It’s hard to think about Texas and not instantly think of Waco; where Chip and Joanna Gaines are making waves at the Magnolia Silos. Would you believe that over 100,000 people visit Waco a month to check out Magnolia as well as the other amazing things Waco has to offer? Road-trippin’ is very much the thing to do in the state of Texas because of how big the state actually is. That being said, we wanted to create a list of things that are absolute MUSTS while road-trippin’ to or through Waco, Texas. There are a ton of things to do while in Waco, but these were the ones we wanted to highlight most!

ROAD TRIP TO THESE 6 MUST-VISIT PLACES IN WACO, TEXAS

SPEND THE DAY AT THE FAMOUS MAGNOLIA SILOS

Chip and Jo have made quite a scene in Waco bringing numerous travelers to this trendy little Texas city. While visiting Magnolia you need to hit up all the main attractions. Start your morning with delicious homemade biscuits with an assortment of jams and kinds of butter and end with an oat milk latte and buttermilk pancakes. Once you’ve had your fill at Magnolia Table, make your way to the famous Magnolia Silos! The Silos include shopping of all kinds from Joanna herself and shopping from local Waco vendors too. Finally, pick up an afternoon coffee from Magnolia Press and you don’t want to pass on a cupcake from Silos Baking Co. They are the perfect item to take a picture with at the Silos!🧁

GO MURAL HUNTING IN DOWNTOWN WACO

Murals aren’t lacking in Waco, that’s for certain. While traveling and visiting cities you can truly see the art and culture shine through in murals around town — and they do in Wacotown. Most of the murals in Waco are on the sides of shops, restaurants, etc. that you can support. This mural is within walking distance from the Silos and makes for a create memento from your Waco trip! This mural is at 420 Franklin Ave. See our full article on murals to check out here.

TRY A DR. PEPPER FLOAT AT THE DR. PEPPER MUSEUM

Learn all about Dr. Pepper & why it’s so delicious at the Dr. Pepper Museum. Keurig Dr. Pepper is the oldest major manufacturer of soft drink concentrates and syrups in the United States. Dr. Pepper is America’s unique flavor and was created, manufactured, and sold beginning in 1885 in the Central Texas town of Waco. The Dr. Pepper Museum & Free Enterprise Institute opened to the public in May 1991 and has hosted over 1,700,000 visitors! Once you’ve gone through the museum you can enjoy fresh Dr. Pepper on tap!

EXPLORE THE WACO MAMMOTH NATIONAL MONUMENT

Would you believe that mammoths walked the earth right in the heart of Waco, Texas?! The Mayborn Museum at Baylor University has a special exhibit that is highly recommended to view before heading to the Mammoth National Monument. This is a great place to bring the entire family and walk the trails to the ACTUAL dig site! Waco Mammoth National Monument sits within 100 acres of wooded parkland along the Bosque River. Surrounded by oak, mesquite, and cedar trees, the site offers an escape from the modern world and provides a glimpse into the lives and habitat of Columbian mammoths and other Ice Age animals. This is something you’re sure to have never seen before.

STROLL THROUGH CAMERON PARK & CAMERON PARK ZOO

While in Waco you’ll need to visit the wondrous Cameron Park. Nestled just right out of downtown next to the Brazos River is the 400-acre park. From hikers & bikers to fishermen, disc golfers, families wanting to picnic, and even a zoo, Cameron Park is quite literally for everyone. Locals and college students spend countless hours exploring the hiking trails in the park, hammocking in Enos in between big oak trees, picnicking with college friends, studying on park benches, and taking professional photos. Some of the crowd's favorite spots to go in Cameron Park are Jacob’s Latter, the Highlander Trail, Thor Trail (if you’re looking for a leg workout), & the River Trail. When you thought Cameron Park couldn’t have anything else… they surprise you with an awesome zoo inside the park. The Cameron Park Zoo is smaller than the typical zoo but none lacking. They have lions, tigers, and bears of course #sicem! There are numerous other animals to see throughout your visit as well for only $12.50 for adults and $9.50 for children.

EXPERIENCE BAYLOR UNIVERSITY & MAYBORN MUSEUM

The Mayborn Museum is owned by Baylor University and on Baylor’s Campus, so when you visit, you should take a stroll through campus; it’s beautiful! The Sue & Frank Mayborn Natural Science and Cultural History Museum Complex at Baylor University opened in 2004. However, the varied components of the museum began long ago. As far back as the 1850s, Baylor University professors began collecting teaching materials to help students understand biology, physics, chemistry, and geology. Baylor’s original campus in Independence served as a hub of education in frontier Texas until the school moved to Waco in 1886. This early period saw the need for a storehouse of knowledge and physical objects from which to learn. Read more about this history here. The Mayborn Museum is absolutely a place for the entire family and certainly a place to kill a couple of hours in. In addition, The Mayborn Museum has special exhibits that come and go so be sure to check out which one is visiting while you’re in town.