Photo by Abi Baurer on Unsplash
We all have that one aunt who is completely convinced that the one and only reason you moved to Waco is to be on Fixer Upper. At Christmas, her first question is, “Have you seen Chip and Jo?” Sure. Our kids are BFFs. They’re going to re-do our house in the spring. For free. Just a heads up, she’ll never stop asking, and she will never, not really, know what you do, or that it has nothing to do with backsplashes or German schmear.
Contrary to your aunt’s belief, there is actually a lot more to Waco than Magnolia. It’s a part, but it’s not everything. So let’s play tourist in our own town; if you want people to know more about Waco than just the Silos, you should get out and explore. It’s great if you want to go to the Silos too – ain’t nothing wrong with a big ol’ cupcake and some bougie throw pillows. We love those things too, but we want to you expand your vision of what this town can be so that you can proudly inform your aunt at Thanksgiving, “No, I haven’t seen the Gaines, but I have seen the largest discovery of mammoth fossils that perished from a reoccurring natural disaster!”
So here it is, our list of grad-budget-friendly non-Magnolia things to do in and around Waco.
- Waco Mammoth National Monument and Park: Waco’s own national park resides just a few miles outside of town. Check out the live dig where you can see the in-situ remains of a whole heard of mammoths.
- Art Center Waco: Come check out our local art museum and education center. For a small museum, ACW has garnered significant notice. Check out this Waco Trib article about how the recent Kermit Oliver exhibit put our little art museum on the map.
- Cameron Park Zoo: Our small but mighty zoo is a great place for the young in age and the young at heart! Whether you have kids or not, the Cameron Park Zoo is a charming place to spend a Saturday morning, enjoy nice weather, and learn about animals.
- Mayborn Museum: Baylor’s own Mayborn Museum offers learning opportunities for all ages. With interactive rotating exhibits and some fabulous flagship exhibits (including a miniature village with a pint-sized H-E-B for your kiddos), the Mayborn has something for everyone. Whether you have small children or want something to do with your out-of-town relatives, give the Mayborn a visit!
- Branch Davidian Memorial Park: Want to learn about Waco’s most famous cult? While there isn’t much left at the site to see, there are two memorials erected, one for the Davidians and one for the ATF officers who died.
- Armstrong Browning Library and Museum: Baylor’s Armstrong Browning Library is home to the world’s largest collection of the Victorian poets Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning material, including their letters, manuscripts, memorabilia, and more. The library attracts scholars from all over the world who come to conduct research on the Brownings and other Victorian poets. The museum also boasts the world’s largest collection of secular stained glass.
- Waco Downtown Farmer’s Market: Every Saturday from 9am-1pm, the Waco Farmer’s Market meets across from the courthouse on 5th St. and Washington Avenue, featuring farmers, food vendors, and artisans from all over central Texas. Whether you’re coming for produce or a breakfast taco, you’re sure to find something wonderful at the Farmer’s Market.
- Lake Waco: Lake Waco is the largest lake in the United States to be completely included within a single city’s municipal boundaries. Offering great opportunities for boating, fishing, and hiking, Lake Waco is an ideal option for lovers of the outdoors.
- Local Breweries/Distilleries/Wineries: Some of our favorites include Brotherwell Brewing Co., Balcones Distillery, and Valley Mills Vineyards, but the adult beverage scene in Waco is constantly growing and has so much to offer. There are too many great places to name!
- The Cedar Chest: With over 150 stalls full of antiques, there’s a fun find at the Cedar Chest for everyone. And since you’ve got to give your Fixer-Upper-obsessed aunt something, you can tell her that Joanna frequents the Cedar Chest often – the owner has a picture with her right above the cash register next to a vintage Elvis-bust ceramic lamp.
- Cultivate 7twelve: Want to check out and support the local art scene? This charming art studio hosts frequent exhibits, is available as an event space, and offers numerous workshops throughout the year to promote the Waco art scene. You can even take home a Waco-original art piece with you, as many of the pieces up for exhibit are for sale.
- Homestead Heritage: Want to live out all your Little House on the Prairie dreams? Head over to Homestead Heritage for one of their seasonal farms, craftsman demonstrations, or for a slice of delectable homemade key lime pie. Homestead is a 550-acre working farm and artisan village, with an emphasis on traditional ways of craftsmanship and agrarian practices. Their yearly Sorghum Festival is a popular local event.
- World Hunger Relief Farm: If you like to combine organic farming with social justice, be sure to check out WHRF, an agricultural education nonprofit that serves both the Waco/McClennan community as well as seeking to address and bring awareness to more global issues surrounding hunger, poverty, and sustainable living. World Hunger Relief Farm offers frequent workshops, farming internships, and summer camp programs for children. They also run a CSA program that finances their efforts to eliminate hunger in Waco.
- Waco Escape Rooms: Hiking not your thing? All museum-ed out? Want to have fun, but want to work for your fun? Have a not-so-secret addiction to British murder mysteries? Then you need to go to the Waco Escape Rooms. Offering five different themed rooms at various difficulty and capacity levels, you’ll spend an afternoon you won’t be quick to forget.
- TopGolf: TopGolf Waco features a first-time collaboration between TopGolf and a university. Baylor is one of TopGolf’s sponsors and provided the theme for a number of the VIP bays at the golf-and-games complex. TopGolf is fun for the whole family. With food, drinks, and an additional goofy golf course, you’ve got a ready-made fun Friday night.
Got any other recommendations we should add to our list? Any positive reviews of the places above? Leave a comment below!
Anna E. Beaudry is a second-year English PhD student studying 19th-century American literature. Her primary area of research focuses on female writers in the New England regionalist movement and material feminisms. She earned her Master’s at Baylor University in May 2020. Anna is Baylor’s Graduate Writing Center coordinator and president of the English Graduate Student Association. She is also BearTracks blog editor for the Graduate School.