Travel Guide: Waco, Texas

If you're heading to Waco, you're probably planning to visit the Magnolia Market. Your camera is ready for a photo op at the #milestomagnolia sign and the Magnolia mural, and it would be easy to spend your entire trip at the Silos! But if you're looking to explore more of Waco, this creative community is buzzing with plenty of family-friendly places to discover. Here's your must-eat, must-shop, and must-see destinations inside and outside of Magnolia. 

STAY

Airbnb Rental

Many of the homes that have been featured on "Fixer-Upper" are now short-term rentals available for booking. These rentals are often cheaper than hotel rooms, especially when traveling with a group of friends or family members. Many of these rentals are listed on Airbnb and mention the show in the description. Staying in a Waco home instead of a hotel will make you feel like a local!

EAT

Common Grounds

Stop by Common Grounds for your morning brew in this adorable, locally-owned coffee shop right next to Baylor University. Be sure to try the cowboy coffee, Joanna's favorite! 

Silos Baking Co.

Get in line early, these cupcakes are worth the wait! Magnolia's signature bakery was created out of Joanna's love for baking and inherited family recipes. Be sure to try the seasonal cupcakes! Also on the menu: chocolate cake with espresso buttercream, strawberry cake with vanilla buttercream, and lemon lavender cake with lemon buttercream. Are you drooling yet?

Magnolia Table

This restaurant is an obvious breakfast or lunch stop for anyone visiting the Silos! Every detail of this eatery was created with Chip and Joanna's stylish flair, and much of the menu's produce comes straight from Joanna's garden. The lemon lavender donut holes are a must-try. Make sure to stop by the Take Away + Market attached to the market for pre-packaged goods and gifts. 

Twisted Root Burger Company

This burger joint is a perfect place to gather and fill your belly after a long day of exploring. Twisted Root has an artistic vibe, complete with music videos projected on the walls and an open warehouse feel. This restaurant has the three components required for a good time: a fun atmosphere, flavored pickles, and amazing, made-to-order burgers.

Vitek's BBQ

Looking for local barbecue on your trip to Waco? Make sure you try Vitek's, a restaurant specializing in smoky Texas BBQ and complete with a cozy biergarten where community events and live music are hosted almost nightly. Try the Gut Pak - "A decadent combination of Frito’s corn chips, hand-chopped brisket, sausage, beans, pickles, onions and jalapeños piled high" that made Vitek's famous on BusinessWire.com's "Best College Eats" and ESPN.

Milo All Day

Milo All Day is best described as a hybrid between southern comfort food eatery and a local farmer's market. If the thought of their mouthwatering house-made biscuits isn't enough to get you in a seat, maybe their philosophy will: Milo All Day lists all their partners at the bottom of their menu, outlining which Texan farmer they sourced nearly all of their ingredients from. Great food, an emphasis on local produce and trendy decor make this restaurant shine for dinner or brunch.

Torchy's Tacos

It wouldn't be a trip to Texas without a stop at Torchy's Tacos! With a variety of taco fillings ranging from smoked beef brisket to fried avocado to seared ahi tuna, Torchy's truly has a taco for every appetite. One bite and you'll see why Torchy's catch phrase is "Damn Good."

SHOP

Harper & Co.

Opened by Clint Harp, woodworking genius and "Fixer-Upper" alum, this furniture store is sure to inspire you. Harp Design Co. creates environmentally sustainable products by using 100% recycled and reclaimed wood. Each piece tells a story! 

Gather

Visit this carefully curated home goods store to purchase items you'll want to host a party just to show off. Gather carries items from Black Oak Art, ceramics frequently featured on "Fixer-Upper." 

EXPLORE

Cameron Park

Take a picnic and sit along the Brazos River or put your tennis shoes on and get hiking! Trail maps are loaded into Google Maps for easy planning. Many of the hikes in the area showcase the stunning limestone cliffs making up the Brazos River. 

Waco Mammoth National Monument

Stop by this national monument to witness the active uncovering of 24 Columbian mammoths and other mammals from long ago. This is a great destination for families and an opportunity to teach kids about history and science. 

Waco Suspension Bridge

Built with cable supplied by the builder of the Brooklyn Bridge in NYC, the Waco Suspension Bridge has been an icon of downtown Waco since its completion in 1870. This bridge spans the Brazos River and is an ideal photo pit-stop! 

Waco Tours

If you don't know where to start, take a tour! Waco Tours offers several different tour options, including "Waco Eats" and "River Cruise." Die-hard Gaines fans can tour the Magnolia empire and visit some of the homes that were featured on "Fixer Upper." The owners of Waco Tours were on the show and had homes renovated by Chip and Jo!

If you're heading to the Magnolia Silos this month, make sure to come say hello at the ROOLEE booth! 

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