WACO GUIDEBOOK
PARKS & NATURE
Gorgeous and hilly, tree-lined acreage with biking trails and picnic areas along the Brazos River and throughout the park Be sure to take in the Pecan Bottoms along the river and the view from Lover's Leap at the top.
63
locals recommendCameron Park
2601 Sturgis Rd63
locals recommendGorgeous and hilly, tree-lined acreage with biking trails and picnic areas along the Brazos River and throughout the park Be sure to take in the Pecan Bottoms along the river and the view from Lover's Leap at the top.
Cameron Park Zoo
1701 N 4th St47
locals recommendBeautifully landscaped and unusually pretty zoo
HISTORY & SCIENCE
Fine collection of Texas Ranger memorabilia and history, entertaining shorts films, fun gift shop
20
locals recommendTexas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum
100 Texas Ranger Trail20
locals recommendFine collection of Texas Ranger memorabilia and history, entertaining shorts films, fun gift shop
The Foundation offers tours of Waco's four beautifully restored Civil War era homes.
Historic Waco Foundation
810 S 4th StThe Foundation offers tours of Waco's four beautifully restored Civil War era homes.
Home of Dr. Pepper, the restored 100-year-old bottling plant and soda fountain is well worth a tour.
36
locals recommendDr Pepper Museum & Free Enterprise Institute
300 South 5th Street36
locals recommendHome of Dr. Pepper, the restored 100-year-old bottling plant and soda fountain is well worth a tour.
Newly designated U.S. National Park features world class preservation site of herd of ancient mammoths. Only known discovery of its kind in the nation. Well worth admission.
28
locals recommendWaco Mammoth National Monument
6220 Steinbeck Bend Drive28
locals recommendNewly designated U.S. National Park features world class preservation site of herd of ancient mammoths. Only known discovery of its kind in the nation. Well worth admission.
Fabulous Texas, native Indian & nature museum indoors; pioneer village outdoors.
32
locals recommendMayborn Museum Complex
1300 S University Parks Dr32
locals recommendFabulous Texas, native Indian & nature museum indoors; pioneer village outdoors.
DINING
Of course, Waco offers all your favorite chain restaurants like Ninfa's, Panera, P.F. Chang, Zoe's, Chick Fil A, etc. But we thought you might like to try our list of favorite, little known treasures where Wacoans love to chow.
Some of the most incredible baked goods we've everrrrr tasted. Savory, sweet and gluten free options. Try the bacon cheddar scones. You'll forever come back. Open Tues-Sat.
Baked Bliss Bakery
1114 N 15th StSome of the most incredible baked goods we've everrrrr tasted. Savory, sweet and gluten free options. Try the bacon cheddar scones. You'll forever come back. Open Tues-Sat.
Favorite Waco hole-in-the-wall, famous for its original Schmaltz sandwiches on homemade yeast buns.
7
locals recommendSchmaltz's Sandwich Shoppe
105 S 5th St7
locals recommendFavorite Waco hole-in-the-wall, famous for its original Schmaltz sandwiches on homemade yeast buns.
Cafe Cappuccino
1101 Richland DrDelicious breakfast offerings
Great traditional Tex-Mex in quiet neighborhood. Easy to get a table compared to Ninfa's downtown.
Casa De Castillo
4820 Sanger AveGreat traditional Tex-Mex in quiet neighborhood. Easy to get a table compared to Ninfa's downtown.
Funky restored building downtown with great brewed coffee selections. Rooftop is fun on cool days & nights.
30
locals recommendDichotomy Coffee & Spirits, LLC; serving coffee drinks & craft cocktails
508 Austin Avenue30
locals recommendFunky restored building downtown with great brewed coffee selections. Rooftop is fun on cool days & nights.
Cross over the Brazos River on the black trestle bridge to Elm Ave. and you're there. Lula Jane's is a sweet, tucked away gem that serves vegan breakfasts and lunches with a yummy counter full of desserts like the ones at Grandma's on Thanksgiving.
