Family Things To Do In Waco Tx

Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits

7 Things to Do in Waco, TX

Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits

Whether youre into coffee, alcoholic beverages, or both, Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits is one of the best places to visit for artisanal and gourmet offerings of the sort in Waco.

The unique company is popular among locals and tourists alike and offers a selection of artisan cocktails and delicious rare coffees!

The coffee menu at Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits is packed with iced and hot drinks alike, each made with American-roasted coffee beans.

The bar, on the other hand, provides handcrafted cocktails and delicious spirits in impressive variety.

Often, special events, live music, and other activities are hosted here, too!

Address: 508 Austin Ave, Waco, TX 76701, United States

Explore Magnolia Market At The Silos

The Magnolia Market is easily one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city that is especially easy to find due to the massive grain silos towering over the grounds. The two silos stand at a towering 120 feet, much larger than the surrounding area, making the park easy to find. HGTV celebrities Joanna and Chip Gaines from Fixer Upper are owners of the Magnolia Market, sectioning it off into smaller parts.

Theres so much to do at Magnolia Market you can easily spend an entire day here eating and shopping for home decor.

  • Magnolia Press coffee shop with pastries
  • Silos Baking Co. the iconic bakeshop that Chip and Jo brought back to life on Season 4 of Fixer Upper. Cupcakes, pastries, and other treats.
  • Food trucks 900 Degree Pizza, Captain Billy Whizzbangs, Chucks Gourmet Popcorn, Club Sandwich, Guess Family BBQ, H.O.T. Dog House, Summer Snow, Maggies Sweet Shoppe, Silos Baking Co., Airstream, Alabama Sweet Tea, and Luna Juice

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Local Parks And Trails In Waco

The city is home to some 60 parks, but weve narrowed it down to two that you wont want to miss. Located conveniently near the bustling downtown, popular Cameron Park is one of the states largest with about 400 acres. A National Recreation Trail system, three playgrounds, and stunning river and cliff views from the Lovers Leap Overlook make this a beloved destination for visitors and locals alike. From Indian Spring Park, on the Brazos Rivers west side, sightseers can view the historic Waco Suspension Bridge, a city landmark completed in 1870, as well as the Branding the Brazos statue series featuring the Chisholm Trail Cattle Drive via huge bronze sculptures of three saddle-sitting cowboys and their herd of 25 longhorns.

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Texas Ranger Hall Of Fame & Museum

The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum is the Texas Rangers official museum and has been since 1968, as appointed by the states Public Safety Department.

Since that year, it has been sponsored by the city of Waco and is now one of the top points of interest in the state, welcoming over three million guests since its grand opening.

The Hall of Fame and Museum takes up 30 acres and was actually first named Fort Fisher, after a Ranger camp that was set up in the closeby area.

It boasts a traditional hill country design to match the 19th-century state trend.

The museum itself has two mission statements, both involving the education and instilling of appreciation for the Rangers and the objective of serving as a historical archive of the Rangers and their history.

The Hall Of Fame is a fantastic memory to the Rangers who have contributed to the service of this law enforcement organization.

It also has a memorial roll of all Rangers that have passed away during their duties between the years 1823 and 2004.

Address: 100 Texas Ranger Trail, Waco, TX 76706, United States

Things To Do At Night In Waco Tx Click Here

Looking for some ideas for your night out in Waco Tx? The city comes alive after dark and you dont want to miss seeing its streets lit up in all their twinkling glory. Whether youre visiting Waco Tx for a few days or a Waco Txer looking for new ideas, here are our favourite things to do in Waco Tx at night. We have also included safety tips and night transport information.

We are huge fans of taking tours on our travels and also to discover a different side to the city we call home. Waco Tx has some brilliant night tours that take you back in time, on a foodie journey of discovery or simply seeing the sights. Here are some favourite Waco Tx night tours

But where to go? Explore the many fun things to do in Waco Tx at night from sleepovers in museums to spectacular views from iconic buildings. This handy guide has your back.

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Inside The Old Church

Originally built in 1894, this beautiful church sat abandoned for a few decades before catching the eye of Chip and Joanna Gaines.

They not only bought the church but moved it to the Waco Silos to be restored.

While not every part of the original church made it over to its new homeunfortunately, the original building turned out to be structurally unsoundthe Old Church as you can see it today is a beautiful homage to the Waco of more than a century ago.

Be sure to step inside this church when exploring the best things to do at the Silos in Waco.

Texas Ranger Hall Of Fame And Museum

If you need an indoor activity for kids in Waco, step into the world of these larger-than-life Texas heroes, the Texas Rangers, at their namesake Hall of Fame and museum. The history of these legendary lawmen is preserved here in the form of artifacts, documents, and artworks that tell a tale dating back more than 200 years. See weaponry, badges, and more, and pay respect to the 31 Hall of Famers during you visit. For a $35 donation, your child can be inducted into the Junior Texas Rangers, where theyll get their very own Ranger-signed certificate, toy badge, and four tickets to the museum.

