Dripping with Kids

Tag: road trips from Dallas

  • Top 6 Pumpkin Patch Festivals near Austin: 2025

    Top 6 Pumpkin Patch Festivals near Austin: 2025

    Whether you refer to it as a fall festival or a pumpkin patch, the month of October isn’t complete without a visit to one… or many!

    Is it even Fall if you haven’t taken super cute photos surrounded by pumpkins and funny signs; dirtied your shoes with dust, hay, and dried corn in a big pit; gotten lost in a winding maze; fed some farm animals; sipped sweet tea; and watched your kids bounce, ride, and run to their hearts’ content?

    This list includes the festivals we always try to squeeze in, as well as a couple we haven’t seen … yet.

    Uhland Fall Festival

    The beloved Dripping Springs Pumpkin Festival has moved to Uhland. I’m sure it’ll be worth the drive because the founders always brought more and more family fun each year they were open in Dripping Springs. Now they have more parking and more acreage.

    Enjoy lawn games, a pumpkin patch, food trucks, live music, animal visits, photo opps, and beautiful picnic spots under the oaks. Admission price is a flat $15 per person if you purchase online before Sept 26 (65+ and 0-3 are free). Open weekends Sept 27 – Nov 2.

    Sweet Eats Fruit Farm

    About to enter the corn maze at the fall festival
    Maze at the Sweet Eats Fruit Farm

    Located in Georgetown, TX, this farm is loaded with the typical fall festival activities, such as a corn maze, pumpkin patch, and petting zoo, but it also has a few unique options. We can’t wait to take another spin on a pedal cart; shoot an apple from a slingshot; climb up a tire hill, then slide down; watch pig-racing; wade in the San Gabriel River; play corn hole, gaga ball, kickball, or tug o’ war; and challenge ourselves on the obstacle course. Prices vary by date, but there’s a 40% discount if you purchase online in advance Open daily Sept 20 – Nov 7.

    Indian Springs Ranch Pumpkin Patch

    You can find this farm and pumpkin patch near Austin in Manchaca, TX. Fall festival activities include a pumpkin patch, fall-themed photo-ops, exotic animals, authentic Native American tipi, kids’ swings and playground, kids’ spider web, face painting (only open Saturday & Sunday), jumping pillow (only open Saturday & Sunday), and food vendors. Go on a Thursday or Friday for $13 admission. Sat and Sun visits cost $19/person. Festival runs Sept 27 – Nov 2.

    Sweet Berry Farm

    The short drive to Marble Falls is worth it to spend the day on this cute farm with hayrides, two mazes, a huge pumpkin patch with adorable photo opps, face painting, goat-feeding, barrel train rides, scarecrow-stuffing, a funny hayride, and horseback riding (on weekends only). Admission is free, but activities are charged individually. We usually spend about $15/person. Open daily except Wednesdays beginning in mid-September.

    Jenshke Orchard

    In the beautiful and fun city of Fredericksburg, $14 admission cost gets you a challenging corn maze; a jump pad pass; wagon ride; flower field, peach mountain, and pumpkin patch access; several games, and more. We’ve never been, but we’re excited to check out Jenshke this year. Opening mid-September.

    Round Rock Pumpkin Festival

    $10 admission gets you free games, photo ops, thousands of pumpkins to enjoy, a bouncy house and pad, corn pit, and live music, as well as access to food vendors, professional photographers, and face painting for extra $$. Open daily except Tuesdays Oct 3 – 31.

    We hope you enjoy your pumpkin patch visits this Fall. Subscribe to this blog to receive our 2024 Fall Bucket List (coming soon) that includes several other fun ideas for the beloved season ahead, as well as weekly posts about the best of the Texas Hill Country!

  • Road Trip Edition: Southwest Houston with Kids

    Road Trip Edition: Southwest Houston with Kids

    What’s the first thing you think of when you hear “Houston”? Is it NASA and its space shuttles? Or a sprawling cityscape with interstates weaving throughout? The beach in Galveston? The ever-expanding zoo? The medical center?

    There’s no doubt that the city of Houston is full of hustle and bustle with endless sights to see and major tourist attractions. Most of the attractions cost a pretty penny or require competing with a crowd, especially during weekends, holidays, and the summer break.

    I just took my nephew and youngest son to the Houston Zoo this week (in July) because we snagged free tickets, but it seemed that the number of people at the zoo at 4 pm on a blistering summer Tuesday was greater than the entire population of our hometown of Dripping Springs! The same was true when I took the kids to the Museum of Natural Science last summer.

