Usually, when a new airport opens, that’s when tourism gets a boost.
For one Texas town, the script has been flipped.
As North Texas awaits a new airport set to open later this year, the town where it sits during its glow-up is already surging.
Call it the next Frisco if you want, but the DFW Metroplex has a new hotspot — one that goes beyond its suburban appeal for cheaper real estate.
This charming town of lush green parks and a hallmark row of classic brick storefronts lining downtown is luring tourists back again and again.
Far beyond its “Friday Night Lights” reputation, the town of McKinney may soon be a full-fledged vacation destination once new attractions and its existing airport goes commercial by year’s end.
We Knew McKinney Would Be Popular — But Why Now?
Call us OJ, but Texas and small towns go hand in glove.
Despite much of the state’s glory going to Austin and other urban sprawls, real Texas can be found in its all-but-tangible history beaming throughout preserved facades, generational small businesses, and town squares that haven’t change a bit.
McKinney is no different even with its unprecedented growth, one that caught headlines nationwide for its nearly $70 million dollar football stadium.
High school that is — the Cowboys play in Arlington.
With McKinney clearly having money to spend, you can think it’s thousands of visitors for helping keep the lights on.
It’s being reported this town of roughly 200,000 people rang in a whopping $325 million in 2025.
That could buy a lot of Whataburgers, amirite?
Instead of buttery Patty Melts, the city has opted to invest a hefty chunk of cash into its highly-anticipated airport makeover, that already has one growing airline champing at the bit to be its anchor.
That said, McKinney has impressively become a Dallas tourist destination already. As someone who grew up in this region, take it from me — many DFW suburbs are simply pass-through towns.
But McKinney has the rare combo typical soccer-mom ‘burbs usually don’t sell well: a postcard downtown, over 100 real local businesses, renowned restaurants, fun-filled festivals, an array of green space, sports tourism, and the hype of even more major entertainment projects on the way.
McKinney Welcoming Commercial Flights “Late 2026“
Right now, McKinney’s biggest selling point is its soon-to-open airport, taking a small bit out of DFW (personally, my least favorite U.S.) and Dallas proper’s Love Field.
You see, especially after the pandemic, North Texas has been one of the trendiest corners of the U.S. to move to, whether it be Frisco, Celina, or Prosper, and any other of its seemingly endless towns filling the Metroplex.
McKinney being as well, of course.
The city has been teasing the idea of switching gears from its current airport more known as a playground for old men with mustaches and never seriously thought of as a travel base until it actually came into fruition.
Already winning in my book simply because of its name McKinney National Airport, not like those other small airports that pretend to fly places you need a passport (ahem, Corpus Christi).
To prove it’s not just another one of Texas’s never-ending construction projects, the city is actually inviting anyone interested in a free tour on May 9, 2026, for Display Day, where they can meet representatives for the lone air carrier set to serve TKI.
Avelo is one of the newest airlines to U.S. skies, recently celebrating its 5th birthday, but has grown exponentially already — and perhaps even more in the near future since Spirit kicked the bucket.
Routes have yet to be announced, but the airport is expected for a ribbon-cutting “late 2026.
What Else To Look Forward To As McKinney Welcomes More Visitors
McKinney isn’t just leaning on its delightful downtown and traditional Texas feel — it’s building a whole new reason to stick around.
First up is Cannon Beach, a $200 million surf-and-adventure resort set across 35 acres, bringing a three-acre surf lagoon, lazy river, mineral hot springs circuit, and full-service hotel to a city nowhere near the coast.
Apparently McKinney looked at the Gulf and said, “Hold my Shiner”.
Then there’s the $300 million McKinney Sunset Amphitheater, a sprawling 46-acre live entertainment venue expected to welcome up to 20,000 guests for major events once it opens in 2027.
In other words, McKinney isn’t sitting around for commercial flights to put it on the map — it’s already stacking the deck with big-ticket draws that could turn a once-pass-through suburb into one of North Texas’ most surprising getaway spots.
It’s already well on its way, soon giving Friday night flights a place alongside its staple Friday Night Lights.
