Are you a huge Fixer Upper fan? Do you love Chip and Joanna Gaines and know every home they’ve ever updated? If so, I have a really fun self-guided tour to share with you today! A good friend of mine, who grew up in Waco, Texas, wrote a Magnolia Market Fixer Upper Waco tour for me and last week my daughter and I ventured out to try it. We had such a great time, saw piles of Fixer Upper highlights, and loved the day more than I imagined we would! And now I’m going to share the tour with you!
The Best Fixer Upper Tour of Waco, Texas
If you’re planning a trip to Waco to visit Magnolia Market, follow this fun tour to see Magnolia Market, some Fixer Upper homes, and a pile of other fun shops and spots that shouldn’t be missed in the Waco area!
Magnolia House
Our tour starts just outside Waco, in McGregor, Texas, home of Magnolia House {323 South Madison Avenue, McGregor, Texas}, the 1800’s home remodeled by Joanna Gaines that now serves as a vacation rental property.
While you can’t tour the property, it’s fun to take a little peek from outside the gate. And if you’re planning a stay in Waco, you may want to book the home to get the full Magnolia experience! But be prepared … I’ve heard you have to secure reservations way in advance.
There are now other facilities included in the Magnolia Stay sites so check out the other options as well.
Cuppiecakes
Pop around the corner next for a quick treat at Cuppiecakes {313 South Main Street, McGregor, Texas}.
Antique and Junk Shopping in Waco
After you’ve grabbed a cup of coffee and a cupcake, continue to Cedar Chest {31707 West Highway 84, McGregor, Texas} and Cedar Chest Too {31631 West Highway 84, McGregor, Texas} for fabulous vintage shopping.
We had so much fun checking out the antiques and vintage treasures and were completely impressed with the prices and the abundance of novel things we saw!
When you’ve finished shopping, head back to Waco for the remainder of the tour.
Fixer Upper House from the Pilot Episode
The next stop is at the corner of Castle Avenue and Chateau Avenue in Waco, the site of the home that was remodeled in the pilot episode of Fixer Upper. This is where it all started! It’s fun to take a peek at the home and the Fixer Upper style is very evident from the roof tiles to the colors to the curb appeal.
The Little Shop on Bosque, the Original Magnolia Store
From there, take another step back in time and stop by the original Magnolia store {3801 Bosque, Waco, Texas}.
You’ll enjoy seeing how small the shop used to be … especially once you see how big it is now! I popped in there years ago during a junking trip and it was nothing like the current location! And how about that sign? I’m smitten.
The old shop was closed for a while but has now reopened as The Little Shop on Bosque and sells slightly damaged and last chance items.
Fixer Upper Homes in Waco
Next, if you want to see houses that Chip and Joanna have renovated, take a quick peek at two more homes that were remodeled on Fixer Upper. The first is the two story home at the corner of 20th Street and Gorman Avenue and the next one is on the corner of 28th Street and Gorman.
The second one, called the Beanstalk Bungalow on Fixer Upper, once belonged to my friend’s grandmother and was the childhood home of Berry Brazelton, the pediatrician. My friend, Jenny, has so many memories of this home and her whole family loved watching it get remodeled on the show! Wouldn’t that be fun? The home is gorgeous, from the window boxes to the door to the gorgeous colors chosen for the exterior!
Harp Design Co
Next on the Fixer Upper tour, you’ll head to Harp Design Co {808 North 15th Street, Waco, Texas}, a highlight of the tour! Founded by Clint Harp, the shop is full of treasures, many made from reclaimed wood and many extremely affordable.
Fun Shops in Waco
Head south to Austin Avenue next and check out some fun shops along that street, including Salvage Sisters, Honey’s Home and Style, and Junque Queen. Be sure to check out the hours before you go because not all stores are open every day.
And while you’re there, pop in to Hey Sugar {808 Austin Avenue, Waco, Texas} for a quick sugar fix to get you through the rest of the Fixer Upper tour!
Magnolia Market in Waco
And then it’s on to Magnolia Market {601 Webster Avenue, Waco, Texas}! Be warned: if you go on a weekend, it will be extremely crowded! To avoid huge crowds, early to mid-week is a great bet.
Park where you can {signs are clear but if you’re really lucky you’ll get a parking spot in the lot right behind Magnolia Market}, take a trolley if needed or walk a few blocks, and head to the silos. You can’t miss them!
Pop in to Silos Baking Co {the bakery on-site next to the silos} for a delicious and beautiful cupcake …
… shop at Magnolia Market, play games or relax on the lawn …
… and enjoy lunch at the food trucks.
