Waco guide

Things to do in Waco

Things to do in Waco: start with Cameron Park Zoo, Downtown Waco, and Dr Pepper Museum. Use the 48 places below to build a plan around this theme; each place has source-backed details behind its description.

48 places

Places to start with

Doris D Miller Park

Source-backed place · Parks and outdoors

Doris D Miller Park

A powerful downtown monument honoring World War II hero Doris Miller, the first African American to receive the Navy Cross, featu…

Baylor University Campus

Source-backed place · Landmarks

Baylor University Campus

Explore the sprawling 1,000-acre campus of Baylor University, the oldest continually operating university in Texas, nestled along…

Waco Mammoth National Monument

Source-backed place · Landmarks

Waco Mammoth National Monument

Explore the United States' only recorded evidence of an Ice Age Columbian mammoth nursery herd, preserved in situ within a scenic…

Source-backed place · Public art

"Branding the Brazos" Sculptures (Indian Spring Park)

A monumental bronze sculpture series by Robert Summers in Indian Spring Park, depicting a Chisholm Trail cattle drive with three…

Source-backed place · Public art

25th Street Corridor murals and painted streetscape

A vibrant collection of murals and streetscape elements that celebrate the Latinx heritage and creative spirit of Waco's 25th Str…

Source-backed place · Public art

ALICO Building neon crown sign

A striking neon crown sign featuring 15-foot letters that crowns the historic ALICO Building, a landmark that survived a direct h…

Austin Avenue historic corridor

Source-backed place · History

Austin Avenue historic corridor

A historic downtown Waco thoroughfare established in 1849, featuring a diverse mix of 20th-century architectural styles, preserve…

Source-backed place · Theaters and music

Baylor Theatre

Located on the Baylor University campus, the Baylor Theatre is an elite, accredited theatre arts program featuring three distinct…

Source-backed place · Public art

Branding of the Brazos Sculptures

A monumental bronze sculpture series by Robert Summers, depicting a diverse group of cowboys driving 25 longhorn cattle, commemor…

Cameron Park Trail System

Source-backed place · Parks and outdoors

Cameron Park Trail System

Explore the Cameron Park Trail System, a multi-use National Recreation Trail in Waco featuring approximately 26 miles of twisting…

Source-backed place · Landmarks

Cottonland Castle

A historic home designed to resemble a German castle on the Rhine River, echoing Waco's early days as a thriving cotton market.

Source-backed place · History

Earle-Harrison House and Pape Gardens

The Earle-Harrison House is Waco's only restored antebellum home open to the public, featuring a grand Greek Revival-style mansio…

East Terrace

Source-backed place · Museums

East Terrace

An iconic Italianate Villa-style mansion situated above the Brazos River, East Terrace House serves as a museum showcasing the li…

Source-backed place · History

Governor Bill and Vara Daniel Historic Village

A charming collection of nine wood-frame buildings at Baylor University's Mayborn Museum Complex, offering a glimpse into life in…

Historic Waco Foundation museums

Source-backed place · Museums

Historic Waco Foundation museums

A volunteer-driven foundation preserving Waco's heritage through three distinct historic house museums: the McCulloch, East Terra…

Homestead Heritage

Source-backed place · Museums

Homestead Heritage

An agrarian- and craft-based intentional Christian community featuring a 550-acre farm and a Craft Village showcasing award-winni…

Source-backed place · Public art

McLennan County Courthouse dome sculpture group

A striking public art installation featuring the Greek goddess Themis atop a white octagonal dome, surrounded by zinc eagles, cro…

Paul Quinn College site

Source-backed place · History

Paul Quinn College site

The historic site of Paul Quinn College, a pioneering pioneer educational institution for former slaves, has been transformed int…

Waco Downtown Farmers Market

Source-backed place · Markets

Waco Downtown Farmers Market

A vibrant year-round community hub featuring local agricultural producers, artisan vendors, and fresh cuisine from within 150 mil…

Source-backed place · Public art

Dichotomy Rooftop Mural

A hidden rooftop mural spelling out 'Waco' by artist Mike Trozzo, located atop the first public rooftop deck in downtown Waco at…

Source-backed place · Parks and outdoors

Indian Spring Park

A historic riverfront park in downtown Waco, serving as the site of the original Waco Indian settlement and hosting the 'Branding…

Lover’s Leap

Source-backed place · Viewpoints

Lover’s Leap

A breathtaking, high-altitude outlook in Cameron Park, offering expansive views of the Brazos River and the Waco countryside, ste…

Praetorian Building

Source-backed place · History

Praetorian Building

A historic seven-story skyscraper in Waco, designed in the Chicago School style, that survived the catastrophic 1953 tornado and…

Source-backed place · Public art

Starry Night mural

A vibrant rendition of Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night, this community-driven mural stands out against a plain brown brick buildi…