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Eat At Milo Restaurant

Looking for seasonal Southern grub down in Waco? Well, then, why not step down to Milo Restaurant for one of the best dining experiences in this small town. Using Texas sourced ingredients, the restaurant is able to blend various traditional recipes along with some bold flavors to make something that can leave you wanting more. They have various items to eat, which change every season, so youll have to tune in every now and then to check it out. Visitors can even pair their orders with an assortment of beers and spirits.

1020 Franklin Ave, Waco, TX, milowaco.com

Magnolia Market At The Silos

Wonderland Waco Tx | Fun things to do in Waco

While many people think of the Magnolia Market as a place primarily designed for adults to visit and get an up close and personal experience with the internationally famous Gaines family, the Magnolia Market is designed with the whole family in mind.

This is evident by the massive green space with artificial grass where adults can spend time together in the shade, or sit on huge bean bags while the kids play with the various games and balls that are put outside by the Magnolia team each day.

My wife tends to enjoy visiting all of the various shops in peace, so whenever were visiting The Silos in Waco, I usually bring the kids to the green space and let them frolic around while she does her thing.

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Dr Pepper Museum And Free Enterprise Instutitute

This museum is dedicated to Dr. Pepper, the soda invented in Waco. Learn how soda was made in the manufacturing room. Find lots of nostalgic Dr. Pepper items on the tour that covers three different floors. You can even watch commercials through the decades.

Located at 300 South 5th Street. Open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5:30 p.m. Adults admission is $10, students and kids $6 and free for 4 and under.

Enjoy Kayaking In Waco

In downtown, you will find two excellent paddling trails the Bosque Bluffs trail and the Brazos Bridges paddling Trail.

These easy trails are perfect for beginner kayakers.

You can rent canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards from various places downtown and enjoy an amazing day on the Waco rivers.

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Visit The Mayborn Museum Complex

The Mayborn Museum is easily my favorite on this list of things to do with kids in Waco. It is a fun, interactive museum located on the Baylor University campus designed especially for kids.

Visitors can play with everything from sound to light to bubbles. There are even small animals there in the museum! Be sure to check out the historic village outside to get a glimpse into life in Texas during the 1890s.

Suspension Bridge And Riverwalk Area

No trip to Waco would be complete without a visit to the Suspension Bridge and Riverwalk Area. This historic bridge, which was built in 1870 by John Roebling, the same man behind the Brooklyn Bridge, is a symbol and icon of downtown Waco. At the time that the bridge was built, it was known for being the longest single-span suspension bridge to the West of the Mississippi, a great feat for that time in history. Today, the bridge and Riverwalk rea are frequented by locals and visitors alike thanks to its convenient location between the Indian Spring and Martin Luther King Jr. Park. This local favorite recreational space features seven miles of lit trails that trace the Bravos River shoreline and passes by several landmarks in downtown Waco such as Cameron Park and Baylor University.

101 N. University Parks Drive, Waco, Texas 76701, Phone: 254-750-5980

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The Kids Experience At The Cameron Park Playscape

Our kids will never say no to a playscape. The Cameron Park Playscape is definitely one of our kids favorite playscapes in the Waco area, so we tend to stop and let them play there on a regular basis.

But theres not just one playscape at Cameron Park. If you take the drive up into the hills where the cliff begins to rise above the river, there are actually two other small parks with playscapes that you can stop at along the way. The other playscapes in Cameron Park are located at Anniversary Park Playground and Northern Gateway Park .

There is also a splash pad located right next to the Pecan Bottom Park playscape, as well as a covered pavilion that you can reserve for special occasions such as your childs birthday.

Our kids have played at all the playscapes in Cameron Park, and we enjoy spending time there as a family. I would say its one of our favorite things to do in Waco with kids. In fact, we were just there today!

See Fossils At Waco Mammoth National Monument

Can you imagine exploring Texas several thousand years ago and happening upon a 14-ft tall, 20,000 pound mammoth? Its not too late to see their fossils at Waco Mammoth National Monument.

When you visit, be sure to plan for a guided tour. It begins at the visitor center where a ranger will escort you to the gig site where the fossils remain exactly where they were found. During your tour, you will learn about the Ice Age, how the fossils were discovered, and why this site is one of the most important paleontological finds in North America.

Once you see the dig site, you might also consider walking one of the two short trails here, or excavating your own fossil.

Pro Tip: Youre just up the road from the Baylor Museum Complex and the Zoo, so make a day of these three!

