Share the article
Normally, tourism gets a boost when a new airport opens.
For one Texas city, the script has been flipped.
While North Texas awaits a new airport set to open later this year, the city where it is located is already in its glow rising.
Call it the next Frisco if you want, but the DFW Metroplex has a new hotspot – one that goes beyond its suburban appeal to cheaper real estate.
This charming town with lush green parks and a distinctive row of classic brick storefronts lining the downtown area draws tourists back again and again.
Far beyond its ‘Friday Night Lights’ reputation is the city McKinney could soon become a full-fledged holiday destination once new attractions and the existing airport become commercial by the end of the year.
We knew McKinney would be popular, but why now?
Call us OJ, but Texas and small towns go hand in hand.
Although much of the state’s glory goes to Austin and other urban sprawl, the real Texas can be found in its almost tangible history, exuded by preserved facades, small businesses passed down generations, and town squares that haven’t changed a bit.
McKinney is no different, even with its unprecedented growth, making national headlines for its nearly $70 million dollar football stadium.
That’s high school: the Cowboys play in Arlington.
Now that McKinney clearly has money to spend, you might think it’s thousands of visitors who helped keep the lights on.
It is reported that this city of approximately 200,000 residents will generate a whopping $325 million by 2025.
That can buy a lot of Whataburgers, Amirite?
Instead of buttery Patty Melts, the city has opted to invest a hefty chunk of money into the airport’s long-awaited makeover, which already has one growing airline anchoring it.
That said, McKinney has already impressively become a Dallas tourist destination. As someone who grew up in this region, take it from me: many DFW suburbs are simply transit towns.
But McKinney has the rare combination that typical soccer moms usually don’t sell well: a postcard downtown scene, more than 100 truly local businesses, renowned restaurants, fun festivals, an array of green space, sports tourism and the hype of even more big entertainment projects on the way.
McKinney will welcome commercial flights “by the end of 2026.”“
Right now, McKinney’s biggest selling point is its soon-to-open airport, which takes a small slice out of DFW (personally my least favorite US) and Love Field in Dallas.
You see, especially post-pandemic, North Texas has been one of the trendiest corners of the US to move to, whether it’s Frisco, Celina, or Prosper, and whatever other seemingly endless city fills the Metroplex.
McKinney too, of course.
The city has teased the idea of switching from its current airport, better known as a playground for old men with mustaches and never seriously considered as a travel base until it actually came to fruition.
I’m already winning in my book simply because of the name McKinney National Airportnot like those other small airports that pretend to fly to places where you need a passport (ahem, Corpus Christi).
To prove that it’s not just another one of the endless construction projects in Texas, the city is actually inviting anyone interested in a construction project. free tour on May 9, 2026, for Display Day, where they can meet representatives from the only airline that will serve TKI.
Avelo is one of the newest airlines to hit US skies, recently celebrating its fifth anniversary, but has already grown exponentially – and perhaps even more so in the near future since Spirit broke the camel’s back.
Routes have yet to be announced, but the airport is expected to cut the ribbon in late 2026.
What else we can look forward to as McKinney welcomes more visitors
McKinney not only leans into the wonderful feel of downtown and traditional Texas, but also creates a whole new reason to stick around.
Stands first Cannon beacha $200 million surf and adventure resort spread across 35 hectares that brings a three-hectare surfing lagoon, a lazy river, a mineral hot springs circuit and a full-service hotel to a city nowhere near the coast.
Apparently McKinney looked at the Gulf and said, “Hold my Shiner.”
Then there’s the $300 million McKinney Sunset Amphitheatera sprawling 46-acre live entertainment venue expected to welcome up to 20,000 guests for major events when it opens in 2027.
In other words, McKinney isn’t waiting for commercial flights to put it on the map; the company is already planning big draws that could turn a suburb you once visited into one of the most surprising getaways in North Texas.
It has already come a long way and will soon give Friday evening flights a place in addition to the basic Friday Night Lights.
