Experience gifting is becoming more and more popular. We all have that one person on our list who's impossible to shop for, have everything they want, or value memories over material things.  With just a few Christmas shopping days left, we’re counting down our TOP 12 #Visitallen gift experience ideas! Give the gift of a memorable experience at some of our most unique Allen attractions, perfect for everyone in the family!

#1 – Dino Tour at The Dinosaur Company

The Dinosaur Company designs animatronic dinosaurs and giant bugs for exhibits, zoos, museums, theme parks, movies, and much more all over the world. How cool is it that those giant Dinos and Bugs are created right here in Allen at their facility?! Pretty cool. And you can gift anyone in your family with a tour of these awesome giants. You can book them online!

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#2 – Day of Gaming at PLAYLive Nation

PLAYlive Nation is a premium social gaming lounge focused on uniting like-minded players of all ages and to creating strong community-based relationships. Give the gift of a membership at PLAYlive Nation this Christmas!

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#3 – Brewery Tour at Nine Band Brewery

Every first Saturday of the month, Nine Band Brewery hosts a guided brewery tour for just $15 per person which also includes a pint glass and samples. Additional drinks can be purchased in the taproom once the samples are redeemed. Give the gift of a brewery tour at Nine Band Brewing.

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#4 – Gift Card or a NYE VIP Package at  Topgolf

Topgolf is celebrating the arrival of 2020 by throwing one of our biggest parties of the year. Enjoy live entertainment, a chef-inspired menu and an unforgettable midnight celebration. Upgrade to the VIP experience for exclusive access to a premium holiday dinner buffet and a bottle of bubbly* to share with friends. All New Year's Eve packages include unlimited game play from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.** for up to six Guests, front row seats to a midnight fireworks show and party favors to go along with our glow-in-the-dark theme for the night.

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#5 – Tickets to Dallas Fuel Classic Weekend at Allen Event Center (April 2020)

Dallas Fuel is an American professional Overwatch team based in Dallas, Texas that competes in the Overwatch League (OWL) as a member of the league's Pacific Division. Founded in 2017, Dallas Fuel is one of the league's twelve founding members and is one of two professional Overwatch teams based in Texas. During the third weekend April 25-26 at Allen Event Center, which is also a triple header, the team will face off against the Guangzhou Charge and the Shanghai Dragons. The third weekend will serve as the last week of competition in the first half of the regular season before the mid-season split week. Get that special someone tickets now!

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#6 – Wakepark Passes to Hydrous Waterpark

Hydrous Wakepark Allen is a cable wakeboarding training facility, focused on producing the best wakeboarders in the area! Our unique overhead cable system is used to pull the riders around a 10-acre lake. This style of wakeboarding allows for an optimal wakeboard experience providing riders with a great sense of joy and accomplishment that only the sunshine and cool waters at Hydrous can provide. Give the gift of lessons, full day rentals, or a camp!

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#7 – VIP Booking Experience or a Round of Golf at Courses at Watters Creek

Instead of offering just one course, The Courses at Watters Creek offers the perfect blend of multiple courses all in one place appealing to any golfer. We offer a total of 33 holes, all of which offer a unique experience for every golfer, every deadline and every budget. Give the gift of a VIP booking experience or a tee time at Courses at Watters Creek.

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#8 – Weekend Stay at Delta Hotels by Marriott Dallas Allen

The Delta Hotel by Marriott in Allen is a sophisticated interpretation of the Texas urban landscape reflecting the energy of booming North Dallas, blending rustic design materials with curated art and the latest technology. The guest rooms and suites feature thoughtful accommodations, including lush linens, productive workspaces, free bottled water and high-speed Wi-Fi. With Chef Stephan Pyles at the helm, the culinary offerings deliver a true Texas dining experience—with a few delightful surprises thrown in. Enjoy inventive cuisine, ample parking, a fitness center, an expansive patio and pool, plus high-end shopping and dining across the street. Relish in luxury at Delta Hotels Dallas Allen. The perfect weekend staycation!

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#9 – Annual Membership or Hot Stone Massage at Hand & Stone Massage

In a stress-filled world, the full body massage at Hand and Stone will relieve tension, soothe tired muscles and temper migraines. They offer several choices including Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports and more!  Be sure to check out the signature hot stone massage, designed to melt away the stress of deadlines and hectic schedules. Or opt for a gift that keeps on giving, an annual membership!

