VAN AREA OIL AND HISTORICAL MUSEUM—The oil derricks in the Van field have disappeared, but one can be found on the museum grounds. Displays include oil-related memorabilia as well as the history of the area. At Texas 16 and C.R. 1501. 903/963-5435.
WACO POP. 129,627
ALT. 427 MAP M-18/MM-10
WACO TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER: For a 24- hour recorded message of events: 800/WACO-FUN (922-6386), 254/750-8696 or 254/750-1693.
www.wacocvb.com.
One of Texas’ major cities, Waco retains the flavor of its past when the five “C’s”—cattle, cotton, corn, collegians and culture—were its support. Springs on the Brazos River were long popular with the Native American Waco tribe. The first non-natives to see the area were remnants of De Soto’s band in 1542. A Texas Ranger fort was established near the Native American village in 1837. After the Civil War wrecked the area’s plantation economy, renewed Western movement and the Chisholm Trail’s path through Waco brought another boom—and frontier wildness branded the town as “Six-Shooter Junction.” Today, Waco is known for its educational, cultural and
recreational facilities. It is home to Baylor University, Mc- Lennan Community College and Texas State Technical College. A scenic river walk meanders along the Brazos River from Fort Fisher Park past the suspension bridge and through Cameron Park to Herring Avenue. Annual events include the Homestead Labor Day
Festival and Waco Cultural Arts Festival in September, and the Heart O’ Texas Fair and Rodeo in October.
ARMSTRONG BROWNING LIBRARY—This Italian Re- naissance-style building holds the world’s largest collection of works and memorabilia of Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, plus bronze sculptures and Renaissance paint- ings. The stained-glass windows depict Browning themes. Free. 710 Speight Ave. On the Baylor University campus. 254/710-3566.
www.browninglibrary.org.
ART CENTER WACO—The center features rotating exhib- its of various media in a Mediterranean-style home with a courtyard. Free. 1300 College Drive. 254/752-4371.
www.artcenterwaco.org.
BSR CABLE PARK—A cable system allows water sports enthusiasts to go wakeboarding and kneeboarding with- out a boat. Instruction for beginners, equipment rentals, pro shop, pavilion and cabins are available. Admission charge. 5347 Old Mexia Road. 254/227-6388.
www.bsrcablepark.com.
CAMERON PARK ZOO—Animals and native vegetation flourish at this 52-acre natural habitat zoo near the Brazos River. Exhibits include the Asian Forest, the Flower Garden Reef aquarium, a bison herd and white rhinos. Admission charge. 1701 N. Fourth St. Take Exit 335A from I-35. 254/750-8400.
www.cameronparkzoo.com.
DISTILLERY—Balcones Distilling. See BREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES listing.
DR PEPPER MUSEUM—The museum for this soda created in Waco is housed in the original 1906 bottling plant, now listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It features a restored operating soda fountain, Dr Pepper memorabil- ia and interactive displays. Admission charge. 300 S. Fifth St. 254/757-1024.
www.drpeppermuseum.com.
EARLE-HARRISON HOUSE & PAPE GARDENS— One of the state’s finest antebellum Greek Revival style structures, it was built in 1858-59. Grounds include a de- tached kitchen, mature trees and a rare double gazebo. Admission charge. 1901 N. Fifth St. 254/753-2032.
www.earleharrison.com.
HAWAIIAN FALLS WATERPARK—WACO—Cool off with high-speed water rides, a lazy river and wave pool at this
222 PHOTO: KEVIN STILLMAN/TXDOT
The Dr Pepper Museum in Waco features an old-fashioned soda fountain.
waterpark. Admission charge. 900 Lake Shore Drive. 254/892-0222 or 888/544-7550.
www.hfalls.com/waco.
HISTORIC HOMES—Gracious Southern mansions are open for tours on a rotating basis: McCulloch House, 407 Columbus St., Jan.–March; Fort House, 503 S. Fourth St., April–June; East Terrace, 100 Mill St., July–Sept.; Earle- Napier-Kinnard House, 814 S. Fourth St., Oct.–Dec. Admission charge. 254/753-5166.
www.historicwaco.org.
HOMESTEAD HERITAGE TRADITIONAL CRAFTS VIL- LAGE—Explore the village and workshops on this 500-acre working farm, where craftsmen create handmade furni- ture, pottery and ironwork. Tour Heritage Farm, a self- sufficient homestead. Gift shop. Groups welcome. Free. 254/754-9600.
www.homesteadheritage.com.
LAKES—Lake Brazos—A City of Waco lake on the Brazos River downtown. Cameron Park East offers lake access and picnicking. 254/750-5740. Lake Waco—This Army Corps of Engineers reservoir is
mostly within the city limits of Waco. It has parks, marinas and boat ramps with swimming, fishing, picnicking and camping. North west edge of Waco. 254/756-5359.
MARTIN MUSEUM OF ART—Museum features exhibits by national and international artists and touring historical art shows. Permanent collection of modern and contem- porary painting, sculpture and prints. Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center, Baylor University. 254/710-1867.
MAYBORN MUSEUM COMPLEX—Natural history exhib- its include dioramas, including a Texas limestone cave, a Texas forest and the Waco Mammoth Experience, where visitors can walk on a glass floor over casts of skeletal re- mains of two mammoths found nearby. Also includes the
Gov. Bill and Vara Daniel Historic Village and traveling exhibits. Gift shop. Admission charge. 1300 S. University Parks Drive. 254/710-1110.
www.baylor.edu/mayborn.
TEXAS RANGER HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM— This museum is dedicated to the history and lore of the legendary Texas Rangers, the oldest state law enforce- ment agency in the nation. The facility features changing exhibits with more than 14,000 artifacts. Gift shop. Ad- mission charge. From I-35, take Exit 335B. 254/750-8631.
www.texasranger.org.
TEXAS SPORTS HALL OF FAME—Memorabilia highlight nationally known Texas sports figures, including golfers such as Byron Nelson and Lee Trevino, boxer George Foreman and baseball’s Nolan Ryan. Also includes halls of fame for several sports and a Southwest Conference exhibit. Admission charge. 1108 S. University Parks Drive. 254/756-1633.
www.tshof.org.
WACO MAMMOTH SITE—Step back in time 68,000 years ago, when mammoths and saber-toothed cats roamed what would become Texas. A suspended walkway provides an overhead view of exposed bones where they were found near the Brazos River. Admission charge. 6220 Steinbeck Bend Drive. 254/750-7946.
www.wacomammoth.org.
WACO SUSPENSION BRIDGE—This structure was built in 1870 and is still in use as a pedestrian bridge on the Brazos River from Indian Spring Park to Martin Luther King Park. This landmark was the only span across the Brazos River on the Chisholm Trail. On University Parks Drive between Washington Avenue and Franklin Avenue.
WINERIES—Waco Winery and Vineyards, and Valley Mills Vineyards. See WINERIES listing.
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