How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Magnolia in Waco, Texas

Waco, Texas has been a hot spot for travel due to the popularity of Chip and Joanna Gaines’ tv show Fixer Upper and continuously growing empire known as Magnolia. As a local Wacoan, I often get to play tour guide to many friends and fellow home decor bloggers that visit my hometown. Therefore, I have spent many amazing girls weekends in Waco, Texas. Lots of laughs, lots of shopping, and lots of food!

Here are some tips for ‘everything you need to know for a girls weekend in Waco, Texas.’

Would you believe that we all met on the internet? Specifically, sharing our homes on instagram.

Where to Stay in Waco, Tx?

There are over 300 vacation rentals in Waco,Texas from VRBOs to AirBnBs. Some of these homes have been featured on Fixer Upper and others are newly renovated in the heart of downtown Waco. I love to stay ‘downtown,’ so that I can take in all the culture that Waco has to offer.

Here are a few of my favorite places to stay in Waco. Each one is beautifully decorated in its own style. And yes, I have stayed at each of the homes below!

The Morrow House – Built in 1886, completely renovated, kitchen of my dreams, featured in Cottage Style magazine,
My 100 Year Old Waco Home – Amazing wrap around porch, open living concept for gathering, original wood floors & shiplap, 5 minutes from Silos
Urban Myrtle – One block from the Silos, restaurants, & shopping, beautiful mix of modern and rustic charm
The Green Door Lofts – best downtown location, heated pool, walking distance to the Silos, restaurants, & shopping
Gathering Oaks Retreat – Across the road from Chip and Joanna Gaines’ farmhouse, relaxing outdoor spaces, great for large groups

If you are looking for a hotel, I love Hotel Indigo. It is really nice, located very close to Magnolia and features a top notch restaurant and bar.

Where to Eat in Waco, Tx?

Today, there are so many new places to eat in Waco than years before! Some are Waco favorites that have stood the test of time, and others are entrepreneurs offering different flavors to anything Waco has seen before! There are great food trucks, including ones for Magnolia Table & the bakery, located within the Silos lawn area. I do recommend buying a mason jar of Alabama sweet tea & getting $2 refills during your weekend.

Favorite Place to Eat Breakfast

Magnolia Table – Main Restaurant + Outdoor Pastry & Coffee Bar + Indoor “To Go” & Souvenir Shop, more pics & tips from my first visit to Magnolia Table
Silo Baking Co Located at the Silos, lots of pastries, love the cinnamon rolls
Harvest on 25th – Locally sourced ingredients, love the granola bowl & sourdough pancakes, located by Chip & Joanna Gaines’ ‘castle’ at 3300 Austin Ave
Lulu Jane’s – Made from scratch bakery with limited quantity so go early, love the homemade bread, scones & mocha iced brownies

Want to just grab coffee?

Magnolia Press – Coffee shop with amazing outdoor spaces to sip coffee or grab a pastry, located right at the Silos
Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits – freshly brewed coffee & espresso, coffee artistry, located in original part of downtown Waco
Common Grounds – college vibe, located on Baylor campus, where I drank my first coffee 20 years ago, 1123 S 8th St next to Heritage creamery

Favorite Places to Eat Lunch

Union Hall – new place, fancy food court meets food truck flavor, lots of different food options, downtown location
Milo Biscuit Co – located close to the Silos, chef inspired menu, love the chicken sandwich
Slow Rise pizza – my favorite pizza place, located in Waco, 15+ minutes from downtown, order to go or enjoy the outdoor patio
Torchy’s Tacos – located close to Silos, tacos, of course, and chips & queso, 801 S 5th Street
Jake’s Texas Tea House – Downtown Waco favorite, southern cafe with burgers, sandwiches, & chicken fried steak, homemade pies, cakes & cobblers

Favorite Places to Eat Dinner

Moroso Pizzeria – Italian chef & owner, wood fired pizza & authentic Italian dishes & desserts, make reservations
Hecho in Waco – Not tex mex, but more southwestern style mexican food, indoor and outdoor patio & bar, located next to the Silos
Brazos Bar & Bistro inside Hotel Indigo, so close to the Silos, fabulous weekend brunch, delicious steaks, desserts, cocktails
Vitek’s BBQ – local & Baylor favorite, located near Baylor campus, get the ‘gut pack’ or ‘spud pak’ but share it
135 Prime – Favorite fine dining steakhouse in Waco, filet of tenderloin melts in your mouth, pricey but worth a fancy night out, 20+ min from downtown

Be sure to check out my list of Favorite Sweet Treats in Waco.

