The Star is more than the Dallas Cowboys’ headquarters. This 91-acre campus in the heart of Frisco has become one of North Texas’ best destinations for dining, shopping, and entertainment, whether you care about football or not.

Here’s what locals actually need to know before visiting.

What Is The Star?

The Star opened in 2016 as a joint project between the Dallas Cowboys, the City of Frisco, and Frisco ISD. The campus includes the Cowboys’ corporate offices, their indoor practice facility (Ford Center), a 16-story Omni hotel, more than 20 restaurants, retail shops, and a growing entertainment district.

Ford Center is a 12,000-seat indoor stadium that hosts high school football games, concerts, boxing matches, and community events throughout the year. It’s not just for Cowboys practices.

Tours

The Star offers guided tours that take you behind the scenes of the Cowboys’ daily operations. You’ll see the War Room where draft picks happen, the Nike Star Walk showcasing team history, the indoor practice field, and the locker room area.

Tours start at the Miller Lite House near Tostitos Championship Plaza. Prices range from $40 to $80 depending on the package. Kids 4 and under get in free, and there are discounts for seniors, military, and first responders.

The newest addition is an AI-powered hologram of Jerry Jones. You can ask him questions about his life, his time at Arkansas, and his years running the Cowboys. It’s available on the Owner’s Experience Tour.

Where to Eat

The Star District has over 20 restaurants. Here are the local favorites:

Cane Rosso serves some of the best Neapolitan pizza in the DFW area. The honey bastard pie is a crowd favorite.

Mi Cocina is the go-to for Tex-Mex. The Mambo Taxi margarita is famous for a reason.

Dee Lincoln Prime is the upscale pick for steak dinners and special occasions.

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar does Southern comfort food with a twist. Great brunch spot on weekends.

Concrete Cowboy is the late-night move. It pulls a younger crowd and stays open later than most spots on campus.

Cow Tipping Creamery is a must-stop for dessert. The ice cream sandwich combinations are worth the line.

Musume opened in September 2025 and brings elevated Japanese and sushi dining to the second floor of The Star District. A strong new addition to the restaurant lineup.

Shopping

Cowboys Pro Shop carries game-day gear, jerseys, and memorabilia. Lucchese sells handmade Western boots. This is one of only a handful of Lucchese retail locations in Texas. Charlotte Jones Collection features curated women’s fashion. Flea Style offers vintage-inspired clothing, jewelry, and home goods.

Parking

The Star has two parking garages (Blue and Silver) plus the Gridiron surface lot. Parking is free on most days, but expect to pay during major events, Cowboys practices, and Ford Center events.

The Blue Garage off Cowboys Way is the easiest option for first-time visitors. It puts you right at the entrance to the District. Arrive early on Friday and Saturday evenings since the garages fill up fast during peak dining hours.

Tostitos Championship Plaza

The plaza is the centerpiece of the campus. It features a 50-yard replica turf field that’s open to the public for tossing a football around. During fall and winter, the plaza hosts movie nights, watch parties, and holiday events on the big screen.

The Ring of Honor Walk surrounds the plaza, honoring the 22 most significant figures in Cowboys history. Each bronze plaque tells the story of legends like Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, and Emmitt Smith.

Events at Ford Center

Ford Center hosts a packed calendar beyond Cowboys practices. High school football games draw big crowds on Friday nights during the fall. The venue also hosts concerts, boxing cards, gymnastics meets, the Dallas Open tennis tournament, and graduation ceremonies.

Check the Ford Center event calendar before visiting. On event days, parking costs more and the campus gets busier.

Tips From a Local

Go on a weekday if you want a relaxed experience. The restaurants are easier to get into and you can walk the campus without crowds.

If you’re visiting on a weekend, make dinner reservations. Walk-in waits at popular spots like Mi Cocina and Cane Rosso can hit 45 minutes or more on Friday and Saturday nights.

Wear comfortable shoes. The campus is spread out and you’ll do a lot of walking between the District, Ford Center, and the plaza.

The Omni Frisco Hotel’s rooftop area (The Edge) has some of the best views on campus. Even if you’re not a hotel guest, the lobby bar is worth a stop.

Lone Star Food Tours runs a walking food tour through The Star District. It’s a two-and-a-half-hour guided experience with multiple restaurant stops, cocktails, and local history for $119 per person. A solid option if you want to sample several spots in one visit.