Helpful Tips For Your Trip Magnolia!

Hey guys! Are you ready for Part 2?! I am back to share with you all the ins and outs of our recent trip to Waco, TX, all things Magnolia and more!

In “Our Trip to Magnolia: Part 1”, I shared all about how my visit to The Magnolia Silos impacted me on a much more personal level and what I took home with me was so much more than a souvenir! I’ll link that post HERE  if you’re interested in checking that out!

Today I’m sharing more of the details and all of my thoughts on where to stay, shop, eat and how to make the most of your trip! If you’ve never been to Magnolia, I’m hoping this will help you when planning your trip to the one, the only Magnolia Silos! YAY!  Okay, let’s get started!

The Magnolia Silos are located at 601 Webster Ave. in downtown Waco.  They’re so easy to spot coming into town simply because they’re so big!  The Silos hours are 9-6, Mon-Sat. & are closed Sundays. Magnolia Bakery, Magnolia Seed & Feed, and Retail Market (The Silos) are all on the same 2.6 acres! I recommend using the FREE parking behind the Silos right off of  8th street. The shops are spread out around a turf and beautiful garden area! It is breathtaking! The whole space is lined with manicured flower beds and the garden area…oh boy guys…dreamy, dreamy, dreamy! I can totally see why the crowds flock there! Families can relax in beanbag chairs or enjoy a meal in the picnic area while watching their kids play cornhole and other yard games!  Because we were there in February it was cooler and rainy, but there was still plenty of covered areas outside to stay dry! We actually spent more time outside on the grounds that we did in the shops! The gardens were so gorgeous, even in the dead of winter! I could go on and on about the market and how it was decorated! WOW! Spring was in the air and it was wonderful! The creative team at Magnolia is SUPER talented guys! They have events going on here and there all throughout the year so if you’re looking to really see everything and not fight the crowds or wait in long lines, I’d recommend going the February or early March! Now that I have been and seen everything, I’ll definitely go back during an event next time, but I’m so glad we went during their slower season so we could soak it all up in peace!

The Silos Baking Co. was right across the lawn from the Silos. It opens at 7:30 AM and closes at 6 PM. The Bakery may have been the most popular of all the shops on the grounds and for good reason! I mean, who doesn’t want a delicious gourmet cupcake?! I was SO excited when I saw that they had G.F. options for those of us who are intolerant! Thank you, JoJo, your gluten-free cookies are amazing! And my husband said his cupcake was incredible too! If I could have, I would have tried every cupcake flavor! They all looked delish! The lines weren’t too long at The Bakery, and they had such great staff that the lines moved super fast!

I have to take a minute to mention this super cool bag that I took with me everywhere! When I saw it on Cloth & Cabins website I knew it would be the perfect crossbody bag for my trip! I am obsessed! It is the perfect size and I love how the strap is adjustable! I’m pretty sure half of what I packed for this vacay was Cloth & Cabin! Love those gals! You can check them out HERE!

Magnolia Table is Chip & Joanna’s restaurant and it is OUTSTANDING in my opinion! It is not on the same grounds as the Silos, however, they do offer a FREE trolley that runs every 20 min or so that will take you there! Magnolia Table is located at 2132 S. Valley Mills Dr. Waco. They’re open 6AM-3PM Mon-Sat. and closed Sunday. If you aren’t sure what to order…get Joannas Salad! WOWZA, it was so good! I may have to try and grow Joanna’s watermelon radishes in my garden this year! I’ve been missing out! I highly recommend not skipping this stop, even if the lines are long. It’s totally worth the wait! Click HERE for the Magnolia Table MENU.

Magnolia Seed & Supply:  Was one of my favorite shops! I bought quite a few spring tea towels there and we had a wonderful time just visiting with the employees and other shoppers that happened to be garden lovers too! Such a cute little shop!

The grounds have all kinds of food trucks to choose from as well! I think the trucks vary depending on the time of year. There is a Magnolia Table food truck at the Silos, but it wasn’t open while we were there so we ate at another truck. Everything we had to eat there was so good! Before you leave the grounds, be sure to look for Jimmy Don’s trailer out behind the parking lot if you’re a fan of his work! We ran into him a few times! I was so worried I’d embarrass him so I didn’t get a pic, haha! Oh well, maybe next time!

Another must see for me was Joanna’s original Magnolia Market  (The Little Shop on Bosque)! It was open for business and had all kinds of clearance goodies! The shop is located at 3801 Bosque Blvd, Waco, TX 76710 and they are open Mon-Sat. 10AM-5PM and closed on Sunday. There was something so special about seeing where it all started! The shop was simply adorable! I bought quite a few small items for my kitchen there and a cute little porcelain pitcher! I’m happy to report it made it home in one piece! YAY!

