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
PINEWOOD COFFEE | directions - coffee + chill vibes
* BE KIND COFFEE | directions - coffee + breakfast
DICHOTOMY | directions - coffee + pastries
FOR KEEPS COFFEE + BAKERY | directions - craft coffee + artisan bakery
THRST COFFEE SHP | directions - coffee + moody vibes
COMMON GROUNDS | directions - coffee + pastries
COMMON GROUNDS WOODWAY | directions - coffee + pastries + outdoor playscape
* THE RANCHITO #5 | directions - ramble’s favorite breakfast tacos
* WORLD CUP CAFE | directions - breakfast diner + 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
MAGNOLIA TABLE | directions - breakfast + brunch
MAGNOLIA PRESS | directions - coffee + pastries
CASUAL LUNCH + DINNER
* REVIVAL EASTSIDE EATERY | directions - sandwiches + salads
GUESS FAMILY BARBECUE | directions -
* HELBERG BARBECUE | directions - Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ joint (worth the drive!)
* CHA COMMUNITY | directions - boba + dumplings + cold noodles
UNION HALL | directions - food hall with LOTS of options!
SLOW RISE SLICE HOUSE | directions -
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
ALPHA OMEGA | directions -
D’S MEDITERRANEAN | directions - Mediterranean + Middle Eastern dishes
* YAKI | directions - Texas teriyaki
HUACO LOUNGE | directions - traditional Mexican food + margaritas + patio!
HEALTH CAMP | directions - burgers + milkshakes
WHIZZBANGS | directions - burgers + onion rings
PAPA ROLLO’S | directions - pizza + a hidden bathroom that is an experience you won’t forget!
* SHORTY’S PIZZA | directions - pizza + a Baylor campus favorite!
ROUTE 77 FOOD PARK | directions - food truck park + dog friendly
CLAY POT | directions - Vietnamese
HECHO EN WACO | directions - traditional Mexican food
SCHMALTZ’S | directions -
SQUIRRELY’S TAVERN @ CAMP FIMFO | directions - food + drinks + live music
CAFE HOMESTEAD | directions - Homestead Heritage’s homemade food
THE OLIVE BRANCH | directions - elevated comfort food
ELEVATED LUNCH + DINNER
may require a reservation!
* DI CAMPLI’S ITALIAN RISTORANTE | directions -
* 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
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
SPICE VILLAGE | directions - 60+ boutiques under one roof!
WORLD CUP FAIR TRADE MARKET | directions - fair trade home goods from around the world
SPARROW | directions - vintage goods + antiques
PAPER CROWN | directions - craft boutique
SUMMER ELLIS BIJOUTERIE | directions - handmade jewelry
LAVERTY’S | directions - antiques + home + vintage (open occasionally)
CEDAR CHEST ANTIQUES | directions - antiques + vintage
MAGNOLIA | directions - adult Disney World
THE BEAR MOUNTAIN | directions - outdoor store + bike shop
STUDIO GROCERY | directions - immaculate vibes; vintage clothes + furniture + jewelry + art
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
DRINKS + LATE NIGHT
* ONE DAY | directions - cocktails + coffee + beer + wine
SLOANE’S | directions - tiki bar
DICHOTOMY | directions - craft cocktails + rooftop patio
PUTTERS | directions - sports bar + arcade + mini golf
FREIGHT | directions - icehouse + yardbar
CRICKET’S | directions - beer + cocktails + games + shuffleboard
WACO ALE CO | directions - craft beer + food
BROTHERWELL BREWERY | directions - craft beer + beer garden
SOUTHERN ROOTS BREWERY | directions - craft beer + pizza
VALLEY MILLS VINEYARD | directions -
* BARNETT’S WHISKEY HOUSE | directions - whiskey + cocktails + food + darts
STAY CLASSY | directions - wine + cocktail bar
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!)
WACO SURF | directions - lazy river + swim up bar…what else could you ask for?
WACO AXE CO | directions - axe throwing
* HAMMER & STAIN | directions - DIY workshop for all ages!
WACO PADDLE CO | directions - kayak, canoe, + stand up paddle board rentals on the Brazos
* WACO FARMERS MARKET | directions - weekly farmers market with local produce, floral, + makers (Saturdays)
BRIDGE STREET MARKET | directions - weekly market with local goods + live music + food
EASTSIDE MARKET | directions - handmade + vintage + music local market on 1st & 3rd weekends
PURA VIDA PADDLE | directions - kayak + SUP rentals
STUMPY’S HACHET HOUSE | directions - axe throwing + BYOB
WACO PEDAL TOURS | directions - party bike + sightseeing tour
HOMESTEAD HERITAGE | directions - craft village + cafe + gristmill
BLACK OAK POTTERY | directions - pottery classes + lessons
CULTIVATE 7TWELVE | directions - art gallery + artist studio + events
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
BEAR HABITAT ON BAYLOR CAMPUS | directions - see the live mascots of Baylor University!
* HAMMER & STAIN | directions - DIY workshop for all ages!
WHITEHALL PARK | directions - dog park + walking trails + playground + gaga ball pit + pickle ball courts
CARLEEN BRIGHT ARBORETUM | directions - 16 acres of botanical gardens + pavilion
* FABLED | directions - bookshop + cafe
* MAYBORN CHILDREN’S MUSEUM | directions - interactive children’s museum
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!
