This Texas Town Is Quickly Becoming One Of The State's Hottest Tourist Destinations
By Katie Lawrence|Published May 08, 2018
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
When we think of tourist cities in Texas, Austin, San Antonio, and other Hill Country towns typically come to mind first – definitely not Waco… at least, not until now. With Chip and Joanna Gaines taking over the TV, this college community has seen more visitors in the past year than ever before. And although the couple might be the primary reason for the sudden onslaught, they’ve also helped draw attention to the preexisting attractions in the city that tend to get overlooked. See for yourself:
Magnolia Market sees an average of 30,000 visitors per week - nearly 1.6 million annually - that's more traffic than some of our state's most popular tourist attractions (like the Alamo) receive!
Otherwise known as "The Silos," Magnolia Market is a 2.5-acre piece of property with a retail shop, bakery, outdoor decor store. This is the main building, where you'll find tons of home goods designed with Joanna's style in mind.
The Silos Baking Co. is where you'll go to satisfy your sweet tooth after a long day of shopping. Many of the treats are Joanna's original recipes, including cupcakes, cookies, biscuits, and tons of other delicious bites.
And if you're hungry for some real food, there are dozens of trucks on site serving up unique, delicious fare. You'll kill two birds with one stone: filling your rumbling belly and supporting local small businesses!
Before heading out, you have to stop by Magnolia Seed and Supply. This is where you'll find outdoor decorations and even plants to help spruce up your landscaping. Your house is sure to be the talk of the neighborhood this summer!
With a modern yet homey atmosphere, the Table emphasizes fresh and hearty meals made with locally-sourced ingredients (many from Joanna's own garden!) Some menu options include fluffy pancakes with strawberry butter, juicy burgers, and lemon lavender donut holes.
Before the Gaines family took the town by storm, Waco already had plenty of activities for tourists to enjoy - like the Dr. Pepper Museum. This building has been around since 1906 and served as the first place where our favorite soft drink was bottled.
There's also the Waco Mammoth National Monument, the only paleontological site in the nation where a nursery herd of Colombian mammoths was discovered. You'll see females and male mammoths as well as a camel that all lived approximately 70,000 years ago.
Lastly, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum gives you an inside look into how the most revered law enforcement agency in the state has operated over the years. Actual revolvers and uniforms used bu the officers are on display, and you'll walk away with so much knowledge about the Rangers that you could practically become one!
