Waco makes a fun, low‑stress road trip from Austin—especially for fans of Magnolia and the Silos. Pick up your car rental, hop on I‑35, and you’ll be in downtown Waco in about 1.5 hours. This guide keeps things simple: when to arrive, where to park, and what else to do nearby once you’ve browsed the market.
First Stop: Magnolia Market at the Silos
Arrive near opening for easy parking on neighboring streets and public lots. Start with coffee at the Silo District, browse home goods, then plan a bakery stop before the midday lines grow. Weekdays are quietest; Saturdays can be festive and busy.
Beyond Magnolia: Downtown Highlights
- Waco Suspension Bridge & Riverwalk: Shaded paths along the Brazos for a leg stretch and photos.
- Dr Pepper Museum: A quick, quirky stop that’s fun with kids.
- Eastside Market days & food trucks: Check calendars for rotating vendors and live music.
Parking & Timing
Downtown Waco is compact; you can often park once and walk to multiple sights. Follow posted time limits and event‑day signs. On game days or festivals, arrive earlier and consider paid lots closer to the Silos.
Lunch Ideas
Picnic‑style food hall bites are easy with families, while sit‑down spots around downtown offer brisket, salads, and tacos. If you’re shopping heavy, keep a cooler and packing blanket in the trunk to protect fragile buys.
Make It a Triangle
Prefer a bigger loop? Pair Waco with an Austin morning coffee stop and a dinner reservation back in the city. If your plans continue south after Waco, consider catching a later flight from San Antonio or Austin to avoid rush hour.
If you’re based in the city and not flying, compare Austin car hire—compact SUVs are perfect for shopping hauls. Continuing south after Waco? If you’re flying from the Alamo City, SAT airport car rental makes returns straightforward.
For an extended route—Waco to San Antonio to Austin—look at San Antonio car hire to keep plans flexible.
What to Pack
- Reusable water bottles and a sun hat for outdoor browsing.
- Phone charger and extra tote bags for purchases.
- Snacks for the drive; I‑35 traffic can ebb and flow.
Why Hola Car Rentals
- Free Cancellation up to 48 hours before pick‑up.
- All‑Inclusive+ Rate with maximum coverage.
- No additional fees—save up to 60% guaranteed.
- Cashback on tolls on eligible routes.
Book with Hola Car Rentals and make your Fixer‑Upper day trip effortless.
Have more time? Walk the Baylor University campus for red‑brick architecture, or drive to Cameron Park Zoo for kid‑friendly exhibits under mature shade trees.
Sample day: depart Austin by 8:30, park near the Silos by 10:00, shop and snack until noon, stroll the riverwalk after lunch, add a museum hour, and head home before rush hour.
Budget for fuel, a paid lot if needed, and a slice of pie or bakery treats for the road—worth it.
Parking strategy: if street spots near the Silos are full, look two to three blocks out and walk in; it is often faster than circling in front of the complex.
Check event calendars on game days—Baylor sports and downtown festivals change traffic flow and parking availability. Arrive earlier, or plan a late lunch to miss the peak.
Rain plan: many Waco highlights are indoors or covered, so showers don’t have to derail the day. Keep an umbrella in the trunk.
On the way back, consider a brief detour to the town of West for famous kolaches—sweet or savory pastries for the road. If you’re returning to Austin on a weekday, try to leave Waco before 4:30pm to stay ahead of rush‑hour traffic on I‑35.