    While these attractions can be a lot of fun for the kids and are worth visiting at least once, I prefer exploring the less-busy and always-free playgrounds and parks that are abundant inside the loop in Houston.

    Despite its size and reputation, Houston actually has a lot of green space and unique parks that can even entertain the kids who claim they’re too old for them. You could easily fill several days with parks and never get bored.

    Here is a list of our favorite parks in no particular order, as well as our top choice for a nearby restaurant to visit before or after playtime:

    1. Levy Park

    📍3801 Eastside St, Houston, TX 77098

    Water feature/splash pad
    Tunnels
    Spinning discs
    Rock wall
    Concrete hill slide
    Turf hills
    Fave Restaurant Nearby:

    Gazpachos Mexican Bites (on-site!)

    2. Evelyn’s Park

    📍4400 Bellaire Blvd, Bellaire, TX 77401

    Open grassy field
    Sculptures
    Splash Pad
    Challenging Climbing Structures
    Sand Pit and Water Fearure
    Betsy’s Restaurant
    Fave Restaurant Nearby:

    The Buffalo Grille or Betsy’s (on-site!)

    3. Discovery Green

    📍1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010

    Sliding Hill
    Playground
    Climbing Structures
    Water Feature
    Splash Pad
    Art Lab
    Fave Restaurant Nearby:

    The Grove (on site!)

    4. Hermann Park

    📍6001 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030

    Unique Playgrounds
    Turtle and Koi Pond
    Huge Water Feature/Splashpad
    Hill slides
    NASA-themed Playground
    Train
    Pine Hill Walk
    Miller Hill and Amphitheater
    Fave Restaurant Nearby:

    Hungry’s Rice Village

    5. Loftin Park and Aquatic Complex*

    *swim for a fee

    📍7008 S. Rice, Bellaire, TX 77401

    Peaceful Setting (large grassy area)
    Opportunity for Imaginative Play
    Holiday Events
    Shaded Playground
    Toddler Play Space
    Aquatic Center ($10-$16/non-res)
    Fave Restaurant Nearby:

    The ‘401

    6. Memorial Park and Arboretum

    📍6501 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77007

    Hikes and Natural Play Areas
    Huge Playground
    Miles of Hike and Bike Trails
    Arboretum Playground: Nature-Inspired
    Indoor Discovery Room (Arboretum)
    Events and Guided Hikes (Arboretum)
    Fave Restaurant Nearby:

    Black Walnut Cafe

    7. Donavan Park

    📍700 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007

    Play Train
    All fenced in
    Toddler-friendly Play Areas
    Wooden Castle
    Fave Restaurant Nearby:

    Local Foods – The Heights

    8. Hedwig Park

    Several Playscapes
    Open Field
    Swings
    Toddler Play
    Make-Believe Play
    Lots of Shade
    Fave Restaurant Nearby:

    Ciro’s

    We hope this list can be a guide for your next trip to the southwest side/inner loop of Houston, especially if you’re looking to balance out the cost of tourist attractions often visited in the big city. With over 43,000 acres of green space and 382 parks, visitors can enjoy the slower and natural aspects of Houston while still having a ton of fun.

  • The Best FREE State Park in Texas

    The Best FREE State Park in Texas

    In our mission to spend 1000 hours outside this year, we’ve decided to revisit some of our favorite hiking spots and seek out new ones as well. We’ll be sharing our hiking experiences and recommendations with you in our series titled “This Week’s Hike”.

    ✅ Trails for Children

    ✅ Swimming (seasonal)

    ✅ Bathrooms

    ✅ Playground and Sports Fields

    ✅ Free Admission for Park and Trails

    ✅ Stroller-friendly Trails and Bike Trails

    ❌ Reservations needed

    Just an hour or so west of Austin, and down the road from the best wineries in the Texas Hill Country, sits one of our favorite state parks! It checks every box for adults and children alike. We’re excited to share everything we love about the LBJ State and National Park in Stonewall, TX.

