(NewsUSA) - North Texas City Serves Up Festive Décor, Shopping and More

It will soon be the season when friends and families can enjoy some time off to get festive or just chill. There’s no better place to do both than Plano, Texas, a city that brims with holiday fun for everyone from shopping enthusiasts to sports fans. Conveniently located near Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and an easy drive from many major Texas cities, Plano is the perfect destination for a quick escape.

For sparkle seekers:  Come December, the entire city of Plano is aglow. And the twinkle is next level in the Deerfield neighborhood, where homes and yards are festooned with elaborate light installations. Drive, walk, or for a special treat, book a carriage ride. Another newer tradition, Lights on the Farm, transforms Plano’s Heritage Farmstead Museum into a wonderland of bedazzled and animated displays. Don’t miss a visit with Santa or the chance to make your own S’mores.

For shoppers:  A getaway to Plano is always fun and festive. But it’s also productive thanks to beautiful outdoor, walkable shopping enclaves full of gifts for everyone on your “nice” list. At The Shops at Willow Bend, The Crayola Experience has a great selection of stocking stuffers. At Legacy West, shop for everything from upscale athletic wear to Teslas. Once you’ve checked all the boxes, check in at the Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel. The property features a lively bar, luxurious guest rooms with a “cowboy meets Samurai” theme, and a rooftop deck with a pool and cabanas.

For the shop-a-phobic:  If shopping isn’t your idea of a “sport,” there’s a new game in town. It’s called “fowling,” rhymes with bowling and combines the latter with football at the only Texas location of The Fowling Warehouse. You don’t have to be Tom Brady to excel at this new hybrid sport which is quickly becoming all the rage.

After dominating the “fowling” lanes, you may be ready to relax and watch a game on TV. But don’t settle for any ordinary sofa. Head over to the Dallas/Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center and catch an English Premier League soccer match on the “Seat of Dreams.” Straight from the venerable home of Manchester United -- Old Trafford Stadium -- this sofa is the same spot where celebrity and VIP fans have watched historic matches across the pond.

Food, fun and festivities:  Plano boasts more restaurants per capita than some of the U.S.’ biggest foodie cities, and Legacy Hall, a European-style food hall + beer garden at Legacy West puts several of them under one roof, serving up a world of tastes. In December, the venue hosts “Hall-i-days at Legacy Hall” a series of not-so-ordinary holiday events including an “Elf” movie trivia night, Stories with Santa, and a Hall-i-day Sip ‘N Shop.

For specific dates, hours, ticket prices (where applicable) and additional help planning a holiday visit to Plano, please go to visitplano.com.