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#10 – VIP Experience at Pinstack

From state-of-the-art bowling lanes to its unique LED Rock Climbing Wall, PINSTACK has indoor games for the whole family. The one-of-a-kind indoor family activity venue features a full-service restaurant offering a chef-inspired menu featuring local and regional cuisine, a full bar and a private dining area. Gift the VIP experience!

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#11 – Paint & Sip Experience at Blue House Too

Blue House Too is the realization of Allen Arts Alliance’s vision of a vibrant non-profit art space in the community. They host art exhibits, performing art events, art classes & workshops for all ages, choir rehearsals, teen music nights, and pop-up shops! Join the FUN and and come paint with WanderBrush. Gift a Paint and Sip Class!

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#12 – Membership or Camp at D-Bat

D-Bat Allen provides a quality teaching environment with professional instruction to enhance the baseball and softball experience for players at all levels and help them reach their goals. This facility has quickly become the top indoor Baseball and Softball training center in the country. Gift an annual membership or one of their over 50 camps and clinics this year!

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Readers of ConventionSouth Magazine has selected Allen, Texas as a top meeting site in the South by recognizing Allen Texas Convention and Visitors Bureau with a 2019 Readers’ Choice Award.

“ConventionSouth readers and fans have voted to decide the best meeting sites in the South, and it is no surprise to us that Allen Texas Convention & Visitors Bureau has been selected to receive our annual Readers’ Choice Award,” said ConventionSouth Senior Editor Marcia Bradford. “The value in receiving this prestigious recognition is that it comes from the United States’ top meeting professionals who hold events in the South. These planners demand the highest level of customer service and quality facilities, and they have contributed in determining that Allen Texas Convention & Visitors Bureau indeed displays the commitment to professionalism, creativity and service that they require.”

Allen Texas Convention & Visitors Bureau is among 337 convention and visitor bureaus (CVBs), meeting facilities and hotels located across the South to receive this year’s Readers’ Choice Award. Throughout the year, meeting professionals nominated the meeting sites they believe provide exemplary service for group events.

“We’re honored to receive this recognition.” says Karen Cromwell,  Director, Allen Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Our dedicated sales staff and the partnership amongst our hospitality partners create a truly one of a kind experience for our planners and their attendees to ensure a successful event. We share this recognition from ConventionSouth with our amazing destination partners.”

For more information on hosting your next meeting or conference in Allen, TX, contact Kris Buchanan at kbuchanan@visitallentexas.com.

About ConventionSouth

Celebrating over 35 years as a leading meeting planning resource, ConventionSouth magazine is based in Gulf Shores, Ala., and is distributed to more than 18,000 meeting professionals located across the country who book meetings held within the South, according to Bradford.

About Allen Convention and Visitors Bureau

The best kept secret in Dallas and THE up and coming destination in DFW to getaway and play or plan a meeting or convention of any size. Located just north of Dallas, Allen is 25 miles from either DFW or Love Field airports and blends the best of local charm and hospitality with world-class amenities. 

Brace your elves, the holidays are here! Sit back, relax, and plan your next stop with family and friends here in Allen. We’ve got something for the whole family! 

Here's to a fun-filled holiday season. Cheers! 


1. BLADES ON ICE

One of the most anticipated events this season is the U.S Figure Skating Midwestern Sectional Singles Final and U.S Pairs Final. This exciting event will be held at the Allen Event Center from Tuesday, November 12 at 6 am to Saturday, November 16 at 6 pm. Best of all, parking is always free! Tickets are available at The Allen Event Center Box Office and Ticketmaster. Don’t let this one slide! MORE EVENT INFO 


2. LIGHT THE NIGHT

Join Watters Creek for a magical evening to kick off the holiday season and welcome Santa. Starting at 4:30, KISS FM’s Billy the Kidd, the evening’s emcee, will help everyone get into the holiday spirit. Mrs. Claus will be passing out free cookies, and there will be complimentary carriage rides, hot cider, caroling, face painting, and more. In addition, the Allen Symphony Chorus will sing seasonal favorites, costumed performers from the Allen Civic Ballet will be present, the Allen Arts Alliance will host children’s holiday crafts and an Allen ISD art exhibit. At 6:30 p.m. guests will be dazzled when Santa lights the 30-foot tree, the centerpiece of Watters Creek’s holiday display. The tree leads a 145,000-glittering light display that includes 20 other trees and Santa’s sleigh with reindeer. The lights are synchronized to holiday music and play every hour from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m., daily through New Year’s Day. Finish the evening with a dazzling fireworks display.
MORE EVENT INFO  


