Home of the Baylor University Bears and the original Dr. Pepper recipe, Waco has grown beyond a college town into a must-stop destination.
Ever wanted to see the oldest bridge still standing? You can in Waco, Texas! Here, you can take in the views and see all there is to experience in this charming city as you cross this historic 19th century suspension bridge right in the heart of Texas!
From Magnolia Market — the popular shopping destination created by Chip and Joanna Gaines — to the many unique museums dotting the city, to its diverse culinary culture, Waco is a destination like no other in the Lone Star State. There’s truly something for every traveler here, so jump into these must-do activities on your next visit.
Day One
Begin the day in the cozy Common Grounds across the street from Baylor campus. Try a Cowboy Coffee or another of their original, coffee-centric beverages. Or head over to the Waco Downtown Farmers Market to explore a selection of homemade goodies, fresh produce, and other artisanal treats. Then go to the lush Baylor campus where you’ll find the Mayborn Museum, which celebrates the natural sciences and cultural history of Central Texas through vibrant exhibits and hands-on exhibits. The Armstrong Browning Library and Museum here contains the largest collections of works by Victorian English poets Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Nearby, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame holds more than 6,000 unique pieces of sports memorabilia, including the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame and the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame. If you’ve worked up an appetite, order a delicious sandwich at local favorite Schmaltz’s, known for its fresh-baked bread. Or try some mouth-watering barbecue at Vitek’s.
Later, spend some time perusing the small specialty shops and boutiques that dot downtown Waco, offering unique clothing, jewelry, boots, books, gifts, and more. Finish the day with a meal at upscale steakhouse Diamondback’s or sample the reimagined, scratch-made southern cuisine at Milo All Day. Got energy to spare? Catch some live music with a view at Tandom Rooftop Bar at the Waco Hippodrome Theatre in downtown Waco.
Day Two
Start the day with a walk over to Magnolia Press for pastries and coffee, conveniently located on the edge of your next stop, Magnolia Market. This place is a must for Fixer Upper fans, and offers plenty of shopping. Get inspired by the home decor, gifts, and trend-setting design, all curated by HGTV’s Chip and Joanna Gaines.
Get out in nature and explore Cameron Park, a 416-acre oasis offering walking, mountain biking, and hiking trails and bluffs from which to view the Brazos and the Bosque Rivers. You’ll also find the Cameron Park Zoo here. Visit 300 species of animals in the Asian Forest, the African Savanna, and the Brazos River Country exhibits.
Nearby, check out the fascinating Waco Mammoth National Monument exhibit, featuring Columbian mammoth fossils in their original position within the bone bed, as discovered here in 1978. Learn about the Ice Age and how these important fossils were discovered.
Fuel up with lunch at any of the number of restaurants and food vendors found at Union Hall — there truly is something for everyone here.
Afterwards, take a leisurely stroll across the historic Waco Suspension Bridge, completed in 1870 as part of the famed Chisholm Trail crossing. Then head over to the iconic Dr. Pepper Museum. Delve into the history behind this beloved Texas soda or craft your own signature flavor.
Don’t miss Waco Surf, where you can still catch a wave hundreds of miles away from the Gulf of Mexico. This favorite Texas Water Park includes multiple water slides, a lazy river, and of course the surf and wakeboard wave pool.
Finish the weekend in a relaxed atmosphere with a delicious dinner of authentic Vietnamese cuisine at Clay Pot.
Where to stay
The Pivovar Hotel offers modern amenities with an old world feel and easy access to downtown. Within the hotel, you’ll find a restaurant, a brewery and beer garden, and even a beer spa, where guests soak in a bubbly bath of Czech beer and herbs in copper tubs. Newly opened by Magnolia founders Chip and Joanna Gaines is Hotel 1928, a boutique hotel housed in a refurbished historical building. Step back in time as you experience plenty of nostalgic charm in its 33 guest rooms, two restaurants, a rooftop terrace, and shop. Or snag one of the 21 unique rooms at Hotel Herringbone, built out of fifty shipping containers and a refurbished warehouse. This hotel offers several restaurants, including upscale Red Herring; Lucky Buck’s, a rooftop bar overlooking the iconic Waco Silos; Song Bird, a wine and charcuterie bar with nightly live music, and Nightlight Donuts & Coffee. Guests can also take a morning yoga class or borrow e-bikes and explore the neighborhood.
