Best Things to Do in Frisco Between Games: A Sports Family Guide

For many families (ours included) weekends are busy with traveling for sports, from early mornings to long days, it sometimes feels hectic. Our family has been a travel sports family in the ArkLaTex area for five years now. We’ve learned that tournament weekends don’t have to feel rushed or exhausting. With a little extra planning, we can squeeze in some fun and make it feel like a mini family vacation. Lucky for us, there are lots of fun things to do in Frisco between games!

We often visit the Frisco area in North Dallas for tournaments. There are tons of things to do, from catching an FC Dallas match and exploring the National Soccer Hall of Fame. We also enjoy spending time at Grandscape, in The Colony, shopping at Scheels, racing at Andretti Indoor Karting, or experiencing the immersive screens at COSM.

While most sports tournaments are centered around Frisco, there are more things to do spread across nearby areas like Plano and The Colony. Whether you’re in town for soccer, tennis, baseball, volleyball, or basketball, this area makes it surprisingly easy to turn a busy tournament weekend into a fun getaway the whole family can enjoy. This post contains affiliate links.

Quick Guide: the best things to do in North Dallas for sports families.

• Best for soccer families: FC Dallas game + National Soccer Hall of Fame
• Best rainy day activity: Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, Perot Science Museum
• Best teen/tween stop: COSM (The Colony) and Activate Games (Plano)
• Best shopping + entertainment: The Grandscape (Scheels is a must visit)
• Best add-on overnight stay: Hall Park Hotel

Why North Dallas is perfect for sports families.

Lucky for us, the DFW area is a relatively short 3 hour drive from where we live. For both of our children, it’s also a hot spot for youth sports tournaments. Often, when my daughter has a soccer tournament, I find UTR tennis tournaments for my son to compete in also. It can make the weekend a little wild, but it’s worth it. The North Dallas area has excellent sports facilities, sporting good stores, playgrounds, parks, restaurants, and plenty of things to do between games or matches. We’re never bored, let’s just put it that way. Plus, I can always find a coffee shop and something that I can eat too. This post shares some of our favorite things to do in Dallas for sports tournament weekends.

Catch an FC Dallas match.

One of coolest things to do in North Dallas on sports tournament weekends, especially for soccer families, is to go to an FC Dallas game. We happened to be there on a weekend they had a home match and it was so much fun! The stars aligned and our last Saturday game was done at 4:30 PM, and the Sunday game wasn’t until 11 AM (that was a miracle). So, we coordinated with some friends to get tickets in teh same section to the game at Toyota stadium. Here are a few things to know:

• You’ll need to pay for parking in the lots around the stadium, we paid $20 and the walk wasn’t too bad.
• Small, clear purses only. I took my phone, ID, and one credit card in my pocket, no purse.
• It’s LOUD. Very loud. There are pyrotechnic displays too, so be ready for those.
• It’s hot until the sun drops behind the stadium. Yes, it’s outdoors.
• It’s very high energy and fun, which *could* be too much after a full day of sports tournaments.
• Eat dinner beforehand. The quesadillas my family had at the stadium were filling and good, but also quite expensive. There isn’t anything for people looking for gluten free or vegan food options, other than a bag of chips.
• Leave before the game is over so you don’t get stuck in traffic.

Be sure to check reputable ticket resale sites for cheaper options. I was able to snatch some last minute tickets for $37 per seat on AXS tickets.

Visit the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

The National Soccer Hall of Fame is actually located right at Toyota Stadium in Frisco. It’s a very cool, interactive museum experience all about famous soccer heroes. Be sure to check their website for open hours and any schedule changes this summer due to the World Cup. A must see for soccer families and fans.

Spend an evening at Grandscape.

Grandcape is an entertainment district in The Colony, in North Dallas. It’s continually growing and has something for everyone. You can’t miss it, just look for the huge ferris wheel outside. It has shopping (Scheels), multiple restaurants, and plenty of entertainment options. It’s a great place to celebrate after a sports weekend tournament and a fun thing to do in Frisco between games.

Explore Scheels.

This sporting goods store is a destination in of itself. The central attraction is an indoor ferris wheel, but it also has so much more. We enjoy browsing the sports sections, clothing, shoes, and everything else the store has to offer. It will be bonkers busy on the weekends, especially if there’s a big tournament happening. Scheels at The Colony is a great stop for families because there is so much to look at and they do have quality sports gear that we can’t find at home.

Race at Andretti.

This very cool arcade and indoor go karting spot is worth adding to your list. After a Labor Day weekend tournament go rained out for us we spent the weekend exploring with my family who had flown in from Phoenix. Andretti was one of the main stops for us and it was so much fun! It has a huge arcade but the main attraction is the multilevel, indoor, go karting with various races. Bonus – fun lights and music during your races. They have different races and karts based on ages and there’s something for everyone. In case you’re wondering, I lost my races, badly. It was such fun experience though and I’m glad we did it.

