Welcome to the heart of Texas! Waco is not just a city, it’s a treasure trove of fun in this bustling city with a small-town feel. It’s the perfect little getaway for families eager to make some lasting memories together without having to spend a fortune. It’s also a perfect getaway for moms looking for a girls’ weekend!
You can spend your days exploring everything from the bustling Magnolia Market to the expansive Cameron Park, all while soaking in the rich history and welcoming vibe that Texans are famous for. Our three days in Waco were filled with drool-worthy eats and drinks, fabulous shopping, and picturesque outdoor spots. Let’s dive into our three-day itinerary that promises enjoyment for everyone in your crew without running you ragged or draining your pocketbook. Grab your family and let’s get started on planning your 3 days in Waco!
This post may contain affiliate links, which pay me a small referral fee. I only recommend things that I trust and would use myself.
Get to Waco
We live in Fort Worth, so it’s an “easy” 1.5-hour trip south on I-35. (There’s a reason we Texans have a love/hate relationship with I-35). If flying in from out of town, the closest airport is Waco Regional Airport. Currently, American Airlines is the primary passenger airline offering direct and connecting flights to Waco, linking Waco with major hubs and thereby to destinations worldwide. Once at the airport, you can easily rent a car or Uber to your destination.
You could also check for flights to Austin, which is 90 miles south of Waco or fly into Dallas-Fort Worth, which is 90 miles north of Waco. With 3 airports less than a 2-hour drive from Waco, you’ve got plenty of options.
Stay in Waco
There are plenty of places to stay in Waco. We are working on racking up our Marriott nights right now and knew we wanted to stay Downtown so we didn’t have to drive much during our 3 days in Waco. We picked an ideal location for our time in Waco! We stayed Downtown at the Courtyard by Marriott. It was perfect because we rarely had to get in the car. We could easily walk around Downtown, to Spice Village and the Suspension Bridge. It kept us more active and we could avoid fighting any traffic. And parking at the hotel was FREE! Score!
The hotel itself was quiet, pet-friendly, and clean. We reserved a suite and had plenty of room for our family of 5 (and a kitty), with the sofa and extra rollaway bed they provided. While it didn’t include free breakfast, they did offer free coffee and typically had some fresh fruit and fruit-infused water available for free, as well.
The girls were hoping to swim in the “heated” outdoor pool, but it was definitely not heated, so that was out of the question with the 50-degree mornings we had that week. So if you want to swim, pick warmer months.
As Marriott Bonvoy Elite members, we are fortunate to get late check-out at 4 pm. This is a huge benefit and allows us to enjoy our destination that final day without feeling like we have to rush out the door. We love the perks of being Bonvoy Elite members and credit card holders and all of the points and free hotel stays we have accumulated throughout the years. We’ve saved thousands of dollars!!! I highly recommend looking into Marriott Bonvoy for your family if you want to stay at amazing hotels for free!
Eat in Waco
Waco is a foodie’s heaven, There’s no shortage of mom-and-pop cafes, breweries, food trucks, and trendy restaurants. There’s no way I could list them all or fit as many in as I would like to during our 3 days in Waco.
Here are a few Waco faves from this trip and past visits:
Health Camp
Contrary to its name, this place will set you back a couple of thousand calories easily. But it’s dang good! Think retro digs, old-time hamburgers, crispy fries, tots, onion rings, and over 30 flavors of malts and milkshakes. This place has been around since 1948 for a good reason! Health Camp is always at the top of our list when we’re in Waco.
Vitek’s Market
We didn’t make it there on this trip, but this famous barbecue spot is a favorite for a reason. Their Gut Pak is legendary, despite the interesting name. And if your family has some vegetarians like us, you can still enjoy their giant spuds and delish sides.
Southern Roots Brewing Company
When you’re itching for pizza and beer, Southern Roots Brewing has the hook-up. Order a couple of large pizzas to share and some of their flagship or seasonal beers brewed on-site. Plus, you’ll love the relaxed and welcoming environment, with lots of card and board games available to play while you dine. It’s the perfect casual spot to hang out with the kids or friends and chow down on some legit pies.
Magnolia Table
We unfortunately haven’t made it in yet, but if you’re headed to Waco, you might be dying to try Magnolia Table, Joanna Gaines’ restaurant in the Historic Elite Cafe Building. With a beautifully designed interior and tempting menu offerings, the rave reviews confirm this is a must-visit while in Waco.
George’s
Another long-time Waco spot, George’s is a classic for a big American breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s not fancy but it sure is good! It has some typical greasy spoon offerings, like its award-winning chicken fried steak, and a huge assortment of traditional sports bar food, as well. With its full bar, it’s a great spot to catch a game or hang with a group of friends or the family.
Union Hall
If you can’t agree on what to eat, head to Union Hall. This food court-style eatery has over a dozen vendors, so you can find food to make everyone happy. We stopped in for the gelato and it was divine. Food halls are always a go-to for our family, and we loved finding Union Hall when we were wandering around Downtown Waco.
