Universal's New Theme Park Opens in an Unlikely Family-Friendly Town

A Hidden Gem for Families: Frisco, Texas

When I first heard that Universal Studios was planning to build its first theme park specifically for young children in Frisco, Texas, I had my doubts about the location. While it's true that families within driving distance would enjoy exploring the park's seven themed lands—such as Minions, SpongeBob, and Shrek—I questioned whether this Dallas suburb could justify the cost of a flight.

However, after sending seasoned travelers to Frisco to investigate for the Good Housekeeping 2026 Travel Awards, I'm now convinced that families with kids under 12 should consider visiting even if Universal isn't part of their plans. The current attractions and hotels are so much fun and offer great value. Once the Universal Kids Resort opens in 2026 (though an exact date hasn’t been announced), you could easily spend a week in Frisco without running out of things to do.

Next-Level Activities

Frisco is filled with unique attractions that you won’t find anywhere else. Here are some of the highlights:

• A ballpark with a lazy river
  The best seat at the stadium for the RoughRiders, the city’s minor-league baseball team, is in an inner tube. For certain games, you can book family tickets to float in a lazy river that runs along the perimeter of the stadium. "This is so nice with the Texas heat," said our tester who visited in September. "My 9-year-old son said this was the best day of his whole life, so I give the experience a 10/10." She also recommends arriving early because there are other family-friendly features like bouncy houses for kids to enjoy. The RoughRiders' season runs from early April to mid-September, and tickets are on sale now.

• An indoor kids’ museum that showcases 50+ professions
  Kidzania Dallas, which is technically in Frisco and the only U.S. location, is the GOAT for pretend play. All the fun starts at a real airline fuselage that serves as the centerpiece of a space designed to resemble a mini city. Professions are wide-ranging: "My girls washed windows and pretended to care for premature babies!" said our tester. "Kids even use fake currency to pay for items they buy in the city."

• Video games meet museum
  If you have a gamer in the family, the National Videogame Museum has a "Head to Head Wall" that allows you to play a mix of current and classic games as a family. The 12-foot Pong exhibit is another family favorite.

Our testers also enjoyed visiting the Sci-Tech Discovery Center and the Frisco Public Library, which is well worth a visit even for out-of-towners.

Hotel Highlights

If you're looking for a hotel that offers many restaurants and activities right on property, the Omni PGA Frisco is a top choice. "We saw so many couples in their 30s and 40s with young kids and babies," said our tester, who was 8 months pregnant at the time. "It has an upscale vibe without feeling stuffy or snobby in any way." The glow-in-the-dark mini golf course is an especially fun touch for families.

Another family with two young girls checked out the Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort and Spa, which tends to cost around $100 to $150 less per night than the Omni. It’s better suited for families who prefer to be out and about most of the day.

Getting There

Dallas has two major airports: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (where most domestic flights land, and there's a play area in Terminal D) and Dallas Love Field (mainly used by Southwest Airlines and featuring both a play area and sensory room). Both are about 20 miles from Frisco, so booking your flight based on price and convenience is recommended. Since Frisco’s attractions and restaurants are spread out, our testers think it’s more convenient and less expensive to rent a car than to rely on rideshare apps.