Play at Toca Social.

The newest entertainment option at Grandscape is Toca Social. It’s an immersive, interactive soccer and dining experience that’s the first of it’s kind in the United States. Sort of Top Golf, combined with golf simulator bay, except for soccer! There are different games you can play in your pod with the interactive screen. You book by 45 minute time blocks and it’s $15 per person to play. There is also an arcade with foosball tables and a restaurant.

Experience a movie in Shared Reality at COSM.

Easily one of the coolest things we have ever done. After our most recent tournament, we stayed an extra day so that we could see Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in Shared Reality at COSM. This massive theatre has three levels of seating and all of them have an incredible view of the enormous screen. The Shared Reality movie events pair food, drinks, and an immersive movie experience unlike anything we’ve ever seen. COSM also shows sports events and some other unique shows. Other Shared Reality movies include The Matrix and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Check their website for the schedules. Note – this was not cheap, but it was worth it in my opinion. We sat on Level 3, Row C.

Unique places to eat.

Dallas is a foodie haven and there is something for every type of dietary need, craving, or whatever you’re looking for. There are places that can accommodate for your whole team as well, just make sure to call ahead and let the restaurant know you’re bringing a large group! During weekends when we travel for sports, we typically eat breakfast at the hotel and I pack our cooler for lunch, depending on our game schedule. But, lately, I’ve been off my game and we’ve been finding smoothie, salad, or sandwich spots for lunch. I always try to have one or two unique dinner spots picked out, as well as a sweet treat for after the tournament.

When booking ahead of time (which is what I like to do) I use the Resy app or Open Table.

Nerdvana – Frisco.

Nerdvana is a gaming themed restaurant in Frisco, across from Toyota Stadium. It’s the perfect spot to pair with the video game museum, and also a fun place to relax after a busy day. They have board games of all kinds, plus video games on multiple video game systems. Their menu features a range of food, all made from scratch, and they have a huge menu of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. We definitely threw down on the n64 Mario Cart.

Bellagreen – Plano.

Bellagreen is one of our favorite places to eat and is the perfect place for dinner on a sports tournament weekend. My entire family loves this spot, and I do too. Why? Because they can make almost anything on the menu gluten free, and they have some of the best (gluten free) fried fish tacos I’ve ever had. My kids usually get the cheese pizzas, and I always get the buffalo cauliflower wings, and either the tacos or the chicken parmesan pasta. It’s always delicious and such a treat!

The Yard Milkshake Bar – The Colony.

Yes, it’s as good as it looks on Instagram. There aren’t dairy free or gluten free options, but it was worth it just to watch my girl enjoy a completely ridiculous, loaded milkshake after a hard won soccer tournament with awful weather. The Yard Milkshake Bar in Frisco is a super fun spot. The servings are huge on their milkshakes and ice cream with all of the toppings, so be ready to share or skip dinner. It’s definitely worth a stop to celebrate the sports weekend.

More things to do in North Dallas.

You could spend an entire week in the North Dallas area without running out of things to do. While not all of these will work on a sports tournament weekend (especially if you don’t want to wear out your kids) but these spots should be on your radar:

• Activate Games – Plano – immersive gaming experience that feels like you step inside Tron
• Fritz Adventure Park – The Colony – something for all ages, obstacle courses and more
• Video Game Museum – Frisco – museum of video games with giant pong and a retro arcade
• Joya at Oran Good Park – Farmer’s Branch – a very cool, glow in the dark playground
• The Real Unreal – Meow Wolf- Grapevine – we love Meow Wolf, not everyone does. Best for older kids, it’s an immersive art experience with a mystery to solve

Add an extra night: stay at Hall Park Hotel.

One of the ways that I try to make the sports travel weekends feel like vacations too is to add an extra night, either on the front end or back end of our trip. It means only one day of vacation from work for my spouse, but it means so much to our family. For our most recent sports tournament weekend in Dallas, we added a night at the Hall Park Autograph hotel. I chose the hotel because it is relatively new, completely unique, and somewhere we hadn’t stayed before. It was the right choice for us. See why here.

Pro tip – utilize loyalty programs, points, and credit card points for extra perks and cheaper rates when you cash in on points.

Why we loved staying here.

After a wild tournament with huge weather swings (that ended in a win), I decided to book us a larger room at the Hall Park hotel in Frisco. The room was part of the Reserve Suites on the third floor and had two, queen sized beds, large bathroom with spa like shower, sitting area, kitchenette, and a huge balcony that overlooked the art installation at Kaleidoscope Park. It was really nice to have some space to spread out, sit down, and just relax. The complimentary glass of wine upon check in was nice too.

Other features we loved about Hall Park hotel:

• It’s absolutely beautiful. Sports tournament stays are always pretty generic hotels and it was nice to stay somewhere with well thought out design and unique decor.
• The balcony chairs were comfortable and had a great view of the park, plus we watched lightning late into the night too.
• Great, in room coffee maker.
• The handle to turn the shower on was on the opposite side of the shower head – aka – you didn’t have to get soaked to turn the rain head shower on.
• Very comfortable beds.
• On site wine bar that is also a coffee shop in the morning
• On site restaurant dining.
• Walkable to Hall Park.

