Not Dallas and not Austin, small-town Waco offers a refreshing respite from the big city in Central Texas. Its wide open spaces, wooded trails, river walks, revitalized downtown, and endless artisanal shops, markets, and restaurants, are ideal for a restorative weekend of good food, creative inspiration, and time in the outdoors. Here’s how to make the most of a weekend in Waco, Texas.
Where to Stay
Situated just 10 minutes from downtown Waco, Live Oak Lake is the perfect place to recharge in nature without compromising on a single comfort. Each of the seven Scandinavian-style modern cabins comes with floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the lake or forest; fully-equipped professional-grade kitchens and laundry facilities; comfy handwoven Yellow Leaf hammocks; luxury Tuft & Needle mattresses; and a personal hot tub, fire pit, and outdoor patio. The five-acre lake and forest property features a fishing dock, kayaks, paddleboards, and a common area with swings, a shipping container pool, picnic tables, and a grill for outdoor dining under the string lights and pergola.
For a more budget-friendly stay in Waco, VillaStay has a variety of unique vacation rentals all over town. Check out tiny homes built from shipping containers and surrounded by forests, cozy cottages, farmhouses, and cabins that are just minutes from famous sites like the Magnolia Silos, Cameron Park Zoo, and Dr Pepper Museum.
Where to Eat
Don’t leave Waco without enjoying at least one meal at Cafe Homestead, inside of the craft village and farming community of Homestead Heritage. Opened in 1994, the menu of farm-to-table, made-from-scratch fare is complemented by their award-winning pantry of take-home items like fresh bread, local cheese, and house-made sauces and condiments.
For something a little different for dinner, head to Red Wagon BBQ, where you’ll find brisket, smoked turkey, and Wagyu beef ribs fresh off the pit. Fill your paper-lined tray with some of their mouthwatering Southern sides like mac ‘n’ cheese, fried okra, and beans, then finish it all off with a to-die-for creamy banana pudding.
For breakfast or brunch, there’s no better place in town than Magnolia Table, among the Chip and Joanna Gaines-owned properties around Waco. French toast, buttered biscuits, and pimento grilled cheese are among the hits on a menu full of hearty dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.
What to Do
The HGTV Fixer Upper stars Chip and Joanna Gaines put Waco on the modern map, so why not squeeze in a visit to their Magnolia Market and Shops at the Silos? Browse curated collections of housewares, apparel, bath and body essentials, retro goods, and branded souvenirs. And be sure to stop off at the Silos Baking Co. for a cupcake; Magnolia Press for a latte; or the food truck park for a full meal that’s best enjoyed on the grassy lawn.
The Homestead Craft Village is a must-visit in Waco, especially for those with kids in tow. This 18-acre complex includes a 200-year-old barn and various workshops that host demonstrations in woodworking, cheese making, glass blowing, and more. There’s a restored 1760 gristmill, whichis now home to the Tea House at Homestead Gristmill, the beloved Cafe Homestead farm-to-table restaurant, and timber-framed Heritage Coffee. Adults and kids alike will love the horse-drawn hay rides, guided tours of the farm and grounds, and—as of this year—the weekly farmers market held every Saturday, May through October.
For outdoor enthusiasts, check out Cameron Park or the Waco Mammoth National Monument. Cameron Park is a 416-acre park with multi-use trails, a 23-hole disc golf course, scenic overlooks, giant playgrounds, riverfront picnic spots, and the award-winning Cameron Park Zoo. The Waco Mammoth Monument sits within 100 acres of wooded parkland along the Bosque River. It’s the site of the first and only recorded discovery of a nursery herd of Pleistocene mammoths. While today, those remains have been relocated to the Mayborn Museum Complex at Baylor University in downtown Waco, the monument does have an active excavation site showcasing recent fossil finds, guided walking tours, and nature trails where wildlife are often spotted.
For more Waco weekend inspiration, check out Destination Waco.