22
locals recommendLula Jane's
406 Elm Avenue22
locals recommendCross over the Brazos River on the black trestle bridge to Elm Ave. and you're there. Lula Jane's is a sweet, tucked away gem that serves vegan breakfasts and lunches with a yummy counter full of desserts like the ones at Grandma's on Thanksgiving.
Iconic historic building restored by Chip & Jo, now serving delicious breakfasts until mid-afternoon. Be prepared to wait in their fun shopping or coffee bar area for your table. The food is worth it, in our opinion. And what more needs to be said about the Gaines' take on an ol' time diner. Simply charming.
29
locals recommendMagnolia Table
2132 S Valley Mills Dr29
locals recommendIconic historic building restored by Chip & Jo, now serving delicious breakfasts until mid-afternoon. Be prepared to wait in their fun shopping or coffee bar area for your table. The food is worth it, in our opinion. And what more needs to be said about the Gaines' take on an ol' time diner. Simply charming.
Delicious home style cooking with a broad menu, reasonable prices and scrumptious desserts.
Brown House Cafe
Delicious home style cooking with a broad menu, reasonable prices and scrumptious desserts.
Ninfa's Mexican Restaurant
220 S 3rd St22
locals recommendVitek's BBQ
1600 Speight Avenue20
locals recommendSHOPPING
Some of the best antique shopping around can be found up and down La Salle Ave. Start at Junque in the Trunk at 910 La Salle and then head down the street, stopping at Riverside Relics, Junky Monkey, La Salle Shoppes, all the way to the circle.
Charming collection of treasures just around the corner from Magnolia Market. Well worth a shopping trip.
20
locals recommendThe Findery
501 S 8th St20
locals recommendCharming collection of treasures just around the corner from Magnolia Market. Well worth a shopping trip.
Newest shopping venue with lots of great anchor stores and smaller shops including Pier 1, World Market, Kohls, Cabela's, Old Navy...lots of nearby restaurants
Central Texas Marketplace
2400 W Loop 340Newest shopping venue with lots of great anchor stores and smaller shops including Pier 1, World Market, Kohls, Cabela's, Old Navy...lots of nearby restaurants
Note that Google map is incorrect--new location is 601 Webster.
Beloved nationwide on HGTV, Magnolia Market belongs on everyone's bucket list. Delightful shopping barn surrounded by family friendly playgrounds, food court, gardens and Magnolia Flour, just perfect for a sweet craving.
34
locals recommendMagnolia
601 Webster Avenue34
locals recommendNote that Google map is incorrect--new location is 601 Webster.
Beloved nationwide on HGTV, Magnolia Market belongs on everyone's bucket list. Delightful shopping barn surrounded by family friendly playgrounds, food court, gardens and Magnolia Flour, just perfect for a sweet craving.
Absolutely gorgeous market chock full of farmhouse furnishings and accessories. You'll love the displays and treasures.
The Findery Marketplace
910 Webster AveAbsolutely gorgeous market chock full of farmhouse furnishings and accessories. You'll love the displays and treasures.
GROCERIES
H-E-B
1301 Wooded Acres Dr9
locals recommendSuch fun to browse and pick up locally sourced, healthy foods and sundries--from organic produce to handmade soap. Usually open on Saturdays from 9-12 noon but be sure to check out their website to confirm.
25
locals recommendWaco Downtown Farmers Market
500 Washington Avenue25
locals recommendSuch fun to browse and pick up locally sourced, healthy foods and sundries--from organic produce to handmade soap. Usually open on Saturdays from 9-12 noon but be sure to check out their website to confirm.
ENTERTAINMENT & ACTIVITIES
WACO TOURS--Highly recommend this delightful excursion in the comfort of a Mercedes tour van. Guests of Waco give rave reviews for the history, fascinating sites and fun on board.
Waco Tours
211 Clay Ave13
locals recommend