Bitty and Beau’s Coffee
While it’s not just specific to Waco, Bitty and Beau’s Coffee is a chain that you’ll love to get behind. They’re a self-described “human rights movement disguised as a coffee shop.” They’re dedicated to offering people with disabilities a place to work and to add value. It’s a beautiful little coffee shop that is empowering the special needs community while also educating the public on the inherent value of each individual no matter their abilities. It’s money well spent, in my opinion. And it’s dang tasty, too!
3 Days in Waco Itinerary
Here’s a quick recap of our 3 days in Waco. We left quite a bit of space for downtime and leisure. None of us love to pack our schedule full. We enjoy and value rest time on our vacations, but you could easily fit in more sights if that’s your family’s speed! We also choose to do activities that don’t require any spending. I prefer spending my vacation money on my belly (LOL) over activities with a big price tag, but you can tweak your activities for your own family’s budget and likes. We’re all different, so to each their own!
Day 1: Travel and Downtown Waco
Morning: Travel We packed up ourselves and the kitty cat and headed to Waco with plans to arrive after lunchtime. Since our hotel didn’t provide free breakfast, we decided to make a pitstop in West, Texas for some of this Czech town’s famous kolaches, so we could eat in the hotel room and save a bit of money. The Czech Stop didn’t disappoint! After we were armed with a couple dozen different kolaches for breakfasts and snacks, we headed on to check in at our hotel in Waco.
Afternoon: Coffee and Chill After we arrived, our girls and the kitty made themselves comfy in the room with no intention of leaving for the next few hours. The hubs and I were ready to get outdoors and explore around our hotel, so with my high schooler in charge of the kids and cat, we walked over to Bitty and Beau’s for an iced coffee.
It was bustling and for a good reason! Not only is the coffee top-notch, but you are also supporting an incredible cause and helping to support special needs teens and adults. Plus, it’s the perfect location and environment for relaxing or working remotely. We made a note to come back before we left town and then headed back to check on the kiddos.
Late Afternoon/Evening: Dinner and Dessert in Downtown I use the term evening loosely. We are early birds when it comes to dinner. So around 5 pm, when the tummies started to rumble, we wrapped up our first day back in Downtown Waco at Southern Roots Brewing Company for some pizza, a couple of rounds of Uno, and a beer and cider for the grown-ups. It was a 10-minute walk from our hotel, so we got to see a lot of Downtown and eye some cute little boutiques my 12-year-old and I were determined to visit before we left.
After dinner and the sweet tooth hit, we scoped out a gelato spot inside Union Hall. We tried a few different flavors, but the favorite was the Sea Salt Caramel gelato. It was drool-worthy. And we were so excited to eat it that we didn’t even get a pic to show you how glorious it looked. But take my word for it: it’s divine.
After all that eating, the food coma was hitting and the afternoon caffeine had worn off, so we wandered back to our hotel and stayed put for the night.
Day 2: Shopping and Leisure
Morning: Magnolia Market When you visit Waco, it’s just a give-in that you should start your Waco adventure at the Magnolia Silos. The Magnolia Silos area is a must-visit for fans of Chip and Joanna Gaines. While I wouldn’t consider myself a huge fan, it was still impressive and a beautiful spot to explore in Waco.
This market isn’t just a place to shop—it’s a whole experience for all ages. You could easily spend hours here. While parents might enjoy admiring the gorgeously crafted home decor, kids and adults alike can enjoy the spacious lawn for a game of cornhole or chase bubbles. And don’t miss the Silos Baking Company for a delicious cupcake or two! (Just be prepared for a long line!)
And if you’re arriving on a weekend or holiday, be prepared for crowds! If possible, plan your visit for a weekday in the off-season. You’ll be able to enjoy it so much more!
If you have time after visiting the shops at the silos, you could easily plan a visit to the Dr. Pepper Museum, which is just down the street. I thought it would be fun to visit the museum but no one in my family had any interest, mostly since none of us are Dr. Pepper fans (I know, that is completely totally un-Texan.) And I learned a long time ago that if no one wants to do it, don’t waste the effort or money.
The Dr. Pepper Museum is open daily for tours for $10 a person and includes a Dr Pepper from their soda fountain. You can also just visit the soda fountain on sight without a tour ticket, so if you’re a Dr. Pepper fan, you’ll love this Waco gem!
Afternoon: Lunch and Shopping When we come to Waco, we always eat at Fazoli’s. It’s a fave from my childhood, and I’ve shared that love of their garlic butter-drenched breadsticks with my girls. Droooooool. Plus, it’s cheap and quick for when we need an affordable and fast little lunch.
After you’ve engorged in all the carbs, you can attempt to keep yourself awake and burn off a bit of that bread with a walk downtown. We scoped out some shopping and enjoyed the gorgeous Spring weather. You can’t hardly beat springtime in Texas! By this time, we were all dragging and decided to deal with our over-full bellies the professional way: A NAP.
