Waco: The Overlooked Texas Weekend Getaway.
Our family was getting ready to head to our annual 4th of July lake getaway when we decided we wanted to do something just the four of us before all the festivities began. Traveling with a toddler and a baby, who is not a fan of the car, we knew that it needed to be somewhere that didn’t have us going too far out of the way of where we were already going. Our oldest has developed a love for all things Chip and Joanna Gaines, so a stop in Waco seemed like the obvious destination choice.
““Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures.””
When we told Hunter where we were going, we had one fired up three year old about a weekend trip to the Silos. We booked a hotel, made all the plans, and talked it up to the littlest Fixer Upper fan. Then we discovered our weekend at the Silos was only actually going to be a Saturday at the Silos. A couple days before we left we discovered that all things Magnolia are closed on Sunday. A detail we didn’t originally take into account.
With our new found information, I took to the internet to see what options were available for our family on Sunday. If nothing was going to be open, we planned on heading to the lake a day early. (We weren’t originally planning on leaving Waco until Monday morning.) Possible activities needed to be close (so we could make it back to the hotel for naptime), kid friendly, as well as something the kids would be interested in. It turns out that within the downtown Waco area, there is the Baylor Campus (complete with a bear habitat), a Zoo, the Silos, the Dr. Pepper Museum, and many restaurants. With options to choose from, we decided to stick to our original plan of staying in Waco on Sunday. Let me tell you, we are so glad that we decided to stay the additional day.
The Dr. Pepper Museum. I’m not going to lie, I was a bit skeptical about this one. Based on the pictures from the internet it looked like it might be a dud. My husband and I were pleasantly surprised, and… my toddler loved it. It was charming in the sense that it felt like you were stepping back in time. The presentation of original machines and the old fashioned bottles were a neat sight to take in. The museum had just enough video and audio options to be interesting but not overwhelming. There were also spots where kids could dress up and take part in an interactive activity. We missed the Liquid Laboratory, but we will definitely make sure to attend this presentation our next visit. Our little scientist would have been enthralled. Your visit ends with a free Dr. Pepper in the soda shop. You can even choose to turn it into a coke float with Blue Bell ice cream!
Baylor University. This was a must for me. It was all about a trip down memory lane. The Hurd Tennis Center here is where I played my first high school state tennis tournament. I definitely had to take the boys and soak in the nostalgia. After visiting the courts, we went searching for bears. A friend had shared that the campus had a bear habitat, so we obviously had to go scope that out. It was an unexpected gem. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it turned out to be a cute little habitat with several viewing windows where you could observe the bears. My husband and I got a kick out of the signs posted near each entrance warning not to bring pets into the habitat. We found it amusing because the signs were pictures of little Scottish Terriers enclosed in a circle with a line through them. I guess our four legged friends would send the bears into a carnivorous frenzy! (Not saying that we wanted those little cuties to be eaten, something about it just struck our funny bone.)
The Silos. You don’t even have to be a Fixer Upper fan to enjoy this place. The Silos are a trifecta of eateries, family time, and shopping. Since we arrived on Saturday afternoon, the Silos was our first stop. As we approached, google maps (in red letters) said “very busy” under its hours. I had never even seen google give a crowd level status before, so I figured that was not a good sign. But we had driven over three hours just for this, and it was not open the following day. So we were committed. As we pulled up we noticed colorful banners strung across the bakery sign. Turns out, not only did we arrive on a Saturday, in the middle of the afternoon, but also during the birthday party weekend. (We planned this very well.) Even with all of these factors, it still never felt too crowded.
If you have never been to the Silos, the bakery is the first thing you approach when you arrive. To help manage the crowds you don’t just walk in. You join a winding line and are given a menu card and a pencil to preselect your desired choices. Once you enter the bakery, you hand the card over and pay. Then you step to the side and wait for your name to be called once your order is ready. My husband took one look at the line outside and was not having it. I convinced him to enter the bakery maze (The line winds back and forth under a tent. Because Jo misses no detail even the ground cover was a decorative grass/stone mix.) and then herded the rest of my family in to the line. Even though we were under the tent, it was hot. People, let me say that again. It. Was. So. Stinkin’. Hot. The kind of hot that has you sweating bullets even under covered shade. I began second guessing my decision to join the line (especially with the baby) and then we were inside. It was incredibly quick and efficient. It was also worth the wait. The cupcakes were AMAZING!
