Introduction
Magnolia is a small town in Central Texas, known for its gorgeous scenery and slower pace of life. While the town is best known for being home to famous designer Joanna Gaines and her store, Magnolia Market, it’s also full of natural beauty and family-friendly activities that are sure to keep you busy for days on end. Here are 14 things you absolutely must do in Magnolia:
Magnolia Market
Magnolia Market is a retail destination that offers everything from food, to gifts, and home decor. What makes Magnolia Market so special? It’s the fact that it’s located in Waco, Texas—a city not known for its culinary scene. However, this place has the best of everything: excellent food options (including an all-you-can-eat buffet called The Farmhouse), fun activities like painting classes, or attending a kids’ cooking class with chefs making cookies or cupcakes right before your eyes (all while learning how to make fresh pasta).
Also, check out their garden center which has amazing plants and flowers—you will be surprised by what you can find here!
Silos Baking Co.
Silos Baking Co. is the perfect place to satisfy your sweet tooth. With a wide selection of sweets and baked goods, this bakery has something for everyone. You’ll want to try everything (especially their famous cupcakes), but we recommend starting with their homemade soups and sandwiches, which are always delicious options on rainy days like these. If you need a little more time to make up your mind, grab a seat at one of their tables and enjoy one of their specialty coffees while you decide!
The Biscuit Bar
The Biscuit Bar is a restaurant, located in Magnolia Market. It serves breakfast and lunch with a variety of biscuits. The menu includes Sweet Potato, Chicken & Waffle, Chicken Fried Steak, and other Southern staples. They also have specialty dishes such as Fried Green Tomatoes & Avocado Toast and Southwestern Biscuits with Ancho Chile Gravy.
The patio offers views of the Silos while you enjoy your meal!
Magnolia Table
Magnolia Table is located in the Silos and has a farm-to-table concept. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as coffee and pastries. It also has a bakery, gift shop, and cafe that sells Magnolia merchandise.
The menu consists of Southern-inspired dishes such as shrimp and grits or fried chicken served with waffles. There is also an extensive wine list if you’re looking for something to pair with your meal!
Waco Suspension Bridge
The Waco Suspension Bridge is a National Historic Landmark and the only one of its kind in the US. The bridge was built in 1870, making it the oldest suspension bridge still standing anywhere in America.
Waco’s famous landmark spans 400 feet across the Brazos River and is over 300 feet above it (that’s about as high as a 10-story building). The bridge was built before Waco became known for being home to Baylor University, so its history goes back much further than that!
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum is a great place to visit if you want to learn more about the history of Texas Rangers. This museum will allow you to learn about some of their most famous cases, as well as some lesser-known facts about them. You can also see exhibits that are dedicated to specific individuals who have served as Rangers in the past.
Dr. Pepper Museum
Located in Waco, Texas, the Dr. Pepper Museum is a fun place to visit if you’re looking for something to do in Magnolia. The museum is open from 9:30 am to 5 pm on weekdays and 11 am to 4 pm on weekends. It is closed on major holidays.
Mayborn Museum Complex
One of the best things to do in Magnolia is the Mayborn Museum Complex. The museum complex is a non-profit organization and was founded by Robert Mayborn in 1975. Its main attraction is the Waco Mammoth National Monument, which houses over 10,000 artifacts from around the world.
While walking through this museum you will see different kinds of artwork ranging from paintings to sculptures made out of everything from stone and clay to metal or even paper.
Cameron Park Zoo
Magnolia’s Cameron Park Zoo is a great place to spend a day with your family, learning about the animals of Africa, Asia, and South America. It’s also free, so you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank. The zoo has over 1,000 animals and is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm in Waco, Texas. Admission is free but donations are welcome!
The zoo features giraffes that visitors can feed lettuce at feeding stations throughout the grounds. A walk-through aviary lets visitors get up close with lemurs as they prance around on top of their tree branches—or even inside your hair if you let them climb on you! You can also visit an otter exhibit where these playful creatures will swim around or just sit back and relax in their pool while watching people pass by through thick glass walls that keep them safe from prying fingers (and selfies).
Homestead Heritage Craft Village
Homestead Heritage Craft Village is a fun place to visit. The craft village has many things to do, see and eat. There is also a lot of shopping available for those who want to purchase items from the village.
Homestead Heritage Craft Village offers many different activities for visitors including:
- A petting zoo
- Farmers market
- Antique store
- Ice cream parlor
Waco Mammoth National Monument
The Waco Mammoth National Monument is an easy day trip from Magnolia. The park’s hours of operation are 9 am to 5 pm, and it’s open every day except Christmas and Thanksgiving. The cost is $10 per person—$5 if you have an America the Beautiful Pass. There are also guided tours available for $20 per person.
To get there, head south on I-35 until you reach exit 289 (also known as Loop 340). Then turn right onto FM 2246, which takes you straight into Waco Mammoth National Monument.
Hawaiian Falls Waco
Hawaiian Falls Waco is a waterpark with two separate outdoor and indoor areas. This park is open year-round, so there’s no need to worry about missing out on any fun in the sun.
The Hawaiian Falls Waco Indoor Waterpark is home to the largest wave pool in Texas! It also has numerous slides, including the state’s only uphill body slide, which is sure to make you feel like a kid again. The lazy river is great for relaxing after a long day of playing around outside or taking advantage of your time off from work or school by heading over here during spring break.
For those who want their children to have some fun on their own at Hawaiian Falls Waco without having them run wild throughout its facilities, there’s also an Aqua Playground play area where kids can enjoy themselves while parents relax nearby or get some work done while they supervise their little ones’ activities through its large windows that look into each room individually (rather than just one big window).
Cottonland Castle Theme Park & Waterpark
Cotton and Castle Theme Park & Waterpark is a water park in Waco. The park has a variety of rides, including a roller coaster and an 18-hole mini golf course. Cotton also offers an interactive splash pad for kids, as well as an Olympic-sized pool with a diving board. The park is open from May to September.
Takeaway:
The key takeaway from this article is that Magnolia is a great place to live, work, and play.
It’s got all the ingredients for a great community: friendly people, good schools, and lots of businesses to keep you busy.
So if you’re looking for a new home in the Houston area, visit Magnolia. You’ll see what we mean!
Conclusion
Magnolia is a charming and beautiful city, with lots of history and culture to explore. It’s also home to the Magnolia Silos, which are just as much fun to visit as they were when they were first built! Whether you’re looking for something new or just want a break from everyday life, we think these 14 great activities will make your trip perfect.
