Whether you’re a longtime local or planning your first visit, there’s a lot to love about Wylie, Texas. This charming North Texas town boasts a bustling downtown district, a year-round calendar full of popular, family-friendly events, and a strong sense of community that you won’t find anywhere else. Here are 10 things we love about Wylie (we think you’ll love them, too).
Historic Downtown Wylie
Historic downtown Wylie is a shopping and dining district with lots of charm. The street is lined with coffee shops, bakeries, clothing boutiques, and local restaurants. The downtown shop owners are friendly and welcoming and host regular events throughout the year, such as the annual Coffee Crawl and regular Sip & Shop events. The downtown area is also located right next to Olde City Park, so you can bring the kids and let them burn off some energy before or after you enjoy a nice dinner downtown.
Family-Friendly Events
Throughout the year, Wylie hosts a series of events that draw people from all over the Metroplex. The fun kicks off in May, with the Annual Wylie 500 Pedal Car Race, an opportunity for kids ages three to five to show off their pedal car racing skills. Only one (per age group) will be crowned the winner and receive the coveted trophy!
Bluegrass on Ballard comes right on the heels of the pedal car race. This event brings in national bluegrass acts for a day of music combined with a popular car show and a huge vendor fair.
Also in May is Taste of Wylie, an afternoon lunch event where local restaurants donate samples of their most popular dishes to raise money for local food banks. The price admission of gets you more food than you could possibly eat, but you’ll feel good trying knowing that your ticket price is going directly to support people who are going hungry in your own community.
The Wylie Fireworks show goes off with a bang to celebrate the Fourth of July. This event includes live music, a splash area hosted by the local fire department, bounce houses for the kids, and lots of food trucks.
Boo on Ballard is everyone’s favorite trick-or-treating event. Ballard Street shuts down for an evening of trick-or-treating and Halloween fun (don’t forget to dress up!).
The Christmas season kicks off with the Wylie Arts Festival, a vendor fair filled with local artisans, crafters, and makers selling their goods. This is the perfect way to knock out some Christmas shopping. The Wylie Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting, along with a visit from the CPKC Holiday Train, round out the holiday fun.
Wylie Parks
Whether you’re looking for a pickleball court, a dog park for your four-legged family members, or a playground for the kids, Wylie has a plethora of parks to choose from, several of which also include walking trails.
Smith Public Library and Rec Center
The Smith Public Library and Wylie Recreation Center are conveniently located right next to each other. Also on the property are walking trails and a dog park, meaning you can potentially spend hours at this facility. The library and recreation center offer year-round programming for children, adults, and senior citizens. Library patrons will also enjoy the annual book sale. Parents love taking advantage of the recreation center’s summer and winter camps for kids.
In-Sync Exotics
Not many towns can say they house a big cat sanctuary, but Wylie can. In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue & Educational Center houses a variety of lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, and more. These regal animals come to In-Sync from less-than-ideal situations to live out their lives in dignity with the care they need. The sanctuary is open to the public on the weekends, and we can promise you—you’ll get closer to these big cats than you ever have before!
Lake Lavon
Lake lovers can’t get enough of Lake Lavon. With lake entry and a marina located in Wylie, Lake Lavon caters to anyone who enjoys the outdoors. The lake is known for great fishing and is surrounded by a park and campground.
Date Nights
Wylie is growing up. While it used to be easier to leave town for an adults-only night out, today you can stay right here in Wylie. With Landon Winery, Herman Marshall Whiskey, and Glen Echo Brewing all located in downtown, it’s easy to grab an adult bevvie before (or after) enjoying dinner at a local restaurant. Whether you choose Frankie’s Mexican Casa (also downtown) or venture to the unique Ferah Tex-Med Kitchen or upscale Creekside Fine Grill, Wylie has choices.
Public Art
You might not think of Wylie as an art hub, but it actually is. You can find twelve pieces of public art situated throughout the city. Pieces were created by many nationally-recognized artists, and can all be seen while driving around town. Click here for a map of all the pieces and to coordinate your own private art tour.
Proximity to Dallas
While many people love that Wylie is away from the hustle and bustle of Dallas, it’s still close enough to keep trips to Dallas convenient. Whether you work in the city, want to catch a concert or grab a nice dinner, or need easy airport access, Dallas is within reasonable driving distance.
Wylie Farmers Market and Wylie Urban Market
Shoppers looking for something a little different will appreciate the Wylie Urban Market and the Wylie Farmers Market. Located off Stone Road, Wylie Urban Market stocks locally raised organic, grass-fed meat, fresh produce, and artisan crafts from local makers. The space also holds events and provides community gatherings.
The Wylie Farmers Market is a seasonal market where vendors from North Texas convene to sell handmade soaps, fresh sourdough, and local honey (among other things). The market runs from spring through fall.
