From Wikitravel

Waco [1] is a city in the Blackland Prairie region of north central Texas, in the United States of America.

[edit] Understand

Founded in 1849 near the site of an abandoned agricultural village of Waco Indians, Waco rose to prominence in the 1870's as a major junction for the transport of cattle; by 1871 between 600,000 and 700,000 head of cattle had passed through the city. As time progressed, Waco's location at the crossroads of major railroads and its location on the Brazos River helped the city grow and thrive. Now home to approximately 110,000 residents, with 220,000 in the greater Waco MSA area, Waco has a number of worthwhile attractions, but for many people, it is still remembered for the 1993 stand-off between the FBI and the Branch Davidians, resulting in the deaths of 86 people. The incident took place 15 miles outside of Waco, though - not in the city itself. Waco is best known in Texas for being the home of Baylor University, the largest Baptist university in the world, chartered during the Republic of Texas.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Passenger service into Waco goes through Waco Regional Airport (ACT). American Airlines and Continental both provide flights into and out of Waco. [2]

[edit] By car

Waco is located on I-35, thus allowing easy access by car from Dallas and Austin. State Highway 6 is the preferred route to reach Waco from Houston.

[edit] By bus

Waco has a Greyhound bus terminal located in the center of downtown.

[edit] By train

The closest train terminal is an Amtrak Station [3] in McGregor, Texas, which is a small community 15 miles west of Waco on highway 84.

[edit] By boat

The Brazos River flows through downtown Waco and empties into the Gulf of Mexico. Reaching Waco by boat will be a challenge due to the shallowness of this river, along with frequent dams and falls.

A more practical (and entertaining) way of reaching Waco by boat would be to launch a kayak or canoe at the Lake Whitney dam, (approximately 40 miles upstream) and float downstream to Waco.

[edit] Get around

The easiest way to travel around Waco is by car. The city of Waco does run a public transportation system, however, it has a limited number of stops and only runs during the daytime. Waco Transit

[edit][add listing] See

• Armstrong Browning Library, [4]. Contains the world's largest collection of works related to British poets Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. The building contains 62 stained glass windows depicting themes from the Brownings' poetry.

• Cameron Park, [5]. At over 400 acres, one of the largest city parks in the state of Texas. It is located on the Brazos and Bosque Rivers just upstream from downtown Waco. It contains nearly 20 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails that are amongst the best in the state. Cameron Park also features a disc golf course.

• Cameron Park Zoo, [6]. Cameron Park Zoo was built in 1993 and has been expanded several times. The walkways of Cameron Park Zoo meander through lush landscapes and natural habitat displays featuring animals from Africa, Asia, South America, North America, and Madagascar. An 1880s Texas ranch house serves as an education facility, complete with whitetail deer, turkey, and peccary display. A state of the art Herpetarium opened in 1997. This unique immersion display houses more than 50 species of reptiles, amphibians, and fish from around the world. Grammy Nell's Play Area opened in 1998 with a focus on nature-based play and a zero-depth splash fountain. The following year a $600,000 African lion display was built thanks to the family and friends of Sam "Jack" McGlasson. Most recently, Lemur Island opened June 28, 2002. It is home to three species of Lemurs including the Sclater's black lemur, a critically endangered species that is held in only 14 institutions worldwide.

• Dr Pepper Museum, 300 South 5th Street, Phone (254) 757-1025, [7]. The Dr Pepper soft drink was invented in Waco in 1885, and this museum is housed in the original bottling plant. The first floor explains the history of Dr Pepper itself, complete with the original machines, an artesian well, and an animatronic to introduce visitors to the history of Dr Pepper. The second floor deals with advertising and the commercial history of Dr Pepper and other "independent" soft drinks, such as 7-Up and RC Cola. The third floor houses a conference center, the "Soft Drink Executive Hall of Fame", and a conference center dedicated to free enterprise as an economic system. The real highlight, though, is the vintage soda fountain on the first floor - no price of admission necessary for purchase of Dr Pepper, mixed and served straight from the tap. It's leagues better than what you can get in a can. (Note: there is no period after the "r" of Dr Pepper.)

• Homestead Heritage, Halbert Lane off FM 933 north of Waco, Phone (254) 754-9600, [8]. Homestead Heritage celebrates life as it used to be. Enjoy a relaxing lunch of homegrown and homemade treats at the Homestead Farms Deli, and be sure to visit the 200-year old restored barn which offers handmade crafts, housewares and furniture. Take a walking tour of an herb farm, 1750s gristmill, pottery barn and blacksmith shop.

• Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas, 715 Columbus Ave., Phone (254) 753-7395, [9]. The Masonic Grand Lodge is open to the public and includes many historical artifacts that tell the story of Freemasonry in Texas.

