WACO GUIDEBOOK
PARKS & NATURE
Gorgeous and hilly, tree-lined acreage with biking trails and picnic areas along the Brazos River and throughout the park Be sure to take in the Pecan Bottoms along the river and the view from Lover's Leap at the top.
143 locals recommend
Cameron Park
2601 N University Parks DrGorgeous and hilly, tree-lined acreage with biking trails and picnic areas along the Brazos River and throughout the park Be sure to take in the Pecan Bottoms along the river and the view from Lover's Leap at the top.
Cameron Park Zoo
1701 N 4th StBeautifully landscaped and unusually pretty zoo
HISTORY & SCIENCE
Fine collection of Texas Ranger memorabilia and history, entertaining shorts films, fun gift shop
112 locals recommend
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
100 Texas Ranger TrailFine collection of Texas Ranger memorabilia and history, entertaining shorts films, fun gift shop
The Foundation offers tours of Waco's four beautifully restored Civil War era homes.
6 locals recommend
Historic Waco Foundation
810 S 4th StThe Foundation offers tours of Waco's four beautifully restored Civil War era homes.
Home of Dr. Pepper, the restored 100-year-old bottling plant and soda fountain is well worth a tour.
138 locals recommend
Dr Pepper Museum & Free Enterprise Institute
300 S 5th StHome of Dr. Pepper, the restored 100-year-old bottling plant and soda fountain is well worth a tour.
Newly designated U.S. National Park features world class preservation site of herd of ancient mammoths. Only known discovery of its kind in the nation. Well worth admission.
139 locals recommend
Waco Mammoth National Monument
6220 Steinbeck Bend DrNewly designated U.S. National Park features world class preservation site of herd of ancient mammoths. Only known discovery of its kind in the nation. Well worth admission.
Fabulous Texas, native Indian & nature museum indoors; pioneer village outdoors.
111 locals recommend
Mayborn Museum Complex
1300 S University Parks DrFabulous Texas, native Indian & nature museum indoors; pioneer village outdoors.
DINING
Of course, Waco offers all your favorite chain restaurants like Ninfa's, Panera, P.F. Chang, Chick Fil A, etc. But we thought you might like to try our list of favorite, little known treasures where Wacoans love to chow.
Favorite Waco hole-in-the-wall, famous for its original Schmaltz sandwiches on homemade yeast buns.
30 locals recommend
Schmaltz's Sandwich Shoppe
105 S 5th StFavorite Waco hole-in-the-wall, famous for its original Schmaltz sandwiches on homemade yeast buns.
Cafe Cappuccino
100 N 6th StDelicious breakfast offerings
Great traditional Tex-Mex in quiet neighborhood. Easy to get a table compared to Ninfa's downtown.
Casa De Castillo
4820 Sanger AveGreat traditional Tex-Mex in quiet neighborhood. Easy to get a table compared to Ninfa's downtown.
Funky restored building downtown with great brewed coffee selections. Rooftop is fun on cool days & nights.
71 locals recommend
Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits, LLC; serving coffee drinks & craft cocktails
508 Austin AveFunky restored building downtown with great brewed coffee selections. Rooftop is fun on cool days & nights.
Iconic historic building restored by Chip & Jo, now serving delicious breakfasts until mid-afternoon. Be prepared to wait in their fun shopping or coffee bar area for your table. The food is worth it, in our opinion. And what more needs to be said about the Gaines' take on an ol' time diner. Simply charming.
125 locals recommend
Magnolia Table
2132 S Valley Mills DrIconic historic building restored by Chip & Jo, now serving delicious breakfasts until mid-afternoon. Be prepared to wait in their fun shopping or coffee bar area for your table. The food is worth it, in our opinion. And what more needs to be said about the Gaines' take on an ol' time diner. Simply charming.
Delicious home style cooking with a broad menu, reasonable prices and scrumptious desserts.
Brown House Cafe
9110 Jordan LnDelicious home style cooking with a broad menu, reasonable prices and scrumptious desserts.
Ninfa's Mexican Restaurant
220 S 3rd StVitek's BBQ
1600 Speight AveSome of the most incredible baked goods we've everrrrr tasted. Savory, sweet and gluten free options. Try the bacon cheddar scones. You'll forever come back. Open Mon-Sat
14 locals recommend
Baked Bliss Baking Company
1114 N 15th StSome of the most incredible baked goods we've everrrrr tasted. Savory, sweet and gluten free options. Try the bacon cheddar scones. You'll forever come back. Open Mon-Sat
SHOPPING
Some of the best antique shopping around can be found up and down La Salle Ave. Start at Junque in the Trunk at 910 La Salle and then head down the street, stopping at Riverside Relics, Junky Monkey…all the way to the circle next to Magnolia Cafe.
Charming collection of treasures just around the corner from Magnolia Market. Well worth a shopping trip.
63 locals recommend
The Findery
910 S 8th StCharming collection of treasures just around the corner from Magnolia Market. Well worth a shopping trip.
Newest shopping venue with lots of great anchor stores and smaller shops including Pier 1, World Market, Kohls, Cabela's, Old Navy...lots of nearby restaurants
18 locals recommend
Central Texas Marketplace
2400 W Loop 340Newest shopping venue with lots of great anchor stores and smaller shops including Pier 1, World Market, Kohls, Cabela's, Old Navy...lots of nearby restaurants
One of the most gorgeous shopping experiences in Texas. Absolutely love this vast treasure trove of home goods, clothing and jewelry!
15 locals recommend
Simply Irresistible
1018 Austin AveOne of the most gorgeous shopping experiences in Texas. Absolutely love this vast treasure trove of home goods, clothing and jewelry!
GROCERIES
H-E-B
1301 Wooded Acres DrFARM FOOD, ARTISAN, GIFTS
Such fun to browse and pick up locally sourced, healthy foods and sundries--from organic produce to handmade soap. Saturdays 9 am-1 pm at 500 Washington year round. Wednesdays (in spring & fall) from 5-8 pm at 200 E. Bridge St.
76 locals recommend
Waco Downtown Farmer's Market
500 Washington AveSuch fun to browse and pick up locally sourced, healthy foods and sundries--from organic produce to handmade soap. Saturdays 9 am-1 pm at 500 Washington year round. Wednesdays (in spring & fall) from 5-8 pm at 200 E. Bridge St.