    The Museum and Visitor Center

    Taking the Junior Ranger pledge and visiting the Pioneer House and Museum

    Upon arrival, check in at the Visitor Center for a free parking pass. While inside, peruse the gift shop full of locally-made soaps, confectionaries, home decor, jams and butters, as well as educational toys and books. Also, ask for Junior Ranger workbooks for the kids to guide them along both the state park and the national park areas. Just past the visitor center is a small museum and a pioneer house to explore. Then, make your way on to…

    Easy and Interesting Trails

    The “Monster Tree” on the LBJ State Park Nature Trail

    The trails from the visitor center are mostly shaded and easy for all skill/age levels. Amazing trees border the flat trail, and there are plaques with interesting info on local flaura and fauna. Plus, they lead to the best parts of the park….

    The Animals!

    Texas Longhorns!

    After a short walk, you’ll be greeted by huge, gorgeous Texas longhorns, as well as white tail deer, if they’re feeling friendly. You can also follow the trail to see a herd of bison or take an alternate route to the …

    Working Farm with More Animal Encounters

    One of the highlights of this park is that the trail leads you to the Sauer-Beckman Homestead and Farm, where your kids can collect the multi-colored eggs from the chicken coop on a slow day; where the wild turkeys stage a Thanksgiving Day revenge by sneaking up behind you, yelping at the top of their lungs, and then laughing at your expense as they dart up onto the branches of the huge live oaks; where the sheep meander along the walkways; where the hens peck at your feet; and where the hogs put on a muddy show if your olfactory glands can withstand the potent stench of their pen.

    You can also tour the original farmhouse and homestead, often while munching on farm-fresh delicacies prepared in the century-old kitchen that day. After you’ve worked up an appetite, complete your meal at one of the…

    Picnic Areas and Playground

    There are multiple picnic areas with bathrooms nearby and plenty of green space to run around after eating. In one area, there’s an old-school playground with a metal swingset, slide, and see-saw. If you or your kids have more energy to burn, add in additional playtime at the…

    Swimming Pool, Tennis Courts, and Baseball Field

    The swimming pool is open during the summer months for a nominal fee, and the tennis courts and baseball field are open year-round. You may want to call ahead to make sure they’re not reserved on the day of your visit. Also, these areas will require you to take a much longer hike or to hop in your car to drive to them. But while in your car, you can add on a driving tour of …

    LBJ’s Working Ranch

    Take a self-guided tour of the president’s family homestead, the working cattle ranch, the small schoolhouse LBJ attended, the cemetery where he’s buried, the Texas White House, and the president’s jet. It’s about a 20 minute drive to see the whole ranch, with opportunities to get out and explore the exhibits mentioned. Bonus: There’s a beautiful winery along the driving trail! To finish up your visit, find a peaceful spot and…

    Go Fishing in the Pedernales

    The beautiful river separates the state park and the national historic site of LBJ’s Ranch. Even if you forget your fishing gear, it’s a peaceful spot to view wildlife like the blue heron and to try to spot large fish in the clear water. Check here for fishing rules.

    Whether you visit LBJ State Park and National Historic Site for an escape to nature, for a little exercise, to see the farm, to view the animals, or to learn the history, you won’t be disappointed. We’ve visited this state park at least five times in the last few years, and each experience has been different from the last. We hope you fall in love just as we have.

    Follow @dripping_with_kids on Instagram or this blog so you don’t miss out on the best places to go in the Texas Hill Country! We’d love to hear about your favorite spots too, and I’d be happy to add them to This Week’s Hike!

  • Reimers Ranch Park in Dripping Springs

    Reimers Ranch Park in Dripping Springs

    In our mission to spend 1000 hours outside this year, we’ve decided to revisit some of our favorite hiking spots and seek out new ones as well. We’ll be sharing one with you every week in our series titled “This Week’s Hike”.

    ✅ Trails for Children

    ✅ Swimming (seasonal)

    ✅ Bathrooms

    ❌ Playground and Sports Fields

    ❌ Free Admission for Park and Trails

    (Cash ONLY for admission – $5/person 12+)

    ✅ Stroller-friendly Trails and Bike Trails

    ❌ Reservations needed

    On the famed Hamilton Pool Road in Dripping Springs, just a few miles from one of the most popular travel destinations in our area, lies a beautiful and diverse park that offers river access, a cave, miles of trails, and additional surprises for visitors of all ages. We’re excited to share everything we love about Milton Reimers Ranch Park!

    The Beach!

    Public access to the Pedernales River with opportunities to swim, float, kayak, fish (white bass), and cliff jump is one of the top reasons to visit Reimers Ranch Park. You can park at the top of the hill and get a short hike in (300 yards) before jumping in the water to cool off. The beach area extends as far as the eye can see and allows plenty of space to claim your spot. Be sure to brings chairs or picnic blankets, along with water shoes, because it’s a pebble beach, and those little rocks get hot! Also, the park (and beach area) can close due to capacity limits, so be sure to arrive early or near dinner time to ensure a spot.