Where to Shop in Waco, Tx

Home Decor Shops

Magnolia Market – the reason you came to Waco, lots of florals, home decor, & souvenirs, *Furniture Showroom coming soon
Little Shop on Bosque – Joanna’s original shop, discounted decor like overstock, last season or slightly damaged from Magnolia Market, 3801 Bosque Blvd
The Findery – 2 buildings located next to Magnolia – new & vintage furniture, kitchen & home decor, plus clothing boutique, park here & walk to Magnolia
Harp Design Co. – next to Clint’s Fixer Upper house, home decor especially handmade tables and wood decor
La Salle Ave (off the Circle near Magnolia Table) – antique/ junk stores like La Salle Shops, Junque in the Trunk, Junky Monkey, Riverside Relics
Austin Ave (downtown Waco) – Simply Irresistible -furniture & home decor , Cameron Trading Co – vintage & junk, Sironia – clothing & gift shop, Honey’s Homestyle – upscale decor, Salvage Sisters & La Grange – vintage, and Christi’s from Trading Spaces – line of custom bedding, gifts

Clothing Boutiques

Spice Village – 50 unique booths like clothing, accessories, gifts, Waco sourvenirs and decor
Courtney’s Boutique – Casual clothing to little black dresses, located in Central Texas Marketplace
Other downtown favorites: Prefontaine, Pink Flamingo, Roots Boutique, Adorn, Wildflower Boutique
Central Texas Marketplace – outdoor mall so shopping like World Market, Kirkland’s, Marshall’s, Apricot Lane, Old Navy, Gap, Ulta, etc…
Richland Mall – indoor mall with mostly clothing stores like Dillard’s, JCPenny, Hollister, Forever 21, H&M

If you have limited time, of course hit Magnolia Market, but then head to the Findery across the street. The Findery is located in a historic 2 story building where Percy medicine was produced for 100+ years. Now, it’s a beautiful shop with a second location next door with 10K square feet of furniture and home decor. I may be partial because I work as a stager there. However, I often hear that it is visitors’ favorite. Read more about the Findery, here.

What else can you do besides Magnolia in Waco?

Hike the trails at Cameron Park or take a walk along the Suspension Bridge downtown.
Take a tour of the city including some of the Fixer Upper homes with Waco Tours.
Tour the beautiful campus of Baylor University, specifically the Armstrong Browning Library or Bear Pit.
Visit a museum like Texas Ranger Museum, Texas Sports Hall of Fame, or Mayborn Museum.
Take photos on some of the coolest walls of Waco, here.
Rent paddle boards or paddle boats to float the river at Waco Paddle Co.
Visit the Hippodrome Theatre for movie and dinner.
Visit Dr. Pepper museum and get a Dr. Pepper ice cream float

Ultimate Travel Guide for Magnolia in Waco, Texas!

Before you book your stay, check the hours of operation for the places that you want to visit to ensure that they will be open. For example, Magnolia Market, Magnolia Table, and some other shops like The Findery are closed on Sunday. A few of the restaurants are open for Sunday brunch, but close early for the day. Some small boutiques close on Monday too. Therefore, my best advice is to plan your trip between Tuesday – Friday. Saturdays are great, but the Silos get very busy!
Go early or late!! The best time to visit Magnolia Table, the restaurant, is between 6 am -8 am. The restaurant is only open till 3 p.m. During Baylor weekends, holiday weekends, Silos events and most of the summertime, expect a 1-2 hour wait. Magnolia Table is not located at the Silos, but a short drive away. If you do go to the Silos (Magnolia Market + Magnolia Bakery) on a Friday or Saturday, make sure you get there early. The bakery opens at 7:30 am and the Market at 9:00am. Or stop in around 4:30pm in the afternoon when most visitors head out for the day.
You can buy most of the products from Magnolia online, so that you don’t have to lug it on the airplane. They do not have the shipping station in Magnolia Market any longer, but there is a nearby post office. However, some shops like the Findery will ship it for you. Just ask the shopkeepers!
Use the free trolley to get around the Silo District in downtown Waco. Specifically, it picks up in front of Magnolia Market and stops near most of the locations that I have mentioned.
If Magnolia Table is too busy to get in, there is a ‘To Go’ deli located on the side of the building. In addition, there is a Magnolia Table food truck with a small selection of items. The food truck is located behind Magnolia Market.
If the Silos Baking Co bakery line is long, check to see if the Magnolia bakery (silver airstream) food truck is open. It is located on food truck row around the lawn at the Silos.