We loved the savory crepes at Co-Town Crepes and found a cool spot at the outdoor farmhouse tables under a shelter with misters {a blessing during the Texas summers}.
Magnolia Table
You may also want to plan a stop at Magnolia Table for breakfast and lunch {they’re not open for dinner} or hit up the take-away or market.
Magnolia Market is so beautifully done and such a fun place to visit … and clearly the biggest tourist attraction in Waco!
Restaurants in Waco
End the day with a coffee from Common Grounds {1123 South 8th Street, Waco, Texas}, a delicious shake from Health Camp {2601 Circle Road, Waco, Texas}, or stop at Collin Street Bakery for their famous deluxe fruitcake then head back to the hotel for a little siesta or hit the highways to return home.
I’d love to hear if you take this Fixer Upper tour {leave me a comment or share a photo on the Dukes and Duchesses facebook page}!
What are the hours of the stores and restaurants shared above?
Because store hours change and sometimes have holiday closures, it’s best to check on the websites and facebook pages for each location before you arrive.
Can you share the locations and addresses of the Fixer Upper homes?
Because these are real homes lived in by real people, I’d rather not share the full addresses. However, I have shared the general locations along with a photo of the houses and that should make it easy to find them.
How do I get to Waco?
Waco is about two hours south of Dallas/Fort Worth so flying in to the DFW Airport and renting a car to drive to Waco is an easy jaunt. Waco does have a regional airport so you can also price out tickets to fly directly in {I imagine they’re a whole lot more expensive.}
Waco is fairly central to Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio so if you’re planning a road trip through Texas, starting or ending at any of those cities would make sense. If you plan to be in Austin, be sure to check out my favorite things to do there. You can also find things to do in Dallas by checking out the Dallas section on my website.
Where should I stay in Waco?
There are a number of chain hotels in the area as well as numerous bed and breakfast type facilities or vacation rental homes.
What is the weather like in Texas?
Texas is hot {like, really hot} in the summer, possibly cool/cold in the winter, and decent to amazing during the spring and fall months. The weather changes quickly and frequently so check a weather app to see what it will be like during your trip.
If you’re planning a trip during the summer months, bring a hat, sunglasses, and a water bottle.
For more Fixer Upper inspired posts, be sure to check out these awesome ways to get the Fixer Upper look cheaper …
… and a printable inspired by Chip and Joanna Gaines and The Magnolia Story, the book they wrote about their journey!
Wonderful job, Randi!! I am thrilled you put this all together. From now on I’m sending all my Waco-trip-planning- friends to this blog post!! This is the most concise and best way to see it all in a day!
Loved this. May be my next vacation!
Lucky! This is on my list of vacations!
We spent a couple of weeks in Waco visiting my mother-in-law and really loved it. Such a neat vibe! Funny, we were in a restaurant one night and my mother-in-law pointed out a woman and said, “She’s got a show coming out on HGTV soon.” It was Joanna, with Chip and the kids. Next time we’re back we’ll do your tour! Thanks for posting.
If I ever take a road trip! Fun tour.
Thanks for sharing at the #InspirationSpotlight Party. Pinned & shared.
Hello Randi,
Thank you for the tips to visit famous Waco, TX. I’m planning to go there next year. I am so happy you share your experience. Lucky you my dear. I admire your diy.
Sounds neat! We love watching Fixer Upper!
We will be there thanksgiving week 11/27?
We would love to do the tour.
Pls send us details.
Looking forward!
Evelyn Jamilosa
Evelyn, the details of the tour can all be found in this post. These are all the stops that we went to.
Randi, So you don’t actually do the tour you are just telling how you made up a tour and where you went?
I have a travel business and part of my business is doing day trips and I have one planned for Waco in February. I thought this looked like a great way to see all in Waco. But like this one writer, I thought you ran the tours.
Thanks for the information,
Tina
Is there a printable copy of this “tour”? Sounds great! Some friends and I are going in a week!
No but great idea! I’ll make one and be sure to include the link.
My sisters and I are planning a trip to Waco in April. So glad to have found your site – thanks for the info 🙂
Oh yay! You’ll have so much fun!
Hello!
We are planning a trip to the Silos and shopping for antiques!
We will fly into Dallas and have a day and 1/2 in Waco and one day in Dallas .
How much time should we allow at the Silos?
Any other advice?
If you’ve got a few hours at the silos, that’ll be great. You’ll want to check out the bakery, shop in the silos, and then plan to have lunch outside with the food trucks. If you have a day and a half in Waco, you’ll have more than enough time! Have fun!
