Location: Waco
Top Things to do in Waco
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What to do and see in Waco, Texas (TX): The Best Things to do
Waco (/ˈweɪkoʊ/ WAY-koh) is a city which is the county seat of McLennan County, Texas, United States. It is situated along the Brazos River and I-35, halfway between Dallas and Austin. The city had a 2010 population of 124,805, making it the 22nd-most populous city in the state. The US Census 2016 population estimate is 134,432 The Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area consists of McLennan and Falls Counties, which had a 2010 population of 234,906. Falls County was added to the Waco MSA in 2013. The US Census 2017 population estimate for the Waco MSA is 268,696.
Restaurants in Waco
1. Cameron Park Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 987 reviews
Reviewed By thunderbird307 - Temple, United States
This zoo is PERFECT for little kids. It's just the right size to see everything before they get tired/cranky and has rest places (including a slide through the otters and a series seperate playground) and restrooms in just exactly the right places. Definitely bring a stroller for kids under 4 or so though. Even when the parking lot is packed, it does not feel busy or crowded inside. My kids' favorite things are the giraffes, orangutans (where you can often see the baby), and the two-headed snake, which is in the Brazos River room, and of course all the places to play. We have zoo membership passes and regularly visit from ~30 miles away - it's SO worth it.
2. Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,063 reviews
Reviewed By kathyt3222
Prior to visiting the museum my knowledge of the Texas Rangers was The Lone Ranger movies I watched as a kid. The video presentation is very informative for an overview of who they are and what they do. I have new admiration for the people who are Rangers and what they do. You will get your fill of old west history and see lots of guns and western paraphernalia.
3. Mayborn Museum Complex
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 325 reviews
The Mayborn Museum Complex brings together, in one location, the resources of hands-on discovery rooms and interactive natural science and cultural history galleries, including outdoor exhibits. This rich combination provides a wide spectrum of engaging learning opportunities for learners and visitors of all ages.
Reviewed By pdsixty8 - Austin, United States
I read about the Mayborn Museum in a travel magazine article and marked it as a place to see while in Waco. This museum was easy to find with a small lot in front which provided free parking. The building itself looked impressive with a colonial style architecture. Since it is located on the campus of Baylor University students get in free but we generously paid our adult admissions. As a brief note this natural history museum may not big as big as the Smithsonian but contains a little of everything from local wildlife, heritage, fossils, University culture and children educational exhibits. We walked through a maze of rooms and surprised how well everything was presented and organized. It’s well thought out and professionally designed. You can learn everything about the history of the lower Brazos region at one location. Outside in the museum’s backyard contains the western Historic Village with buildings from the 1800s brought here. You can go inside some of the buildings like the church were I heard a small girl playing an upright piano and a schoolhouse where another child was trying to write cursive on a chalkboard. It’s all very interactive. Giant pecan trees provided shade and pecans if wanted to snack on. While back inside found a nice history and collection of Baylor University mementos, store and coffee shop. There are lots of corridors leading to different sections of the museum from the lobby where one leads to a huge area designated like a children’s museum. There was even a traveling exhibit for little ones. It was late in the day but able to explore it all a little over 2 hours before they closed. I thought the whole Mayborn Museum package was well done and recommended it for those visiting Waco in learning about a different part of Texas.
4. Waco Mammoth National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,150 reviews
Reviewed By mondyann - Hudson, United States
Great guided tour with Robert Very informative Was an interesting fun day Learned about female and male mammoths along with other animals and to see where they are still digging for more bones
5. Cameron Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 304 reviews
Reviewed By revleroy - Cresson, United States
Emmons Cliff, Lovers Leap and the whole nine yards just acres and acres of beauty. All 400 acres plus is a thing of beauty. In my youth there were not any restraints at places like Lovers Leap and we did some very crazy things in the park.
6. McLane Stadium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 248 reviews
90 minute guided tours of McLane Stadium, home to the Baylor Bears and also Central Texas ‘state-of-the-art entertainment and sports venue.
