Waco：The City of with the Best Historical Sightseeing Attractions

Waco is the county seat of McLennan County in Texas, in the United States. It is a perfect holiday city that sits in between Dallas and Austin, along River Brazos. The stunning and laid-back charm of Waco will make your stay worthwhile. A seven-mile scenic Riverwalk along the city’s river will help you view its beauty in one go. The city is small, and that means you can walk to places without necessarily having to sit for long traveling hours or through traffic jams. Waco’s humid subtropical climate with hot summers from April to October and generally mild winters in the rest of the months is on every traveler’s wish list. Waco is full of sightseeing attractions, well-distributed in its outskirts and business district. In this article, we will be telling you about the ten best of those tourist attractions.

1. Cameron Park Zoo

When in Waco, the best place to connect with real-life adventure, especially with kids, is at the Cameron Park Zoo. it is well-maintained with ample of roaming space to explore, and tons of exhibits. The landscape along Brazos River in the zoo is breathtaking and worth a lifetime photo. The zoo is open for sightseeing throughout the year, apart from Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Days. However, the animals on exhibit are influenced by the prevailing weather season. For instance, the carnivores are not exhibited if the temperatures are below 33 degrees. Therefore, it is best to plan your sightseeing tour when the weather is hot.

2. Waco Suspension Bridge

If you have seen a picture of this gorgeous Waco city with a bridge, the highest probability is that it is the Waco Suspension Bridge. It is a quick-stop spot but a very photogenic place that you should not miss. The bridge is a marvel of engineering, with a single span of about 145m and two double-towers anchoring it. For a perfect photo, we suggest that you visit either early in the morning or at sunset. If you prefer crowds, then July Fourth the Independence Day, is a great time to join the locals at the bridge, to watch fireworks.

3. Waco Mammoth National Monument

The most intriguing place to learn about the history of Waco is at the Waco Mammoth National Monument. You do not need to make a reservation for a personalized tour, and for a group sightseeing trip, you get discounted entry fees. A guided tour lasts 45 minutes to 1 hour. During your visit, you will see the Dig shelter where the mammoth fossils are found in situ. Also, you will get know about the Ice age, the fossils discovery and why Waco Mammoth National Monument is among the most significant paleontological sites in North America. It provides a lot of resources for education of all the groups in lifecycle from children to the elderly. It is open throughout the year but remains closed during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

4. McLane Stadium

When tired and you need to experience calming entertainment, McLane Stadium in Waco is the place to be. It is such a magnificent, complex and state-of-the-art facility that runs many great sport and family activities. You can also watch popular musical performances. It is also the home to the only Baylor Bears in Waco. When you take a one and half hour sightseeing tour in the stadium, you will have access to the Baylor locker room, Presidential level, Press box, Recruit Lounge, suites and given a field access. When you make a booking you can host your event in this stadium, starting from weddings, corporate meetings and social gatherings with as many as 1200 guests. It remains open throughout the year.

5. Spice village

When you want to explore during shopping and escape into an adventure that matches with your class, style, and pocket, spice village in Waco is an outstanding destination. You can take a sightseeing tour only to be mesmerized by the various products or indulge in shopping. It has chains of shops each offering unique local and international products, all under one roof. There are endless options for clothing items, home decor, beauty accessories, vintage, and souvenirs. For holiday shopaholics, the Spice Village will offer you the dream shopping experience.

6. Fort house museum

Waco contains a number of museums with historical items that have been in existence for over a century. Fort House Museum in Waco is a place that has over 6000 pieces of decorative art, artifacts, archival material, and textiles, under the care of professional museum staff. It will also be spectacular for you to see over 3500 garments, accessories and flat textiles that belonged to early Wacoans. You will be able to explore and be introduced to Civil war by analyzing artifacts, replicas and other materials found during the sightseeing in the Waco Fort house museum. The opening hours may change from time to time. Therefore, we advise that you first check their website.

7. Armstrong Browning Library

Waco has one of the most beautiful college libraries- the Armstrong Browning Library. It is an excellent place not only to admire the architecture but also to learn some history. It contains books dating back to the 1800s. It contains the largest collection of rare 19th -century books, manuscripts and works of art. The library resources are open and free to the public regardless of your education background. You only need to provide a photo ID, application for the use of library materials and to adhere to conduct of using the library. It is open Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm and Saturday 10 am – 2 pm. If you do not want to get inside, the grounds are a perfect place for a picnic or a quiet time.

8. Dr Pepper Museum

Dr. Pepper Museum is a unique sightseeing place for one reason; apart from learning some history of the brand, you also acquire some hands-on skills. The museum is in the downtown of Waco, and it has been there since 1906. It has three floors filled with information about the founder and the soft drink industry at large. Some of the items on exhibit include soft drinks memorabilia and Dr. Pepper’s 1940s delivery truck. You will have an opportunity to participate in liquid lab shows, sampling and testing pepper, and lab presentations. These activities are scheduled daily. During the weekends, you also get fun activities like bottle rubbing and pop-ups.

9. Lake Waco

Lake Waco is situated solely within the boundaries of Waco city. It is a man-made lake that was created to control flooding and provide a reliable water source for the people of Waco. When you visit, you will enjoy speedboat riding, fishing, swimming, hiking or simply relax by the lakeside. Lake Waco also has a Midway park where you can go for bird watching or picnics. There are also camping grounds safe for individuals and groups. On the shores, there are great restaurants which serve seafood and lodgings that have a picturesque lake view.

10. Carleen Bright Arboretum

This area in Waco city has attractive venues designed for special events and sightseeing. The massive botanical gardens are divided into four major zones- a Whitehall center, the Eastern gardens with paintings and displays, the Pavilion and the Nature Trail. The place is a gorgeous gem of the city that should not be skipped while in Waco. It is better to visit when the weather is mild as that is when the plants and flowers have fully bloomed. You can go for a personal tour, but a guided sightseeing tour will be more meaningful. It is also a great place for a family picnic.

◎ Closing

Waco is a perfect destination when you want to escape from your regular life hustles. It provides something for everyone from children to the elderly, with interactive learning experiences which provide hands-on skills and fun-filled activities. You get to see, feel and interact with nature and wildlife animals. Also, do not forget that Waco offers a world-class entertainment in most of the city spots. All this makes Waco a distinguished place to visit over and over.