THE INSIDE SCOOP ON VISITING THE MAGNOLIA SILOS IN WACO
Chip and Joanna Gaines have truly taken over Waco! This is ultimately why most people are visiting this central Texas city these days. I will say, Chip and Jo have helped Waco grow significantly and offered numerous job opportunities for individuals. I’m still shook thinking Waco is a vacation destination now bringing over 100,000 and sometimes 200,000 individuals each month. YUP.. Those numbers are real! See the stats here if you’re interested in things like that.
When I first moved to Waco, no one really knew where that was and then a couple years later people were saying they were so jealous I lived there because of Magnolia. While living in Waco, I had the amazing opportunity to intern for Magnolia and work in the social media department for Magnolia Realty. Honestly, that's what helped me realize I wanted to go into social media as a career. Magnolia is kind of like a dream — when you walk into the silos it’s chic and beautiful. You're greeted by the happiest people willing to help you with anything you might need from: snapping a photo of you, answering any questions you might have, or handing your dog a little treat. Yes, the silos are dog friendly! Once you walk in the Silos Baking Co. is on your right and the Marketplace is on your left. These are the two main areas in the beginning… the Silos area is soooooo big now — especially since I was in college. In this blog I wanted to break every part of the Silos — so let’s get into it!
GRAB A CUPCAKE AT SILOS BAKING CO.
Say hello to the sweetest corner of the Silos, filled with cupcakes, pastries, and other treats. Chip and Jo brought this little white building back to life on Season 4 of Fixer Upper so be sure to watch! Inspired by old-world bakeries, when you walk through the doors of Silos Baking Co, you feel like you’re stepping back in time with its’ rustic vibes.
These cupcakes are truly mouthwatering! I’m going to be honest… I kind of wanted to hate them but they are so freaking good y’all. Every single dang flavor is heavenly and the icing is perfection. Silos Baking Co. is the perfect spot to grab cupcakes and lemonades with your significant other, friends, or family! When I was in college we would pop over to the Silos before they closed to grab cupcakes as a study snack. It was kind of awesome!
Pro tip: get there 30 min before closing for a WAY shorter line🧁
SHOP AROUND AT MAGNOLIA MARKET
The Magnolia Market is the place to go for shopping at the Silos. From decor, to t-shirts, to pajamas and candles, there’s something for everyone. I will say… it is a little pricy. Some of the pieces in the market, I swear I’ve seen at Hobby Lobby or even Marshalls for 1/3 of the price. The t-shirts are great souvenirs though, as well as the candles. Overall, it’s fun to grab a drink and walk through for inspiration from Jo. Everything is designed perfectly and I’ve actually taken a ton of inspiration from the Magnolia Market and done something similar in my home.
Each season at the market is ushered in with a new collection of products and an inspiring visual installation. Both reflect an intentional theme that is woven throughout the entire company, including the magazine, Magnolia Journal. Truly, the cohesion between the store, the journal, and even the flavors of cupcakes at Silos Baking Co.
THERE ARE NUMEROUS PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
Of course Magnolia has a plethora of photo opportunities to gram — they even have designated employees to walk around and take pictures for people which is pretty freaking amazing. My personal favorite place to take photos with friends or family is in front of the vintage green truck. It’s just so darn cute and matches every outfit I’ve worn to The Silos.
MAGNOLIA SEED + SUPPLY AND THE MAGNOLIA GARDEN
Magnolia Seed + Supply is Magnolia’s little garden and shop at the corner of the Silos property. You can find simple garden accessories like seeds, pottery and even botanical inspired tea towels inside. It’s the perfect place to get gifts for those who love to garden! Outside Magnolia Seed + Supply is a beautiful garden! In the garden you’ll find the freshest blooms of the season, like zinnias in the summer and snapdragons in the spring. Their garden team works year-round caring for the current blooms, as well as planting for the next season’s harvest.
FOOD TRUCKS AT MAGNOLIA SILOS
Whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, dessert, or a quick snack, our food truck park has something for everyone. Some of our favorites are Cheddar Box for a gourmet grilled cheese and Luna Juice Bar for a juice on those hot Texas days.
Magnolia even has a few food trucks of their own! The Magnolia Table food truck features a few selections from the restaurant, and the Silos Baking Co. airstream offers a limited menu from the corner bakery.
You can grab hand pies and handcrafted sodas at Maggie’s, their brand new, retro-inspired food truck. For a midday snack, their concession stands at Katy Ballpark offers classic game time fare. I swear, Magnolia has everything!!
KATY BALLPARK AT MAGNOLIA SILOS
The Silos grounds was once home to Katy Park, a historic baseball field that played host to legends like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. In an effort to pay homage to this history, Chip and Jo wanted to include a smaller version of the field—a WIFFLE ball field. Now you can play ball with your family and friends, or sit in the stands and cheer for the home team.
THE OLD CHURCH AT THE MAGNOLIA SILOS
This church is truly one of the focal points at the Silos besides the Silos of course, haha. This church has a beautiful history and was renovated to be absolutely stunning — I mean when Jo goes hard she truly delivers. As you walk through their newest entrance on 8th street, the first thing you'll notice is The Old Church—one of Waco’s oldest structures—restored to serve as a historical anchor to the Silos grounds. Jo hopes this building serves as an inspiring part of individual’s experience—one that as you pass through allows you to pause, reflect, and take in all the beauty it has to offer. Read more about the church here.
SHOPS AT THE SILOS
Stroll through beautiful stores at the Silos near the Old Church! Each one of the six shops has been curated by Jo with a specific style and theme in mind—ranging from bath + body, men’s provisions, bags + jewelry, women’s clothing, books + paper, and kids + baby. While the Market will continue to host their more robust home decor and kitchen selection, the Shops at the Silos offer a more intimate shopping experience and product selection.
images from Magnolia.com
GRAB A COFFEE FROM MAGNOLIA PRESS
In a world where everything feels rushed and fast moving, there’s a familiar and worthwhile pause waiting for us in a good cup of coffee…and chocolate cake —which is all served at Magnolia Press! This coffee shop is chic and stylish and most importantly delicious. Oh my gosh y’all, Magnolia can’t have anything bad, I swear. It’s all so freaking good. You can also take your order to-go from Magnolia Press or pop up to their walk-up window, which is located on their adorable back patio.
TIPS ON HOW TO TACKLE MAGNOLIA LIKE A PRO AND SAVE TIME BY NOT WAITING IN LINES
Because I lived in Waco, I figured out the best ways to tackle the silos and avoid the crowds. I mean not everyone wants to wait two hours for a cupcake. Well, guess what? Now you don't have to. Below are a couple of tips and tricks to taking on the silos and avoiding the crowds.
Magnolia Market, Silos Baking Co., and everything else on property closes at 6:00PM, but everyone pretty much peaces out around 5! So head over to Magnolia Market around that time and you'll basically have the place to yourself!! If I ever wanted a cupcake or a t-shirt in college, we rolled up around 5:45PM and didn't even wait in a line! The market gets packed so having the place to yourself to shop is AWESOME!
Another tip is, if you can't get to the Silos late in the evening and are wanting a cupcake, go straight to the back where the food trucks are and there is a truck that sells the same Magnolia cupcakes! Not many people know about it and it's a way shorter line!
Finally, don't be afraid to head to the silos on a cloudy or rainy day! There will be significantly less people around and Magnolia provides every visitor with pretty umbrellas to use free of charge as they walk around.
After you explore the silos, be sure to check out some other Waco sites and places to eat. See my full Waco guide here.
XOXO
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