The best way to learn about a new city? Put yourself into the hands of a seasoned local!
When you book one of these unique tours, you’ll get to experience the sights and sounds of Waco with an expert guide. Choose a tour based on your interests like area history, local art, or Waco’s best beer and wine.
Tours are a fun and fascinating way to learn more about this vibrant city!
The Amazing Fixer Upper Tour
Big fan of Chip and Jo? Get a closer look at some of their work around Waco with The Amazing Fixer Upper Tour by Brazos Tours. This is the top-rated Fixer Upper tour in Waco, and has been wowing home reno enthusiasts for over six years.
Your two-and-a-half-hour tour will begin inside the former location of Harp Design Co., right next to the “Harp House” which was renovated in the show (Season 1, Ep. 6). Clint Harp was a major part of Fixer Upper and is still a fan favorite! The Harp Design Co. building is now home to the Brazos Tours General Store, where you can shop for creative pieces by local vendors like jewelry, home decor, and even books by local writers.
Next you can see some of the iconic homes and landmarks that made the show famous, plus some historic sites along the way. You’ll stop at JDH Iron Design, a common feature on the show, where Joanna Gaines commissioned custom metalwork signs for her clients. You may even get to meet Jimmy Don!
Many tour groups also go inside the “3 Little Pigs” house (Season 3, Ep. 13). Brazos Tours now owns the house and offers it as a vacation rental. When it’s not in use, tours get to go inside for a closer look.
Brew Bus Tour
Beer buffs and hop heads, this is the tour for you. The Brew Bus Tour by Waco Trolley explores some of the city’s favorite breweries and bars. You’ll be whisked through the city on a 28-seat vintage-style trolley as you discover locally owned sipping spots. Use your Waco Trolley Wristband for special deals at every location!
Exact stops may vary based on availability, but most tours visit:
Classic Tour
Waco Tours’ Classic Tour tells the “restoration story” of Waco, from the city’s challenges to the revitalization it has undergone in the past couple of decades. Over two-and-a-half hours, you’ll explore some of Waco’s best historic sights, Cameron Park’s natural beauty, highlights from Fixer Upper, and more. Plus, enjoy a local coffee or ice cream!
Tour guides are enthusiastic and knowledgeable, and pride themselves on making every tour a joy. They may even recommend some of the best dining, shopping, and entertainment in the city to make your stay that much more special. TripAdvisor rated this special experience the #4 Top Overall Experience in the United States!
Haunts & Legends Mobile Tour
See the spooky side of Waco with the Haunts & Legends Mobile Tour by Brazos Tours. On this two-hour van tour, you’ll be able to stop and get a closer look at some of Waco’s most spine-chilling sites, like haunted hotels and storied cemeteries.
Led by paranormal investigators, this a truly interactive experience, with tour guides using an EVP box and other equipment to make contact with the other side! The tour starts with a protective meditation before you go, and offers optional sage energy cleansing at the end so you don’t carry any bad vibes back to your normal life.
Lovers of the strange and unusual should definitely put a haunted tour on their Waco bucket list.
Living History Tours of Waco©
Take an immersive look at Waco’s place in Texas history and its most interesting historical residents with Living History Tours of Waco©, a division of Americana Heritage Tours by Snobby Tours®, Inc.™ This is Waco’s oldest continuously running heritage/cultural tour, owned and operated for over 22 years by a native Wacoan with five generations of local family dating back to the early 20th century.
Each Living History Tour covers a particular period within Waco’s 180+ years of uniquely Texan history, with shared personal and family stories, first-hand oral accounts, and local legends that you won’t read about in history books.
Choose from nine Living History Tours, ranging from two-hours to a full day. Each tour is led by an Expert Local Historian/Living History Tours of Waco© Guide and at least one costumed “Living History Re-enactor” who portrays a real-life Wacoan from your selected tour and shares a first-hand account of life in historic Waco—staying in character from start to finish.
Discover the story behind the still-ongoing rivalry between two early settler families, each claiming to be descended from the first non-indigenous child born in Waco. Celebrate McLennan County’s first female doctor, an amateur meteorologist, who warned of the incoming tornado that redefined Waco’s history in 1953. Trace Waco’s 19th-century transformation from “Six Shooter Junction,” a lawless watering hole, into a family-friendly town in the post-Civil War years. Laugh along with the flamboyant Wacoan who became Paramount Studios’ first movie star cowgirl. And marvel at the internationally acclaimed African American opera star from Waco who originated the role of Joe in “Show Boat” on Broadway.
