Welcome
to Waco - the home of Texas hospitality! Located
on I-35 between Dallas and Austin, Waco is famous
for its taste of Texas history and hospitality.
Waco's 18 museums and attractions offer a unique,
relaxing getaway from big city hustle and bustle.
Enjoy the revitalized downtown and restored warehouse
district with restaurants, clubs, and specialty
shops, as well as the scenic River Walk along
the Brazos River. Waco's Cameron Park is one of
the largest municipal parks in the state of Texas,
making it a favorite for visitors wishing to sample
Texas nature and wildlife. Cameron Park offers
outdoor recreation such as hiking, disc golf,
picnicking, canoeing and more. From the park visitors
can hop on over to the Cameron Park Zoo and find
fun for all ages. Cameron Park Zoo, an award-winning,
natural-habitat zoo, houses and cares for dozens
of species from around the globe.
Waco is also the location of several unique events
in Texas history, making its museums popular attractions
for visitors. Waco museums feature the Texas Ranger
Hall of Fame & Museum, the Dr Pepper Museum
& Free Enterprise Institute, the Texas Sports
Hall of Fame, and several more. For more information,
visit our Tourist
Information Center page.
There is always
something fun happening at the Cameron
Park Zoo! In addition to seeing the wonderful
animal exhibits, enjoy the new Brazos River Country
exhibit. There's lots for kids to do at Cameron
Park.
At Lion's
Park, ride on a miniature train, play putt-putt,
drive a go-kart, or ride on a bumper boat. For
more information, call (254) 772-4340. Stroll
across the wooden slats of Waco's Suspension
Bridge and imagine how it was when cowboys
drove their cattle across it in 1870. See Baylor's
bear mascots romp and play at the Bear Plaza on
the Baylor University Campus, 1200 S. 5th St.
Five neighborhood Spray
Parks are located throughout Waco. Cameron
Park, Kendrick Park, Chapel Park, Dewey Park and
Mountain view Park offers a wet splash to anyone
willing to press the "water" button.
The parks are free and open during daylight hours.
At Homestead
Heritage, kids can see the many homesteading
crafts and skills used in daily life - skills
that revolve around homestead living in a traditional
agrarian culture.
Indoor Activities includes Art
Center Waco has fun hands-on activities for
the "child in all of us". Art Center
Waco takes visitors around the world with Islamic
calligraphy, Japanese origami, Turkish paper making,
and French valentine making. The
Texas Sports Hall of Fame is a great place
to learn about a favorite team or player. Learn
about the legendary Pied Piper at the Armstrong
Browning Library. The Dr
Pepper Museum is the home of the world's oldest
major soft drink. The first floor contains a replica
of the drug store where Dr Pepper was invented
as well as an animatron of pharmacist Dr Charles
Alderton telling the story of its invention. Kids
of all ages will find something to discover at
the Mayborn
Museum Complex. Learn how children in the
1880s popped popcorn without a microwave or stove.
A tour guide will take you through Earle-Harrison
House and show you why children who lived
in this house enjoyed spending time in the kitchen.
Learn what life was like in the late 1800s while
visiting one of Waco's four historic homes. Take
a guided tour through Earle-Napier-Kinnard
House, East
Terrace, Fort
House, and McCulloch
House and see the difference in how children
played. Catch a rodeo or weekend horse show at
the Heart
of Texas Fair Complex.
710 Speight,
Baylor University Campus, (254) 710-3566
Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Friday,
9:00 AM - Noon Saturday
Call for hours during holiday season. Free
admission
Accessible to the physically challenged.
www.browninglibrary.org
Discover the love poetry and extensive works
of Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning
at the breathtaking Armstrong Browning Library
located on the Baylor University campus.
Respected worldwide by scholars as the largest
collection of the Brownings' works, the
Armstrong Browning Library allows visitors
to take a glimpse into the lives of these
great British Victorian poets. Inside the
library, visitors will see 60 stained glass
windows illustrating passages from their
poetry. Also on display are the antique
bookcases and memorabilia from the Brownings'
home.
Waco
Water Park
900
Lake Shore Dr. (254) 750-7900
Hours: Noon - 7:00 PM Monday - Friday
, 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Saturday, 1:00 PM
- 7:00 PM Sunday
Regular Admission: 48 inches or taller
$6, Under 48 inches $4, Kids 3 and under
Free. Swimming lessons, aquarobics, season
passes, and private party rentals available.
Visit www.waco-texas.com/city_depts/parks/aquatics.htm
Look in' for a splash in' good time? Just
in time for the sizzling' summer, the
coolest spot in town is the Waco Water
Park. Right in the heart of Waco Riverbend
Park, this new state-of-the-art water
park is a complete water adventure for
people of all ages! Indulge in two pools,
water-shooting playscapes, a 22-foot slide,
zero depth pool and more. The kids will
love the many interactive toys, as well
as the competition pool. Adults can enjoy
water aerobics at the water park. Shade
umbrellas, trees, and lounge areas provide
a break from the water, while the main
building is equipped with locker rooms,
showers, restrooms and a concession stand.
The Waco Water Park sits along the convergence
of the Brazos and Bosque Rivers within
natural landscaping.
Lake Waco
Wetlands
1752
Eichelberger Crossing Rd. (254) 848-9654
Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Monday - Friday,
8:00 AM - Noon alternating Saturdays. Closed
on Saturdays that feature special events.
Visit www.wacowater.com/wetlands.html
The Lake Waco Wetlands is an environmental
project that began construction in 2001
to mitigate the loss of habitat from the
raising of Lake Waco by seven feet. Located
at the upper end of Lake Waco along the
North Bosque River, this 180-acre site provides
habitat to numerous aquatic plants, insects
reptiles, mammals, amphibians as well as
many migratory birds. Another valuable attribute
to the wetlands is its ability to help improve
water quality. Some of the most popular
features to the wetland are the nursery
area and bird watching. This six-acre nursery
area features two types of water lily, bulrush,
pickerelweed, duck potato and various other
aquatic plants. To date, the local Audubon
Society has documented over 130 different
species of birds.