3. READY, SET, SHOP!

We take shopping very seriously here in Allen. For that reason, holiday shopping festivities always makes our list for top holiday fun. From the Allen Premium Outlets, to Watters Creek, to The Village at Allen, Black Friday shopping is a must here. You’ll find a great selection of popular retail stores, boutiques, and unique shops you can only find in Allen. We have no doubt that you will score that perfect gift for your loved ones and even some for yourself. Here’s to great deals, ample parking and shorter checkout lines! 
BROWSE SHOPPING 


4. TURKEY SLIP AND SLIDE

Come join us for our 8th Annual Great Turkey Skate. You can expect a fun Thanksgiving-theme, on-ice games and activities, including Turkey Bowling. You will also have the opportunity to donate two non-perishable items and receive a free skate rental.
MORE EVENT INFO 


5. DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS ‘DREAM BIG’ 

For the child inside all of us…and of course, our little ones. Disney on Ice presents ‘Dream Big’ at Allen Event Center with performances from November 27 – December 1. Miguel aspires to be a musician and journeys through the Land of the Dead to unlock his family’s history. Moana and Maui bravely restore the stolen heart of Te Fiti. Anna and Elsa save their kingdom while the Disney Princesses inspire with touching stories. Share every magical moment filled with breathtaking ice skating and beloved songs and stories that give you a reason to believe! Allen Event Center Parking is FREE and located next to The Village at Allen. Enjoy shopping, great restaurants, and a special holiday show all in one place! 
GET TICKETS HERE 


6. COMPLIMENTARY CARRIAGE RIDES

What could be more charming than a cozy horse-drawn carriage ride on a crisp winter evening? Bring the family or that someone special to Watters Creek for a magical holiday experience only a carriage ride can bring. Rides are free and are on a first come first-served basis - No Reservations. Friday and Saturday evenings from 6 - 9 pm: Nov. 29 - 30, Dec. 6 - 7, Dec. 13 – 14 / Sundays: 4 - 7 pm, Dec. 1, 8, 15, and 22 / Consecutive evenings from 6 - 9 pm: Dec. 16 - Dec. 23. FOR MORE INFO VISIT: https://www.watterscreek.com/events 


7. RUDOLPH RUN

Grab your friends, this event is great for groups! Dash into the holidays at the annual Rudolph Run 5K happening on Saturday, December 7. One race with two options! The Donner Dash (8:05 am), a non-competitive run that will have hot chocolate available to the first 1,000 to complete the dash. The Rudolph Run 5K (8:30 am) where the top 3 runners for each gender and age division of the run will receive a medal. The race will start in front of Rodenbaugh's Appliance Store (102 West Main Street - Allen), go through Allen Station Park and finish at the same location as the race start. This exciting event is open to all ages and even your dog!
GET TICKETS HERE  
 

8. BECAUSE IN ALLEN, HOLIDAYS ARE BETTER ON ICE 

Allen Event Center is thrilled to invite you to Holidays On Ice, featuring the Allen Academy of Skating and Allen Community Ice Rink Skaters. If you bring a non-perishable food item, your admission is completely free. Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 15 from 4 pm to 6 pm. 
MORE EVENT INFO 


9. MERRY TUBA CHRISTMAS 

The Allen Philharmonic welcomes area tuba and euphonium players to join us for the Merry Tuba Christmas Concert at Watters Creek at Montgomery Farm. Merry Tuba Christmas was conceived in 1974 by the late Harvey Phillips as a tribute to his teacher and mentor William J. Bell, born on Christmas Day, 1902. This unusual Christmas tradition is firmly established in over 200 cities around the world and 2019 will be the third year the Allen Philharmonic has hosted this tradition. Come enjoy this free performance on Sunday, December 15 at 2:30 pm. Christmas Carols and other crowd favorites will be played. 
MORE EVENT INFO 


10. DROP AND SHOP HOLIDAY SKATE 

Take a break from your busy schedule and come enjoy the Drop and Shop Holiday Skate event with family and friends on Sunday, December 21. Look forward to on-ice games and activities, including pictures with Santa and more. Take two non-perishable food items to donate and you will receive a free skate rental. Open to all ages, but adult supervision is required for children 8 years and younger. See you there! 
MORE EVENT INFO