Texas is a big US state, so it can be quite difficult for many tourists (and even locals) to decide where exactly to go in Texas. In this article, we will talk about Waco, Texas, and why you should visit it during your trip to the state. Here are the fun things that you can do in Waco, Texas.
Check Out the Dr Pepper Museum
Dr Pepper is one of the most popular brands of sodas in the United States, and if you are a fan of the said brand, then you should visit the Dr Pepper Museum, where you will learn more about Dr Pepper and its history. In case you don’t know, Dr Pepper is the oldest brand of soft drink concentrates and syrups in the United States, and it was first created in 1885 in Waco, Texas, by Keurig Dr Pepper.
The Dr Pepper Museum was established in 1991 as a way for fans of the brand to know more about the origins and history of Dr Pepper. Besides historical pieces, the Dr Pepper Museum also contains memorabilia, collections, and exhibits that showcase different aspects of the brand. Because of the importance of Dr Pepper in the history of the US, the Dr Pepper Museum is part of the National Register of Historic Places.
Visit the Waco Mammoth National Monument
The most popular tourist attraction in Waco, Texas, is the Waco Mammoth National Monument, a paleontological site and museum where the rare fossils of 24 Columbian mammoths were discovered. This particular monument is the largest known concentration of mammoths that have died presumably at the same time or at the same location due to a natural disaster.
Studies have been conducted as to the cause of the death of the 24 or more Columbian mammoths in the area, but it is highly believed that their death was caused by a flash flood. However, it is important to note that some of the mammoths in the area died at the same time, while others didn’t, and experts have speculated that there were three separate events or disasters that caused the death of the mammoths.
The Waco Mammoth National Monument is developed by the Waco Mammoth Foundation in partnership with Baylor University and the Waco city government. It was in 2015 that the location officially became a national monument for the US. If you want to see amazing fossils of Columbian mammoths and learn more about them, you should definitely go to this place.
See the Animals at the Cameron Park Zoo
Cameron Park Zoo is a family-friendly recreational and educational area that is located within Cameron Park in downtown Waco. The Cameron Park Zoo was built in 1955 and has more than 1,700 different animals that are properly cared for by the owners and their staff. Some of the animals you will see in the Cameron Park Zoo include orangutans, otters, lions, lemurs, and Komodo dragons. These animals are housed in their natural environment, so you will know that they are living comfortably and safely in the zoo.
Besides looking at the animals, the Cameron Park Zoo also hosts activities and events that kids can participate in. In addition, people can also book the zoo if they want to hold parties or weddings there.
Read Books at the Armstrong Browning Library & Museum
If you love books, then you will surely enjoy visiting the Armstrong Browning Library & Museum, which is located inside the campus of Baylor University in Waco, Texas. This library is home to the largest collection of works written and published by English poets Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning, who are two of the namesakes of the building. The other namesake, Dr. A.J. Armstrong, is the one who donated the large collection of Browning works to Baylor University in 1918.
Once you enter the building, you can check out different exhibits that showcase the history and the popular works of the Browning couple. In addition to having the largest collection of works by Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, the Armstrong Browning Library & Museum is believed to also house the largest collection of beautiful secular stained glass in the world.
Watch Live Events and Movies at the Waco Hippodrome Theater
The Waco Hippodrome is one of the oldest establishments in Waco, and it has once been a vaudeville theater where Texan dance troupes performed. Furthermore, the Waco Hippodrome has also been a movie theater that premiered and showed the earliest silent films in the US. Today, the Waco Hippodrome is still a movie theater and a live events place that has been renovated and improved to cater to modern films and live acts.
Aside from live performances and movie premieres, the Waco Hippodrome Theater has also been the venue for stand-up comedy shows, trivia nights, and other fun activities that tourists and locals can enjoy. The Waco Hippodrome has a full-service dining area where you can enjoy various dishes while watching a show or movie.
Check the Athletes Included in the Texas Sports Hall of Fame
For those that love sports, they should visit the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in Waco. This building was constructed in 1951 and served as the location where Texan-born athletes can be remembered and celebrated. Besides athletes that were born in Texas, there were also people inducted into the Hall of Fame that were loyal to specific Texan teams like the San Antonio Spurs (NBA), the Houston Astros (MLB), and the Dallas Cowboys (NFL). Besides seeing the names of inductees, you can also explore numerous exhibits that show the greatest moments in Texas sports history.
And these are just some of the best activities to do and locations to visit in Waco, Texas. In terms of the most popular cities in Texas, you will most likely see Dallas and Houston at the top of the list, but there are also underrated ones like Waco, which offers more attractions that locals and tourists can visit. Visit Waco and see how wonderful the city truly is.