Spirit
of the Rivers Riverboat
The boat
has moved. Please check back for more information.
Step back in time with the Spirit of the
Rivers paddleboat. The Spirit, a true stern-wheeler,
cruises through downtown Waco, Baylor University,
and Cameron Park, under the historic Waco
Suspension Bridge, past the Texas Ranger
Hall of Fame and Museum, and through some
of the most scenic spots in the Waco area.
Riverboat cruises are seasonal--call to
inquire.
Carleen Bright Arboretum
9001
Bosque Blvd. Woodway, TX (254) 399-9204.
Grounds Hours: 8:00 AM - Sunset. Office
Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Friday,
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Saturday, 1:00 PM - 5:00
PM Sunday. Visit www.woodway-texas.com/lev1.cfm/9 The Carleen Bright Arboretum is located
just west of Waco in the city of Woodway.
It is at the center of rolling hills and
an abundance of trees, grasses and wildlife.
The Arboretum hosts great special events
including Woodfest, an annual Celtic celebration.
The Arboretum, which officially opened May
1, 1999 includes a gazebo, concert green,
the Todd Willis Memorial Nature Trail and
Whitehall Center. Whitehall Center has just
over 3,000 sq. ft., with around 1,800 sq.
ft. dedicated for use as a rental hall.
The Center is used for tourist related events,
public meetings, art exhibits and can be
rented for private functions.
Waco Hippodrome Theater
724 Austin
Ave. (254) 752-9797. (800) 701-ARTS (2787)
Visit http://www.wacohippodrome.com
The Lyric Opera of Waco and the Waco
Hippodrome Theater have united to form the
Waco Performing Arts Alliance (WPAA), the
first full collaboration of two major arts
organizations in the history of Waco. The
Waco Hippodrome Theater, which opened on
February 7, 1914, has been the location
for a mixed bill of road shows, vaudeville
tours, movies and local talent shows and
events. With its ornate domed ceiling, gold
leaf trim and proscenium arch, the Waco
Hippodrome is an architectural treasure.
The Theater has received designation as
a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, and
is listed on the National Registry of Historic
Places.
Fort House (circa
1868)
503 S.
4th St. (254) 753-5166. Hours: 2:00 PM -
5:00 PM Saturday - Sunday
Closed Easter weekend, Thanksgiving weekend,
and the month of December
Special tours by appointment.
Adults $3.00, Seniors $2.50, Students (K-College)
$2.00, Children under five admitted free.
$2.00 per additional Historic Waco house
First floor is accessible to the physically
challenged (assist ramp). www.historicwaco.org
Like Waco's Earle-Napier-Kinnard House
and McCulloch House, the Fort House is a
Greek Revival-style home built by a wealthy
Alabama planter. But the similarities end
there. In 1854, William Aldridge Fort packed
up his family, four other families, their
relatives, and their slaves—500 people
in all—and moved to Waco, Texas, building
the Fort House for his home. Today, the
Fort House is used primarily to showcase
Victorian furniture and artifacts from Waco's
prominent early settlers. During the holiday
season, visitors will have a chance to see
every room decorated with lights, presents
and ornaments. The crisp air and warm festivities
are sure to offer a glimpse of holidays
past. Tour the home during regular operating
hours, or call (254) 753-5166 to arrange
for a private showing for groups.
Heritage Square
3rd St.
& Austin Ave. Free Admission
Heritage Square , located in Downtown Waco,
features shaded walkways, seating areas,
water-play fountains and a beautiful sculpture
featuring children at play. Throughout the
Square are names of people and organizations
who represent the foundation of the Waco
community. The original Heritage Square
was destroyed when the tornado of 1953 ripped
through downtown Waco. The re-built Heritage
Square was opened in June 2001.
Baylor Theatre
Box Office:
(254) 710-1865. Administrative Offices:
(254) 710-1861
Visit: www3.baylor.edu/Theatre_Arts
The Baylor Theatre department presents
many fine productions, which are open to
the public, annually. In addition to their
great performances, the Baylor Theatre also
hosts the Horton Foote American Playwrights
festival each year. Click here
to view the information on the current year's
festival.
Bosque River Stage
1400
College Drive, on the McLennan Community
College Campus
MCC Theatre Box Office: (254) 299-8200.
Visit: www.bosqueriverstage.com/ The Bosque River Stage is a beautiful
510-seat outdoor amphitheater located on
the Bosque River at the McLennan Community
College Campus. The Bosque River Stage hosts
a wide variety of musical and theatrical
events annually. Performances include a
variety of musical styles from vaudeville
to rock and roll. Tickets are available
by visiting the MCC Box Office in the Ball
Performing Art Center, or calling (254)
299-8200.
Cottonwood Creek Golf
Course
5200
Bagby. (254) 745-6009. Hours: 7 AM to dark,
seven days a week.
Visit: www.waco-texas.com/city_depts/parks/cottonwood.htm Cottonwood Creek Golf Course is a public
facility located at 5200 Bagby in Waco.
The golf course was designed by Finger,
Dye, and Spann.
Measuring 7,140 from the championship tees,
the course is a par 72. The course winds
through rolling plains and features pristine
greens and landscaping. Cottonwood Creek
was voted 13th Best Municipal Course in
Texas. Cottonwood Creek also offers a premier
nine-hole junior course. The course, designed
by Hurdzan-Fry, serves as an excellent place
for kids to learn the game and for adults
to practice their "short game."
The holes range from 37 to 90 yards.
