Parks
Waco’s natural beauty and mild climate provide residents and visitors many options for recreation. |
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CAMERON PARK
This 416-acre greenspace is the largest municipal park in Texas and one of the largest in the United States. Its rugged terrain is a favorite of accomplished cyclists. The lush trails, offset by the steep bluffs along the Brazos River, are ideal for hiking, and a three-mile paved riverwalk is enjoyed year-round. The park is a lovely place for a quiet picnic or a game of horseshoes or disc golf. |
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CAMERON PARK ZOO
Cameron Park Zoo, accredited by the elite World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, is located in a lush natural habitat park. The zoo’s Brazos River Country exhibit features Texas wildlife indigenous to the Brazos River. A 50,000-gallon salt water aquarium is nestled inside a sunken Spanish galleon, and replicas of the grass houses favored by the Waco Indians are on display. Elephants, black bears, tigers and giraffes are among the animals that call the zoo home. For more information, call (254) 750-8400. |
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INDIAN SPRING PARK
Straddling the historic Suspension Bridge, this natural amphitheater is a popular concert venue and home to festivals and special events. Summertime events include Brazos Nights and the Fourth of July fireworks spectacular. For more information on events at Indian Spring Park, call (254) 750-5980 or click here. |
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RIVERBEND PARK
If you build it, they will come. And that’s what they do at Riverbend Park, a hot spot for regional baseball tournaments, tennis enthusiasts and summer swimmers. The Waco Regional Tennis &Fitness Center, Waco Water Park and an eight-field softball and baseball complex draw thousands each year. |
NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS
Numerous neighborhood parks with playgrounds are scattered throughout the city, including five spray parks.
SPORTS
Greater Waco and the surrounding communities are action-packed with numerous recreational and sports diversions. From Little League Baseball to college football to popular hike-and-bike trails, dozens of sporting and recreational events take place each week.
WACOWEDOSPORTS.COM
WacoWeDoSports.com contains information on common sports such as football, baseball and softball from high school through college. The site also covers special interest recreation such as rodeos, disc golf, running and biking events and all Heart of Texas Coliseum event information. |
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GOLF
Golf is a favorite activity in Waco where several beautiful courses give players the best value around. In fact, Golf Digest’s August 2005 issue ranked Waco’s golf community No. 11 in the nation and No. 1 in Texas. This ranking supports the numerous golf tournaments held each year, including the Chamber’s own annual Starburst Junior Golf Classic, which attracts more than 1,000 players. This year's tournament will be June 11-13. |
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DISC GOLF
Disc golf players throw discs that resemble Frisbees around an 18-hole course. This sport is age- and gender-friendly. The City of Waco maintains disc golf courses at Cameron Park including a more challenging course at Cameron Park East. Weekly tournaments are held every other Monday, and PDGA events are held throughout the year. |
HIKE AND BIKE TRAILS
Popular with locals is the 2.8-mile hike and bike trail that the Army Corps of Engineers built across the dam five years ago. The trail welcomes dogs on leashes and hosts hikers from one hour before sunrise until one hour before sunset. For more information, call the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at (254) 756-5359.
Other Waco-area trails include the Lake Waco hiking trail, the trail connecting McLennan Community College and Baylor University along the riverwalk and the biking trails throughout Cameron Park.
SOCCER
The center for soccer in Waco is the Heart of Texas Soccer Complex, which spreads across 28 acres leased from the Army Corps of Engineers. Children of all ages compete on its 17 fields located across from Airport Park Road. Across the street, Airport Road hosts another 19 acres of fields, which are leased by the Waco Soccer Association. The facility includes five adult fields, two parking lots and restrooms. |
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TENNIS
The Waco Regional Tennis & Fitness Center is located at 800 W. Lake Shore Drive and is maintained and managed by Allen Samuels Sports, Inc. The center is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (254) 753-7675. |
SWIMMING
Waco has a number of water attractions, including a public swimming pool, water park and five spray parks.
Oscar DuConge Swimming Pool is open throughout the summer and features diving boards and slides. For more information, call (254) 750-8679.
Waco Water Park, located at 901 W. Lake Shore Drive, features two water slides, two pools and interactive water toys. The park is open daily from Memorial Day weekend until the end of summer. For information, call (254) 750-5980.
Waco’s spray grounds provide a refreshing blast of water in every direction. The spray grounds are located at Cameron Park, Kendrick Park, Chapel Park, Dewey Park and Mountainview Park. They are open from April through September during daylight hours and are free to the public.
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| MUSEUMS |
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Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum
The oldest state law enforcement agency tells its history at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum, appropriately located in the heart of Texas off of Interstate 35. Badges, firearms, photographs and plenty of history are among the more than 12,000 artifacts housed at the museum. Take exit 335-B for a closer look at how the real Rangers have crushed crime since 1823. For more information, call (254) 750-8631. |
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Armstrong Browning Library
The Armstrong Browning Library at Baylor University houses the world’s largest collection of works related to British poets Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning including 58 stained glass window illustrations. |
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Dr Pepper Musuem and Free Interprise Institute
The Dr Pepper Museum and Free Enterprise Institute at 300 S. Fifth St. tells the story of the popular soft drink through a life-size animatronic of its creator, Dr. Charles Alderton. The original artesian well, historic soft drink bottles, manufacturing equipment and interactive exhibits makes the museum a fun must-see for all visitors to Waco. A restored turn-of-the-century soda fountain serves Dr Pepper floats. For more information, call (254) 757-1024. |
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Mayborn Museum Complex
The Mayborn Museum Complex offers 16 hands-on discovery rooms, the 13-acre Gov. Bill & Vara Daniel Historic Village and a Waco Mammoth Exhibit with a glass floor. A traveling exhibit hall and museum store make it a family adventure. For more information, call (254) 710-1110. |
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Texas Sports Hall of Fame
Texas athletes who have made their mark both on and off the field are honored at the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. Clips of sports moments in Texas history are shown in the Tom Landry Theater. The complex also houses the Texas Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame. The Texas Sports Hall of Fame is at 1108 S. University Parks Drive. For more information, call (254) 756-1633. |
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Red Men Library & Museum
Among the artifacts on display here are a bugle from the Gettysburg battlefield and a peace blanket from Apache Chief Geronimo. The museum is at 4521 Speight Ave. For more information, call (254) 756-1221. |
| MORE TO SEE IN WACO |
Homestead Heritage
A 510-acre Christian agricultural settlement located in Elm Mott hosts seasonal events, and the Visitors Center serves daily lunch specials. For more information, call (254) 754-9600.
Masonic Grand Lodge
The Grand Lodge of the Masons, the oldest continuously operated organization in the state of Texas, is located at 715 Columbus Ave. For more information, call (254) 753-7395. |
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Spirit of the Rivers
Docked at Lake Brazos Steakhouse, 1620 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., this paddleboat cruises through under the historic Suspension Bridge and through Waco’s most scenic areas. For more information, call (254) 755-7797.
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The Arts
Waco's cultural arts scene includes live theater, performing arts, indoor and outdoor music venues as well as art museums. Click link for more information on enjoying the arts in Waco. |
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Historic Homes
Waco's colorful history is preserved through its historic homes. Click link for tour information. |
