Things to do in Waco

From downtown’s social scene to Cameron Park’s incredible beauty, there’s plenty to do in Wacotown!

Post-Race Brunch

• The Olive Branch: A Wacotown staple with extensive options made from fresh ingredients.
• Milo All Day: Beautiful restaurant with a great patio. Southern style food with all the fixins.
• Harvest on 25th: Well known for its delicious and nutritious gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian brunch options.

Refreshment

• Fabled: A beautiful private book store and coffee shop with hand selected titles.
• Waco Cha: Placed on Forbes' Next 1,000 list for the founder's vision to create an authentic Taiwanese bubble tea spot that fosters community, Waco Cha's handcrafted, organic milk tea will not disappoint!
• Common Grounds 8^th Street: The original Waco coffee shop, beloved for its quirky vibe and renowned “Cowboy Coffee.”
• Lighthouse: An awesome little spot with syrups made in-house!
• Dichotomy: Coffee and evening hangout with a rooftop seating area.
• Pinewood: Great coffee and great vibes, nestled in peaceful uptown Waco.

Places to Eat

• Helberg BBQ: For a taste of some of the best BBQ in the state as voted by Texas Monthly Magazine, visit Helberg.
• Union Hall: A food hall filled with local eateries. They’ve got everything from ramen to tacos.
• Alpha & Omega: You'd be wrong if you didn’t think you’d find incredible Greek food in the middle of Texas!
• Healthcamp: Anything but healthy... Waco’s got some legit burger joints and Healthcamp is at the top of the list.
• Hecho en Waco: Tex Mex is more than a genre of food. Experience Tejano culture and cuisine at this local spot.
• Oh My Juice: Healthy smoothies, cold pressed juices, and smoothie bowls.
• Slowrise Slice House: Riverside seating and fresh pizza.
• Shorty’s Pizza Shack: The definitive college pizza joint of Waco.
• Revival Eastside Eatery: Healthier option. Cool vibe with incredible sandwiches, burgers, and salads. 

Local Treats

• Heritage Ice Cream: Locally sourced glorious ice cream.
• Milk Bottle Cookies: You've earned one of their massive cookies!

Cool Spots

• Cameron Park: Waco has the country’s second largest municipal park, right after Central Park in New York City. This place has miles of trails that hug the Brazos River and is a great spot for your pre-conference workout.
• Cameron Park Zoo: An incredible zoo right next to downtown Waco.
• Dr Pepper Museum: The 23 flavors of Dr Pepper came together here and the soda was bottled in Waco for decades. Check out this fun museum for all the history and a sweet treat.
• Magnolia Silos: Long before the hit HGTV show took off, Chip and Jo were local legends. It’s hard to describe the Silos to non-Wacoans... Food trucks? Home decor? Whiffle ball field? Excellent coffee? Home garden? Bakery? Yes!