Day 1 You'll See:
Day 2 You'll See:
Welcome to wonderful Waco, Texas, home of the Baylor Bears, of the popular Magnolia Trail, and of 'pop' icon favorite attraction, the Dr. Pepper Museum. Get ready for 2 full days of fun and adventure!
1
The Magnolia Trail -
The Magnolia Trail is a string of shops, restaurants, and attractions that have been featured on Chip and Joanna Gaines' hit show, the entire area allowing you the chance to shop and decorate as they do!Take a tour of the area and see the Magnolia House, Magnolia Market at the Silos, Magnolia Shop, Silos Baking Co, Historic Elite Cafe, and even Clint Harp's Shop. Aside from the delicious Silos Baking Co Bakery, there will also be food trucks lining the way so you can grab a bite to eat during your tour.
Baylor University -
Baylor is a private Christian university first established in 1845, making it the oldest continuously operating university in Texas. The school houses around 16,000 students at any given time, the students all drawn to Baylor by its outstanding interdisciplinary research and reputation for educational excellence overall. This school features business, law, nursing, human sciences, computer sciences, education, Theological Seminary, social work, and arts and sciences.Baylor University is a member of the Big 12 Conference, allowing students and guests to enjoy Division I athletics on a regular basis. The Bears have quite the local following, as well as quite the reputation for intense rivalries.
Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat -
The Bear Pit is considered to be the 'most visited place on campus', this Class C Zoo maintained by the US Dept of Agriculture, students within several different departments on campus, and professional trainers. There is absolutely no question about the care for these bears, they are certainly spoiled and happy! The two bears you will see are named Joy and Lady, both North American Black Bears. There is a walkway around their enclosure to watch them swim, eat, or play, as well as a private cave, cooled to their liking.
Dr. Pepper Museum -
Focusing on the history and memorabilia of soft drinks over time, not just Dr. Pepper alone, this museum gives guests a great insight into the industry and enterprise in general. In fact, the 3rd floor actually holds the Free Enterprise Institute, a great spot for students to come get a quick but effective economics lesson.While here your group is going to have several different tour options, each one taking you behind the scenes of this institution and of the creation of Dr. Pepper in general. Learn about Dr. Charles Alderton, the original 'Dr. Pepper' who created this soft drink in 1885 in the Old Corner Drug Store. That makes Dr. Pepper the oldest major soft drink in the United States!
2
Cameron Park Zoo -
Inside the zoo, your group will see over 1700 animals representing 300 different species. You can head to the Asian Forest to see the endangered Orangutan, Sumatran Tiger, or Komodo Dragon, then head to see Kai the lion. Other habitats/exhibits include Gibbon Island, Bald Eagle Habitat, South America, African Savanna, and Lemur Island. We can schedule a group lunch for you at the onsite Plaza Cafe or Treetop Cafe, making your trip a bit easier. If you are traveling with younger kids be aware of Grammy Nell's Playground and splash area, as well!
Texas Rangers Hall of Fame and Museum -
Texas Rangers are considered to be a legendary symbol of the state and of the American West in general, and this museum aims to preserve the history and inspire the appreciation of these men. Inside you will see various artifacts, documents, and works of art representing over 2 centuries of Texas Ranger history. There are special tours customizable for school groups that dive deep into the subjects of Texas history, government, crime investigation, public safety, and geography, each tour lasting around 45 minutes.
Waco Mammoth National Monument -
Sitting along the Bosque River, this gorgeous area was a common ground for hiking, wildlife watching, and arrowhead hunting, the latter of which happened to be the activity taking place in 1978 when the first fossil was stumbled upon. From 1978 to 1990 the area was excavated, some of the remains even left in the spots they were originally found (in situ). You will see the remains of a female mammoth, Bull mammoth, a dwarf antelope, American alligator, saber-toothed cat, and even a 67,000-year-old camel! As a matter of fact, all of these remains are from about 65,000 to 72,000 years ago.