Brought into the national spotlight by home improvement celebrities Chip and Joanna Gaines and college football, the Texas city has undergone a makeover of its own.
Prior to 2013 , Waco was probably well have intercourse to other Texans as the home to Baylor University , a nationally ranked big humanities institution take in 1845 with a winning football game team . Some trek there because it ’s the birthplace ofDr Pepper . Others just consider it a convenient pitstop along I-35 on the drive between Dallas and Austin . Yet when the first installment of Chip and Joanna Gaines’sFixer UpperTV series debuted at the end of May 2013 , Waco was suddenly thrust into the national spotlight — and in the coming years , it would grow into a tourist destination unlike anything the region had ever seen .
Whether you ’re planning a girls ' weekend , a bachelor or bachelorette party getaway , or a multi - generational gathering for the entire family , Waco can fit ( and think about ) a modest chemical group of friends or a large reunion crowd . Take a clue from the more than 30,000 people a hebdomad who now visit the city , thanks to the aspirational influence of television receiver programs like the Magnolia web , the enlargement of the university ’s presence as a national football contender , and more — quite a surge in foot traffic for a city of just under 150,000 residents . Because of the increase interest and sizeable space in theTexas Hill Country , waves of new eating house , store , and hotels have risen from the grassland along the Brazos River , joining long - treasured businesses to make Waco an equally exciting weekend getaway for non - fan , too .
A divers raiment of activities makes it an idealistic destination for visiting with a group in towage . Go on horseback expeditions and flamboyant dangerous undertaking at nearby waterparks . Then find plenty of other only - in - Waco experience , along with boutiquehotelsand multi - roomvacation rentalswith craftsman spell . Downtown Wacohas been designated a State of Texas Cultural District packed with museum , galleries , performance venue , restaurants , and bar . The city and surrounding expanse bluster multiple brewery , distilleries , and wineries . It ’s also aMusic Friendly Community , as determined by the Texas Music Office , meaning you could overhear incredible live music throughout the Ithiel Town .
Courtesy Visit Waco
comfortably yet , it ’s less than two hours from Dallas and Austin , and only three hours from Houston and San Antonio , making it perfect for a leisurely weekend . Check out our suggestions below to build an itinerary that suits your group good and secure you ’ll make memories to last a lifetime .
Who Am I?I’ve lived in Dallas for nearly three decades and have made unnumerable road tripper to Austin and San Antonio . Waco has long been the ideal position to take a pit stop for lunch . Each meter , I stress a different eating house with whoever ’s in the rider prat . But my root word go even deeper . My aunt once lived in an even smaller township nearby , so Waco was always the “ big urban center ” we ’d go to whenever we needed to buy at or wanted more than two restaurant options . This leaning contains longtime favorites and new uncovering to make any time spent in Waco more enjoyable , even if you ’re simply passing through . But I predict , it ’s well worth an overnight or two .
Before You Go
Book early on : Weekends and summer calendar month are typically the busy , so lock in your accommodations and leverage tickets to interesting case as far in advance as possible . mental reservation forMagnolia Tablecan also fulfill up quickly , so conceive reserve a mesa much in the first place than you commonly would otherwise , or join the same - daylight waitlist .
Consider : If you ’re visit in May or December , avoidgraduationweekendsbecause hotel and holiday rental will be booked or bring significantly high rates than usual .
where to stay
Two Days in Waco on a Group Trip
Day 1: Explore the City
Morning
Take This Home
Mid Day
Afternoon
Evening
Day 2: Dig Deeper
If you have three days
All of the above, but add…
If you have four days
If you’re bringing kids
Shutterstock/Hundley Photography
Shutterstock/Hundley Photography
Dr Pepper Museum|Courtesy Waco Convention and Visitors Bureau
Magnolia Silos|Courtesy Waco Convention and Visitors Bureau
Courtesy Waco Convention and Visitors Bureau
Texas Rangers Museum|Courtesy Waco Convention and Visitors Bureau
