7 Other Things To Do in Waco During Your Magnolia Market Road Trip

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HGTV’s hit show “Fixer Upper” has been a game changer for Waco. Chip and Joanna Gaines have created so much buzz in the town that people from all over the state (and country) are making their way to Waco, Texas to visit their store, Magnolia Market.

We made the trek to Magnolia earlier this year and were so impressed with it all. And that was before the bakery opened! Their new store at the Silos was jam-packed with people on a weekday. The big green lawn was the perfect place for our toddler to run around and play as my husband and I enjoyed lunch from the food trucks.

For more information on Magnolia Market at the Silos, check out this post: The Ultimate Guide to Magnolia Market at the Silos.

They have seriously done an amazing job with it all, and they aren’t even close to being done. It will be fun to continue to see all the wonderful things that they bring to the town. For example, I hear they just purchased the Elite Cafe building, home to a favorite historic restaurant that had closed down, and have plans to renovate it into something great.

If you’re planning on adding Waco, Texas to your travel bucket list, I have compiled a list of other fun things to do while you’re in town visiting Magnolia Market.

Things to do

1. Spice Waco – I love this place! It’s a collection of shops full of home decor, apparel, fun finds, and accessories. Located conveniently in downtown Waco, it’s a great place to stop by and shop at before or after a trip to Magnolia Market.

2. Cameron Park Zoo – We went to the Cameron Park Natural Habitat Zoo a few years back and had a great time! I hadn’t heard much about it prior to going, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. We were so impressed! It’s huge at 52 acres and is home to over 1700 animals. I’d consider it one of Waco’s best kept secrets.

3. Bear Habitat at Baylor University – I think this is one of the coolest things at Baylor. They have a bear habitat on campus home to their mascots, Lady and Joy. You can see both bears right there on Baylor’s campus anytime between 9:30am to 8:00pm. It’s a fun, easy and free place to stop right off of I-35.

4. Homestead Heritage – An intentional Christian community, this agricultural settlement is a unique and educational place to visit. Within the Homestead Craft Village, there is a blacksmith shop, pottery house, cheese-making house, woodworking shop, and more. You can make your way around the village to each stop and talk with the craftsmen inside. They are open year round. There’s also a restaurant on site called Café Homestead that has amazing food! They use high-quality, local and organic ingredients, and everything we tried was absolutely delicious.

5. George’s – Being a Pat Green fan, I had to check out George’s Restaurant and Bar. I figured it must be pretty good if he named a song after it. My husband and I had dinner at the original location right off of I-35, and it did not disappoint. It was packed! The atmosphere was fun and lively, and the food was great.

6. Harp Design Co. – I love to hear how companies get their start. An article on www.WacoTrib.com discussed how Harp Design Co.’s Clint Harp overcame obstacles to start his business and how he ended up on the pilot episode of HGTV’s “Fixer Upper.” It’s a great story. Harp Design Co. is located about a mile from Magnolia and features high-quality products and furniture with unique finishes. It’s a small shop, worth a visit.

7. Common Grounds – My husband loves coffee. So, anytime we hear about a good, local coffee shop, we have to stop by. We went to Common Grounds on 8th Street and loved the atmosphere and eclectic decor. It’s the kind of relaxing coffee shop you want to grab a seat and stay a while.

Where to stay

We stayed at the Hilton Waco when we visited Magnolia Market, and it worked out well. The hotel is conveniently located in downtown Waco, less than a mile away from Magnolia Market. Spice Waco, one of my other favorite places to shop in town, is just across the street. There is also a Ninfa’s Mexican Restaurant within walking distance and a couple of other restaurants. Click here for more information on Hilton Waco.

Another great way to travel is to book a home through Airbnb. In Waco, you can stay at one of the homes featured on Fixer Upper! How fun is that?! When you click on the link, just search for Waco, TX, and look through the listing descriptions for ones that mention Fixer Upper. This referral link will give you $35 towards your first trip!

Going on a road trip soon? Check out this post: What to Pack for your Next Family Road Trip

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Looking for more Texas travel destinations? Check out this post on one of my favorite little towns in Texas.

Have you been to Waco? Leave a comment with your favorite places to visit!

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