    Variety of Trails

    There are primitive, equestrian, hike and bike, and multi-use trails, as well as paved roads for every type of transportation and level of hiking experience. The multi-use trails offer little shade so be sure to prepare by wearing sunscreen and a hat, as well as packing extra water.

    Rock Climbing and Bouldering

    Whether you’re a novice boulder-jumper or experienced rock climber, Reimers Ranch offers multiple locations to practice. Some of our favorites are just past the cave (see below) and across the river from the beach. There are also additional climbing areas marked along the main road, none of which we’ve attempted yet.

    Cave Exploration

    Upon entering the park, ask for directions to the canyon or cave. (You’ll get a kick out of its name!) If no one is there to guide you, travel along the main road until you reach the parking lot for the “Rock Climbing Trailhead”. There is a covered pavilion and several picnic tables, as well as bathrooms.

    To find the trailhead, follow the path between the bathrooms southbound on foot. About 100 yards along the path, you’ll see a small temporary sign that guides you to a rocky stepped trail down toward the creek. Follow the trail to the right to get to the cave and additional interesting trails.

    The trail to the canyon requires a bit of traversing and may be difficult for young children or elderly hikers. Along the trail to the canyon, you’ll find multiple streams for wading, as well as climbing opportunities.

    Beautiful Wineries and Fun Breweries Nearby

    After a full day of swimming, biking, climbing, and/or hiking, travel just a bit further to discover one of Dripping Springs’ finest vineyards: Hamilton Pool Vineyard and Farms. Also, just a 10-15 minute drive away are several breweries with more than just a cold beer to offer. Check out our favorites!

    Whether you’re a Dripping Springs resident or visitor, there’s no doubt you’ve heard of Hamilton Pool Preserve, and while it’s a beautiful site, you definitely don’t want to miss the equally beautiful sights at Reimers Ranch Park just down the road.

    Follow @dripping_with_kids on Instagram or this blog so you don’t miss out on the best places to go in the Texas Hill Country! We’d love to hear about your favorite spots too.

  • Guadalupe River State Park

    Guadalupe River State Park

    In our mission to spend 1000 hours outside this year, we’ve decided to revisit some of our favorite hiking spots and seek out new ones as well. We’ll be sharing one with you every week in our series titled “This Week’s Hike”.

    ✅ Trails for Children

    ✅ Swimming

    ✅ Bathrooms

    ✅ Playground

    ✅ Reservations needed

    ❌ Stroller-friendly Trails

    ❌ Free admission

    Just north of San Antonio, east of Boerne, and about an hour from Dripping Springs sits one of our favorite state parks and the location of This Week’s Hike! We’re excited to share everything we love about Guadalupe River State Park:

    The River

    In the summer, it’s the perfect swimming hole. In the winter, it’s fun for skipping rocks and trying to traverse temporary rock bridges without falling in. During any season, this spot on the Guadalupe River is the start of a 5-mile paddling trail for kayakers, tubers, and paddle-boarders. (Check water levels before dropping in though.)

    Easy to Moderate Trails

    On the south side of the River, all the trails are easy to moderate, which is perfect for a family with young children. I would not recommend strollers for these trails. We tried that once, and there was more stroller-carrying than stroller-pushing. Our younger kids could easily handle the Turkey Sink Trail, the Bald Cypress Trail, and the Scenic Overlook Trail. The trails vary in length throughout the park from .2 miles to 2.8 miles.

    The Views

    There are multiple cliffs and a scenic overlook to get great views of the River below and the surrounding Hill Country.

    A Story Walk

    Currently, there is a story walk on the Discovery Center Loop trail. Getting to the next page in the book was a great motivator for my 3-year-old to keep hiking.

    The Discovery Center

    Unfortunately, the Discovery Center is currently closed, but it’s definitely worth visiting when it re-opens! (Pics taken in 2019.)

    More Challenging Trail Options

    The Bauer Unit on the north side of the river, which requires a drive from the state park entrance to another entrance about 6 miles away, offers 8 miles of more challenging/remote trails, as well as a visit to the historic Bauer House.

    Guided Tours

    On Saturday mornings only, guided walks through the Honey Creek State Natural Area are available, and they start inside the park at the Rust House.