After a quick nap, my twelve-year-old and I left the other 3 sleepy heads at the hotel and walked over to Spice Village, located in the 1908 Waco Hardware building.
This shopper’s paradise features over 60 boutiques under one roof, offering unique gifts, home decor, and fashion. It’s a fantastic place for finding souvenirs and supporting local artisans.
We are the only ones who enjoy shopping in our family, and we love to hunt for a deal. After digging around, my daughter found the cutest little ivory faux leather jacket on clearance and a precious houndstooth turtle neck that is just the cutest ever on her. And bonus, we only spent $35!
After a successful shopping trip, it was back to the hotel to decide on dinner.
Late Afternoon/ Evening: Suspension Bridge and Dinner Even though our hotel was practically across the street from the Waco Suspension Bridge and we had walked past it multiple times when we were headed Downtown, we still hadn’t walked across it. This iconic structure offers a glimpse into the city’s past and stunning views of the Brazos River. And it’s a great spot for family photos!
We had to hop in the car for dinner, so we could head over to Health Camp. This wasn’t our initial foray there, so we were already drooling at the thought of some crispy tots and one of their incredible milkshakes. This little burger shop gets pretty busy at mealtimes, so if you can get there early to beat the rush, you’ll be glad you did.
We were completely worthless after that meal, so we called it a day and headed back to the hotel to hang out for the evening.
Day 3: Shopping/Outdoors/Head Home
Morning: Waco River Walk and Downtown Shopping The Waco River Walk is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll, run, or bike ride. It spans both sides of the Brazos River and connects Cameron Park to Downtown to Baylor University. With plans for a 30-minute walk, we strapped the kitty cat on our backs in his cat backpack and headed out on the cool, spring morning.
We started at Washington Avenue, crossed over on the Suspension Bridge, and wandered over to Martin Luther King Jr Park. You’ll see an impressive mural of MLK Jr. and the March on Washington.
There was also an incredibly beautiful Memorial for Waco-born Doris Miller, a WWII hero from the Attack of Pearl Harbor.
If you’re looking for a relaxing way to enjoy Waco and take in the scenery around the Brazos, you could book a Brazos Morning or Sunset Boat Tour. This 2-hour tour makes multiple stops to allow you time to capture photos and explore the landmarks. It was out of the budget for our family this time, but if you’re short on time, it would be a great way to take in more of the beauty and history of Waco
After our walk, we dropped the kitty off at the hotel and then headed downtown for a last little jaunt. Mae and I hadn’t forgotten about those boutiques we scoped out on our first night there, so we convinced everyone to head downtown so we could shop a bit. They lasted about 10 minutes at the first boutique before we shooed them out the door and promised to meet up for lunch in a bit. There are so many charming little boutiques in Downtown Waco, and I can’t wait to go back when we have more time to wander around.
Afternoon: Lunch, Coffee Stop, the Bear Habitat and Cameron Park
The girls were craving some Asian food for lunch, and we previously spotted a little Japanese spot near Spice Village, just a 5-minute walk from our hotel. It was quick and tasty and satisfied everyone. And since we highly value napping on vacation in our family, we headed back to the hotel for some shut-eye.
I knew we were leaving that afternoon, and I was dying to head back to Bitty and Beau’s one more time, so I promised my youngest a smoothie if she’d come with me. We sat outside on their patio and savored our drinks before we knew we needed to head back to pack up and check out by 4 pm.
A little before 4, we checked out of the hotel with two more spots on our list: the Baylor Bear Habitat and Cameron Park. My husband said he’d drop us off by the Bears because parking is a struggle around there! We were so bummed to find out that they weren’t out that afternoon! Womp womp. Next time!
So, on to Cameron Park, one of my favorite places in Waco! We were happy to find another tuxedo cat in a backpack carrier. (Yay, cat. moms!) The two younger girls played on the Pecan Bottom playground for a bit while the rest of us enjoyed the views of the Brazos and the natural scenery.
The 416-acre Cameron Park offers so much to visitors, including multiple playgrounds, splash pads, hiking on trails like the well-known Jacob’s Ladder, mountain bike trails, an incredible zoo, and more. You could easily spend an entire day here if your family loves the outdoors. (I’m still working on my crew.)
After an hour, we knew we needed to get back and check on our other kitties, so we loaded up the car and made the 1.5-hour trek back to Fort Worth. So long, Waco!
Wrapping Up- 3 Days in Waco
As our 3 days in Waco came to a close, we left with happy kids, full bellies, and some fun memories. It’s one of my favorite Texas towns, with its blend of culture, history, and natural beauty. With so much to see and do, there’s something for everyone here. It’s ideal for day trips from Fort Worth, Dallas, and Austin, or longer getaways. Either way, you can’t go wrong with a quick visit to Waco. Let me know your favorite spots in Waco!
And if you’re ready to plan your 3 days in Waco, sign up on the form below to receive a free travel planner!
