Photo Credit: @lovelyn_photography
Backpacks might be stuffed and lunchboxes ready, but that doesn’t mean family fun has to hit the brakes. Back-to-school season in Allen, Texas is the perfect excuse for one last hurrah before routines take over. Crowds are lighter, evenings are cooler, and there are endless ways to keep summer vibes alive without the stress of a long trip.
Just north of Dallas, Allen is your laid-back launchpad for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Stay for the weekend or pop in for the day. Everything is close, walkable, and ready to make your last summer fling the easiest trip you will take all year.
Shop the Season at Allen Premium Outlets
Back-to-school style starts here. With more than 120 designer and brand-name stores, Allen Premium Outlets is your one-stop style sprint. Stock up on athletic wear, backpacks, and fresh kicks from Nike, Michael Kors, Levi’s, and more at outlet prices that feel like an A+ on your budget. Grab a coffee, stroll the open-air center, and make it a retail victory lap before the homework starts rolling in.
Play, Dine, & Compete at PINSTACK
Texas heat? Outsmart it. PINSTACK is an indoor playground for every age. Take on the kids in bowling, race bumper cars, battle in laser tag, or climb your way up the rock wall. The massive arcade keeps little gamers happy while parents enjoy chef-crafted plates, signature cocktails, and the joy of letting them burn energy somewhere else.
Explore Watters Creek Village
Photo Credit: @dfwfunwithkids
Part shopping center, part community hangout, Watters Creek Village blends boutique finds, big-name favorites, and wide-open green space for the kids to run wild. Shop Anthropologie, Kendra Scott, Altar’d State, and Francesca’s, then chill creekside or catch live music. The vibe here feels like a summer afternoon that turns into an all-night hangout.
Try Something New at The Hub
Photo Credit: @hubofficialhq
The Hub is where Allen’s dinner-and-a-show energy shines. With rotating local food vendors, string lights overhead, live music, and outdoor movies, it feels like a neighborhood block party every night. The big lawn keeps kids busy and parents can finally finish a meal in peace.
End with a Sweet Treat
You can’t wrap up a summer weekend without dessert, especially not after all that fun. Swing by Ked’s Ice Cream, Waffles & Crepes at Allen Premium Outlets for a local favorite that hits all the sweet notes. They serve up more than 120 globally inspired homemade ice cream flavors along with bubble waffles, crepes, boba teas, and coffee. It’s dessert that’s as fun as your day has been.
MAKE IT A STAYCATION
Want to ditch the drive? Stay the night and make Allen your weekend home base. Shopping, dining, and entertainment are all within steps of these top hotel picks:
- Hampton Inn & Suites – Close to Allen Premium Outlets
- Courtyard Dallas Allen at the Event Center – Steps from The Village at Allen
- Marriott Dallas Allen Hotel – Right across from Watters Creek Village
Make Allen Your Home Base
Soak up the last of summer with outlet hauls, splash pad stops, patio lunches, and just enough relaxation to make the return to routine feel a little easier. Allen gives you the best of both worlds – big shopping, local charm, and everything close enough to walk or wander.
Stay here. Shop smarter. Soak it all in.