When you’ve seen all there is to see at the Silos, if you’re not shopped out, there are lots of other fantastic small shops to visit! Some of my favorites were The Findery, Harp Design Co. and Spice Village.

The Findery is a MUST, you guys! The address is 501 S 8th St, Waco, TX 76706 and it is within walking distance from Magnolia. The store hours are 10AM-6PM Mon-Sat and Closed are on Sundays as well. The items there will blow your vintage, decor loving mind!!! I felt like I was in heaven! I had to inform my husband that next time we travel to Waco we’ll be flying there and renting a U-hall to drive home…seriously! There were SO many incredible and unique items for your home at the Findery!

Harp Design Co. is located at 808 N 15th St, Waco, TX 76707. The shop hours are Mon-Sat 10AM-5Pm and is closed on Sundays. If you enjoy Fixer+Upper enough to visit Magnolia than I’m guessing you’ll love stopping into the shop Harp Design Co. The shop is full of all kinds of unique hand made home goods and decor! I grabbed a beautiful pair of wooden earrings while I was there! I’d have loved to buy so many more items, but my suitcase was getting pretty full by that point! The shop is also right next door to Clint and Kellys Fixer Upper. The home is so beautiful and they are currently renting it out on Airbnb! We thought about staying there, but it is really large and with just the two of us we thought it would be way too big for just us! If you have a large group be sure to check it out!

Spice Village: The Free Trolley at the Silos will also take you downtown which is where Spice Village is located! Spice Village is an indoor shopping center that has over 60 clothing and decor boutiques! I’d say it was a must for any out of towner for sure. You’re sure to find something you love there! If you aren’t taking the Magnolia Trolley it’s just a short drive from Magnolia. They are located at 213 Mary Ave, Waco, TX 76701. They are open on Sundays from 12-5 and Mon-Sat from 10AM-6PM! If Magnolia is too crowded or it’s raining or way too hot,  I’d definitely check out the shops at Spice Village! It’s all indoor and there’s a cafe’ on the main level to grab a bite to eat or a coffee!

Okay, now let’s talk about accommodations. Did you know that quite a few of the homes Joanna and Chip renovated on their show are now Airbnbs?! I am going to be super honest and say if you can swing the cost of staying in a “Fixer+Upper” Airbnb, DO IT!!! We definitely wanted to have the full Fixer+Upper experience and considered quite a few different ones before booking The German Schmear home (from season 3). The home was huge and every bit as gorgeous as one would assume from watching the show! It was incredible to stay there and if you’re planning to travel with a group of your closest girlfriends or even one other couple, by splitting the cost even just once it makes it a way more affordable! For us, it was a way better route than staying in a small hotel room for three days. It really was the ultimate accommodations for a big-time Fixer+Upper Fan like myself! You guys, we are DIYers who built our own home without a contractor so you can imagine how awesome it was to see Chip and Jo’s work up close! It was so cool! We were NOT disappointed! I did a whole post on Next time I have the chance to visit Waco I will for sure be booking another HGTV Fixer+Upper turned Airbnb!

Waco Tours: This is something that we didn’t do simply because we had a rental car and we wanted to flexibility to drive around and see everything on our own. However, if you’re in a larger group or have flown in and don’t have a rental car, this may be a fantastic way for you to get the full Waco experience! They offer quite a few different tours so be sure to check them out HERE for all the info! We had the best time popping our heads out and waiving to some of the tour groups that stopped in front of the Fixer+Upper we were staying in! What can I say, I’m a goofball!

One thing that really impressed me is how friendly, helpful and respectful all the Magnolia staff where! From the barista at the Take-Away Coffee Bar at Magnolia Table to the staff that worked the trolly, each and every employee asked if we were service members and treated us like we were VIP! I have to say Chip and Jo should be very, very proud! Their staff is really representing Magnolia well! Oh…and one more thing! When you go to Magnolia Table, when they give you a complimentary salted caramel candy with your check…make sure you visit the gift shop and buy a bag (or three)! They are worth every calorie and you can thank me later!!!

All in all, it was a fantastic trip! We started it off with a few days in San Antonio. We took in a rodeo, a concert, and saw the Alamo before heading to Waco for three days. We ended our trip with five days in Galveston where we walked the beach, ate and did a whole lot of relaxing! I am so grateful that we were able to finally make that trip a reality and I can’t wait to go back!!!

-Dena

“ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”