10 Best Things to Do in Waco, Texas

Chances are, if you live in the tri-state area, you’ve seen multiple photos on social media of people you know hanging out at Magnolia Market at the Silos. That’s because Joanna and Chip Gaines, the husband-and-wife duo from HGTV’s popular home improvement show, Fixer Upper, are behind things. Together, they’ve created a Martha Stewart-like empire for the millennial set, with a lifestyle business to match: Magnolia Market. This lovely downtown property, which includes two former grain silos and a 20,000-square-foot barn, has drawn over 1 million visitors per year since its inception.

Waco may be the halfway point for commuters between Austin and Dallas, but it’s more than just a stopover for gas and snacks, at least for those in the know. The charming little city has a certain humble, eccentric vibe, with an identity that feels deeply different from either of its big neighbors. Not only is Waco home to the biggest Baptist university in the world, Baylor University, but there’s a diverse mix of museums, attractions and leafy parks sprinkled around the still-revitalizing downtown. Its newly opened Camp Fimfo along the Bosque River finally gives visitors a reason to stay the whole weekend for outdoor fun and frolics. And there’s also the 474-foot Suspension Bridge that stands guard over the Brazos River, almost like a protective force – which feels appropriate for a city that’s experienced its fair share of cultural pangs. The truth is that Waco is slowly and steadily evolving all the time, while still retaining its quietly distinctive character. Come see for yourself with the best things to do in Waco.