From Hotel 1928 to Magnolia Market, discover the best things to do, eat, and explore in Waco with the Visit Waco app.

As someone living in the DFW area, being best friends with someone in The Woodlands doesn’t always make for an easy weekend trip. A couple of years ago, we landed on Waco as our meeting point, since it takes us roughly the same amount of time to get there, making for a relatively easy drive.

Part of the appeal is Waco’s slower pace and lighter traffic compared to our home cities. When staying downtown, many of the main attractions are within walking distance, making it easy to explore without a packed schedule.

For this year’s trip, we used the Visit Waco app to help plan our itinerary. The app features listings for shops, restaurants and things to do, along with curated itineraries for girls’ trips, family getaways, and the Magnolia Trail. We built our own itinerary within the app, which made the planning process seamless.

Where to Stay

The AC Hotel Waco Downtown offered an ideal home base, with a central location that made it easy to walk to many of the city’s main attractions. The 182-room property blends modern design with thoughtful amenities, including a heated pool and a well-equipped fitness center.

Evenings often ended at the AC Lounge, where espresso martinis became a highlight of the stay. In-room details like a mini fridge also came in handy, especially for storing wine and local finds picked up throughout the day.

An Elegant Dinner: The Brasserie at Hotel 1928

An intimate 33-room hotel with four indulgent suites, Hotel 1928 offers a downtown setting that made us feel like we were transported to the Roaring Twenties. To the left of the lobby, The Brasserie at 1928 welcomes guests into a space that feels both elevated and inviting.

The restaurant pairs crisp white beams and brass pendant lighting with dark wood floors, marble-topped tables, and leather banquettes, creating a polished yet approachable setting. Floor-to-ceiling windows and layered textures bring in natural light and warmth, giving the space an airy, refined atmosphere that feels both lively and relaxed.

The Brasserie leans into Southern classics with a refined twist, currently offering a seasonal menu. We visited for dinner and started with the Buttermilk Biscuits, a must-order recommended by our server, served warm with a side of blueberry preserves that added just the right touch of sweetness. The Cast Iron Mac ‘N’ Cheese delivered on comfort, its rich three-cheese blend made even more indulgent with the addition of lobster.

For a lighter contrast, the Pan-Seared Atlantic Salmon offered balance after the richer dishes. Finished with a velvety hollandaise and paired with asparagus, it was a clean, well-executed plate that let the ingredients shine.

To complement the meal, I ordered the Citrus and Smoke cocktail, a refreshing yet slightly smoky blend of Bacardi, Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur, grapefruit juice, and lime. Bright and citrus-forward with a subtle heat on the finish, it felt perfectly suited for a warm evening.

Shopping

We spent time at Magnolia Market, the heart of the property, drawing visitors in with its thoughtfully curated home décor. Browsing the market gave me aspirational ideas for my own home. Magnolia recently launched its “Sweetness of Summer” home collection, featuring playful strawberry-inspired décor and entertaining pieces. 

Stepping inside Magnolia Home feels like walking through the pages of a design magazine. Styled room displays feature furniture, lighting, rugs, and décor arranged in a way that makes it easy to imagine bringing the look home.

Magnolia Table recently introduced two new frozen baked goods, Prize Pig Biscuits and Brownie Cookies, now available at Target.

The grounds are just as much a draw, anchored by the iconic silos, an open green space, and a lineup of food trucks that give the area a relaxed, communal energy. The Shops at the Silos feature six boutique-style storefronts, each with its own theme, offering everything from florals and hosting essentials to custom accessories. The smaller scale makes for a more intimate shopping experience alongside the main market.

A Waco staple since 1997, Spice Village offers a completely different pace, bringing together more than 40 individual boutiques inside a historic 1928 warehouse. From home décor and gifts to gourmet foods, clothing, and jewelry, the variety feels endless, and with so much to explore across its sprawling second-floor space, we could have easily spent hours browsing.

Coffee and Eats at Magnolia

Just a short drive from Magnolia Market at the Silos, Magnolia Table has become one of Waco’s most sought-after dining destinations. With temperatures climbing during our visit, I opted for something lighter and ordered the Watermelon & Feta Salad. Peppery arugula dressed in a housemade orange vinaigrette is topped with fresh watermelon, crumbled feta and pickled onions, creating a refreshing balance of flavors.  

Before exploring the Silos, stop by Magnolia Press for a refreshing pick-me-up. The Iced Matcha Latte infused with strawberry offers a lightly sweet twist on the classic drink, blending earthy matcha with bright fruit flavor. It’s a refreshing choice for a Texas afternoon and pairs perfectly with a stroll around the Magnolia grounds.

No visit to Magnolia is complete without a stop at Silos Baking Co. The beloved bakery is known for its rotating seasonal treats and classic favorites, but the Strawberry Lemonade cupcake is worth seeking out. Made with strawberry cake and topped with lemon buttercream icing and sprinkles, the bright strawberry and citrus flavors made for a refreshing treat on a warm afternoon and a welcome sweet pick-me-up while exploring the Silos.

A Simpler Way of Life

Just 10 miles north of downtown Waco, Homestead Heritage offers a peaceful contrast to the energy of Magnolia. Set on a 510-acre farm, the faith-based, sustainable community feels like a step back in time, where daily life centers around crops grown by its residents, handcrafted goods and a shared sense of purpose rooted in faith and connection.

The Homestead Craft Village highlights the work of skilled artisans, with shops dedicated to pottery, woodworking and more. The Potter’s House features functional, beautifully made pieces for the home, while the Woodworking Shop offers finely crafted furniture built with precision and care. An eye-opening experience was the Homestead Gristmill, a restored 18th-century water-powered mill. Watching the milling process up close added a sense of appreciation for the craftsmanship. Many of their products, such as flour and baking mixes, can be found online.

We stopped at Café Homestead for lunch, where “Southern comfort food with a Texas twist” guides the menu. I opted for the Chicken Fried Steak, while my friend ordered the Quesadilla Burger, both showcasing locally sourced ingredients and house-made sauces that brought a fresh, natural flavor to each dish.

Breakfast on a Sunday

As we parted ways, we decided to end the trip with breakfast and discovered that Toasted Yolk in downtown Waco was one of the few restaurants open on a Sunday. The restaurant was bustling with diners, making it feel like a favorite among locals. We enjoyed fluffy pancakes, eggs, sausage, and a side of cheesy hash browns, which were the standout of the meal. It was the perfect way to end a relaxing weekend with a dear friend.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cover photo by Sierra Bell on Unsplash

Sara Aguinaga is a dedicated massage therapist and editorial contributor at Texas Lifestyle Magazine. She loves indulging in spa treatments, exploring diverse cuisines and traveling.