    A Small Playground

    Near the bathrooms by the River, there is a small playground with a couple swings, two fireman’s poles, and an old metal slide. It was enough to keep my 5-year-old from wanting to leave the park.

    Clean Bathrooms and Changing Areas

    The park has recently remodeled the bathrooms and changing areas in the river -access parking lot.

    The Wildlife

    Visit the bird blind to check out the many flying Texas species that frequent the area, including the Barred Owl. There are also equestrian trails for horse-lovers and free fishing equipment you can check out from the ranger station. On our recent trip here, an armadillo scurried right in front of us searching for his next dig site.

    Great Towns Nearby

    After a visit to the park, you can take the short drive into San Antonio to stroll the Riverwalk or enjoy dinner at the Pearl District. An even closer option is the cute small town of Boerne where you can do more hiking along a river or enjoy a beautiful evening on one of their local restaurant patios.

    If you haven’t already, we encourage you to visit Guadalupe River State Park the next time the sun is shining! Also, if you’re into camping, it appeared that the park has several beautiful spots to pitch your tent.

    Follow @dripping_with_kids on Instagram or this blog so you don’t miss out on the best places to go in the Texas Hill Country! We’d love to hear about your favorite spots too.

  • 2023 Spring Break in the Texas Hill Country

    2023 Spring Break in the Texas Hill Country

    The Texas Hill Country offers several unique and fun Spring Break options. I’m bringing this popular post back to the surface again in case you haven’t quite hit the “Book” button on your Spring Break plans.

    Spring Break takes on many different roles as you go through life. As a child, it represents freedom from school and, hopefully, a memorable family vacation. In college, it’s a week of clandestine partying and naïve independence. As a young professional, it means less traffic on your commute and sunset happy hours on a lively patio. 

    However, for parents of school-age kids, Spring Break equates to planning, prepping, and packing, whether you stay or go.

    The planning can become overwhelming, though. There are just too many options. Do we play hometown tourists? Blow our budget and go skiing? Take a road-trip and camp in the great outdoors? Rent a house on the beach? Or do we visit family or friends? It can be pretty daunting.

    BUT… the planning, pressure, and patience it takes to celebrate Spring Break is so worth it. After surviving those grueling winter months (spoken as a true Texan), Spring Break is a turning point from one season to the next. It represents the promise of less illness, sunny days, and plenty of opportunities to get outdoors. It’s a rite of passage throughout life, but it’s also the perfect pivot from too much screen time to too much sunscreen.

    If you’re still stuck in a planning rut, you’re in luck because I love to plan! Read on for some amazing, last-minute options that can be perfect for day trips or short stays in the Texas Hill Country. You can even have a completely FREE* staycation!

    Bastrop Area

    Whether your family is into history, the rustic outdoors, chilling by the water’s edge, or window-shopping, there’s something fun for all in this small town. Check it out….

    Places to Stay –

    Bastrop River House

    Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort

    Dinosaur Park Bastrop, Texas

    Things to do –

    • The Dinosaur Park: Check out dino replicas, explore the gift shop, walk the trails, dig for fossils, and have a picnic near the playground.
    • McKinney Roughs Nature Park: discovery center, hiking trails, canopy zipline tours, UTV tours, and horseback riding.
    • McKinney Falls State Park: hiking, biking, fishing (rental equipment available), swimming, cabin and campsite rental, waterfalls, Junior Ranger program. (Book a day pass in advance.)
    • *Downtown Bastrop: nestled along the Colorado River, this historic downtown has art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, breweries, a museum and visitor center, live music, and theater performances at the old Opera House.
    • *Fisherman’s Park: riverside park with basketball court, playground, splash pad, and boat rentals – Enjoy a walk along the river trail and a yummy lunch at Neighbor’s Kitchen.

    New Braunfels/Gruene 

    Gruene, TX Gruene Hall

    With no shortage of family activities and so much natural beauty in this part of Texas, it has become one of my family’s favorite areas to visit. Check it out….