Living History Tours of Waco© are for tour groups of 10+ adults, and must be confirmed at least 45 days in advance. Depending on the tour selected, amenities include a combination of the following:
- One Expert Local Historian/Living History Tours of Waco© Guide
- At least one costumed “Living History Re-enactor”
- Lunch OR dinner on all five-hour or eight-hour tours
- Chartered transportation (if group does not provide chartered transportation)
- Non-alcoholic beverages and/or snacks while en route on tour
- All venue admissions or a donation to the underlying nonprofit organization if admission is free (Snobby Tours®, Inc. highlights nonprofits with racially, ethnically, and religiously diverse boards and employees)
- All docent-guided tour and performance ticketing at the venues included on the tour, where applicable
- Special souvenir gift bags for each person, including coupons for discounts at local shopping and additional historic sites
Mural Tour
Waco is awash in color and creativity. See a curated selection of murals and public art in the downtown area with the Mural Tour by Waco Trolley.
You’ll make photo-worthy memories as you explore the city’s urban “galleries” on this 90-minute tour. Spot art like the Starry Night mural based on the famous Picasso, City with a Soul, and several pieces by Blek Le Rat, the “Father of stencil graffiti” and an inspiration to Banksy.
Take family photos or fun selfies with the art to commemorate your visit. Waco’s art scene is constantly changing, so this is a wonderful opportunity to see old favorites and new pieces while they’re still around.
River Cruise Tour
Why explore Waco by land when you could see the best of the city from the water? The River Cruise Tour by Waco Tours is a unique way to experience downtown. You’ll spend over two hours on the Brazos and Bosque Rivers while your captain shares stories of Waco and its people. Expect plenty of laughs—the tour guides are as entertaining as the sights.
This excursion was ranked the #1 Best Boat Tour in North America by USA Today, both in 2020 and 2023!
Tours start about an hour before sunset, so you can catch the sun going down and the city lights coming up. Tours are available from early spring through late fall, with winters off.
Vintage Wine Tour
Sample some of the best local wine in the area with a built-in designated driver on the Vintage Wine Tour! Hop into a comfy 13-seater climate-controlled van and let the pros from Waco Wine Tours handle the logistics.
Stops vary from time to time, but most trips include visits to two vineyards and a winery in the Waco area. You’ll also enjoy a light charcuterie board and bar snacks along with your sips.
Got a large group? Add a second van to your trip, or ask about a custom winery or brewery tour for your group.
Waco Foodie Tours
Come hungry and enjoy 10+ tastings over a two-and-a-half to three-hour Waco Foodie Tour by Brazos Tours to sample the best of Waco cuisine. While the exact stops may change, visitors usually get to try Czech, Mexican, and Spanish goodies at favorite local restaurants, plus Jamaican and/or some good ol’ Texas BBQ. Plus, you’ll get two complimentary “adult beverages” along with your tastings (must be 21+, of course).
The travel van for this tour maxes out at 13 guests, but you can add a second van for a larger group.
Waco History Tour
Waco is full of fascinating history. Visit some of the city’s most interesting landmarks and learn infamous local lore on the 90-minute Waco History Tour by Waco Trolley.
You may stop by a 1930s Franciscan mission, modeled after the Mission San José in San Antonio. And you could hear the tale of how infamous bank robber Clyde Barrow escaped the McLennan County Jail with the help of that other legendary outlaw, Bonnie Parker. You’ll learn it all from one of the best seats in town—aboard the 28-passenger vintage-style Waco Trolley.
Waco Pedal Tours
Why walk when you can pedal? Traverse the streets of downtown Waco on a pedal-powered party bus for a one-of-a-kind adventure.
Public tours by Waco Pedal Tours will team you up with other revelers for a bar crawl through the city. Grab your pedal bike in front of Waco Axe Company, pedal away, and enjoy exclusive deals at your stops through downtown. You can also BYOB for a pick-me-up while you pedal.
While you and your crew provide the forward motion, Your captain will steer and navigate between the stops on your tour. Tours are available in the afternoon, at happy hour, or late into the night.
You can also plan a private tour just for your group, with pedal buses available for 14 or 16 people. It’s the perfect fun-filled outing for adult and teen family reunions (aged 13+), bachelor/bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations, work outings, and more.
