More Great Places to Visit on your trip to Waco, Texas

Out and about in Waco, Texas

If you are planning a trip to Waco, Texas you are in for a real treat! Let’s assume you are already planning to visit Magnolia Market at the Silos. There is no shortage of information out there about Magnolia Market, but what else is there to do?

This beautiful mural is just a block away from Magnolia Market on the side of Savage Finds antique shop.

Waco is a relatively small town, so everything is in close proximity. Most of the places I’m about to mention are within 10-15 minutes of each other so you can fit several of them in without any trouble at all. In fact, after waking up at 7:30 to get my cupcakes at the Silo’s Baking Co, this is what we squeezed in to the remainder of the day:

The Findery

The Findery | 501 S 8th Street | Waco, Texas |  Mon – Sat 10 am – 6 pm Closed Sunday

If you enjoy shopping (and who doesn’t?), then be sure to check out The Findery, located just a few blocks from Magnolia Market. It’s an easy walk. (Tip: Bring comfortable shoes to change into if you plan on walking. I always had my trusty flip flops in my bag.)

Anyone who decorates in the French country or farmhouse styles will appreciate the selection at the Findery. In the past few years, Joanna’s style has evolved and now feels a bit more minimalist. Less farmhouse and more mid-century modern.  I prefer a more distressed style with hints of weathered architectural details, which is what you will find at The Findery!

Once inside, you will discover two stories of charming farmhouse decor beautifully displayed for your shopping enjoyment. I loved looking around at The Findery. So much inspiration around every corner. 

Little Shop on Bosque

The original Magnolia store is currently used as a warehouse for slightly damaged and discounted Magnolia products. If you show your receipt the same day as your Magnolia Market purchase, you will receive an additional 10% off at the Little Shop on Bosque. This is a great savings considering most of the items at this location are already marked down 50-70% off. Many of the items were just too large to fit in my suitcase, but I did find quite a few gifts here including several bags of the same coffee served at Magnolia Table!  If you love to send postcards from your vacation like I do, you can purchase Magnolia branded postcards near the register. This alone was worth the trip into the store!

Harp Design Co

Harp Design Co. | 808 N 15th Street Waco, Texas | Monday-Saturday 10am – 5pm

Fans of Fixer Upper will recognize Harp Design Co as the source for many of Jo’s unique custom wood furniture pieces. This store, owned by Clint Harp is another worthwhile Waco stop for one of a kind, locally sourced home decor. There were lots of nice cutting boards, candle sticks and wood slices for sale. In addition, there was also some fun seasonal decor and Harp Design Co. merch. If I wasn’t worried about the weight of my luggage on the return flight, I would have brought back a heart-shaped wooden bowl I fell in love with. But enough about that, can we just stop for a minute and appreciate how amazing the handmade paper flower display looks over the window? It was really beautiful in person! Directly next door is the former home of Clint Harp, featured on an episode of Fixer Upper.

Spice Village

Spice Village | 2nd & Franklin Waco, Texas | Mon-Sat 10-6 & Sun 12-5

Spice Village is an eclectic collection of over 60 boutique-style shops under one roof. Plan to spend a while looking around, because there is just so much to see. I tried to get an assortment of vendors represented, but there were some I didn’t even get a chance to see before closing. Trust me though, there is something for everyone here. From clothing and jewelry to home decor and souvenirs, you will find a variety of styles and personalities here. How funny are those Chip and Jo prayer candles?! I would be in serious trouble if I lived nearby! While many shops are closed on Sunday, the shops at Spice Village are open! Good news if your trip to Waco lands on a weekend!

Waco Mammoth National Monument

When you think of “things to do on a trip to Waco, Texas,” fossils probably don’t enter your mind. However, the Waco Mammoth NM is definitely a worthy addition to your itinerary. This national monument has been part of the National Parks system since 2015. The Waco Mammoth NM is operated in partnership with the City of Waco and Baylor University. This means you won’t be able to use your National Parks Pass. Nevertheless, you will still be able to add another stamp to your National Parks Passport book!  We paid for the tour, which was very informative and lasted about an hour.

During the tour, we learned that a herd of at least 19 Columbian mammoths drowned by rising flood waters from the Bosque River and remained undiscovered until 1978. The excavated mammoths are housed at Baylor University. The remainder of the fossils are still in their original position and can be viewed inside the dig shelter. Scientists estimate there are many more mammoths yet to be uncovered.

McLennan County Courthouse

McLennan County Courthouse | 501 Washington Ave Suite 300 Waco, Texas | Mon – Fri 8 am – 5 pm

If you love neoclassical architecture, then a stop a the McLennan County Courthouse is a must. The McLennan County Courthouse building was built in 1901 and stands as one of Waco’s most beautiful buildings. The neoclassical exterior is constructed of white limestone and granite from local Texan quarries.

Brazos Suspension Bridge/Park

Waco Suspension Bridge | 101 N University Parks Dr Waco, Texas

One of the unplanned stops on our trip to Waco, Texas was the historic suspension bridge that spans the Brazos River. The suspension bridge was completed in 1870 and at this time was used as a crossing for the Chisholm Trail. There is no car traffic on the bridge which makes it an ideal walking path for pedestrians. The old wooden planks are a nice reminder of a time in history when bridges like this were a vital part of a city’s economic revenue and social growth. This bridge was an important step in transporting cotton and cattle to other parts of Texas.

Located at the base of the bridge is an amazing bronze sculpture installment showcasing three cowboys on horseback working a cattle drive. ” Branding the Brazos” pays tribute to Waco’s history on the Chisholm Trail, driving cattle from south Texas to Kansas. This would be an amazing work with even a few longhorns, but this is Texas, so this installment features an entire herd! It is massive. I counted 25 longhorn in total! If you look closely you can see the city of  Waco logo was used as a cattle brand.

Torchy’s Tacos

No trip to Waco, Texas would be complete without visiting Magnolia Market at the Silos. If you would like to read our trip journal from our time at Magnolia Market, start HERE.

I’ve also written an article on How to plan the Perfect Trip to Magnolia Market, Things to Know Before you Go. All the details can be found HERE.