Sometimes you’ve just got to get out of town.
But sometimes, between work obligations, kids’ activities and family commitments, it can be hard to get away.
So in April, when my 14-year-old daughter proposed a day trip to Waco to see one of her favorite country artists, I was skeptical that we’d be able to find the time to escape.
However, after a little research (and some top-tier campaigning on her part) I realized we could leave for Waco around lunch time on a Friday, spend the afternoon sightseeing, attend the concert that night and still be home in time to get some sleep for the myriad sporting events we had the next day.
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In hindsight, I’m so glad we went. Located just an hour and a half from Austin, Waco — which spans about 90 square miles and has a population around 200,000 — is brimming with surprises around every corner and activities sure to please everyone, from enthusiastic teenagers to harried moms.
Waco is home to a variety of attractions, including the Magnolia Silos. Kristin Finan photo
Inspired by our recent visit, here are five fun things to do in Waco, Texas.
Catch a concert at Foster Pavilion
In a state brimming with big cities that draw some of the best musical acts in the world, Waco may not always be top of mind when it comes to catching a concert. However, in recent years, its concert calendar has become more and more robust thanks in part to some state-of-the-art venues that lend themselves to fantastic shows.
My daughter Mirielle and I trekked to Waco to see one of her favorite artists, Hudson Westbrook, an incredible young Texas musician who has been making waves on country radio in recent years thanks to tracks such as “House Again,” his debut single that reached No. 1.
Hudson Westbrook wows the crowd at Foster Pavilion in Waco, Texas. Mirielle Badgley-Finan photo
As we stepped into the Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion — a modernized contemporary field house best known as the home to Baylor University’s men’s and women’s basketball teams — we were stunned. The venue, which has a capacity of 7,000, didn’t have a bad view in the house.
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The nearly two-hour set was nothing short of spectacular as Westbrook made his way through a variety of favorites including “Backwards,” “Hey Dallas,” and “Take It Slow.” As a huge fan of artists such as Pat Green and George Strait, I found Westbrook’s brand of Texas country to be wonderfully catchy and soulful, and Westbrook himself throughout the night was charming and humble, much to delight of his young fans like Mirielle. Mirielle catching one of the signed setlists he threw out at the end of the show was the icing on the cake of what had been a perfect evening.
Upcoming shows at Foster Pavilion include La Fiera de Ojinaga, Old Dominion, and Braxton Keith; check website for details.
https://baylorbears.com/facilities/foster-pavilion/1358
Visit the Dr Pepper Museum
I’m a Pepper. You’re a Pepper. So naturally we should head to the Dr Pepper Museum. A multilevel tribute to America’s self-proclaimed oldest soft drink, the Dr Pepper Museum is housed inside the brand’s original 1906 bottling plant and offers a fascinating and fun ode to one of Texas’ favorite sodas. Wander the sprawling complex to learn about everything from the well water that used to be pumped up from the ground to create the flavorful soda to the various ad campaigns and logos used to promote the brands over a multitude of decades.
Make your own soda at the Dr Pepper Museum. Kristin Finan photo
You can even view the World’s Largest Dr Pepper Bottle, which was unveiled in May as part of the museum’s 35th anniversary celebration. For an added fee of $20 per person, visitors can also try the Make-A-Soda experience, during which they can choose a base such as Dr Pepper or Big Red, add a variety of simple and artisanal flavors, and take the sealed and labeled bottle containing their creation home. All visitors also receive a free sample of Dr Pepper on tap in the on-site soda shop.
Make your way through the Magnolia Silos
Perhaps no couple has made a greater impact on the city of Waco than Chip and Joanna Gaines, the entrepreneurs and television personalities known for their HGTV show, “Fixer Upper.” First opened in 2015 and anchored by two historic 120-foot-tall grain silos built in 1950 for the Brazos Valley Cotton Oil Company, Magnolia Market at the Silos now serves as a lifestyle and entertainment complex that draws visitors from around the world. Key features include Magnolia Market, a retail hub, located in a renovated 12,000-square-foot grain barn that features home decor, kitchenware, and seasonal collections curated by Joanna Gaines; Silos Baking Co., a boutique bakery specializing in cupcakes, pastries, and cookies based on Joanna’s personal recipes; The Lawn & Katy Ballpark, an inviting green space for family games and relaxation, featuring a Wiffle ball field that pays homage to Waco’s baseball history; six themed boutique storefronts lining a cobblestone pathway; and a restored 1894 chapel relocated to the grounds for reflection and events. Admission to the grounds is always free.
Magnolia Silos are a popular attraction in Waco. Kristin Finan photo
https://magnolia.com/pages/magnolia-market
Hang around at the Cameron Park Zoo
Nested next to the Brazos River and spanning 52 acres near downtown Waco, the Cameron Park Zoo has long been one of the state’s most beloved zoos thanks to its incredible variety of animals — there are more than 1,700 on site including orangutans, sumatran tigers, and Komodo dragons — representing 300 species. The zoo also hosts a variety of unique programs including penguin encounters, behind-the-scenes tours, and interactive evening presentations. Once you’re finished at the zoo, spend some time at the surrounding Cameron Park, which covers 416 acres and includes biking, hiking and equestrian trails.
https://www.cameronparkzoo.com
Cruise around Lake Waco
One of the things that surprised me during my first long weekend in Waco nearly two decades ago was the fact that it has its own manmade lake, Lake Waco, that’s ideal for swimming, fishing, boating, and camping. Rimmed by 60 miles of shoreline, the lake spans more than 8,000 acres and contains 51 species of fish, including catfish and bass. Families will enjoy a lingering day at Airport Park and Airport Beach, where a sandy shore and direct water access also come with incredible airplane-spotting opportunities. Lake Waco is the perfect place to relax after a busy weekend in town.
If You Go
Getting there:
Waco is about an hour-and-a-half drive from Austin, heading north on I-35 toward Dallas.
Stay:
Located in downtown Waco within easy walking distance to the Dr Pepper Museum, the Magnolia Silos and Foster Pavilion is a boutique hotel that opened in 2024 offering modern and sophisticated accommodations with perfectly utilized pops of color. https://www.hotelherringbone.com/
Do:
Must-do activities in Waco include making your own fizzy concoction at the Dr Pepper Museum, taking in everything there is to do at the sprawling Magnolia Silos, and making some new furry and finned friends at Cameron Park Zoo.
Insider tip:
Waco has a wealth of dining opportunities that range from Magnolia Table, a favorite brunch and lunch spot, to the ironically named Health Camp, popular for its loaded burgers and frosty shakes. We greatly enjoyed our dinner at Twisted Root Burger Co., which is ideally located for grabbing food and drinks prior to a show at Foster Pavilion.
