by Todd Bertka, CDME Director, Waco Convention Center & Visitors Bureau
Have you changed travel plans this summer due to the pandemic? You are not alone. According to surveys collected from Destination Analysts as of the end of July, 56 percent of travelers agreed that they will probably take a staycation this summer versus a vacation. And Waco is ready, when you are. Touring in your hometown is the perfect opportunity to rediscover the Heart of Texas. Take in the beautiful natural parks, support our unique museums, attractions, and local shops. Check out the local cuisine. Treat yourself to a stay in a local hotel or B&B; hotel rates have not been this favorable in a long time. Learn why Central Texas has become a bucket list destination for millions of visitors from near and far. Take advantage of the shorter wait at restaurants and attractions while you can.
Where to start? Cooler mornings are perfect for a game of disc golf, or a bike ride in Cameron Park or play a round of golf at the Cityowned Cottonwood Creek Golf Course, a great course for all ages and skill levels. Stroll the Riverwalk and take in the Doris Miller Memorial and the wonderful new zoo animal sculptures, or see some wildlife in the Cameron Park Zoo, Carleen Bright Arboretum, or at the Lake Waco Wetlands. Try paddle boarding or kayaking on the Brazos. Seek out the murals and sculptures that have popped up. Have a picnic at one of our neighboring state parks, Mother Neff and Lake Whitney State Parks are just minutes away. Go fish. Area lakes and rivers offer a variety of shady spots for a day of angling. As a community, we are fortunate to have many one-of-a-kind museums and attractions. Think you’ve seen them all? Think again. All work hard to keep their experience ever evolving with new exhibits, expansions, classes, demonstrations, and events. The Dr Pepper Museum, Mayborn Museum Complex, Texas Ranger Museum, Texas Sports Hall of Fame, Waco Mammoth National Monument, Homestead Craft Village, Armstrong Browning Library and Museum, Martin Museum of Art. Each of these can only be found in The Heart of Texas! You’ll be busy for days. See for yourself why people flock to the world-famous Magnolia Market at the Silos. The cupcakes really are that good! Be one of the first to see the new shops and grounds renovations. To get special offers for locals only text ‘WACO’ to 51404. Magnolia Table offers 20 percent off to locals on Wednesdays, and you can reserve your time online. Have you taken a tour of Waco? Even native Wacoans can enjoy learning a little about the history of our city, and how it has grown. Waco Tours and Brazos Tours both offer driving tours, including stops at some neighborhood hotspots. Waco Tours and Waco
28 | FALL 2020
