The Suspension Bridge, on the banks of the Brazos River, where Waco was born.
Waco, Texas, is my hometown and I've never been prouder to say that. Chip & Joanna Gaines are mighty awesome Goodwill Ambassadors of Waco. However, even they would say there is more to Waco than the Gaines family & Magnolia Market. Wacoans have always known how special Waco is. Now, the whole world is finding out. [Which makes me really proud & a little sad at the same time because now we will be overrun with visitors & others attracted by an affordable housing market who may not respect the history & integrity of the town...but I digress...I know you will respect us, right?? Of course you will!]
Already, Chip & Joanna's tiny Magnolia Market on Bosque hosts close to 10,000 visitors a week. Staggering. Pilgrimages will only exponentially increase once The Silos open on October 30. Many of you are planning your road trip now and you'll need plenty of options. So I thought I'd help you out. You're welcome. :)
If you're like me, you like to hear from the locals on where to eat, where to shop, what to see and what to do. Not just the typical, touristy things, but what is just off the beaten path. Of course, interview 100 Wacoans and you may get 100 different sets of answers. But here are my picks for where to shop, what to eat, see & do when you visit Waco.
Pardon in advance the length of this post, but I wanted to put all the info with links together in one place for you. (Several of the restaurants have a couple of locations, so be sure to check the links for addresses to map out your itinerary.)
Where To Shop (other than the amazing Magnolia Market/ "The Silos")
The Findery (near Magnolia Market)
LaSalle Shops (LaSalle Avenue)
Junque In The Trunk (LaSalle Avenue)
Junque Queen's (Austin Avenue)
Sironia (Austin Avenue)
Covet Home & Apparel (Austin Avenue)
Honey's Home+Style (Austin Avenue)
Where to Eat
There are so many excellent local restaurants to choose from in Waco, but I implore you to choose one (or five) instead of going to a chain restaurant. (If you just have to go to a chain, choose a Texas chain!)
Heitmiller Steak House I definitely prefer the Lacy-Lakeview's location aesthetic, but great food either place. Both places have nice little boutiques inside so you can shop while you wait to be seated!
Jake's Texas Tea House Nothing dainty about "Texas Tea" (black gold, that is). This is a family-friendly place that the guys will especially love. They serve chicken fried steak & burgers, but be sure to try the Twisted Caesar Salad & save room for pie!
Amelia's On The Avenue (Austin Avenue, inside Sironia) This is a beautiful setting to lunch with girlfriends. My bridesmaids' luncheon was held here. (Of course, men can eat here, too.) Sironia is a collection of boutique shops with a tea room in the middle.
George's Restaurant & Bar The atmosphere, food & drinks are great & un-fancy. Get the Crazy Wings & a cold beverage. Trust me.
The Mix Cafe They have a restaurant and a food truck. Yummy quiches, salads, sandwiches & more.
La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant & Cantina This is the Tex-Mex I cut my teeth on - literally. It's not the only great local Mexican food place, but it's my personal favorite. They have a drive-through & live music. Honorable mentions: (local) Casa De Costillo & El Conquistador & (Texas chains) Chuy's & Ninfa's. (There is no shortage of excellent Tex-Mex in Waco!)
Schmaltz's Sandwhich Shoppe - (Warning: this place will forever ruin you for that Schlotzsky's slop.) I recommend the Blue Plate Special (a small Schmaltz on original bread with chips & a drink). I also recommend going at 11:00 or after 1:30, but if you have to wait, I promise it's worth it.
Poppa Rollo's - I personally prefer the original location on Valley Mills. They offer whole wheat crusts & gluten-free options. My favorite pizza here is the classic thin crust pepperoni with jalapeños.
Baris III Pasta & Pizza Another great, mom-and-pop pizza place. This is probably the most authentic Italian food in Waco and for a reasonable price.
Uncle Dan's BBQ Honorable mention: (Texas chain) Rudy's (I recommend the sliced brisket, pinto beans & sweet creamed corn).
Cafe Homestead Locally sourced & made from scratch. Worth the drive out to the country. You can really make a whole day of it here.
All of the above are family-friendly places. Should you want a little more upscale experience, I recommend Diamond Back's or 135 Prime.
Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits - great atmosphere. Take your drinks up to the rooftop at the end of a long day of shopping!
Where To Send The Guys (the ones who drive the trailers, God love 'em)
Harley-Davidson of Waco
Weber's Outdoors This 60-acre outdoor shooting range is in Troy, 25 miles from The Silos. They offer paintball & skeet shooting, as well as rifle & pistol shooting and more.
Weber's Outdoors This 60-acre outdoor shooting range is in Troy, 25 miles from The Silos. They offer paintball & skeet shooting, as well as rifle & pistol shooting and more.
What To Do (other than shop) & See
Waco Hippodrome Theatre (downtown) - This place is awesome! First of all, it's an historic movie theater that first opened in 1914. This is where my grandparents, parents & even Elvis! went to the movies back in the 40's & 50's. It's beautifully restored and modernized into a dine-in theater. The food is really good (not your typical concession stand fare) and is delivered to you before the movie or whenever the spirit moves during the movie. They do show select current movies, but the thing I love is they also show classic movies on the big screen (I saw Rebel Without A Cause here with my Mom & daughter and another time we saw the new Star Wars movie - classic or new, it's awesome). They also have live concerts & theater productions.
Hawaiian Falls Water Park - family friendly
BSR Cable Park - A more intense water park! They have a restaurant, bar & cabins for rent, as well.
The Bill & Eva Williams Bear Habitat (The Baylor Bear Pit)
Armstrong Browning Library (Baylor campus)
The Suspension Bridge - iconic Waco landmark, on the National Register of Historic Places, built by same company that built the Brooklyn Bridge
I'm just going to have to stop here because I could go on and on. Waco is awesome!!!
(Waco peeps, if I'm leaving your favorites out, be sure to add it to the comments below!)
Oh my goodness! There is so much to do. The last time I was there it was a teeny tiny town. Thanks for all the great info!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Meegan! Most of the things listed have been "best kept secrets" of Waco for many years. It's always been a great small town, but now the rest of the world is finding out because of Chip & Joanna!
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