Location: Waco
Top Things to do in Waco
Countries
The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Waco, Texas (TX)
Waco (/ˈweɪkoʊ/ WAY-koh) is a city which is the county seat of McLennan County, Texas, United States. It is situated along the Brazos River and I-35, halfway between Dallas and Austin. The city had a 2010 population of 124,805, making it the 22nd-most populous city in the state. The US Census 2016 population estimate is 134,432 The Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area consists of McLennan and Falls Counties, which had a 2010 population of 234,906. Falls County was added to the Waco MSA in 2013. The US Census 2017 population estimate for the Waco MSA is 268,696.
Restaurants in Waco
1. Brazos Bluffs Ranch
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 398 reviews
Enjoy a horseback ride along the rim of our limestone bluff overlooking the Brazos River valley and over scenic trails through the woods and pastures of our ranch. Our trail riding tour is fun for any experience level and its for ages 6 and up.
2. Waco River Safari
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 993 reviews
Hop aboard our 2 1/2 hour tour and hear about oil barons, Hells Half Acer, Stockyards and much more.
3. Waco Wine Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 56 reviews
We offer luxury, guided tours of local wineries and vineyards. Come along for a four hour excursion featuring fine wines, great views, a picnic lunch, and a friendly tour guide.
4. Painting with a Twist
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 128 reviews
Reviewed By Texangirlwaco
I highly recommend using Painting with a Twist for an afternoon or evening with friends! It is very relaxing and the instructors seem more like friends than employees of the business. A great way to have a fun day, and you don't have to know how to paint to do it!
5. Waco Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,116 reviews
Looking for an unforgettable, refreshing, and fun experience in Waco, Texas? We truly love Waco and want you to discover all that you can during your visit. Whether it is through our Classic Tour, River Cruise or Texas Experience, we’ll showcase the rich history, homes, hidden gems, and ongoing revitalization of a city that is captivating the hearts of people all over the world. You’ll be inspired by our passionate and personable guides who will also highlight the hot spots you've seen on TV, as well as the best places to shop, eat, and play to maximize your Waco experience. You'll leave with stories to tell, photos to share, and memories to last a lifetime. Waco Tours tops the list - just look at our EXCELLENT reviews. Let us show you around!
6. Brazos Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 607 reviews
See the Fixer Upper homes, shops, landmarks, and surprises from the HGTV show in Waco, Texas. You never know what will happen on one of our 2.5 hours tour. You usually get to go inside a Chip and Joanna designed home from the show and meet Jimmy Don! Our 5 star rated tour guides keep you engaged and entertained while showing you Waco in a way you never would imagine. Brazos Tours also gives back to Waco as with every seat purchased, a donation is made to Mission Waco.
7. Homestead Heritage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 229 reviews
Homestead Heritage is an agrarian- and craft-based intentional Christian community. Its literature stresses simplicity, sustainability, self-sufficiency, cooperation, service and quality craftmanship.
8. Cameron Park Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 987 reviews
Reviewed By thunderbird307 - Temple, United States
This zoo is PERFECT for little kids. It's just the right size to see everything before they get tired/cranky and has rest places (including a slide through the otters and a series seperate playground) and restrooms in just exactly the right places. Definitely bring a stroller for kids under 4 or so though. Even when the parking lot is packed, it does not feel busy or crowded inside. My kids' favorite things are the giraffes, orangutans (where you can often see the baby), and the two-headed snake, which is in the Brazos River room, and of course all the places to play. We have zoo membership passes and regularly visit from ~30 miles away - it's SO worth it.
9. Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,063 reviews
Reviewed By kathyt3222
Prior to visiting the museum my knowledge of the Texas Rangers was The Lone Ranger movies I watched as a kid. The video presentation is very informative for an overview of who they are and what they do. I have new admiration for the people who are Rangers and what they do. You will get your fill of old west history and see lots of guns and western paraphernalia.
10. Mayborn Museum Complex
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 325 reviews
The Mayborn Museum Complex brings together, in one location, the resources of hands-on discovery rooms and interactive natural science and cultural history galleries, including outdoor exhibits. This rich combination provides a wide spectrum of engaging learning opportunities for learners and visitors of all ages.
Reviewed By pdsixty8 - Austin, United States
I read about the Mayborn Museum in a travel magazine article and marked it as a place to see while in Waco. This museum was easy to find with a small lot in front which provided free parking. The building itself looked impressive with a colonial style architecture. Since it is located on the campus of Baylor University students get in free but we generously paid our adult admissions. As a brief note this natural history museum may not big as big as the Smithsonian but contains a little of everything from local wildlife, heritage, fossils, University culture and children educational exhibits. We walked through a maze of rooms and surprised how well everything was presented and organized. It’s well thought out and professionally designed. You can learn everything about the history of the lower Brazos region at one location. Outside in the museum’s backyard contains the western Historic Village with buildings from the 1800s brought here. You can go inside some of the buildings like the church were I heard a small girl playing an upright piano and a schoolhouse where another child was trying to write cursive on a chalkboard. It’s all very interactive. Giant pecan trees provided shade and pecans if wanted to snack on. While back inside found a nice history and collection of Baylor University mementos, store and coffee shop. There are lots of corridors leading to different sections of the museum from the lobby where one leads to a huge area designated like a children’s museum. There was even a traveling exhibit for little ones. It was late in the day but able to explore it all a little over 2 hours before they closed. I thought the whole Mayborn Museum package was well done and recommended it for those visiting Waco in learning about a different part of Texas.
