touristing

First on the itinerary today: drive twenty minutes to buy an RV surge protector. If you missed our previous post, read here to see why you need one!! Next on the priority list: find a spot with good coffee and good wifi so the kids could actually get some schoolwork done. And we found the perfect spot at Magnolia Press! 

The Silos District is so fun. The Gaines family has completely changed the Waco area with the success of their show and resulting empire. It has taken a toll on locals, that now pay higher property taxes and seeing continuously-rising real estate prices, but it’s also improved home values and brought income to the area from tourists like us.

Since the day was drizzly and grey, we had nearly the whole place to ourselves. We loved the 1905 latte (Magnolia’s house latte with toasted marshmallow and vanilla) for the grownups, and the kids enjoyed the apple cider steamer and “cocoa hot,” as Della calls it. The food offerings were great, too, including an apple pie cinnamon roll! It was the perfect start to September.

Just as the kids wrapped up their classes, the clouds cleared up a bit and we toured the rest of the Silos District, culminating with a stop at the bakery for some truly delicious cupcakes. They lived up to the hype! 

Just down the street is the Dr. Pepper museum, a must-see for our DP-loving fam. We all had our share of the sugary goodness (you can buy the old time, real sugar version in glass bottles at the gift shop!) and the kids attended a fun science show inside the museum. Do you think Dr. Pepper floats or sinks in water? The kids hypothesized correctly, and even guessed how the entertainer/scientist performed his “magic trick” involving a DP can. Fun stop!

We ended our touristy day with a stop at The Little Shop on Bosque, which is the location of the original Magnolia Store and now home to their off-season and imperfect discounted goods. Brynlee was excited to pick up a woven seagrass basket (girl after my own heart!) and the kids each got a leather journal to document the trip. We picked up dinner at Torchy’s Tacos (because how can you go to Texas without having the best queso?!?) and called it a day. A good, full day at that! 

Typically, Magnolia at the Silos is a bustling place, packed with people. If you can time a trip during the off-season (and pick a rainy day!) you’ll have a great experience without the long lines! Either way, it’s a fun stop for families and pups. And don’t miss Torchy’s. Just embrace the Tex Mex (and the ensuing queso gut) and do it. 

Also wanted to add: our final day in Waco was spent exploring Waco Mammoth National Monument. The kids had to finish up some schoolwork, so we had another stop at Magnolia Press, and then we ventured out in the rain to see this relatively new site. It’s small and still undeveloped, but it was so cool to see the remains of these giants “in situ,” meaning they’re still in the ground right where they discovered. Go check it out!