FreeMagnolia Market at the Silos
The Waco landmark that turned a cotton-era grain complex into a shop, garden, lawn and food-truck gathering place, made famous by the Fixer Upper television series.
2-4 hoursDetails →
Texas
Waco
Don't miss
Magnolia Market at the Silos
The Waco landmark that turned a cotton-era grain complex into a shop, garden, lawn and food-truck gathering place, made famous by the Fixer Upper television series.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
A rare Ice Age fossil site where visitors walk a covered dig shelter above the preserved remains of Columbian mammoths on the banks of the Bosque River.
Cameron Park Zoo
A compact, shaded zoo set on bluffs above the Brazos River with African and Asian habitats, Texas wildlife and plenty of space for family walking.
Waco History, Hidden Gems and Fixer Upper Homes Tour
A guided tour of Waco that combines local history, offbeat stops and drive-by views of homes featured on the television series Fixer Upper.
Things to do in Waco
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Free
Magnolia Table
Joanna Gaines restaurant, a farmhouse-style breakfast and lunch favorite in Waco known for its biscuits, baked goods and long weekend waits.
Dr Pepper Museum and Free Enterprise Institute
A soda museum in the 1906 bottling plant where Waco celebrates the drink invented in a local drugstore in 1885, with a working soda fountain and a lot of nostalgia.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
A rare Ice Age fossil site where visitors walk a covered dig shelter above the preserved remains of Columbian mammoths on the banks of the Bosque River.
FreeBaylor University Campus
A handsome riverside campus founded in 1845 with brick quads, the Brazos-side McLane Stadium and the live bear habitat that anchors Baylor tradition.
1-3 hoursDetails →
FreeArmstrong Browning Library
A Baylor library famed for its stained glass windows and the world's largest collection of materials on poets Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
About 1 hourDetails →
Mayborn Museum Complex
Baylor's family museum that combines natural history, hands-on science and a living-history village in one large campus complex.
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
The state museum of the Texas Rangers, set in Fort Fisher Park beside the Brazos, with firearms, badges, Western art and the stories of lawmen from frontier days to the present.
Cameron Park Zoo
A compact, shaded zoo set on bluffs above the Brazos River with African and Asian habitats, Texas wildlife and plenty of space for family walking.
Cameron Park Trails and Lover's Leap
Hundreds of acres of wooded bluffs, ravines and river views, with hiking, running and mountain-biking trails and the famous Lover's Leap overlook.
1-3 hoursDetails →
Waco Suspension Bridge and Riverwalk
A pedestrian bridge opened in 1870 over the Brazos River, once a crossing for Chisholm Trail cattle and now the centerpiece of a riverside park and walking path.
About 1 hourDetails →
Amazing Brazos River Morning or Sunset Boat Adventure
A guided boat outing on the Brazos River at either morning or sunset, seeing Waco's riverbanks, wildlife and skyline from the water.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Hotel Indigo Waco Baylor
Near Baylor University
A boutique-style IHG hotel near Baylor University and the Brazos riverfront, with design touches inspired by the neighborhood and an easy base for campus and downtown.
Check rates →Hilton Waco
Downtown Waco, Brazos riverfront
A full-service downtown Hilton beside the convention center and the Brazos riverfront, a short walk from the suspension bridge and a quick drive to the Silos.
Check rates →Courtyard by Marriott Waco
Waco
A dependable Marriott with a bistro-style lobby, a fitness center and comfortable rooms, handy for Silos visits, Baylor events and downtown trips.
Check rates →Residence Inn by Marriott Waco
Waco
An all-suite Marriott with kitchens and separate living areas, suited to longer stays, families and groups that want more space.
Check rates →Hampton Inn and Suites Waco South
South Waco
A good-value Hilton brand hotel on the south side of Waco with free breakfast, an easy highway location and comfortable rooms.
Check rates →SpringHill Suites by Marriott Waco
Waco
An all-suite Marriott with larger rooms, a free breakfast and a pool, popular with families and visitors who want extra space without paying for a full-service hotel.
Check rates →Homewood Suites by Hilton Waco
Waco
An all-suite Hilton extended-stay hotel with full kitchens, a free breakfast and evening social hours, ideal for longer trips and families.
Check rates →Hilton Garden Inn Waco
Waco
A modern Hilton Garden Inn with an on-site restaurant and bar, a pool and a fitness center, convenient for business travelers and families.
Check rates →Hyatt Place Waco
Waco
A modern Hyatt Place with a contemporary design, a complimentary breakfast and flexible spaces for working and relaxing.
Check rates →Home2 Suites by Hilton Waco
Waco
A newer-style all-suite Hilton with kitchenettes, a free breakfast and pet-friendly policies, popular with families and longer stays.
Check rates →Tour + stay
Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
Do
Magnolia Market at the SilosStay
Hilton WacoDowntown Waco, Brazos riverfront
Do
Waco Mammoth National MonumentStay
Hotel Indigo Waco BaylorNear Baylor University
Do
Cameron Park ZooStay
Courtyard by Marriott WacoWaco
While you are there
What’s on in Waco
60+ concerts, shows and games are on sale in the coming months, from stadium nights to small rooms. Our sister site Purveyor lists them with dates, venues and seats.
Waco guides
Waco in Two Days: Silos, Brazos and Baylor
A two-day Waco plan that pairs the Magnolia Silos and the Dr Pepper Museum with the suspension bridge, Baylor and a Texas-sized dinner.
Where to Stay in Waco: Downtown, Baylor and the South Side
A practical guide to choosing a Waco hotel by neighborhood, from downtown and the riverfront to Baylor and the roomy suites on the south side.
Eating and Drinking in Waco: Biscuits, Barbecue and Dr Pepper
A visitor guide to Waco food, from Magnolia Table breakfasts and Central Texas barbecue to coffee, craft beer and a Dr Pepper float.
Magnolia and Fixer Upper in Waco: A Fan's Guide
How to plan a Fixer Upper pilgrimage to Waco: the Silos, Magnolia Table, the homes tour and ideas for spending the rest of your time.
Best Time to Visit Waco: Seasons, Events and Weather
A seasonal guide to Waco weather, crowds and hotel prices, with advice on spring wildflowers, summer heat, football weekends and quiet winter visits.
Waco with Kids: A Family Guide to Zoos, Fossils and Soda
A family guide to Waco with ideas for toddlers, school-age children and teens, from the zoo and Mayborn Museum to mammoth bones and soda floats.
