Third Monday Trade Days in McKinney, Texas

Once a month, McKinney, Texas hosts the oldest and largest monthly trade days/flea market in north Texas. It has its origins over 100 years ago when judges used to ride a circuit to preside over court proceedings once a month. In Collin County, the judge came the third Monday of every month, and residents would gather and eventually began to trade.  This is how Third Monday Trade Days got its start and its name.

With over four hundred vendors now, you can shop for anything imaginable such as home decor, gifts, clothing, small animals, tools, antiques, collectibles and so much more.

Visitors will find parking easy for $3, and admission to the market is free. There are clean restrooms, two ATMs, plenty of concessions, and cart, wagon or stroller rentals.

Bird Houses

Even if you don’t feel like spending money, there is so much to see at this local open-air market, and the family-friendly atmosphere is a great opportunity for kids to see what local artisans make and sell as well.

Third Monday Trade Days is open year round from 8am to 5pm on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday before the third Monday of every month.

Train at Children's Museum at Yunker Farm, Fargo, ND

by Linda (minnemom) of Travels with Children

When traveling with kids, it’s important to find interesting places that help break up the trip.  Even though we’ve driven through Fargo for years, it wasn’t until recently that I learned that they had a children’s museum in town.  We “researched” it on our very next trip, and had a great time there.

Although dubbed the Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm, it’s very much part of the city, adjacent to the airport and university areas.  The museum itself is in an old farmhouse, which has been restored to a very family-friendly museum.

Milking the Cow at Children's Museum at Yunker Farm

Unlike many of the big-city children’s museums where the exhibit areas are huge and open, the Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm areas are in smaller rooms, which makes it easier to keep track of kids and allows for a wide variety of exhibits.  From creative to imaginative, from science to music, from art to culture, from toddlers to older kids, there’s something for kids of all ages and interests.

Exhibit Room at Children's Museum at Yunker Farm

My kids loved dressing up as bees and climbing through the hive, “milking” the cow, riding the horse, and putting on a puppet show in the downstairs area, and then watching the kinetic energy setup and playing the unique instruments upstairs.  For quiet time, there’s a little reading alcove that is well-stocked with children’s books.

Playground at Children's Museum at Yunker Farm

For more fun, there’s a seasonal kids-sized railroad and a carousel on the grounds, a picnic area, miniature golf, gardens, and a very nice playground on the site.

Miniature Golf at Children's Museum at Yunker Farm

If you’re traveling through Minnesota and North Dakota with kids, the Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm is one stop you’ll want to plan.

Photo credits:  minnemom

Dickens of a Christmas in McKinney, Texas

30 miles north of Dallas, Texas,  in a small town called McKinney, is the 28th annual Dickens of a Christmas celebration. November 28th, 29th and 30th, there will be an old fashioned, Victorian atmosphere with horse drawn carriages, strolling carolers, visits with Santa Claus, the Christmas tree lighting and activities for all ages. You can enjoy Christmas music, Dicken’s era dress, food and children’s activities provided by local not-for-profit organizations.

Snow will be making a special appearance at this festival with a snow tubing hill.  Kids and adults will look forward to coasting down a man-made hill in inner tubes on the snow.  Dress warmly!

Christmas tree ornament

Santa sets up shop in the Historic Downtown McKinney to have photos taken with the kids and to take requests, so have your children write their wish lists and bring them along.

The shops in the square will be open extended hours for shopping.  You can browse boutiques, art galleries, bookstores, apparel, gifts and antique stores. It’s the perfect time to find a unique Christmas gift for that special someone in your life.

This festival is free, and CCART will provide a free shuttle service from First United Baptist Church to the historic downtown area.

Photo curtesy of Krisdecurtis

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade starts at 77th Street & Central Park West at 9am.  It lasts about 3 hours and ends at 34th and 7th Avenue.

The parade is a national event that kicks off the holiday season with a bang.  People all over the country have the parade on as they are preparing their Thanksgiving dinner and propelling their minds into the holiday spirit.

Here are some of our favorite balloons throughout the years that we chose out of the hundreds that have taken route down 34th Street.

Scooby Doo

image credit - www.guy-sports.com

Ask Geeves

photo credit - www.ccs.neu.edu

Snoopy

photo credit - blog.silive.com

Mr. Potato Head

photo credit - www.phaction.com

Sponge Bob

photo credit - chinadaily.com.cn

Kermit the Frog

photo credit - chinadaily.com.cn

Charlie Brown

photo credit - www.ci.santa-paula.ca.us

Pink Panther

photo credit - www.high-tech.com

Bart Simpson

photo credit - allposters.com

Shrek

photo credit - blog.nj.com

If you planned ahead and have a hotel room on the parade route, then you will probably have one of the best views of the event.  The hotels on the parade route sell out months in advance though so you really have to take the initiative to book a room early.

If you are adventurous you can go to Central Park the night before the parade and watch as the balloons are inflated and prepared for the next morning.  The inflating usually starts at around 4pm on Thanksgiving Eve on 77th & 81st Streets between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue.  These giant balloons usually take up over two city blocks while they are waiting to make their entrance. They are inflated under huge nets to keep them from being seen in their full glory until their parade debut.

photo credit - www.newsday.com

Here are some other tips for the best viewing of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Thank you Macy’s and New York City for giving us this fabulous event that we look forward to ever year.