Self- Guided (self-planned) Tours and Destinations in and around Waco, TX
| Name of Venue or destination | Description | Website and address |
|---|---|---|
| Waco Mammoth National Monument | Just about a 20 minute drive from downtown Waco, this 5- acre paleontological site along the Bosque river woodland features in-situ fossils of a herd of Ice Age Columbian mammoths and other animals. Tours are offered every 30 minutes during operating hours, are about 45 minutes long, and tickets can be purchased on-site. A guide will lead you from the Welcome Center to the Dig Shelter, and you will learn about how the fossils were discovered, what scientists have learned from them, and how they are being studied in-situ. | https://www.nps.gov/waco/index.htm 6220 Steinbeck Bend Drive , Waco, TX , 76708 |
| Dr Pepper Museum | This not-to-be-missed self-guided attraction is within walking distance of the Convention center , and is dedicated to Dr. Pepper, the nation’s oldest major soft drink. The museum offers two buildings of exhibits, including the original bottling plant (you can even peer into the original well that supplied water !), telling the story of Dr. Pepper and the soda pop industry through extensive memorabilia, machinery, and advertising. Exhibits change regularly. Adjacent to the museum, Frosty’s Soda Shop and Peggy Pepper’s Emporium can be accessed anytime without paying admission. See the website to possibly sign up for a time to make your own personalized bottle of soda with a general admission purchase. | https://www.drpeppermuseum.com 300 S. 5th Street , Waco, TX |
| Homestead Craft Village | Homestead Craft Village, located 5 miles outside Waco, offers shopping, dining, and enjoying the scenery. The 18 acre complex is accessed from several entrances from Dry Creek Road. Enjoy browsing in the general store, the market, and the quilt shop in The Barn. Visit the Potter’s House, a woodworking shop, a restored 1760 gristmill (and watch flour being made while enjoying a cup of fine tea, and purchase some flour or baking mixes to take home!), a fiber craft shop, an herb garden, and more. Shop for fine handmade baskets, wooden bowls and chairs and pottery, and perhaps see artisans at work forging metal, spinning yarn and more. Café Homestead, serving natural beef and homemade baked goods, is one of the top-rated restaurants in the Waco area. CALL for RESERVATIONS and hours IF YOU PLAN TO ENJOY A MEAL HERE. Come to Waco a day early to enjoy this area, or enjoy an afternoon in the village. Read more on the website. | https://www.homesteadcraftvillage.com 608 Dry Creek Rd., Waco, TX Texas |
| Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum | History, artifacts and photos of these famous Texas lawmen! | https://www.texasranger.org 100 Texas Ranger Trail , Waco, TX |
| Texas Sports Hall of Fame | Featuring Texas sports legends like Nolan Ryan, Troy Aikman, Tom Landry, and “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame celebrates the athletes who have made a lasting impact on the state. The 35,000- square-foot building also includes the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame, the Nolan Ryan Museum, the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame, and the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame | https://www.tshof.org 1108 S University Park Drive , Waco TX |
| Balcones Distillery | Tours take visitors through the distillation process that creates world-class whiskies in the heart of downtown Waco, starting at the grain silos and finishing with a sampling of Balcones whisky. Tours fill up quickly so book your spot today! You can also just visit the Bottle Shop and the Tasting Room to purchase and enjoy whiskey, cocktails, and perhaps seasonal light bites. | https://www.balconesdistilling.com 225 S. 11 th Street, Waco TX |