We experienced the same thing inside of Magnolia Market (the shopping portion of the silos). Yes, there were people everywhere. Yes, it was packed inside. Yet, it flowed well. Even with two kids in tow (One in a stroller), we were able to casually walk through the shop without struggle. The inside line to checkout was just as efficient as the bakery line. A detail that makes a destination like this enjoyable and one in which you want to return to. (We are venturing back in the fall once the heat chills out.)
A few more notes on the Silos. The employees are helpful and friendly. The grounds are big enough to spread out and not feel claustrophobic from the crowds. There are food trucks galore! Seriously, if it weren’t for the heat, we would have stayed and grabbed food there. (But we were all sweating our bootys off and the baby’s face looked like a cherry tomato.) If there is any question whether or not you should go, the answer is most definitely a resounding GO!
Lodging. By now you are most likely planning your own trip to Waco since it sounds like such a fun weekend getaway. Which leaves the question of where to stay. There are two places that I would recommend. The first is Hotel Indigo. It is my top choice and definitely the more luxurious of the two. The other recommendation, and where we stayed this trip, is the La Quinta. Let me tell you, I am definitely more of a resort hotel type girl but this place holds its own. The La Quinta has a contemporary flare and is visually appealing. The lobby is a great size with ample place to sit and relax. (Hunter and my husband spent an entire naptime in the lobby one afternoon watching Beauty and the Best.) There is even a bar. (My husband was delighted by this fact.) The beds and pillows are comfortable which is an important detail for me. (I’m a bit particular about this one. A firm bed and flat pillows are a sure way for me to not return to a hotel.)
Eateries. If you do decide to plan a weekend trip to Waco, you’re going to want to add these two places to your dinner itinerary. (Our favorite spots to find are ones that have both good food and a fun atmosphere. These places check off both of those items.):
1. Hecho en Waco. Yelp had this rated at only three stars while we were there. That fact almost had us seeking out a different dinner plan. Yet, the atmosphere was so good that we decided to risk it. After we left, I made sure to add a yelp review because this place was not a three star restaurant. (I wish yelp gave you a half star option. In my opinion this is a 4.5 star rating as it is not my favorite style of Mexican food. I did round up to 5 since I had to choose. They definitely got bonus points for location and atmosphere.) Good food, good drinks, good chips and salsa/queso (It is important to note the last one as salsa and queso can be a miss even if the food is a hit.), and friendly service.
2. Jake’s Texas Tea House. This place is the best of home cooked comfort food. We went on a Saturday when they had live music and were serving family style. This means big portions of your entree and that your table gets every side they are serving that night. Hunter and I got chicken strips and my husband chose the chicken fried steak. The baby was a fan of the cornbread and rolls that were served as well as the mashed potatoes and black eyed pea sides. The portions are big, but make sure and save room for the house made pies! Jake’s gets major points for the atmosphere and cool vibe (The live music definitely adds to the experience). It’s decorated like a classic dinner but with a car shop twist. People were casually walking around taking pictures with the decor. The vibe inside is so chill, that the photo sessions aren’t disruptive at all. From the moment you walk in, the staff treats you like family and you definitely get swept up in the relaxed vibe of the place. Extra bonus points here for the throwback fun for the kids. Kids meals are served in classic Ford food box cars. The tiny humans can also ride a coin operated car or win a prize egg from the vintage clucking chicken coin machine. {Side Note: While we were here, we were sat directly next to Joanna Gaine’s mom and dad. (Thank you Jesus that my offspring did not throw food at them. Our tables were close.) Once they left, a waitress said that she comes in frequently. So don’t be surprised if you bump into her while there.}
There is still plenty of time for your family to plan a weekend getaway this summer. Maybe you now feel inspired to add Waco to your travel plans. If you choose to visit this Texas destination, make sure to tag me in your photos on instagram (@bwynne). I’d love to see you there!
Have fun. Make memories. Enjoy the rest of your summer!
XOXO
More pictures from our Waco getaway. Complete with one in front of the Silos’ Photo wall after a bird flew right at me.
