Waco

Around Waco

Photo: HuecoBear · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Metro area · Texas · 307k people

Waco

“Heart of Texas”

Where the Brazos winds through Texas soul

Baylor goldBaylor green

Join the room Ask the neighbours

Welcome to Waco, where the Brazos runs through town and the Baylor spirit is everywhere. Grab a Dr Pepper, hit the river trail, and you'll feel at home in no time.

Clubs for Waco

No clubs for Waco yet.

The room

One room for everyone around Waco. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

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Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Waco. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

  • Baylor University campus Historic campus with Georgian architecture and McLane Stadium.
  • Dr Pepper Museum Located in the original bottling plant, celebrating the soft drink.
  • Magnolia Market at the Silos Shops, a garden lawn and a food-truck park around two old cotton silos.
  • Waco Mammoth National Monument Fossil site of Columbian mammoths, with an excavation shelter.
  • Cameron Park Large city park with trails, cliffs, and river access.
  • Brazos River Central waterway for kayaking, fishing, and riverfront walks.
  • Outdoors Hike the trails at Cameron Park
  • Outdoors Kayak or paddleboard on the Brazos River
  • With kids Cameron Park Zoo
  • With kids Mayborn Museum Complex
  • Evenings Baylor-area bars and live music
  • Evenings brewery taprooms
  • Locals love barbecue joints
  • Locals love coffee shops

Through the year

  • Heart O' Texas Fair & Rodeo October The region's biggest annual fair with rodeo, carnival, and livestock shows.
  • Brazos Nights Summer Free outdoor summer concert series on the riverfront.
  • Waco Cultural Arts Fest April Downtown festival celebrating local art, music, and food.
  • Baylor Bears football games Fall Big home games at McLane Stadium draw the whole town.
  • Waco Marathon April Spring race through the city and along the river.

Waco has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The best times to be out are spring (March–May) and fall (September–November). Best: Spring and fall are ideal – mild temps and low humidity.

Talk like a local

“Silos”
Refers to Magnolia Market at the Silos.
“Dr Pepper”
The local soft drink, often called 'Dr P'.
“Brazos”
The river, pronounced 'BRAY-zus'.
“Baylor”
The university, pronounced 'BAY-lor'.

Getaways

  • Killeen–Temple Fort Hood, Belton Lake, Stillhouse Hollow and the Temple railroad museum.
  • Corsicana Known for Collin Street Bakery fruitcakes and a historic square.
  • Granbury A charming town with a lake, historic opera house, and wineries.
  • Stephenville The Cowboy Capital of the World, with rodeos and western culture.

Local flavour

Teams

  • Baylor Bears NCAA Division I

Also rooting for Dallas Cowboys (NFL), Texas Rangers (MLB), Dallas Mavericks (NBA), Dallas Stars (NHL)

Eat and drink

  • Dr Pepper Invented in Waco in 1885; locals take pride in the iconic soda, often as a float.
  • Texas BBQ brisket Central Texas barbecue tradition, with several local smokehouses.
  • Chicken fried steak A Texas staple, served with cream gravy at diners and family restaurants.
  • Kolaches

Where people go

  • Baylor University campus Historic campus with iconic architecture, including Pat Neff Hall and McLane Stadium.
  • Dr Pepper Museum Located in the original bottling plant, celebrating the soda's Waco roots.
  • Magnolia Market at the Silos The Fixer Upper–made famous destination, a symbol of modern Waco's revival.
  • Waco Mammoth National Monument A paleontological site with Columbian mammoth fossils, a nod to the area's ancient past.
  • Cameron Park One of Texas's largest municipal parks, with cliffs, trails, and views of the Brazos.
  • Brazos River The river that runs through town, central to recreation and local identity.

Heritage and traditions

Waco is proud of its blend of Texas history, Baylor University's Baptist heritage, and its modern revival as a destination for faith, family, and creativity.

This time of year in Waco

  • Silobration October Magnolia's fall festival with food, music, and seasonal shopping at the Silos.
  • Baylor football fall Fall Tailgating and game-day traditions on campus, with a sea of green and gold.
  • Silobration October Magnolia's annual fall festival at the Silos, with food trucks, live music, and seasonal shopping.

Say it like a local: “Y'all” — You all.

