We took the perfect road trip to Waco, TX, and it was time well spent with my mom.
If you’ve ever wanted to take your mother on a road trip, Waco would be a great place to visit with her. Its small-town charm is full of wonderful things women love to do and see. Our latest mother-daughter road trip to Waco, TX, was just what we both needed, especially my mom. Keep reading to see the activities we had fun doing together and separate!
Our Road Trip To Waco, TX
We’ve now been on at least five mother-daughter road trips, two being to Waco. So, this is our second time visiting Waco, TX, together. The first time was four years this month (in 2017), and it was our first visit to Magnolia Market, and we were so giddy that we finally decided to go. Waco does make an excellent day trip from Dallas-Fort Worth, as it’s only 1.5 hours drive. The driving distance from Waco to Austin is about 102 miles and roughly 180 miles from San Antonio. It’s not quite in the Texas Hill Country, but it still makes a great day trip from the towns in central Texas plus, the scenic drive is incredible.
Do you travel with your mother?
I will continue to bring my mom along on road trips as long as she’s able. Being almost 83 years old limits her on some things, but she’s a trooper when I want to go off and do the things she can’t – like horseback riding or ziplining.
Our Mother-Daughter Relationship
I suppose not every daughter gets along with her mother as you would think they would or should. I’ve heard stories from my friends that they don’t see eye to eye with their mothers and would never travel with them. My mom and I have a special bond that we love. We are a lot alike, and we like most of the same things. However, I’m much more energetic and not ready to rock in the front porch rocking chair. I like my outdoor activities and seek them out on every trip. She’s just as happy sitting in the cabin or hotel room doing her crossword puzzles or watching a movie while I’m doing my thing.
Related: Mother-Daughter Road Trip To Broken Bow
What We Did On Our Mother-Daughter Road Trip to Waco, TX
It was a little chilly, and the weather called for scattered showers. Magnolia Market was crazy busy, but spring break and the pandemic caused long lines because they only allowed so many people in at once. Not sure what I was thinking about taking a road trip to Waco during this time. But small-town Waco never disappoints, especially since the Gaines family started all their businesses there. It’s been the biggest draw to Waco and has become a popular place to visit and live.
- We stayed in a cabin I found on Hipcamp. To find out what Hipcamp is and to see the adorable cottage – go here >>>Hipcamp: A New Way of Camping
- Brunch on the patio at Magnolia Table.
- Magnolia Market (had coffee at the new coffee shop)
- We stood in line at the Magnolia Seed Store but gave up after 10 mins.
- Drove around downtown but was too tired to get out. But I hear Spice Village is a place to stop in.
- I looked for a winery, but Waco doesn’t have any. There is a new one coming to town and will open in April.
- Made the cutest mini clay basket at the Potter’s House located inside the community near our cabin.
- We watched movies at night on Netflix on my computer.
- I rode horseback on a scenic Texas Ranch in Waco, and my mom stayed at the cabin with her dog, Lily, and watched a Netflix series.
All is good.
As you can probably tell, it wasn’t the best time to visit Waco, Texas, but we will go back one day to do our favorite things and visit the famous gift shop. Next time, we will visit more antique shops downtown and have a better game plan, so we can spend extra time exploring the non-touristy area of Waco.
Magnolia Market
We stood in line for over 30 minutes to get into the Magnolia Market, only to find nothing there that interested us. However, we found plenty the first time we went back in 2017. Joanna Gaines is doing something extraordinary with her shop and has added plenty more small shops around the premises. I also noticed way more food trucks there than the last time. They all looked pretty good too. One thing to note – it doesn’t cost money to hang out on the lawn of the Magnolia Market. We saw so many young families and their kids having picnics and playing yard games. It was much time well spent with the family.
Tip: The store is open Monday, but not on Sunday. Don’t go to Waco on a Sunday!! There’s free parking on the same street as the shops and it is only a short walk, so be sure to look for it.
Brunch at Magnolia Table
We ordered at the to-go counter and found a great table on the porch. I helped my mom eat those excellent hash browns. The food was superb and the perfect place for mother-daughter to enjoy time together.
Tip: If you go to the restaurant and there’s a two-hour wait, you can go around the building, make a to-go order, and take it to the patio to enjoy. It’s a sure way to say you ate at the Magnolia Table.
The Potter’s House
It took all of 10 fun minutes to make these cute mini clay baskets. I painted them when we got home and gave mom’s back to her.
Horseback Riding At Brazos Bluffs Ranch
My trip to Waco, TX, wouldn’t be perfect without a trail ride! If you want to ride horses in Waco, look up Brazos Bluffs Ranch. They offer a 90-minute trail ride through open fields and scenic views on the trails of their land. Some parts were uphill and downhill, which I loved! I learned on my last horse ride how to lean when the horse is climbing or going downhill. I think I’m ready to trot now!! Can you tell I had a good time?
Related: Summer Horseback Riding in Chama NM
Horseback Ride at Brazos Bluffs Ranch, just outside Waco. The Brazos River is behind me.
Until our next trip, I shall be planning another trip for the summer, somewhat like our road trip to Waco, TX. In the meantime, mom and I will be watching the show Fixer Upper and the new series’s reruns. We both love their vibe.
Other Best Places To Visit in Waco
These places were on our list to visit, but we ran out of time, or one of us was too tired to go!
- Cameron Park Zoo
- Waco Mammoth National Monument – one of the most excellent national parks in the area
- Waco Tours – try Waco Adventure Tours for its guided tours
- Dr. Pepper Museum
What's on your mind today?