Reviewed By Moved2Texas - Austin, United States
We were thrilled to get back to McLane stadium for the first Baylor football game since the COVID pandemic started and only the second sporting event of any kind on the Baylor campus since March 2020. McLane Stadium was limited to 25% capacity- about 11,000 fans. Seating was arranged for social distancing and with the small crowd, the concourses were not crowded. Three were many measures designed to keep people safe and minimize risk of spreading the virus. The stadium was beautiful as ever and was a great spot to watch the game while the sun set!
7. Waco Suspension Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,014 reviews
The Waco Suspension Bridge is the oldest Suspension Bridge still standing in Texas. Built it 1870, it was the first bridge across the Brazos River. This stunning bridge was built with cables supplied from John Roebling's firm, which built the Brooklyn Bridge. Today, it is a pedestrian-only bridge and is a wonderful place to watch the river roll by.
Reviewed By C80K
We stumbled across this while in Waco to visit Magnolia Market and Table and were glad we did! It was neat to see something so old (1870) and there is a nice park beside it with some neat large statues of cowboys and longhorns (Coming up the Texas Chisholm Trail)! Would definitely recommend a visit if you are in town!
8. Baylor University
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 144 reviews
Reviewed By HouTexGal - Houston, United States
We recently participated in a college campus tour for our high-schooler. On-line sign up is easy with same day waitlist options for those who decide at the last minute. The is also an App that can be downloaded for those who prefer a more leisurely pace. The college tour lasts about 1.5 hours and are led by current students. Prospective students and there guests are driven around campus in motorized trams with pre- planned stops at certain buildings to showcase the architecture, history, or technology within. The tour does include a drive-by of the bear habitat but does not stop for pictures. The tour also stops at the football stadium with an opportunity to walk on the field for a 10-minute photo opportunity. My child was very impressed with the campus and student involvement.
9. Dr Pepper Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,673 reviews
A museum dedicated to the nation's oldest major soft drink - Dr Pepper! We offer three floors of exhibits featuring information about many different soft drinks, as well as a carefully curated selection of our massive soft drink memorabilia collection. Exhibits change regularly! You can visit our soda fountain and gift shop any time without paying admission. Photo ops outside the Museum include a Dr Pepper Green 1940s delivery truck, one of three original neon signs from the Mockingbird Plant in Dallas, and a hand-painted advertising sign original to the site. Of course the front of the Museum building itself is visitors' favorite photo location. We are a two block walk from Magnolia Market and the famous silos, and about half a mile from the newest restaurants including Torchy's Tacos and In-N-Out Burger.
Reviewed By larrahb - Lubbock, United States
We had such a good time in the Dr Pepper museum! There was so much information and amazing things to see! Take your time and read everything! You’ll be glad you did! We got a free Dr Pepper made by a soda jerk at the end of our museum walk! ???? so freakin cool!!! Then we wrapped it up with a visit to the gift shop for some Dr Pepper merch! 10 out of 10 would recommend!
10. Branch Davidian Memorial Park
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 192 reviews
Reviewed By AnnaL591
After visiting the famous Magnolia Table and Market we decided to stop by this place on our way back to Dallas and I am SO glad we did. When the gate is open visitors are welcome with a suggested donation of $10 per group at the office which is the second trailer home on the right. After that you drive up to the church. We lucked out that on this day there was a survivor from the raid, author David Thibedaux. He gave us a very thorough accounting of events as they unfolded during the siege as well as events that transpired in the days before. They were very open and welcoming, we never felt uncomfortable. We truly appreciated his perspective as well. Afterwards you can see the concrete slab that remains from the building where the kids bodies were recovered. Also, a short walk along the pool area reveals the blown up bus that they were thought to be using as an escape. All three of us, 40-50 year old women, actually enjoyed this more than the silos and Magnolia Market. I would definitely make a stop here if you’re in town.