• Mayborn Museum Complex, 1300 S. University Parks Drive, Phone (254) 710-1110, [10]. Contains 16 discovery rooms for hands-on learning with themes from trasnportation to TV news and pioneers. Explore the natural history of central Texas through walk-in dioramas of a limestone cave, a Texas forest, and the Waco mammoth dig. On the grounds of the complex is the Gov. Bill & Vara Daniel Historic Village, an 1890's village moved from Liberty, Texas with a livery, church, general store, plantation home, and other authentic historic buildings.

• Red Men Museum and Library, 4521 Speight Ave., Phone (254) 756-1221, [11]. The Red Men Museum and Library is a historical reference museum and research library pertaining to the Improved Order of the Red Men, an organization tracing its founding to 1765. The museum exhibits artifacts of historical significance such as a writing desk that belonged to Aaron Burr, a bugle recovered from the battlefield at Gettysburg, and a peace blanket that belonged to the Apache warrior Geronimo.

• Suspension Bridge. The Suspension Bridge in Waco, built in 1870, was the first bridge across the Brazos River and the longest bridge west of the Mississippi River at that time.

• Texas Ranger Hall of Fame, 100 Texas Ranger Trail I-35 and University Parks Dr., Phone: 254-750-8631, [12]. M-Su 9AM-4:30PM. The official museum of the Texas Rangers. (the law enforcement agency, not the baseball team) The Hall of Fame contains a large amount of memorabilia from the long history of the Texas Rangers.

• Texas Sports Hall of Fame, [13]. The museum features Texas athletes in many sports, including football, tennis, golf, baseball, basketball, horse racing, and others. The museum also houses the Southwest Conference's 75 year collection of memorabilia.

• The Alico Building, [14]. 425 Austin Ave. When completed in 1911, this beautiful 22 story building was the tallest in the Southwest.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Lion's Park, 1716 North 42nd Street, Phone: (254) 772-3541, [15]. Ride on a miniature train, play putt-putt, drive a go-kart, or ride on a bumper boat.

• Waco Water Park, [16]. The Waco Water Park is the coolest place to be this summer for kids of all ages. Two towering water slides and two pools provide a great escape from the summer heat.

[edit] Learn

• Baylor University [17] is located in Waco.

• Mayborn Museum [18] is located on Baylor University Campus, walk across a replica of Waco's famous mammoth site, see a Comanche tipi up close or spend your day exploring the 16 themed Discovery rooms, such as the Communication Room, the Health Room and the Invertebrate Room. The Mayborn Museum Complex is the perfect place to bring the family.

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• America's Best Inn & Suites, 3829 Franklin Ave., +1 254 754-0363, Fax: +1 254 752-1318, [19].
• Best Western Old Main Lodge, I-35 @ 4th Street, +1 254 753-0316, Toll-free: +1 800 299-9226, Fax: +1 254 753-3811, [20].
• Clarion Hotel,801 S. 4th St, +1 254 757-2000, [21].
• Comfort Suites, 2700 LaSalle Ave, +1 254 537-0413, Fax: +1 254 756-1689, [22].
• Courtyard by Marriott, 101 Washington Avenue, +1 254 752-8686, Fax: +1 254 752-1011, [23].
• EconoLodge Inn and Suites, 1430 IH 35 South, +1 254 752-1991, Fax: +1 254 752-2084, [24].
• Hampton Inn & Suites South, 2501 Marketplace Dr, +1 254 662-9500, [25].
• Hilton Waco, 113 S University Parks, +1 254 754-8484, [26].
• Hotel Waco, 1001 S Martin Luther King, +1 254 753-0261, [27].
• Motel 6 Waco South, 3120 Jack Kultgen Freeway, +1 254 662-4622, Fax: +1 254 662-6407, [28].
• Quality Inn & Suites, 2410 S New Road, +1 254 296-0550, [29].
• Residence Inn Waco, 501 University Parks Drive, +1 254 714-1386, Fax: +1 254 714-1386, [30].
• Super 8 Waco Mall, 6624 W Highway 84, +1 254 776-3194, Fax: +1 254 772-6047, [31].

Bed & Breakfast Inns:

• Colcord House Bed & Breakfast, 2211 Colcord Ave, 254-753-6856, [32].
• Colonial House Bed & Breakfast, 2301 Colonial Ave, 254-756-1968.
• The Cotton Palace, 1910 Austin Ave, 254-753-7294, [33]. Charming lodging at this bed and breakfast.
• Creekside Garden, 115 N. 25th St., 254-744-8114.
• Judge Baylor House, 908 Speight Ave, 254-756-0273.

Outside Waco:

• Comfort Inn & Suites, 1508 Interstate 35 North, +1 254 799-9989, Fax: +1 254 412-0688.
• Fairfield Inn & Suites Waco North, 4257 North IH-35, +1 254 412-2535, Fax: +1 254 412-2533, [34].
• Fairfield Inn Waco South, 5805 North Woodway Drive, +1 254 776-7821, Fax: +1 254 776-7821, [35].
• Hampton Inn Waco North, 4259 North I-35, +1 254 412-1999, [36].

[edit] Get out

• Clifton - 20 minutes west on Route 6 is this small town which is very proud of its Norwegian heritage.

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