explore waco || local guide
As of October 1, 2022, Ramble & Company has established our second location in Waco, Texas! (You can read all about the process on our Waco blog). We’ve been loving getting to know this town, the people, and all of the special spots in this great city.
Why Waco?
We get this question a lot. Simple answer, we like Waco. We like the community, the people, the local businesses, the vibe, and the up and coming feel to it.
Our love for Waco started in 2018 when we were accepted to be a vendor at Magnolia Market’s Silobration event. We met so many people who connected with our brand and made lifelong friends with fellow vendors. It’s been a true blessing for our company to be given the opportunity of being a returning vendor at many Magnolia events. Being a part of these events has allowed us to build a relationship with local residents, businesses, and the many travelers that come to see what Waco is all about. Our social media grew significantly and aided in the addition of Ramble shipping worldwide. Shortly after, we started getting emails and DMs asking where our shop was located in Waco, then a lightbulb went off, why don’t we have a store in Waco? In 2021 we started dreaming about what a second location would look like but kept pushing that dream aside. In early 2022 we couldn’t ignore that desire and started the process of looking for a space and that’s when we found the empty, not yet renovated space on 11th. This blank canvas space gave us the opportunity to design the space from the ground up and create Ramble 2.0. We are so happy and grateful to be a part of the Wacotown neighborhood.
Every week in the shop we get asked, “What else should we do in Waco??”. Like most places, there are places that are big hits with visitors, but we like to know where the locals go. While we have our favorite spots, there’s always something new popping up around the corner. This local guide is going to live online so we can continue to update it with the best spots!
This is NOT a complete guide to Waco. You’ll find suggestions of what to do in Waco from all different places with some of the top visited places in town, but this list includes some of locals’ favorite places.
If you are visiting Waco, Texas and stumble across this blog post, I encourage to try out our favorite places below! You can also visit the Waco Convention & Visitors Bureau website or the City of Waco website for more info.
EATS
BREAKFAST + COFFEE
NIGHTLIGHT DONUTS | directions - croissant donuts + coffee
FOR KEEPS COFFEE + BAKERY | directions - craft coffee + artisan bakery
BE KIND COFFEE | directions - coffee + breakfast
THE RANCHITO #5 | directions - ramble’s favorite breakfast tacos
STREET DOG CAFE | directions - scratch-made breakfast + brunch food with full espresso bar — SO DELICIOUS!
DICHOTOMY | directions - coffee + pastries
PINEWOOD COFFEE | directions - coffee + chill vibes
COMMON GROUNDS | directions - the original CG coffee shop + concert venue by Baylor campus
COMMON GROUNDS FRANKLIN | directions - CG’s newest location in Downtown Waco!
WORLD CUP CAFE | directions - traditional diner food + coffee from around the world that benefits a local nonprofit
HARVEST ON 25th | directions - farm-to-table breakfast + brunch
LOLITA’S | directions - local’s favorite breakfast tacos
THE OLIVE BRANCH | directions - breakfast + brunch
THRST COFFEE SHP | directions - coffee + moody vibes
MAGNOLIA TABLE | directions - breakfast + brunch
MAGNOLIA PRESS | directions - coffee + pastries
CASUAL LUNCH + DINNER
CHA COMMUNITY | directions - boba + dumplings + cold noodles
REVIVAL EASTSIDE EATERY | directions - sandwiches + salads
HECHO EN WACO | directions - traditional Mexican food
YAKI | directions - Texas teriyaki — a must try!
GUESS FAMILY BARBECUE | directions - delicious bbq in Downtown Waco!
HELBERG BARBECUE | directions - Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ joint (worth the drive!)
UNION HALL | directions - food hall with LOTS of options!
SLOW RISE ON THE BRAZOS | directions - NY style pizza + gorgeous view on the deck over the Brazos River
CAJUN CRAFT | directions - classic cajun + southern comfort foods
HEALTH CAMP | directions - burgers + milkshakes
WHIZZBANGS | directions - burgers + onion rings
SHORTY’S PIZZA | directions - pizza + a Baylor campus favorite!; the Woodway location has a massive turf space for kids to run + play!
ROUTE 77 FOOD PARK | directions - food truck park + dog friendly
CLAY POT | directions - Vietnamese food located in the heart of Downtown Waco
THE OLIVE BRANCH | directions - elevated comfort food
ELEVATED LUNCH + DINNER
may require a reservation!
DI CAMPLI’S ITALIAN RISTORANTE | directions - incredible Italian food just 15 minutes south of downtown
MOROSO | directions - wood fired pizza + great Sunday brunch!