    Places to Stay –

    Guadalupe River Houses

    World Mark New Braunfels

    Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park

    Things to Do –

    • *Landa Park: spring-fed wading pool, miniature train, mini golf, 4 playgrounds, hiking, and sand volleyball.
    • *Fischer Park: 62-acre hilltop park with amazing views, hiking and biking trails, fishing ponds, kayak rentals, outdoor amphitheater, education center, and archaeology dig.
    • Comal and Guadalupe River: check online for tube rental and river access
    • Stars & Stripes Drive-In Theatre: old-school drive in theater with kid-friendly movie options and concessions.
    • Natural Bridge Caverns: cave tours, zip lining, gem mining, maze, canopy explorer (full day of activities!).
    • Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch: drive-thru safari park with giraffes, zebras, rhinos, lemurs, and so many more. Make reservations in advance and start early in the day.
    • McKenna Children’s Museum: indoor fun for all (limited hours, check website)
    • *Historic Gruene: Visit Gruene Hall for live music, shop the boutiques, stroll along the river, and eat at the Gristmill.

    Johnson City and Fredericksburg

    Nestled between Dripping Springs and Fredericksburg, Johnson City features so much of what the Texas Hill Country is known for: rolling hills, stunning views, delicious home-cooking, rich history, and local wine! There’s something for everyone in this tiny town.

    Places to Stay –

    The Lighthouse Hill Ranch

    The Carnegie Hotel

    A Cottage near Main Street

    Things to Do –

    Hunt Area

    Paddle boarding on the Rio Frio

    I’ve always known Hunt as the location of my childhood friends’ favorite summer camps. As you drive into Hunt, it’s easy to see why it was chosen for their location. The wide open spaces and winding Guadalupe River take you far away from home with their beauty.

    Places to Stay –

    WorldMark Stablewood Springs

    Waterfront Cabins

    Things to Do –

    • Garner State Park: one of our fave state parks, offering challenging to easy hiking trails, tubing, paddle-boarding, overnight camping, evening activities, and mini golf.
    • *Schumaker’s Crossing: Swim, kayak, or float in the crystal clear waters just east of downtown Hunt. Paddle about 30 min to Ingram Dam to try out a natural water slide, then make your way back to relax and enjoy a picnic at the tables under the beautiful Cypress trees.
    • YO Ranch: Go on a private exotic wildlife tour. Book in advance for a spot.
    • Bridget’s Basket: Book a table in this old farmhouse and enjoy farm-to-table goodies
    • *Explore Kerrville: You can fill the day visiting meaningful tourist attractions, shopping in the historic downtown, floating the river, and playground-hopping.

    Waco

    Still one of our favorite places to visit as a family, we’re always finding new-to-us things to do there. This Road Trip Edition highlights our faves.

    Boerne and Bandera

    Places to Stay –

    Things to Do – 

    * FREE activities

    I hope Spring Break planning goes smoothly and that your family is able to enjoy the best the Texas Hill Country has to offer!

    Not ready to travel? Try a few of these at-home Staycation ideas, do a tour of the best hiking spots in the Austin area, or plan a few fun day trips, then come home to your own bed!

    Thank you for reading! Follow Dripping with Kids on Instagram or subscribe to this blog to get the best ideas on what to do with your family throughout the year in the Texas Hill Country.

  • Road Trip Edition: Waco with Kids

    Road Trip Edition: Waco with Kids

    “What’s in Waco?”

    I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this question after revealing the destination of a recurring road trip for our family.

    Is there an amusement park for children? Nope. Is there a nice resort to stay at? Not that I know of. Is there a beach? Definitely not. (But read on to find out how you can ride the waves in the center of Texas.) Is there anything more to do than following the Gaines family on their latest venture? Surprisingly, YES.

    There’s something about the many small towns of Texas that really piques my family’s interests. Each town in this great state has such a unique history, culture, and vibe, and Waco is no exception.  It has a long and intriguing history rooted in Native American culture and early American settlers. It’s also the site of one of the largest mammoth excavations in the world and the location of the first bridge over the Brazos River, which connected east and west Texas, forever changing the population and economy of the future republic. Waco has also had a negative and notorious reputation for murder, including the lynching incident deemed the Waco Horror, David Koresh’s Branch Davidian cult massacre and fire, and the biker gang shoot out in 2015. These stories made Waco less than popular among tourists, yet this town has a thriving university, multiple museums, beautiful natural landscapes, cultural diversity, and a story to tell. Chip and Joanna decided that Waco wasn’t worth giving up on, and my family tends to agree. One weekend just isn’t enough to take all of it in, but here’s our version of how to make the best of those few days and entertain the entire crew in the infamous town of Waco…

    Where to Stay:

    We found a great house in the nearby town of Riesel. It’s off the beaten path, and there’s no grocery store or special attractions, but it’s just a 15-20 min drive from Waco and offers a relaxing country setting, as well as opportunities to enjoy quiet quality time with family and friends. Check out this house: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/22227878

    If you want to stay right in town, there are plenty of options through Airbnb, but we’ve also stayed at a hotel (Springhill Suites) that had rooms big enough for our family of 6 and included a full kitchen and free breakfast. Highly recommend!

