine and Relax at eight 11 | place

Following an afternoon of fun and games, it’s time to grab a seat around the patios with fire pits at eight 11 | place. This locally owned wine bar and kitchen offers an authentic taste of Frisco with an incredibly welcoming neighborhood atmosphere highlighted by live music on the patio Thursday-Saturday, cold beer, craft cocktails, and comforting food created with care. 

After a great meal, head 2.8 miles south to Strikz Entertainment.

7:30 to 10:00 P.M. Hit the Bullseye at Strikz

Don your finest flannel, grab an axe, and challenge your travel companions to friendly competition at Strikz Entertainment. This one-stop shop for fun was recently renovated and has games and activities for all ages. Family-owned for 18 years, this Frisco establishment features 32 bowling lanes, including 12 boutique lanes in the private Rose room, an arcade full of games, billiard tables, and a laser tag arena — all along with food and drinks.

To cap off this fall day, we’re going to suggest axe throwing. Your goal is simple: aim for the center of the wooden targets and get the most points. Looking for something more than just a target with a bullseye? A digital projector allows you to customize your axe-throwing experience with more games, including Connect Four. Tip: Be sure to book your axe-throwing at least a day ahead!

10:00 PM to 9:00 A.M. Hit the Hay

After a jam-packed day of Frisco fun, it’s time to take your shoes off, climb into a soft bed and enjoy the comfort of one of our many hotel options. Are you looking to level up your stay in The City That Plays? Check out these five elevated hotels, with everything from rooftop pools to outdoor patios and fire pits. Even if you live nearby, you deserve to treat yourself to a night at some of the best hotels in Frisco.

Plan Your Getaway Now

The only thing that’s missing from this 24-hour itinerary is you! Plan your visit to Frisco and discover even more things to do this fall.