You don’t have to travel far when you’re planning an outing for your entire family to enjoy. Allen, Texas, boasts a range of attractions kids and adults can explore together. Whether you’re seeking a relaxing outing, an educational experience, or an active adventure, you’re sure to find exactly what you seek without going far from home.

Not sure which attractions to check out first? Crème de la Crème of Allen has you covered. We put together this list of six local attractions to take the guesswork out of designing your perfect family day.

Celebration Park

“Park Days.” used with permission via Unsplash by real_chance12

If you’re looking for a way to keep the family entertained outdoors, look no further than Celebration Park. This popular Allen park has what it takes to deliver a day of fun. Whether your kiddos want to cool down while enjoying the sprayground, you’re searching for the perfect place to plan a family picnic, or you want to go for a hike at a local spot, Celebration Park has just what you need.

One surefire highlight? The accessible playground, known as kidMania, is where vibrant-hued play structures provide the backdrop for fun for kids of all ages and abilities. The fully accessible playground got its start in 2003 when volunteers from around Allen got together with the Allen Parks Foundation and park staff to create a playground ideal for all children. Dozens of activities keep kids busy, while the colored sections show the area’s difficulty level. The result is a place to go that provides inclusive fun for everyone, right here in our hometown.

If your kids work up an appetite after enjoying the playground, head over to the barbecue grills or picnic tables for an outdoor meal. Seeking out a place to play your family’s favorite sports? Celebration Park also features baseball/softball fields, a basketball court, soccer fields, and lighted tennis courts.

City of Allen Parks

Celebration Park isn’t the only great park to check out in Allen. A range of parks in the City of Allen means you’ll have plenty of ways to plan a relaxing family day outdoors. From loop trails to hike and bike trails, sports fields and courts to fishing piers and more, there’s something for everyone in Allen’s parks. Head over to your family’s go-to park, or find a new favorite when you visit a local park you don’t yet have in your rotation. Either way, you’re sure to have a memorable experience with your kids.

Allen Community Ice Rink

If you have future champion figure skaters or ice hockey players in your brood, you’ll want to add Allen Community Ice Rink to your list of must-visit Allen attractions. In fact, even if your kids are just strapping on skates for the very first time, Allen Community Ice Rink is the place to go. This facility’s Learn to Skate program offers classes from beginner to advanced catered to both children and adults, so you’re sure to find just what your family needs here.

The rink boasts a full-size ice surface that measures 85 feet by 200 feet, translating to tons of space to skate along with room for over 300 spectators. That’s in addition to locker rooms as well as amenities like skate sharpening, off-ice training areas, a Pro Shop, skate rental, and more.

Allen Community Ice Rink offers both youth and adult hockey programs as well as a full ice skating program for beginners through advanced competitive levels. If you’re just looking to take some laps around the ice as a family, you can head here, too. With Open Skate times available, Allen Community Ice Rink means fun for the whole family.

Hydrous Wake Parks

Families seeking out a fun way to get active need to check out Hydrous Wake Parks. There, a full state-of-the-art cable wake board system makes for an awesome family outing. Hydrous Wake Parks has two locations, one right here in Allen and another nearby in Little Elm. You can enjoy a beginner system or head to the pipes and rails for advanced riders, so every member of your family is sure to find a way to get in on the action.

The Hydrous Aqua Parks offer yet another opportunity for fun. These parks are also the ideal way to cool off when you’re in the midst of a hot Texas summer day. These giant floating playgrounds are perfect for adults and kiddos of all ages, so book slots for your family to ensure you don’t miss out on all the fun.

The Edge Skate Park

Speaking of active fun, adventurous kids will want to check out Allen’s The Edge Skate Park. This skate park for youth is open to kids ages 10 to 17. Kids can ride skateboards, scooters, BMX bikes, and in-line skates on handrails and picnic tables at one of the largest outdoor skate parks in all of Texas.

With over 37,000 square feet of street fixtures, bowls, and transitions, and 900 feet of dirt BMX track here, there’s no limit to the fun kids can have right in town. The Edge Skate Park also features two full-size in-line hockey rinks that are lighted and perfect for both youth and adult play.

Perot Museum of Nature and Science

Though not located right in Allen, Perot Museum of Nature and Science is just a short drive away. The children’s museum here makes this attraction in Dallas a must-see for local families. Hands-on activities designed especially for the youngest museum-goers (think: digging for dinosaurs, an art lab, and much more) provide the perfect introduction to the museum experience. A variety of other exhibits mean kids and adults alike will find something educational and inspiring to explore with a visit to this museum.There you have it! Crème de la Crème of Allen just gave you six great ideas for family outings close to home. Do you have another favorite family attraction in Allen or the surrounding area you want other locals to know? If you do, drop us a line. We’d love to add more family-friendly ideas to our list.