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 memorabilia 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 detached 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 waterpark. Admission charge. 900 Lake Shore Drive. 254/892-0222 or 888/544-7550.
www.hfalls.com/waco.
Get a closer look at famous sports figures at the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in Waco. War II. 119 Silent Wings Blvd. 972/524-1714.
R.A. TERRELL HOMEPLACE—This Recorded Texas Historic Landmark was one of the first homes in town and is one of only 20 surviving Round Houses in the nation. The interior is not open to the public. 200 Bowser Circle. On the Southwestern Christian College campus. 972/524-3341.
TERRELL HERITAGE MUSEUM—This local history museum is housed in the 1904 Carnegie Building, which served as a public library until 1984. 207 N. Frances St. 972/524-6082.
www.terrellheritage.org.
THE COLONY POP. 39,640
ALT. 731 MAP H-18/QQ-7
THE COLONY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU: 6900 Main St. 972/624-5253 or 877/264-5253.
www.visitthecolonytx.com.
This city is on the east side of Lewisville Lake. The Colony has several golf courses. Tribute Golf Links and Guest House, and The Old American Golf Club were among Golf Magazine’s top five in Texas in 2010. Stewart Peninsula Golf Course also offers challenging play and lake views. Lewisville Lake (see Lewisville) is one of the city’s main attractions. Hidden Cove Park and Marina offer RV and camping sites, boating, swimming, water skiing and fishing. Events include the Kids Chase by the Lake run in
April, the Bow-Wow Luau in September and American Heroes in November.
HAWAIIAN FALLS WATERPARK—This 7.6-acre water park offers tube chutes, winding rivers, speed slides, gentle waves and a jungle-themed water playground for small children. Admission charge. 4400 Paige Road. 972/370-4327.
www.hfalls.com.
VAN POP. 2,720
ALT. 512 MAP K-20
CITY OF VAN: 189 S. Maple. 903/963-7216.
www.vantx.com.
Aproductive oil field was discovered here in 1929, and Van became a boom town. About 30 structures, including hotels, were built within 10 days. Today, Van continues as a community rich in history. Golfers can play nearby at the Garden Valley Golf Resort.
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 West Main Street and Elm Place. 903/963-5435.
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WACO POP. 129,179
ALT. 427 MAP M-18/MM-10
WACO TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER: Operated by Waco Convention & Visitors Bureau. For a 24- hour recorded message of events: 800/WACO-FUN (922-6386). 254/750-8696 or 254/750-1693.
www.wacoheartoftexas.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 Europeans to see the area were remnants of De Soto’s band in 1542. After the Civil War wrecked the area’s plantation economy, renewed Western movement and the Chisholm Trail 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 and Texas State Technical College. A scenic river walk meanders along the Brazos River from Fort Fisher Park to Herring Avenue. 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 Renaissance-style building holds the world’s largest collection of works and memorabilia of Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, plus bronze sculptures and Renaissance paintings. 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 exhibits of various media—paintings, sculptures, woodcarvings, pottery and weaving—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 without 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.
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 VILLAGE—Explore the village and workshops on this 500-acre working farm, where craftsmen create handmade furniture, 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. Northwest 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 contemporary painting, sculpture and prints. Free. Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center, Baylor University. 254/710-1867.
MAYBORN MUSEUM COMPLEX—Natural history exhibits feature 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 remains 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 enforcement agency in the nation. The facility features changing exhibits with more than 14,000 artifacts. Gift shop. Admission 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.
PHOTO: KEVIN STILLMAN/TXDOT
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