Texas has got it all! We have deserts, mountains, beaches, cities, amusement parks, lakes, rivers, and so on. Texas is amazing! Now I know other places in the world have these things too, so you are probably thinking Texas doesn’t sound so special. But there is one thing Texas has that no one else in the world does and that is Chip and Joanna Gaines!
Throughout the world you can watch their channel on fixing houses, baking, and other country style shows. Throughout the world you can buy their products and find their furniture line. You can buy their books in bookstores all over, but nothing compares to experiencing their magic in real life; and Waco, Texas is the place to do it!
Waco, Texas is located between Dallas and Austin in the transition from hill country to central Texas. This picture perfect town is a must see destination when exploring this giant state. Chip and Joanna Gaines have made Waco worth a stop. It has something for everyone, whether on a girls trip, a romantic getaway, a camping adventure, or a family friendly vacation! Waco, Texas is unlike any place you will find in Texas and here is your guide of things you have to do in Waco, Texas!
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Must See Things to do in Waco, Texas
Experience Chip and Joanna Gaines vision at Magnolia Market
Of course the first thing I am going to mention is visiting Magnolia Marketplace! Like I said ain’t nobody in the world got a Chip and Joanna Gaines. If you do not know who they are, then stop reading this and look them up now! I feel they put Waco on the map!
If you don’t know who they are, they are the creators of the Fixer Upper Show. They are well known for their ability to flip houses from old/junky, to new and gorgeous! Chip does the construction and Joanna has the vision and design. They have an incredible style, and over the years have branched out into other fields like baking and cooking.
One of the building areas they flipped were some old silos and they transformed them into a beautiful family gathering area. In front of the silos are yard games and food trucks. Surrounding them are small picturesque markets where the Gaines branded products are sold. There is a garden market and a furniture market, and a cupcake bakery! It is the most Instagram-able spot in Waco and fun for the whole family!
Location: 601 Webster Ave, Waco, TX 76706
Try different types of pop at the Dr Pepper Museum
Waco isn’t just home to Chip and Joanna Gaines, but also the home of the favorite soda pop; Dr Pepper. If you are a soda fan, you will love this museum. There are 2 parts to this museum. The first half is mostly a history museum of how Dr Pepper started and how it has grown over the years. It is really a museum for just looking at pictures and old antiques.
The other half is more of the fun interactive bit of the museum. In this section you can interact with the exhibits and try different soda themed activities. What would a soda museum be without drinking some soda along the way. In this second half of the museum, you can even drink some of the pop!
Location: 300 S 5th St, Waco, TX 76701
Dig for bones at the Waco Mammoth National Monument
Dr Pepper is part of Waco history, but there is a national monument in Waco that celebrates the history of Waco long before Dr Pepper was around. Actually even longer than people have been around! Discovered in Waco, Texas was a graveyard of ancient wooly mammoths!
You can take a tour to an active archeological dig site where you can watch them uncover these giant bones. The tour is about 30 minutes long and takes you inside the covered dig area. Here you will see multiple skeletons of mammoths as well as some skeletons of other prehistoric creatures, like the tooth of a Saber tooth kitten!
My kids favorite part of this National Monument is the free dig area. There is a sand pit where kids can dig up bones for themselves.
Location: 6220 Steinbeck Bend Dr, Waco, TX 76708
Visit Cameron Park Zoo
There are so many zoo’s in Texas and I have been to almost all of them. Each one I have ranked according to what I think of the zoo. For instance, the best zoo in the Fort Worth Zoo, the most flamingo filled zoo is the San Antonio Zoo, the best animal shows are at the Houston Zoo, and the most kid friendly zoo is the Cameron Park Zoo.
The Cameron Park Zoo is located in Waco and it is my kid’s favorite zoo in Texas. This zoo is so interactive and centered towards kids. There are playgrounds all around, photo ops, tunnels, and slides. You can slide right through the otter exhibit and play gongs next to the orangutangs. There are so many interactive exhibits that make looking at the animals even more fun.
Location: 1701 N 4th St, Waco, TX 76707
Find the Bears at Baylor Bear Habitat
If you are not wanting to pay a ton of money to go see animals, then you can visit the Baylor University campus to look at animals for free. Or I guess I should say animal. Baylor University’s mascot is the bears. So if you visit the campus you will find a living bear exhibit right in the center of the campus. There are 2 young bears on exhibit that you can watch for free and without the crowds of a regular zoo!
Location: M P Daniel Esplanade, Waco, TX 76706
Hike around Meridian State Park
There are plenty of fun things to do in town, but sometimes it is nice to leave the hustle and bustle of city life and get out in the countryside. Waco is surrounded by state parks. It is such a beautiful area, that it is no surprise that there are so many state parks nearby.
Meridian State Park is located just north west of the town of Waco. This beautiful state park is built around a lake that is caged in by gorgeous small, rocky cliffs. There are hikes around through thick forests and across flowery fields. It is a very beautiful and peaceful place to stay.
We stayed in the cabins, which held about 6 people in them and have a/c which is ideal for the hot summers of the area.
Location: 173 Park Road #7, Meridian, TX 76665
Camp at Lake Whitney State Park
My favorite outdoor experience in the Waco, Texas area is Lake Whitney State Park. This state park also showcases a gorgeous lake and there are several hikes that take you around it. Our favorite trail is the Two Bridges Trail! It was a 0.9 mile hike that takes you through lush fields, borders the lake, and of course crosses 2 bridges.
If you are looking for a place to get out in nature, birdwatch, and hike; this is the place to be!
Location: 433 FM1244, Whitney, TX 76692
Fun Things To Do Near Waco, Texas:
Hold baby goats at Sweet Eats Fruit Farm
Eat giant donuts at Round Rock Donut
Pet stingrays at the Children’s Aquarium
Go to the top of Reunion Tower
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