Waco– Family-Friendly Activities
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Waco, Texas is a city with a lot to offer. From the Dr. Pepper Museum to the Waco Mammoth National Monument, there are plenty of amazing attractions and activities to explore and enjoy. With its combination of natural beauty and rich culture, Waco is an exciting place to visit. Whether you’re looking for a day of outdoor fun or you want to experience the unique sights and sounds of this vibrant city, Waco has something for everyone.
Waco and the Heart of Texas region offer a variety of sights, sounds, and activities. Waco has a thriving arts scene, one-of-a-kind shopping centers, a dizzying array of dining options, a plethora of outdoor activities, and attractions that any big city would be proud of.
Waco is a 2-hour (or longer depending on traffic) drive south from the DFW metroplex, towards Austin and San Antonio.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
In 1978 the bones of 25 prehistoric Columbian mammoths were discovered in the woods alongside the Bosque River. After several decades of preparation and excavation, the site is now open to the public where everyone can enjoy the largest single concentration of mammoths in the world.
The Waco Mammoth Site is a unique and fascinating destination that should be on every family’s travel list. Located in the heart of Texas, this world-renowned archeological site features the incredible remains of 24 Columbian mammoths that were discovered in 1978. This magical spot offers an unforgettable experience for both kids and adults alike.
The site includes a covered elevated walkway that gives visitors an up-close view of the mammoths. The 100-acre site also features a scenic trail way and gift shop.
Kids will love exploring the interactive exhibits scattered throughout the museum, while they learn interesting facts about these ancient animals. You can even take a guided tour to get an up-close look at some of the fossils that have been uncovered over the years. There are plenty of educational activities to keep little ones entertained, such as art projects and hands-on science experiments focused on paleontology and geology.
Magnolia Market at the Silos
HGTV stars Chip and Joanna Gaines have their shop and headquarters at the Magnolia Silos right here in Waco. Come visit the Magnolia Market, where you can shop, play, and eat, all while being inspired about how to spruce up your own home!
Magnolia Market at the Silos is a popular tourist destination in Waco, Texas. Located near the Brazos River, it’s an exciting place for families to explore and find something fun for everyone. This unique shopping complex provides visitors with many activities that are perfect for kids of all ages.
From interactive play areas to special events tailored just for children, families will not run out of things to do at Magnolia Market at the Silos. Kids can enjoy the outdoor playscape and sandpit while learning about animals and plants in Joanna Gaines’ garden or explore an indoor maze filled with adventure-filled items like tunnels and secret passages. The silo gardens also provide a great space to take pictures, have picnics, or simply relax outdoors.
On the grass in front of the property are plenty of lawn games for families to make memories! Cornhole, potato sack races, football, and more.
On the northwest corner of the property is the Garden with a wooden tepee to play under, children’s books for the kids to read, and flowerbeds filled with seasonal plants and flowers. And who knows, you may even run into a goat or two!
Waco Tours
This company will take you on a tour of Waco and all that the city has to offer. You can select a Classic Tour, a River Cruise, or a Private Tour for your family or group. You get to see many Fixer-Upper homes as well as the locations from the TV show that helped put Waco on the map. Most importantly, they have a local crew that is well-versed in the city and enthusiastic about their work!
Waco Suspension Bridge and Riverwalk
Waco’s historic Suspension Bridge has served as an icon for the city since 1836 when the bridge was completed, then the longest single-span suspension bridge west of the Mississippi. On the east and west sides of the bridge are Martin Luther King and Indian Spring Parks, respectively, and accessible on either side is the Riverwalk which begins at Ft. Fisher Park, extends past the suspension bridge, and ends at the Herring Ave. Bridge.
The historic Suspension Bridge was built in 1870 and has become a legendary symbol of downtown Waco. The cable used for the bridge was supplied by the John Roebling Co., which also built the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. It is worth a look!
Art Center Waco
Are you looking for fun and educational things to do with your kids in Waco? Look no further than Art Center Waco! This vibrant center for visual arts offers a variety of programs and activities to keep kids busy. From interactive art classes to summer camps, Art Center Waco provides a unique learning experience that encourages creativity and self-expression.
The Art Center Waco is located on the grounds of McLennan Community College and since 1972 has been the home to numerous local and nationally-renowned artists as well as a training ground for the next generation. Weekend workshops, classes, and demonstrations are regularly offered.
With a mission of “inspiring people of all ages through the visual arts,” Art Center Waco features different events each week so there is always something new to explore. Kids can attend Saturday morning art classes or join family workshops on special holidays. There are also drop-in hours available during the week where children can experiment with various materials and learn how to create their own masterpieces.