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First Evening In Waco

What I loved about Waco is it is an extremely cute and quaint town. Waco is big on street art, so there were cute murals throughout the city. So instagrammable! In addition, everything was walkable, even with twin toddlers.

We stayed at Spring Hill Suites, which was a new hotel that was close to everything.

Dig For Fossils At The Waco National Mammoth Monument

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Thousands of years ago, real mammoths crossed through Waco. Check out their fossils at the Waco National Mammoth Monument in the nations first recorded evidence of an Ice Age Colombian mammoth herd.

Since this is a National Park Service site, kids can participate in a special program to become a . All they have to do is complete the Waco Mammoth Junior Ranger Activity Book to be sworn in by a Ranger and presented with a badge.

The Waco National Mammoth Monument is more than just a museum. There are also several nature trails surrounding the museum. Visitors are encouraged to explore the 108 acres surrounding the monument and imagine the Ice Age.

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Comfort Suites North Waco

For a budget-friendly option, consider Comfort Suites. With clean, comfortable rooms as low as $70, you cant go wrong. You can get a room with two queens, or a mini suite with a king and a pull out couch. The hotel is located on a park-like property so you dont feel like youre in middle of the city, despite being just 2 miles from the city center!

There are so many fun things to do in Waco with kids. If youre looking for an affordable, enjoyable vacation without too much of a drive, Waco is a great choice. Its close enough from pretty much everywhere to make a perfect weekend getaway, but theres enough to do to fill an even longer trip. If youve been to Waco, or if you saw things on this list youd love to do in Waco, let me know in the comments!

If youre looking for more complete lists of fun things to do, check out our list of Things To Do in Johnson City, our Hill Country Itinerary, or our Complete Guide to Things to Do in Houston With Kids.

Go Back In Time At The Mayborn Museum Complex At Baylor

After you take your Junior Ranger pledge at the Texas Ranger museum, walk along the river just a few blocks to the Mayborn Museum Complex at Baylor. Our favorite section here is the Natural History exhibit. From the humpback whale skull to the giant sea turtle skeleton, there is a lot to see here for your roadschooling adventure. You can also catch a view of Mammoth casts here, if you dont get a chance to visit the National Monument.

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The Magnolia Market At The Silos

If you want to go shopping while in Waco, theres one place thats on everyones list, Magnolia Market, curated by Joanna Gaines. Find a complex of shops, each with a different focus, like bath and body, stationary, clothing and more.

Located at 601 Webster Ave. Open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Valley Mills Vineyards First Full Day In Waco

Mama needs her wine! The Valley Mills Vineyard was about a 30-minute drive outside of Waco, one that was well worth the drive.

We pulled up to beautiful oversize wooden doors that I couldnt wait to see what was behind them. In case youre wondering, the boys were with us. Ive mastered the art of finding activities for kids at adult events.

We booked our tour in advance it was $40 per person and included a tour of the vineyard with information on how they grow the grapes and the wine-making process. It also included a tasting of 4 wines, 2 reds, and 2 whites. The wines were delicious and were made with 100% Texan grapes.

The boys enjoyed running through the vineyard and looking at the grapes. There was plenty of space for them to be kids and enjoy themselves.

When the tour was done, hubs and I ordered glasses of wine and a delicious charcuterie board. Our boys devoured it and felt like big boys. We allowed them to drink their water from wine glasses while we overlooked the hills of the vineyard lined with almost-ready-to-harvest grapes.

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Grab A Snack At One Of The Food Trucks

Considering how large the Silos District is these days, it makes perfect sense that there would be plenty of food choices!

The Magnolia Food Truck Park at the Silos includes options ranging from favorite dishes from Magnolia Table to barbecue from Little Brisket to fantastic grilled cheeses from Cheddar Box.

Grab a smorgasbord, head to the plentiful shaded tables, and enjoy a snack, a feast, or something in between when visiting the Silos in Waco!

You can check hours and an updated list of food trucks at the park here.

The River Walk & Wacos Historic Suspension Bridge

Im a complete sucker for a nice walk along a beautiful riverside, especially when its so accessible from downtown Waco. But river walks arent necessarily something that every kid enjoys, and that is what makes the Waco River Walk unique. The kids have a lot of fun checking out all the various animal sculptures that artists from around the world were commissioned to create and install along the riverside.

While the adults get to enjoy a peaceful and relaxing walk along the river, the kids enjoy exploring and playing around with all of the animal sculptures along the way.

No matter what route you take on the river walk, even if you cross to the North side of the river, there are things to stop and do or see along the way. Whether its murals, kids parks, restaurants, cafes, war memorials, or historic sites, theres something along the river for everybody to enjoy not just the kids!

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