Thank you for such helpful recommendations! We did this tour (or most of it) on January 6-7, 2017 for a moms and daughters weekend. A few things we learned:
1) The Findery is just down the street from the silos and has very similar items, yet more variety and clothing too. This was my favorite shop.
2) Parking is available in the church lot next to the silos for $10.
3) The bakery at the silos is now open – it’s little but so cute. Beautiful cupcakes, cookies and coffee (though no espresso drinks).
4) The people in Waco are incredibly warm and welcoming. We are grateful for your hospitality!
Randi,
Thanks for the ideas. My wife and I live in Waco about 3 blocks from the Mid-Century Modern reno. Fixer-Upper has certainly been a phenomenon around here.
My wife’s aunt will be flying here all the way from Phoenix in a couple of weeks just to go to the Silos and see Fixer-Upper houses. I’ll be the chauffeur. I’ll be using your tour suggestions to drive her around. I refuse to pay the $79 the new Waco Tours bus is charging. It reminds me of a T-shirt I saw the other day that said about the Silos “Been there, done that, couldn’t afford the T-shirt”.
Waco is definitely on the map these days! I love that you’re going to play tour guide!
We would love to drive by mid century redo! Can you give us a hint where it is?
My daughter and I are traveling to Waco in a few weeks. Any suggestions of houses to drive by that were renovated on fixer upper would be greatly appreciated!
Did you see the ones I shared in the post? I think I had three listed that you can take a peek at!
You should add the Shotgun house since it is just down the street from The Silos. Great tour you’ve put together though!
We are currently in Waco 9/2018 and the Classic Tour and River Cruise Tours were 100% worth the price paid! Big miss if tourists don’t take advantage of the tour Waco-Tours offer! Fun and informative! We’re on VACATION we expect to spend $$!
My two daughters and I are planning to see Waco in October (after the summer heat) and will definitely take your tour. Thanks so much.
Thanks for such a great description! Hoping to bring about 14 people down from Wisconsin – fly into DFW and following day take a Waco tour. Have any suggestions on a company that might do transportation for something like this from Dallas? Thanks much!
I don’t have any idea but I sure hope you find something! Have fun!
We will be coming to Waco May 1st and 2nd. Would like information if you would have tours available those days and how to schedule a tour along with the price. Looking forward to hearing from you.
I’m sorry, I don’t personally do tours … I just shared this one so you can do it yourself.
Thanks for all the good tips and detailed info. My mom and I just arrived in Waco for a mother/daughter trip. Your post has helped us plan our own Waco tour in a day. Can’t wait!!
When my husband asked where did I want to go to celebrate our 30th anniversary next year, I said “TEXAS!”
San Antonio, Austin & Waco have so much to offer and are close together. Your suggested tour is just the info was looking for so thanks so much.
My friend and I are in Waco tomorrow and Thursday . (18-19 April). Is there a possibility for a tour either of these days ?
Thank you for sharing this tour. My husband and I are going to Waco this weekend. I can’t wait! Thanks again!
My daughter’s surprised me on Mother’s Day with the news that they were taking me to Waco as my Mother’s Day present.
We are flying into the Dallas Airport June 1st. We are staying in Waco two nights. Then driving to Austin to stay there for two nights.
The three of us are huge fans of the show Fixer Upper. Excited to spend a couple days in Waco!
I’ve found a couple of houses using Google maps and you left off Clint’s house which is next door to his shop.
The West House is at 400 W. Harrison st., West, TX and THE 5TH STREET STORY TRASHY HOUSE, 1400 N 5th St. in Waco.
What were the addresses you found.
I only gave intersections in the post because I don’t want to be too invasive of privacy. You will be able to recognize them from the pictures on this post though.
Oh I understand, I was actually speaking to Ron Balut bc I thought he had different ones than you did. Thanks for the info!
Thank you for so much valuable information!!! We will be there around the 17th of June!!!! We are so excited to be visiting this beautiful little city. Planning on staying 3-4 days. I can’t wait!!!
Thanks for this. On my way from NC to the silos. Be there next week!
Thanks for the suggestions! Used some of your tips on our trip last weekend in Waco! Blogged about it yesterday :). Thanks SO MUCH!
Loved your blog tour info. If you add to it, I think visitors would also love visiting Jimmy Don Holmes’ JDH Designs down Hwy 317 just north if Crawford. He is usually there and has his metal signs for sale as seen on Fixer Upper. Also if visiting Cedar Chest on Saturdays, the outside Market there has a bunch of vendors circling the parking lot. At the far end is Treasure Trackers and Sanford and Hon. Thanks for all your great info. Going to pass it on.
