The 10 best things to do in Waco, Texas

Chances are, if you live in the tri-state area, you’ve seen multiple photos on social media of people you know hanging out at Magnolia Market at the Silos. That’s because Joanna and Chip Gaines, the husband-and-wife duo from HGTV’s popular home improvement show, Fixer Upper, are behind things. Together, they’ve created a Martha Stewart-like empire for the millennial set, with a lifestyle business to match: Magnolia Market. This lovely downtown property, which includes two former grain silos and a 20,000-square-foot barn, has drawn over 1 million visitors per year since its inception.

Waco’s newest attraction has so much to do that it could fill its own listicle. Camp Fimfo is a camper’s paradise, and this Bosque River outpost peddles some serious fun all year round. There’s an interactive water playground that’s a slice of Schlitterbahn; pool with ball game facilities (heated during winter months, so no excuses not to splash), hot tubs, 18-hole mini-golf course, basketball, pickleball, tennis, and mini zip-lines. Phew! When you and the fam have burnt up all your energy for the day, refuel at Squirrely's Tavern, Mess Hall or the No Dive Bar, then catch z’s in your RV, tent, or adorable tiny-house style cabin. Don’t forget the BBQ and s’mores!

Housed in a 100-year-old Dr. Pepper bottling plant, this museum celebrates the history of America’s oldest soft drink and its place in Wacoan culture. Dr. Pepper was created in Waco in the 1880’s – in fact, the beverage was initially called “Waco” because it wasn’t served anywhere else – and today, the Dr. Pepper Museum is one of the city’s major tourist attractions. The inside is stuffed with cool exhibits, vintage bottles and other memorabilia, but the real highlight is ordering an old-school Dr. Pepper float from the 1950’s soda fountain at the end of the tour.

The second largest inner-city park in the United States, tucked alongside the Brazos River and located less than a mile from downtown Waco. This lush, 416-acre space boasts 15 miles of scenic hiking and biking trails, two rivers, playgrounds, splash pads, the Cameron Park Zoo and a multitude of picture-perfect picnic spots. For the prettiest setting, head to Lovers Leap: This peaceful refuge, perched high above the Bosque River, is set atop a limestone bluff with expansive views of the countryside. Lovers Leap is also steeped in local folklore – legend has it that a pair of star-crossed lovers, forbidden to be together, committed suicide by jumping off the cliff here. If that doesn’t scream “date night”, what does?

One of Texas’s all-time best barbecue restaurants – which is some seriously high praise. It’s a tight-knit family affair at Tony DeMaria’s: Since opening its doors in 1946, this down-home BBQ joint has been under the same family’s ownership; today, it’s a Waco institution. Just keep in mind that the restaurant closes when it runs out of meat (which is often!), so be sure to go early. To miss out on Tony DeMaria’s succulent slabs of brisket would be a fate worse than death.

Home to the fossil remains of Columbian Mammoths, the Waco Mammoth National Monument is the country’s only recorded finding of a herd of Pleistocene mammoths. This super-cool paleontological site was recognized by the National Park System in 2015, and though some mammoth remains have been transferred to Baylor University, there are still a number of fossils that remain embedded in the dirt at the excavation site. Visitors will learn all about the Ice Age and how the fossils were discovered – it’s a must-see attraction.

Located on Baylor University’s campus, the Armstrong Browning Library is a literary gem – the library houses the world’s largest collection of manuscripts, books and letters from celebrated English poets Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. The building itself is also an architectural treasure, with its immense bronze doors, exquisite stained glass and intricate, inlaid wood floors and walls.

Nestled on the banks of the Brazos, this historic museum honors the legendary Texas Rangers. Here, you can learn all about the history of the oldest state law enforcement agency in the U.S. at a fascinating place that features artifacts, memorabilia and exhibits. The museum has been a popular tourist destination for over 40 years at this point, thanks to the Rangers’ iconic status in pop culture.

Located downtown on the corner of 2nd Street and Franklin Avenue, this restored warehouse is now a collection of trendy shops selling home décor, clothing, jewelry and vintage goods. With over 60 shops under one roof, Spice Village is home to a mind-boggling array of one-of-a-kind items. Serious shoppers could spend hours wandering around Spice; it’s a veritable treasure trove of clothing and quirky vintage finds. For a post-shopping pick-me-up, grab lunch at nearby beloved Thai spot Bangkok Royal.

Completed in 1870, the Waco Suspension Bridge is the city’s landmark structure and the oldest suspension bridge in Texas. Flanked by two parks, Indian Spring Park and Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, the Suspension Bridge is often the site of citywide events and community festivals. For a unique look at the bridge and other downtown sights, rent a paddleboard or kayak and explore the Brazos and Bosque rivers.