Festivals

  • Waco's Fourth of July July Fireworks over the Brazos River, with live music and family activities at the riverfront.
  • Waco Pride June A growing celebration of the LGBTQ+ community with a parade, vendors, and entertainment.
  • Juneteenth June Commemorates the end of slavery with music, food, and historical reflections.
  • Cinco de Mayo May Celebrated with Mexican food, folklorico dance, and mariachi bands.
  • Diadeloso April Baylor's spring festival since 1932, with games, food, and live music on campus.
  • Silobration October Magnolia's annual fall festival at the Silos, with food trucks, live music, and seasonal shopping.

Landmarks with a story

  • Earle-Napier-Kinnard House A Greek Revival mansion built in 1858, one of the oldest surviving homes in Waco.
  • Texas Sports Hall of Fame Honors Texas athletes and coaches, including Baylor legends and Olympic champions.
  • Waco Hippodrome Theatre A restored 1914 vaudeville and movie palace, now hosting live performances and films.
  • McLennan County Courthouse A 1901 courthouse with a distinctive clock tower, a symbol of local governance.
  • Armstrong Browning Library At Baylor, it houses the world's largest collection of Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning materials, with stunning stained glass.

Food traditions

  • Tamales at Christmas A Mexican tradition passed down through generations, with families making batches for the holidays.
  • Street tacos From food trucks and taquerias, these are a staple of Waco's food scene, especially along I-35.
  • Pecan pie Texas pecans are a local favorite, baked into pies for holidays and gatherings.
  • Tex-Mex Combining Texas and Mexican flavors, from enchiladas to fajitas, served with queso and salsa.
  • Fried catfish A Brazos River tradition, often served with hushpuppies and coleslaw at local fish camps.

Music and arts

  • Waco's mural scene Colorful murals adorn downtown buildings, celebrating local history and culture.
  • Baylor's music programs From the symphony to the marching band, Baylor brings classical and contemporary music to Waco.
  • Texas country and blues Local venues host live music, from honky-tonk to blues, reflecting the state's musical heritage.

A little history

  • 1849 Waco founded as a village on the Brazos River.
  • 1870 Waco Suspension Bridge completed, first bridge across the Brazos.
  • 1953 A devastating tornado strikes Waco, killing 114 people.
  • 1978 Discovery of the Waco Mammoth site, a nursery of Columbian mammoths.
  • 1993 The Waco siege at the Branch Davidian compound.

Rivalries

  • Baylor vs Texas A&M An old Southwest Conference rivalry, rarely played since 2011.
  • Baylor vs TCU Current Big 12 rivalry with high-stakes games.
  • Waco vs Temple Friendly rivalry for bragging rights in Central Texas.
  • Game day Friday night lights
  • Game day Baylor tailgating
  • Outdoors Visit the Waco Wetlands
  • Outdoors Play a round at a local golf course
  • With kids Texas Sports Hall of Fame
  • With kids Waco Hippodrome Theatre

Wacoans speak with a Central Texas drawl, using 'y'all' and 'fixin' to.' Spanish phrases are common due to the Hispanic community, and 'Waco' is pronounced 'WAV-ko.'

Only here

  • The Waco Mammoth site is the largest known nursery of Columbian mammoths.
  • Baylor University is the largest Baptist university in the world.
  • The Waco Suspension Bridge was the first bridge across the Brazos River.
  • The name 'Waco' comes from the Huaco Indian tribe.
New here? A few tips
  • Embrace the heat: summers are hot and humid, so stay hydrated and wear sunscreen.
  • Learn the 'Sic 'em Bears' chant to fit in with Baylor fans on game days.
  • Explore the historic downtown district for unique shops and eateries beyond the tourist spots.
  • Try a taco from a local food truck for a true Waco experience.
  • Check out the Armstrong Browning Library's stunning stained glass—it's a hidden gem.

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Nearby

Every area
Hill CountyTexasSmall-town Texas, big-hearted.MexiaTexasWhere the blackland prairie meets the piney woods.Killeen–TempleTexasWhere the Hill Country meets the heart of Texas.CorsicanaTexasFruitcake capital, Texas proud.Glen RoseTexasSmall town, big tracks.Milam CountyTexasWhere the Brazos bends and the prairie meets the skyGranburyTexasWhere Texas history meets lakeside living.StephenvilleTexasSmall town, big cowboy heart

Waco, TX. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.

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