Randi, what a wonderful favor you have done for those of us who are planning a trip to Waco in the near future. I am flying into Austin from Stockton, CA in October to visit my sister and we have planned a trip to Waco while I am there. We are both huge fans of Joanna and Chip and Fixer Upper. I went to Google to see if there was any information on tours of the renovated homes they have featured on their program and I was thrilled to find your tour listed. We will use it as a start and build on it from there on our own. Thank you for the great information. I can hardly wait! As a recent widow who would be celebrating my 61st wedding anniversary in October, I decided a trip to visit my sister and taking her and her husband to Waco to see the Magnolia phenomenon was the best way I could possibly share that time, which otherwise would be sad for me. Now, I have something exciting to which I can look forward!! Thank you again for your tour info!
I hope you have the most wonderful time and that your anniversary is filled with sweet memories along with new experiences. I’m so sorry for your loss!
Fantastic!!!!! So helpful and awesome!!!!!
My girlfriends and I (4) are taking a road trip in mid-September to Waco and we want to take the Fixer-Upper Tour – how do we get tickets? Can we get them to make sure we have them or do we get them when we get there?
We are so excited to see it all!!!
Hi Randi – I am a super Fixer Upper fan….and will be heading to Waco TX this week! (02/22/2018) I’m excited to go and take it all in…. your blog/web page about where to start and then go there from was really helpful. Thank you! I recently had a custom (wood/metal) dining table made and I had so much fun with helping with the design and picking out the wood….I’m hoping I can find something in Waco to help dress her up! Thanks again for your tips!
My mom just turned 93 we my 2 sisters and I had promised a day in Waco all about fixer upper we have waited for magnolia table to open and now thanks to your blog it’s sure to be a good day thank u for sharing your info ?
Mary from ft worth
Going to Waco from Virginia next month for my birthday. My husband thinks I’m nuts, but I can’t wait. Also visiting Austin and San Antonio. Your information about Waco will be really helpful. Any recommendation on where to stay in Waco?? Thanks so much.
I don’t have any ideas offhand but there are lots of hotels and motels in the area. You may want to try looking at Expedia. San Antonio and Austin are also a lot of fun … that’ll be a great trip!
I just returned to MS from Waco and I used this blog post to find some of the Fixer Upper homes. Thank you for sharing! I had an awesome trip and it was neat to see so much of what we’ve seen on the show. Yay!!
I’m so glad! Thanks for letting me know!
Hello. Thanks for putting together this information. I would appreciate your opinion. If we wanted to stop by Magnolia Table where would that fit best in this tour? Thank you!
I wasn’t open yet when I was there but it’s right by Health Camp so you could opt to go there for lunch. I’ve heard it’s great!
A wonderful well researched and fun tour! Just returned from my trip. It was so much fun despite the record heat!
Boy, McGreggor TX is cute as pie! This little gem is perfect for some fixer upping in the quaint downtown. By the way, the ladies at Cuppicakes are very grateful for the shout out and inclusion in this blog post!! (They may not be tech savvy yet to thank you themselves, but they are very thankful to you! And they are savvy when it comes to creating a super cute shop and decadent delightful delicious cupcakes!! Their location has moved around the corner. You should visit again, I’m sure they would love to thank you in person)
Thanks for info. Great tour.
Sorry if you already said this to another reader since I didn’t read through all of the comments. Where did you go to dinner or nightlife after your big day (if you even had the energy).
Thanks,
Tracie
We ended up driving back home to Dallas but you could try the new restaurant that Chip and Jo recently opened!
What is the name of the new chip and Joanna restaurant?
It’s called Magnolia Table.
We are planning a trip in late March and would love to stop in Waco – are all the attractions open then?
Yes, everything will be open! Have fun!
The original shoppe on Bosque is now reopened.
I live in Waco now.
Is it really?? I had no idea!
We are leaving South Beach tomorrow on our way to Waco for a day and a half, on our route home to WI. Your driving tour is exactly what we’ll need. Thank you so much. On our trip south, I read that the original shop would be re-opening as an outlet on March 1st. Hope that’s a fact. I’ll let you know.
Seems that Fixer-upper has brought me on my 1st trip into the world of blogging. 😊
Will everything be open the 1st week of November2019? My friend and I are planning a trip to Waco, Austin and San Antonio in November. Another ? How do I look at the tours offered in Waco with Chip And Joanna Gaines? Thanking you in advance!
Yes, everything should be open but you could always check the individual websites for their hours. I don’t have any other information about tours besides this one that you just do on your own. You may be able to find something if you google. Also, since you’re heading to Austin, be sure to check out this post: https://dukesandduchesses.com/best-things-about-austin-texas/