Chip & Joanna Gaines have become household names since their hit TV show, Fixer Upper, began airing on HGTV. They helped turn Waco from a sleepy Texas town otherwise known only for Baylor to a real tourist destination. If you’re reading this post, you already know that they aren’t just famous house flippers – they also own an entire market space fit for shopping, eating, and hanging out.
Waco is a relatively quick drive from all the biggest cities in Texas. In just a few hours from Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, and College Station, you can arrive in Waco and enjoy the cute setup that Chip & Joanna Gaines have created.
Read on to find out everything you need to know to plan your visit to the Magnolia Market at the Silos!
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Location of “the Silos”
Magnolia Market at the Silos is located in Waco, TX between Austin and Dallas. At just about two hours away from each city, Waco isn’t super close to either Austin or Dallas but it’s close enough to make for a reasonable day trip.
Visiting the Silos from Houston is a bit more of a jaunt, sitting at just about 3.5 hours.
Of course, the time to reach Waco from each location strongly depends on traffic and if you need to make any stops on the way. If you’re visiting Texas for the first time, I recommend you make a pitstop at Buc-ee’s. Buc-ee’s is a chain of GIGANTIC gas station and convenience stores that sell everything from souvenirs to BBQ sandwiches. There will almost certainly be at least one on your way!
Once you get to Waco, the Silos are located near the Brazos River off I-35. Super convenient! If you’d like their address, it is 601 Webster Ave., Waco, TX 76706
Finding Parking at the Silos
It’s super easy to find parking in Waco! Parking around the Silos is going to be a little bit more difficult, but still a pretty easy experience.
The official parking lot is southwest of the Magnolia Market on 8th street, just south of the train tracks. When I visited, that lot was full so we parked across the train tracks on a side street. HOWEVER, be cautious about crossing train tracks. There was no pedestrian crossing zone so it’s a trip hazard. On top of that, crossing train tracks is just generally dangerous. If you park there, be extra careful – especially with pets and children!
If you want to explore the Silo District, I recommend you check out the Silo District trolley. You can park near a trolley stop and explore the cute little shops & cafes that downtown Waco has to offer and ride the free trolley in-between destinations!
Things to Do at Magnolia Market
The Magnolia Market offers so much to do in one cute little package. You can easily spend a few hours here!
Is Magnolia Market pet friendly?
Yes! Magnolia Market is completely pet friendly, which means no need to travel without your dog. As long as your furry best friend is on their leash, you can bring your pet into the Magnolia Market, through the Seed & Supply store, through the garden, and in the eating area near the food trucks. They are not welcome on the artificial turf or inside dining establishments, but otherwise Magnolia Market is very dog-friendly.
Shop at the Magnolia Market
The largest attraction is the Magnolia Market. The space is HUGE. I was a bit disappointed with the selections, unfortunately. The market mostly sold coffee mugs, books, shirts, and hats. I had been expecting cute or kitchy home decor – something like cute salt & pepper shakers or nice centerpieces. It was mostly self-promotional items that had clearly been mass-produced.
The pieces were cute but repeated throughout the huge space. It definitely wasn’t what I was expecting.
Enjoy the Food Trucks & Lawn
Outside the Market is a huge outdoor space with picnic tables, a game area, standup tables, and tons of food trucks. The food trucks sell everything from snow cones to sweet tea to BBQ. Most of the food trucks offered somewhat one-dimensional offerings. When I say one dimensional, they offered one product with perhaps a few variants. The snow cone truck, for instance, only sold snow cones.
I also felt like the lines took forever. I stood in line for snow cones for about 10 minutes. I was only the third customer in line, so that surprised me. If you’re looking to get a whole meal, fan the family out so you’re not spending all afternoon in line.
And, of course, it gets HOT in the Texas summer. When we visited it was a stiff 95 degrees so we had no interest in anything other than snow cones. The shaded area had misters but those don’t do much against heat like that.
If you visit, definitely avoid summer months!
See the Garden & Visit the Magnolia Seed & Supply
The gardens are beautiful so take a stroll through them before departing the Silos. The shop sells cute gardening supplies like kits for children and gardening tools, so if you’re into gardening, this will be right up your alley. Between living in an apartment and having a black thumb, this wasn’t a highlight for me.
Eat a Sweet Treat at the Bakery
My friend and I brought our dogs so we weren’t able to visit the bakery so I can’t speak to the experience here. The line was very long and slow-moving so on a hot day with fussy kids, it may not be very fun. However, they sell everything from cupcakes to cookies to savory biscuits, so there’s something for everyone. The space is definitely adorable, too!
Another Waco Must-See – The Findery
If you’re into home decor, there’s another adorable shope you need to check out.
Just around the corner from the Magnolia Market at the Silos is an adorable, equally dog-friendly shop called The Findery.
Furniture, knick-knacks, throw pillows, lighting – they have it all. I’m currently in the process of building a place in Houston and I was able to buy some great country chic pieces at the Findery that will be great in my new place. If you visit the Silos, definitely take some time to make a stop at the Findery. I suspect it will be the highlight of your visit.
Conveniently located from Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, the Magnolia Market at the Silos is a great option for a quick road trip or even a day trip. If you find yourself in Waco, this is definitely a must-see.
Happy adventuring!
Next time I’m in that neck of the woods, I’m going to stop by. Thanks for the great article!