    Things to Do:

    Cameron Park Zoo – One of our fave zoos! The  zoo has plenty of shade, a fun playground, and interactive exhibits; plus, it’s easy to walk through the whole zoo in half a day. Highlights include the slide through the otter exhibit, feeding the giraffes, bridges over animal habitats, several cute photo ops, the nocturnal animals barn, and the extensive reptile house. Tip: Feed yourself and the kiddos in advance. There are two cafes, but they are spread out. There aren’t many snack options in between the two.

    Cameron Park – This Park has it all… multiple playgrounds, a splash pad, picnic areas, scenic views, and hike and bike trails. It is one of the largest municipal parks in Texas, and the Brazos River runs alongside it. Tip: Explore the website and map in advance to determine where to park your car based on trail heads or playgrounds you want to visit. https://www.waco-texas.com/cms-parksandrecreation/page.aspx?id=310

    Magnolia Market at the Silos – The Gaines family ventures aren’t completely avoidable. With lawn games for the kids, shopping for Mom, and food trucks for Dad, there’s plenty to do here to keep everyone happy. (BONUS: Joanna Gaines has re-opened her original store on Bosque as a liquidation shop. If you make a purchase at Magnolia Market at the Silos, you can bring your receipt to the Bosque location and get an additional 10% off the already reduced prices.)

    Mayborn Museum – It’s a history museum and children’s museum in one… win-win for the whole family! Highlights include the mini mammoth site, kinetic music hallway, outdoor pioneer village, and dozens of interactive children’s exhibits, including a toddler play area. Also, the museum is on the Baylor campus, which is really pretty to walk or drive through. Tips: Allow a lot of time for this visit. Your kids will want to stay put in specific rooms, and you will want to have plenty of time leftover to explore the outdoor village. Outside food and drinks are not allowed.

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    The Dr. Pepper Museum – Do you love the sweet, sugary concoction and want to know all about its history? Then, this museum is for you. There are some nostalgic components worth reminiscing over and some fun photo ops, but if you are with small children with little patience, save this museum for another visit when they’re a bit older and/or when the grandparents want to relive their early years with the soda jerk. (Sorry, Mom.)

    On the bucket list for a future visit:

    Waco Mammoth National Monument – This paleontological site represents the nation’s only recorded discovery of a nursery herd of Columbian mammoths. Visitors can view “in situ” fossils including female mammoths, a bull mammoth, and a camel that lived approximately 67,000 years ago.  https://www.nps.gov/waco/index.htm

    Homestead Heritage – Homestead Heritage is an agrarian- and craft-based intentional Christian community. Its literature stresses simplicity, sustainability, self-sufficiency, cooperation, service and quality craftsmanship. It also strives to live in peaceful coexistence with the land, other people and other faiths. You can visit the craft village Mon-Sat. https://www.homesteadheritage.com/overview/

    BSR Cable Park – This surf resort boasts the longest lazy river in Texas, plus opportunities to learn how to ride the waves and satisfy your dreams of becoming a pro surfer. This adventure is meant for older children and adults, but it offers cabins to rent and picnic spots for the whole family. https://www.bsrcablepark.com/

    Texas Ranger Museum – Yes, it’s a history museum… about law enforcement. It’s probably not for everyone, but it’s still on our list for the history nerd in our family. (I’m pretty sure you’ve already guessed who that is.) https://www.texasranger.org/

    Texas Sports Hall of Fame – This one’s for the guys in our household. It’s supposed to be a really cool place to visit with lots of sports photos, memorabilia, and statistics that are necessary for the male brain to memorize. http://www.tshof.org/visit/info/

    Baylor’s McLane Stadium Tour and Bears Football Game – What’s more Texan than football?? As our kids get older, we’d love for them to experience a game at each of the major universities, and if we can tack on a tour of the stadium, even better! https://baylorbears.com/sports/2018/5/16/facilities-mclane-html.aspx

    Hawaiian Falls Water Park – This park looks like fun for all ages with attractions for thrill seekers and toddlers alike. https://hfalls.com/waco.php