MILO | directions - locally sourced elevated southern cuisine
OAK & IVY | directions - farm-to-table restaurant + extensive wine list
RED HERRING RESTAURANT & BAR | directions - fine dining Mediterranean restaurant with the most incredible maximalist design; located in Waco’s new boutique hotel, Hotel Herringbone
SWEETS + TREATS
* MILK BOTTLE COOKIES | directions - out of these world cookies
HERITAGE CREAMERY | directions - hand-crafted ice cream
* KATIE’S CUSTARD | directions - frozen custard + corndogs
HEALTH CAMP | directions - classic milkshakes served in a vintage-style diner
* POP’S LEMONADE | directions - fresh squeezed lemonade in all the fun flavors!
MAMAKA BOWL | directions - acai bowls + smoothies
* CHA COMMUNITY | directions - bubble tea + Vietnamese iced coffee
SHOPPING
FABLED | directions - bookshop + cafe
CENTRAL GOODS | directions - antiques + home + vintage
STUDIO GROCERY | directions - immaculate vibes; vintage clothes + furniture + jewelry + art
SPICE VILLAGE | directions - 60+ boutiques under one roof!
GATHER | directions - perfect place for all things hospitality; serving dishes, pottery, barware, etc.
BLACK OAK POTTERY | directions - handmade pottery
WILDLAND | directions - the coolest + trendiest clothes
CEDAR CHEST ANTIQUES | directions - MASSIVE antiques + vintage warehouse about 30 minutes south of Waco; plan on multiple hours!
WORLD CUP FAIR TRADE MARKET | directions - fair trade home goods from around the world
PAPER CROWN | directions - craft boutique
SUMMER ELLIS BIJOUTERIE | directions - handmade jewelry
LAVERTY’S | directions - antiques + home + vintage (open occasionally)
MAGNOLIA | directions - adult Disney World :)
THE BEAR MOUNTAIN | directions - outdoor store + bike shop
DRINKS + LATE NIGHT
BARNETT’S WHISKEY HOUSE | directions - whiskey + cocktails + food + darts
SEGOVIA WINE BAR | directions - great wine bar within walking distance of the Silos
LUCKY BUCK’S | directions - Waco’s newest rooftop bar located in Hotel Herringbone
CRICKET’S | directions - beer + cocktails + games + shuffleboard
SOUTHERN ROOTS BREWERY | directions - craft beer + pizza
ONE DAY | directions - cocktails + coffee + beer + wine
SLOANE’S | directions - tiki bar that serves goldfish with your drinks!
DICHOTOMY | directions - craft cocktails + rooftop patio
PUTTERS | directions - sports bar + arcade + mini golf
FREIGHT | directions - icehouse + yardbar
WACO ALE CO | directions - craft beer + food
BROTHERWELL BREWERY | directions - craft beer + beer garden; heads up — there is not air conditioning here!
VALLEY MILLS VINEYARD | directions - about 30 minutes west of Waco; a great pre-planned activity!
OTHER THINGS TO DO
CAMERON PARK | directions - 416 acres along the Brazos River with playgrounds, splash pads, hiking trails, cliff views, and more
BRAZOS PARK EAST| directions - disc golf + walking trails + horseshoe pits (have to bring your own horseshoes!)
HAMMER & STAIN | directions - DIY workshop for all ages!
WACO FARMERS MARKET | directions - weekly farmers market with local produce, floral, + makers (Saturdays)
WACO AXE CO | directions - axe throwing
BRIDGE STREET MARKET | directions - weekly market on Wednesday evenings with local goods + live music + food
WACO PEDAL TOURS | directions - party bike + sightseeing tour
HOMESTEAD HERITAGE | directions - craft village + cafe + gristmill + weekly market on Saturdays from 10AM-2PM
BLACK OAK POTTERY | directions - pottery classes + lessons
PURA VIDA PADDLE | directions - kayak + SUP rentals
STUMPY’S HATCHET HOUSE | directions - axe throwing + BYOB
WACO SURF | directions - lazy river + swim up bar…what else could you ask for?
KID FRIENDLY
CAMERON PARK | directions - 416 acres along the Brazos River with playgrounds, splash pads, hiking trails, cliff views, and more
CAMERON PARK ZOO | directions - 52 acre natural habitat zoo full of gorgeous trees + activities for kids
FABLED | directions - bookshop + cafe
MAYBORN CHILDREN’S MUSEUM | directions - interactive children’s museum
HAMMER & STAIN | directions - DIY workshop for all ages + permanent jewelry
WHITEHALL PARK | directions - dog park + walking trails + playground + gaga ball pit + pickle ball courts
CARLEEN BRIGHT ARBORETUM | directions - 16 acres of botanical gardens + pavilion
BEAR HABITAT ON BAYLOR CAMPUS | directions - see the live mascots of Baylor University!
HAWAIIAN FALLS | directions - family friendly water park
WACO MAMMOTH NATIONAL PARK | directions - mammoth fossils + walking trails
DR. PEPPER MUSEUM | directions - multiple tour options including a VIP make-a-soda tour!
WACO TOURS | directions - the river tour takes you on the Brazos River with gorgeous views!