We also loved the 7th floor gym and heated pool. While we didn’t pack anything to swim (and the air temps were chilly) it was still a great view. The gym was also a nice feature and had plenty of equipment, cardio machines, and free weights. In the warmer months (or maybe on weekends) there is a pool bar area. It’s definitely not a place to swim and play for younger kids, but older kids will love the vibe.

Be sure to walk across the street to Kaleidoscope Park. It has a playground integrated into the park, a splash pad, and a great green space with an overhead art installation called Butterfly Rest Stop. I grabbed coffee from the hotel lobby and went for a walk in the park the morning of our stay.

Tips for planning a sports weekend in North Dallas.

The number one thing I would recommend: pack your patience and leave extra time. Traffic in the DFW area can be bad on any day of the week, including weekends. Add in construction and it can be a mess. Plan to leave 15 minutes earlier than you planned, just to be safe.

An absolute must have for sports weekends? Something to contain the stinky, sports shoe smells. Here’s what we use:

• Salt Athletic Shoe Bag – necessary, especially when both kids have sports. This bag can fit one set of cleats or sports shoes. Get one for each kiddo, trust me.
• Portable cleat or shoe dryer – because when the cleats get wet, the entire hotel room will smell like them and the whole car ride home.
• Shoe deodorizer – are you seeing the theme here? Trust me, keeping your hotel room smelling better will make a great weekend for everyone.

Traveling with older kids has changed our hotel habits slightly. To each their own, however we don’t make our kids share a hotel bed. My 15 year old son is 6 feet tall and my 12 year old daughter is nearing my height now as well. In order to make sure everyone sleeps better, we started traveling with camping cots. It’s a squeeze in hotel rooms sometimes, but it works for us. Here’s what we use:

• Camping Cot – our is a Magellan from Academy, but the link is nearly identical to what we have (x2).
• Memory foam mattress topper – these go on top of the cots. I carry and store them in a circular, canvas bag.
• Kelty Rambler sleeping bag – a lightweight sleeping bag that also works well for camping.
• Ear plugs and a facebasks – for whoever needs them. My daughter and I sleep with both. I set an alarm on my watch to wake up before my family and get ready for the day, the vibrating watch alarm doesn’t wake everyone else up.
• For Mom – I travel with these coffee drinks, and these protein drinks, plus these snacks. As someone with Celiac Disease and Alpha Gal syndrome, breakfast at team hotels isn’t really an option for me. Always be prepared.

Sports tournament weekend tips.

I won’t turn this into a huge post about what you’ll need for sports tournaments weekends, because that’s a bit subjective and depends on your family’s needs. In addition to what I mentioned earlier, I definitely recommend bringing the following things:

• Sun protection for everyone
• Comfortable lawn chairs – we love these from GCI Outdoors
• Bottled water or extra jugs of water to refill water bottles between games or matches
• Quick, healthy snacks that won’t melt in a backpack or in the car
• Electrolyte drinks for hot weather – we like LMNT watermelon.
• A cooler – the Yeti Roadie 32 is our go to tournament cooler.
• Make sure all of the kids doing sports have ALL of their uniform pieces, and multiple back up socks
• More clothes to change into than you think you’ll need
• Crocs, slides, or some easy shoe to wear between matches and games
• Swim suits, just in case (confession: I don’t let my kids swim in the hotel pool if they still have to compete, I know, I’m not fair but swimming will zap their energy).

For the sports tournament Mom uniform – I always wear pants that are cute but also comfy. Here are options from Amazon, Title Nine, and Athleta. Shop more on my LTK Shop.

Where to stay.

When we travel for sports, we usually have to stay at the team designated hotel, or “stay and play” as they call it. Sometimes, we go a day early, or add an extra day. Typically, I try to find a unique hotel for us to stay at, something fun, with a little more space or a neat amenity. It’s also a great opportunity to use travel points, which I collect on my Capital One Venture X card.

FYI – adding an extra stay on Sunday night is usually a little bit cheaper!

Check out the map below to see more hotels in the area. I have the places mentioned in this blog post marked on the map, so you can look at how close hotels are to the attractions. Have fun planning!

Frequently asked questions about things to do in Frisco between games.

Here are some answers to questions you may have about things to do in Frisco between games or for sports tournament weekends in the North Dallas area.

If you’re looking for even more family travel ideas, be sure to check out these other posts:

• Harry Potter experiences in the United States
• Las Vegas with kids
• Stay in a glass dome near Bryce Canyon

Thanks for visiting! I hope this post was helpful for you. If you’re looking for even more things to do that are specific to east Texas and the surrounding area, please visit my other blog, ArkLaTex Adventures.