10 Things To Do In Waco Besides Visiting Magnolia Market

The Findery sells items of home decor, both vintage and classic, as well as clothing and accessories. On the corner of 8th and Webster, housed in the 100-year-old Percy Medicine Building, this boutique offers unique shopping from several vendors under one roof. Jute, the main vendor and also the owners of The Findery, is described as ‘an eclectic melding of vintage chic and industrial furniture and home decor with a flair for repurposing classic and functional elegance.’ Along with Jute, you will find vendors such as Wild and Free, Congress Clothing, Hinge, and Serenity that sell clothing, jewelry, candles and gifts.

The Findery, 501 South 8th Street, Waco, TX, USA, +1 254 235 1777

Cameron Park Zoo is home to over 1,731 animals, representing 300 species. The zoo is spread out over 52 acres alongside the Brazos River and has picturesque waterfalls, a lake and ponds immersed in Texas vegetation. It is named after and is located inside Cameron Park. Cameron Park Zoo prides itself on the natural habitats in which the animals flourish. A place where visitors can get up close and personal with some of the wild animals, there are always fun events happening at the zoo, so visit the website before you plan your visit.

Cameron Park Zoo, 1701 North 4th Street, Waco, TX, USA, +1 254 750 8400

Cameron Park is an enormous urban park and the perfect place to escape to nature. Spanning 416 acres, the park has two rivers, playgrounds, splash pads, 15 miles of twisting trails for biking and hiking, for both beginner and novice, and, of course, the beautiful zoo – all of this beside the Brazos River. Brazos Park East, located at MLK and Herring Avenue, is a part of Cameron Park and features boat ramps, a pavilion, horseshoe pits, Frisbee-golf and many scenic and peaceful views for walking, running or just sitting in front of the Brazos. The view across the river is beautiful. Waco is full of nature; you can escape the concrete and be active or find some peace, whatever you need. Even if you just drive through, Cameron Park is one of the places that Wacoans hold close to their heart.

Cameron Park, 4th and Herring Avenue, Waco, TX, USA, +1 254 750 5980

The Waco Hippodrome, a historic theater, wasn’t always an eat-drink-and-see-a-movie kind of cinema; it first opened in 1914 as a vaudeville theater. A few name changes and several reconstructions over the past two centuries have changed many things, but the theater has always maintained its historical integrity. An experience in and of itself, The Waco Hippodrome now offers first-release films, along with classic films, live theater, concerts, stand-up comedy, dance and much more. It also features full-service in-theater dining, a mezzanine level restaurant and a full-service bar overlooking picturesque Austin Avenue.

Waco Hippodrome, 724 Austin Avenue, Waco, TX, USA, +1 254 296 9000

Austin Avenue is a beautiful tree-lined street that is the soul of the city and pleasing during every season. The popular downtown street has nostalgia and is loaded with history. It’s also home to great shopping, eating, and nightlife that includes the Waco Hippodrome, Muddle, Dichotomy, Classy Glass, Jake’s and Nick’s, to name a few. The shopping areas are a bit farther down Austin, and there you will find Wildland Supply, Junque Queens, Christy’s, Lane’s and Sironia, plus many more antique and home decor shops. These establishments are an easy walk from Magnolia, and you will capture the essence of the small town that Waco still is today.

Austin Avenue, Waco, TX, USA

Spice Village is a compilation of shops in a restored warehouse, surrounded by restaurants. It first opened in 1997 and is located in the heart of downtown on the corner of 2nd Street and Franklin Avenue. The historic Waco Hardware Building, built in 1908, is now a 30,000-square-foot space holding 90 various shops under one roof. You will find shops that sell everything such as antiques, clothing, housewares, gifts, apparel, accessories, home decor, and true finds that are either vintage or trendy and fads.

Spice Village, 2nd and Franklin Drive, Waco TX, USA, +1 254 757 0921

If relaxing and enjoying a few spirits is what you have in mind after a day of shopping, the Wine Shoppe is a lovely place to visit. Located at the far end of Austin Avenue in Castle Heights, the Wine Shoppe is a quaint little tasting room that offers imported wines direct from Spain, Uruguay and Italy, from small, family-owned vineyards. On Saturdays, they offer an impressive apertivo and wine pairings with cheese and a charcuterie board. The shop highlights two to three bottles daily that they open for you to taste. Full bottles from their impressive inventory are always available for purchase as well.

Wine Shoppe, 1800 Austin Avenue, Waco, TX, USA, +1 254 300 7994

George’s is a well-known stop on Highway I35, and Texas songwriter Pat Green even mentions this popular Waco hangout in two of his songs. The food is worth the stop, with a full menu of Texas favorites that have been recognized by governors, senators and congressmen. George’s is also the home of the famous Big O™ – it even has its own trademark. Long ago, a waitress named the large, heavy beer glasses Big Oranges, and the rest of the staff shortened the name to ‘Big O™.’ The bar first opened in 1930 and was re-named George’s in 1966. The original building has been enlarged several times over the years due to popularity.

George’s, 1925 Speight Avenue, Waco, TX, USA, +1 254 753 1421

The Backyard‘s slogan is ‘meet me in the backyard,’ and understandably so given that the restaurant-bar offers a large backyard area with four fire pits, a cascading fountain, plus picnic and patio tables, all under towering shade trees. There are plenty of yard games such as washers, Jumbo Jenga, Cornhole, and an outdoor pool table. The Backyard also has live acoustic shows, open-mic nights, and Waco’s well-known Piano Man plays weekly on the 27 X 15-foot outdoor stage. Although there are no waitresses, the walk-up Patio Grill offers everything from salads and fish to burgers and tacos.

The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill, 511 South 8th Street, Waco, TX, USA, +1 254 235 1151

If you happen to be in Waco on a Saturday, one of the best places to shop and eat at is the Waco Downtown Farmers Market. You will find live music, fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as artisanal cheeses, gourmet popsicles, flowers and plants, wine and fresh juice. You will also discover some great places to have brunch or lunch while sitting at the picnic tables that offer a view of the Brazos River and McLane Stadium. On any given Saturday, you will have between 35-40 vendors, including farmers, artists, food trucks, coffee vendors and vineyards selling their wares. Visiting the market and buying products help support local farmers, artists, shop owners and food truck operators.

Waco Downtown Farmers Market, 400 South University Parks Drive, Waco, TX, USA