Plan Your Trip to Magnolia Market in Waco, Texas

Raise your hand if you love Fixer Upper on HGTV! {Is your hand raised? If you’re here, I imagine it is!}. Fixer Upper fans can now experience the charm of the popular TV show at Magnolia Market in Waco, Texas. In fact, many fans make a pilgrimage of sorts to visit the hometown and beautiful shop owned by their favorite HGTV stars, Chip and Joanna Gaines.

I am totally one of those people.

In fact, I’ve been to Magnolia Market probably five times now. Not because I’m a Super Fan (although I totally love the show), but instead because Waco is centrally located between Dallas and Austin – which makes it a great place to meet my friend Sarah (who lives in Austin) every few months. Over the past couple years, we’ve watched the town boom as quaint shops and new restaurants pop up around Magnolia – and I can’t wait to tell you about ALL of it.

I asked readers on my Facebook page what they’d like to know before visiting – if you have a question, leave a comment here or on my Facebook page and I’ll answer as well as I can!

Here’s what you need to know to plan your trip to Magnolia Market in Waco, Texas.

What’s it like at Magnolia?

Magnolia Market is a located on a plot of land with two large silos (that’s how you’ll know you’re there!). There is a bakery (check here for hours), a large shop, an outdoor space with games and seating, a tiny seed shop, and food trucks. Be sure to check the hours before you go – Magnolia Market and the grounds are NOT open on Sundays.

Expect lots of crowds (maybe uncomfortably so, if you’re a crowd-avoider like me) on the weekends and a more reasonable amount of people during the week. School holidays are also busy. This picture was taken on a Saturday, mid-morning (don’t let this scare you – I’ve also been when there is almost nobody there!).

When is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit is a weekday. Even better, make it a school day. Weekends are nuts, and there is often a line just to get into the shop. The staff is super friendly and accomodating, and they work as quickly as possible…but there could be lines to get in to the shop, lines to make your purchase, and even lines to look at the merchandise (it gets crowded and it’s hard to really see everything when you’re wading through people). My advice is to go on a weekday, when schools are in session, and get there right when it opens for the best experience.

And don’t get me wrong! A Saturday at Magnolia can still be amazing – I recently went on a girls’ trip with my friends and we visited on a Saturday (we started in the Seed Shop, then came back to the big shop, then got cupcakes). But if you can be picky, shoot for a Tuesday or Wednesday morning. 🙂 

Where should I park? Does parking cost anything?

Depending on when you visit, parking can be tough. There are places to park nearby. Some cost money. We’ve parked on the street a couple of blocks away and had to walk a bit in the past. Last time we visited, when it was crazy busy, we parked in the Spice Village shopping center (more on that later – it’s a destination, too!) and walked. The walk took about 10 minutes. This can still get crowded, so get there early if you can.

The Silo District Trolley is a great option – it’s free, and will take you right to the Silos. You can see the trolley stops and hours here (Spice Village is one of the stops). 

Tell me about the bakery.

Just like the shop, lines can build up. But I’ve been on a weekday and didn’t have to wait in line at all! The cupcakes? AMAZING. My favorite and personal recommendation is Lemon Lavender, but I’ve had a bunch and loved them all. 

If it’s busy and you don’t want to wait in line, the bakery also sells cupcakes from a cute little trailer out by the food trucks. They didn’t have the full menu available when I visited last, so you might want to check (the menu is posted on the trailer) if you have something in mind you want to try.

Read a full post, with tons of details about the bakery and what to expect (including pictures of the lines on Saturday), here.

What about lunch?

You can find lunch at the food trucks, and there are plenty of places sit and enjoy your lunch on the grounds. If you don’t want to eat there, you have plenty of dining options in Waco – from popular chain restaurants to local favorites like Ninfa’s. 

Is Magnolia Market kid-friendly?

This depends on your kid. My kids love Fixer Upper. They want me to take them for that reason alone. There is LOTS of fun stuff for the kids to do outside – corn hole, a big lawn with bean bags and balls to play with, giant swings, a garden to explore, cupcakes to eat, and more. But as far as shopping goes, let your child be the guide. There’s a lot of breakable stuff inside the shop, and if it’s crowded I could see a young child not lasting long in the shop. Actually, I could see my eight-year-old son not lasting long in the shop!

As you would imagine, though (this is Chip and Jo we’re talking about!), it’s very welcoming for kids – I have seen lots of people wearing babies or pushing strollers through the shop.

Is it expensive?

It won’t cost you anything to visit! 🙂 Food is reasonably priced for a destination like this (I think cupcakes are $3.50 each, and I paid about $5 for fresh bottled juice from a juice vendor). Merchandise inside the store is probably what you’d expect – you can take a look here for exact prices. Expect to pay around $25 for a shirt (they’re cute and made from a really nice fabric, though – worth it!).

The items in the store are constantly changing – what you see one trip likely won’t be available the next time you go.

If you’re visiting from out-of-state and want to make some big purchases, you can ship directly from the market. They’ll help you pack everything up and ship it off for you. Or, you can get free shipping if you place an order online for $100 or more.

What kind of stuff do they sell?

Expect to see the kind of things Joanna decorates a home with on the show. Lots of beautiful decor, books, paint, and kitchen supplies come to mind. There are also shirts and hats, and you can even buy Jo’s favorite paint colors! 

Will I see Chip and Jo?

Let me know if you do! 🙂 

How long can I expect to stay there?

Your visit will depend on lines and what you want to do. If you shop awhile and stay for lunch, or just enjoy some time on the lawn, you can expect to spend a few hours there. If it’s not busy and you just want to check out the shop, plan on less time.

What else is there to do in Waco?

There is quite a bit to do in Waco, actually. Here are some places to check out while you’re in town:

• The Findery (located right across the street from the Silos, The Findery has similar decor to Magnolia but fewer crowds)
• Harp Design Co. (yes! This is Clint’s shop – and it’s super cute and only a short drive away)
• Show and Tell Antiques – (located right around the corner from Harp Design Co. in an old mansion – it boasts a basement, which is super rare in Texas)
• Spice Village (I LOVE this place – I stop here every time! It’s a boutique with *tons* of cute little shops and booths inside)
• Oh My Juice (if you need something healthy after all those cupcakes, grab a juice to go)
• Waco Winery (the winery is casual and fun, and has some pretty scenery, too)
• Waco Mammoth National Monument (did you know Waco has a cool Mammoth exhibit?)
• Get a full list of places to shop on “The Magnolia Trail” here
• Get a full list of Waco Restaurants here (looking for something fancy? Try 135 Prime)
• Suspension Bridge

The Findery:

Harp Design Co.:

Waco Winery:

Check here for seasonal events happening around Waco (we once visited during a Food Truck competition – that was cool!).

Where should I stay?

You have lots of lodging options in Waco. We’ve stayed in a few different places – this last time, at Hampton Inn. We’ve tried to stay at Hotel Indigo, but haven’t been able to get in yet (it’s been booked every time). Depending on when you’re visiting, you might be able to book The Magnolia House (it’s booked through 2017).

Waco is a small town, and you won’t have to worry about driving long distances to get to your destination, no matter where you stay.

My friend Kristen is talking more details and how she compares Magnolia to a grown-up Disneyworld here – be sure to check it out for her insight!

I also love this Magnolia Market Fixer Upper Tour of Waco – this is a great insider’s guide!

Have you been to Magnolia? Did I miss anything in this post? Let me know in the comments below or on my Facebook page!

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