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Waco sits in central Texas, with the Brazos river running through one side and Waco Lake on the other. The weather in Waco varies drastically, with swelteringly hot summers and cold winters. It’s consistently dry and sunny year-round, so you can probably leave your umbrella at home. On average, there are 230 sunny days per year in Waco. Spring is a nice time to visit, with temperatures warming from daily highs of 73 – 87 degrees Fahrenheit between the beginning of March and the end of May. This is peak tourist season, so book your travel early and expect to pay a bit more. When summer hits, scorching high temperatures of 95 – 100 degrees Fahrenheit can be a bit much for some. Make sure that your accommodation offers air-conditioning if you visit in summer. The heat continues into September, and even October, but lets up considerably in November. This is the least busy time of year for tourism, so it might be a great opportunity to find deals on flights and rooms. From December – February, daily high temperatures of 61 – 63 degrees Fahrenheit and lows that can dip below freezing are considerably less comfortable. It even snows occasionally, so make sure to pack warm clothing if you visit during winter.

This is Texas, and everything is bigger here, so getting around within the city requires transport of some kind. Fortunately, Waco offers two free services, the Silo District Downtown Trolley and the DASH (downtown area shuttle). Most tourists rent a vehicle during their visit, as traffic is light and the streets easy to navigate. Best of all, you’ll find that free parking spots are plentiful.

Public Transportation

The Silo District Downtown Trolley operates Monday through Saturday, from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm, and the DASH shuttle runs every 15 minutes, Monday through Friday, from 7:25 am to 5:55 pm. Both have regular stops, but you can also flag them down by catching the driver’s eye and waving for them to stop, which is very convenient when your feet get tired! You can also ride the local buses, although they aren’t particularly geared for tourists. A single-ride fare is $1.50 USD and a day pass costs $3.00 USD.

Taxis

Taxis are available in Waco, you can find them outside of hotels and attractions, or call for service. Flag drop is $3.00 USD, with $2.00 USD for each subsequent mile, and a waiting charge of $30.00 USD per hour. You might want to call for Lyft or Uber services. They are usually a bit cheaper, except during times of peak demand.

Things to do and places of interest in Waco, TX

Waco is a small city that lives large, as you might expect in Texas. Here are a few of our top picks for your itinerary.

• Don’t miss the Waco Mammoth Site. In 1978, 2 young men searching for arrowheads found something unexpected – 68,000-year-old mammoth bones. Since their discovery, Baylor University’s Strecker Museum has been excavating the site and over the years, they have found the remains of 22 mammoths. You can tour the enclosed, air-conditioned dig shelter via a suspended walkway, which provides an amazing overhead view that’s sure to intrigue children and adults alike.
• Spend an afternoon at the Mayborn Museum Complex, which is located at Baylor University. The biggest museum complex in the region, it offers interactive exhibits and activities for everyone. Visit the scientific explorations stations, see the limestone cave, and then tour the 16 themed discovery rooms on 2 levels. Afterwards, head out to the 13-acre, 1890s-style village.
• Visit the Magnolia Silos. TV show celebrities, Chip and Joanna Gaines, have created this marketplace where you can shop till you drop, enjoy some delicious food, and play games on the giant lawn with your family.
• For some absolutely free fun and adventure, check out the Lake Waco Wetlands. This 180-acre wetland sits on the banks of the Bosque River, and features 2.6 miles of trails and walkways, with 3 elevated observation platforms for bird watching.
• If you’re a fan of Dr. Pepper, you should stop by the small museum paying homage to it. You may not know that Dr. Pepper is America’s oldest soft drink, it was developed by a Waco pharmacist in 1885.
• If you’re a fan of TV shows, you might consider taking a tour on the Magnolia Trail. This self-guided tour takes you to many of the homes that Waco’s most famous renovation specialists have improved, along with their businesses and others that are visited or mentioned on the show.

Tips and tricks for visiting Waco, TX

If you plan a visit to the Magnolia Silos, it can get very busy. However, if you get up bright and early, the Silos Bakery opens at 7:30 am, while the market doesn’t open till 9 am. First thing in the morning, you can stroll right into the bakery for a breakfast cupcake, rather than waiting in the long lines that form later in the morning.

Waco can experience tornadoes, and while they may occur in any month and at any hour of the day, they happen with greatest frequency during the late spring and early summer months, and between the hours of 4 – 8 pm.