Waco

Built in 1870, it was the first bridge across the Brazos River and the longest bridge west of the Mississippi River at that time. Now a walking bridge, the architecture is a token of Waco used by walkers, joggers, and is a popular spot for picture taking and having picnics. Wacoans have created a game consisting of tossing tortillas from the bridge aiming to hit a concrete pillar stationed in the Brazos River. Learning the art of tossing the tortilla is much more difficult than it first appears and keeps players continually coming back to the bridge.

The official museum of the Texas Rangers, this Hall of Fame contains a large amount of memorabilia from the long history of the Texas Rangers.

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.

When completed in 1911, this beautiful 22-story building was the tallest in the Southwest. It is still used for commercial purposes on the inside but the outside is ready for pictures anytime, day or night. Unfortunately, access to the interior is not available to the general public.

The location of the only nursery herd of Columbian mammoths found in North America.

The Martin Museum of Art is located on the Baylor campus in the Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center. The art museum periodically features different artists from around the country. Outside of the actual museum, student paintings, drawings, sculptures, and more can be found displayed on the walls and in cases throughout the building. For specific exhibit information, see their website or contact them. Contact: Karin A. Gilliam, director.

The Art Center of Waco is a gallery and an interactive studio where the community can indulge in their own artistic endeavors. It is a great place to learn and grow artistically. Ways to get involved with the Art Center include festivals, adult classes (like pottery, calligraphy, fabric dye, hair bows, handmade soaps, photography, and holiday cards), children's classes, and working in their Artists' Open Studio. For more information on upcoming exhibits, visit the website.

Practically Pikasso is a colorful, fun, family-and-pet-friendly atmosphere that offers a local artistic experience where you can choose your own piece on pottery and paint it however you'd like. Their friendly staff and fair prices are nothing compared to the amusement and enjoyment you'll find when you're painting, glass fusing, or building a mosaic with your friends. Contact: Koury Fadal, store manager.

Waco Arts Initiative (WAI) is a special program created for under-privileged children. Art is used as an emotional and expressive outlet for children who could otherwise not afford art supplies. WAI believes that "this poverty goes beyond economics and is a problem that every human faces within the context of their own paradigm," and they hope to "confront the poverty of the soul through the creative arts via a program of empowerment conducted by an inspiring staff." Contact: Grace Ladd, program director.

An array of touring Broadway shows, musical events, special activities and movie nights, usually offering a different event every week.

Students produce five main stage plays and two to three summer graduate plays each year. In alternate years the Baylor Theatre sponsors the Horton Foote American Playwrights Festival, a celebration of American playwriting.

Founded as the Waco Little Theatre (WLT, 1925-1936) and relaunched in 1948 to promote community education and participation in live theatre production.

McLennan Community College's Department of Theatre produces four fully mounted productions annually, including plays, musical theatre and originally conceived dance works; the Music Department mounts a fully staged opera.

Children explore and share through drama, music and physical expression by serving behind the scenes and on stage through activities such as workshops, rehearsals, set design and stage performances.

The Waco Symphony entertains the greater Waco community throughout the year. Their performances are held at Waco Hall on Baylor University campus and the symphony is led by Maestro Stephen Heyde. Dress for Waco Symphony performances is casual. Attendees are encouraged to "come as you are" whether that be in formal wear or jeans.

Sunday Sounds is a concert series by the Waco Symphony held on Sunday afternoons at 3:30PM. 30 minutes prior to each show, attendees can learn about the lives of composers and their music in the adjacent concert hall. After the show attendees can visit with the symphony musicians and enjoy refreshments provided by the Waco Symphony Council.

Begun in 1944, the Baylor Symphony is a part of the Baylor School of Music. The Baylor Symphony is conducted by Maestro Stephen Heyde and performs in Waco Hall on Baylor campus. Each year, the Baylor Symphony performs at least four concerts, full opera production, and a children's concert series. A performance schedule can be found on the Baylor Symphony website. Most performances are free of charge.

Baylor University sports, competing in 19 sports (8 men's, 11 women's) as members of the Big 12 Conference. Football and basketball (both men and women) are traditionally the biggest draws, with basketball being the most successful in recent times (with three national titles for the women and one for the men in the current century). The football team plays in McLane Stadium on the banks of the Brazos River, with one end zone open to the river. For now, the basketball teams are playing at Ferrell Center, but they will move to the new (but smaller) Foster Pavilion in January 2024.

Ride on a miniature train, play putt-putt, drive a go-kart, or ride on a bumper boat.

Wave pool, slides, lazy river, etc.