joyfullydwell

A day in Waco for us, is almost always a day well spent. Of course, a trip to Waco typically means a pit-stop at the Magnolia Silos District.

We like to stop and grab coffee or tea, maybe even a sweet treat, hang around the grounds to let the kids play, get some decor inspiration and do some shopping.

There’s more fun to be had in Waco after stopping at Magnolia. Here are some other options to spend the day as a family in Waco…

Waco’s 52-acre natural habitat, the Cameron Park Zoo is the home of many interesting creatures, including jaguars, rhinos, giraffes, orangutans, and more! The layout and design of this zoo makes it so easy to navigate and view all the exhibits throughout. Wonderful to spend a portion of your day as a family with kids of all ages.

Explore the history of the oldest major manufacturer of soft drink concentrates and syrups in the United States. The Dr. Pepper Museum is housed in the 1906 Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company building, where the well is still on display. This 116 year-old Texan building is the home of the Nation’s oldest major soft drink. There are great historical artifacts and promotional products, as well as a live replica version of the plant bottling process. At the end of the tour, you can also enjoy a Dr. Pepper float or Dr. Pepper flavored snacks and candies at the soda fountain.

Cameron Park, is a 416-acre oasis with towering trees, two rivers, breathtaking cliffs and a multi-use National Recreation Trail System. There are many open, grassy areas to hang with friends and family for a picnic or go fishing. There are also areas with playgrounds.

Spend an afternoon watching the boats and wildlife go by, check out the different architecture of the multiple bridges, and enjoy the plethora of artwork and statues along the river.

The Mayborn Museum is part of the Baylor University campus, and houses two floors of themed discovery rooms which encourage hands-on learning for all ages. The employees are also wonderful in engaging patrons, having kids (and adults) do scavenger hunts to really dig deeper and look at the details of the artifacts on display.

Outdoors, there is also a historic village located the banks of the Brazos River. My kids loved pretending they were living in an old Western town while exploring each of the buildings in the historic village.

If you want a hands-on farm life experience, head over to Homestead Heritage. According to their website, Homestead Heritage is an agrarian- and craft-based intentional Christian community. They believe in living simply, sustainably, being self-sufficient, and having quality handmade products available for the public to purchase.

They do demonstations for their pottery, weaving, metal work and woodwork. We got hands-on with the farm animals and they also have a cafe to eat at and a grocery store where their produce grown on the farm can be purchased.

The Baylor Bear Habitat is also located on the Baylor University Campus. Many American Black Bears have called Baylor home since 1917 and you can visit the habitat free of charge.

Hawaiian Falls Waterpark is a 10 acre aquatic playground offering fun for the entire family. From the kiddie play area, to the lazy river and all the zooming slides in-between, there’s something for every age and stage.

If you are in the mood for some shopping, Spice Village is a large hall featuring over 60 boutiques with clothing, decor and one-of-a-kind finds.

The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum is a great way to see some great historical artifacts and get some insight on what it means to hold the highly regarded position of a Texas Ranger.

Head to the Waco Mammoth National Monument to see an active excavation site that began all the way back in 1978! This destination in Waco is part of the National Parks System, so if your kids are collecting Jr. Ranger badges, this is a must stop.

After a long day of exploring around, it’s great to sit down to a nice meal. There are plenty of great places to dine in Waco, but if you end up having an indecisive crew, head over to Union Hall, a European market-style food hall offering over 20 global eateries to choose from, and large communal dining tables.

If you want to take a step back in time, check out Kim’s Diner, a retro-style diner with delicious eats, my favorites included the fried pickles and Patty melt.

Other places we’ve enjoyed include Ninfa’s Mexican and Health Camp burgers.

Many of these experiences were heavily discounted thanks to the Pogo Pass. It gives you free access to tons of entertainment venues in your area. Check out Pogo Pass! It gives you free access to tons of entertainment venues in your area. Click here to get your pass for 50% off through my referral. (Discount applies at final checkout)

Hope you have fun exploring all the fun things Waco has to offer!