McKinney | October 2025

BY KAREN CHANEY

dates. Because of the diversity of activities, people of all ages enjoy the experience, the couple said. “We see down-to-earth people—they’re looking for stu that isn’t bougie,” Ryan O’Dowd said. “The biggest thing is to relax and not feel the hustle and bustle of everyday life.” The background Following a vacation to Colorado, where the O’Dowds’ family of ve enjoyed lling their time with outdoor activities, they returned to their McKinney home and sought to duplicate the fun but instead found a void. “We wondered if McKinney would be really grateful if we did something like this,” Laura O’Dowd said. “If there are other people looking for something outside, kind of that old-fashioned fun.” Quote of note Besides a small light in the bar, Wayback Barn is solely lit by thousands of string lights. “I use the word ‘magical,’” Laura O’Dowd said. “I feel like at night, when the twinkle lights are on, it’s really lovely and beautiful.”

gaga ball, nine square, football and soccer. Mini golf can be added for another $6 as well as axe throwing for another $15. “There’s 18 holes of mini golf. It’s all under the trees, so it’s very shaded, which is great in the summer,” Laura O’Dowd said. “Sometimes you hit the ball around trees.” What else? Situated within the barn is Hayloft Bar & Grill, which serves mainly nger foods including a Texas-shaped charcuterie board, pizza grilled cheese, panko fried shrimp and more. Old-fash- ioned sodas, made with cane sugar and served in glass bottles, are also available and a popular choice, the business owners said. The bar pro- gram oers a rotating whiskey selection, various cocktails, beer and wine. “We’re primarily a gathering place that oers food versus a restaurant that oers a play area,” Laura O’Dowd said. Who its for The O’Dowds said the top three reasons guests visit Wayback Barn are parties, family outings and

McKinney residents and married couple Ryan and Laura O’Dowd opened Wayback Barn in 2023.

KAREN CHANEYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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3964 CR 168, McKinney www.waybackbarn.com

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