Of particular interest is the Sculpture walk, featuring 35 sculptures on a path overlooking the Brazos river. The walk is freely accessible to the public at all times.
Cameron Park Zoo
Cameron Park Zoo is noted for its attention to natural surroundings, providing its residents and visitors alike with a true feeling of being in the wild. In addition to the standard lions and tigers and bears (oh my!), the zoo features numerous endangered species as well as extensive exhibits on the wildlife and history of the Brazos River which comprises seven separate habitats over its 840-mile span.
Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, Texas is a fantastic destination for a family outing. It is home to hundreds of species of animals from around the world, making it an exciting and educational experience for everyone. Kids will love learning about all the different animals living in the zoo and can even take part in interactive activities designed just for them.
The zoo offers up-close animal encounters with many popular species like African lions, cougars, red pandas, elephants, and more. Kids can also wander through the reptile house to come face to face with snakes, lizards, and frogs. They’ll be able to feed some of the animals too—visitors are allowed to purchase animal food at several designated locations throughout the park where they can then offer it up to their favorite critter!
Homestead Heritage Village
The Homestead Heritage Village is a 510-acre agricultural settlement dedicated to traditional craftsmanship, with a working blacksmith shop, bakery, woodworking, pottery, and more. Visitors are welcome to tour the village, purchase handmade products, and even take classes to learn these timeless crafts.
Homestead Heritage Village is a great place for families to take their kids to experience the joys of outdoor fun. This tourist attraction near Kitchener, Ontario offers a variety of activities that make it an ideal spot for things to do with kids. From exploring old-time stores and engaging in interactive demonstrations, Homestead Heritage Village provides families with a unique educational experience.
At the Homestead Heritage Village, visitors can learn about different 19th-century trades such as blacksmithing and candle making. Kids are encouraged to dress up as farmers or shopkeepers from this era and join in on hands-on activities like churning butter or grinding wheat into flour. The village also houses several interesting exhibits including one that focuses on the history of farming tools and technologies used by pioneers during this time period.
Dr. Pepper Museum
If you’re looking for a fun and educational activity to do with the kids, consider taking a trip to Dr. Pepper Museum in Waco, TX. Not only will they learn about the history of this beloved soda beverage, but they’ll also have plenty of hands-on activities to keep them interested and engaged. The museum is home to a wide variety of exhibits that explore the story behind Dr. Pepper’s invention over 130 years ago, as well as its continued success throughout the decades.
Kids can try their hand at making their own bottle label designs or compete for top scores on vintage arcade video games from the 70s and 80s. They can also test out old-timey vending machines from different eras and learn more about how this iconic drink came to be so popular around the world today. Of course, no visit would be complete without some samples of original Dr. Pepper.
No Dr. Pepper lover has lived without a pilgrimage to the famed Dr. Pepper Museum in Waco. An old-fashioned soda fountain, antique bottling equipment, and a memorabilia shop are just a few of the many exhibits at the museum. In addition to its look at the past, the museum also houses the Free Enterprise Institute, where children are taught the values of innovation and free enterprise.
History of Waco
One of Texas’ major cities, Waco retains the flavor of its past when the five “Cs”—cattle, cotton, corn, collegians, and culture—were its support. Springs on the Brazos River were long popular with the Native American Waco tribe. The first non-natives to see the area were remnants of the De Sotos in 1542. A Texas Ranger fort was established near the Native American village in 1837, and the first white settlers came 12 years later. After the Civil War wrecked the area’s plantation economy, renewed Western movement and the Chisholm Trails’ path through Waco brought another boom—and frontier wildness that branded the town “Six-Shooter Junction.”
Today, Waco is known for its educational, cultural, and recreational facilities. Institutions of higher learning are Baylor University, McLennan Community College, and Texas State Technical College. A scenic river walk meanders along the Brazos River from Fort Fisher Park past the suspension bridge and through Cameron Park to Herring Avenue. The Heart O Texas Fair and Rodeo, held the first week in October, offers professional rodeo action and live entertainment.
Waco is jam-packed with exciting sights and attractions ranging from the artistic to the historic, and from the sporty to the unusual.
There are HGTV-famous locations, museums with specific historical facets, natural areas for relaxation and exploration, and numerous shopping and dining options.
There will be plenty to enjoy and discover here, so buckle up. With any luck, this list has helped you decide which of the top things to do in Waco, Texas you’ll be including on your next vacation itinerary!