25 FREE Things To Do in Waco
You know what’s even more fun than finding things to do in Waco? Finding FREE stuff to do. 😉 I love finding free things to do in a city so that I can scatter them in between other attractions that might cost a bit more. While I definitely recommend spending money on some great Waco restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops, it’s always nice to have some totally free activities sprinkled in your day, too.
About me: I’m Kelsey, a bestselling travel book author and the creator of 3 Texas travel websites. As a native Texan, I help millions of readers find the best things to do, restaurants to try, and places to stay in Waco and beyond. Check out my other sites: The Austin Things.com and The San Antonio Things.com!
If you don’t have time to read this …
If you don’t have time to read this entire guide, here are the top 3 things I recommend doing in Waco for exactly zero dollars:
- Go check out Cameron Park. There’s a lot to see there, and it’s really the crown jewel of Waco’s park system! Wear some supportive shoes and bring a water bottle and go climb Jacob’s Ladder, play some disc golf, or just enjoy the views, the playgrounds, and the paths.
- See the live bears at Baylor University. I love seeing the bear habitat at Baylor! It’s open every day, and visitors can stroll by and say hi to the two black bears that live on campus. Pair this with some other Baylor activities, like visiting the free museums on Baylor’s campus.
- Check out Magnolia Market. You can get into Magnolia Market totally FREE of charge! It’s an adorable place to walk around, browse, and daydream about different pieces of furniture and home goods you might want to eventually buy. But it’s a really elevating, expensive place to walk through from time to time. (Plus it always smells SO good! I swear they have candles in every single corner because these shops smell amazing!)
Ok, if you want even more ideas, read on for 25+ ideas of FREE things to do in Waco. I’ll continue adding to this whenever I find out about more free ideas!
25 FREE Things To Do in Waco
1. Climb Jacob’s Ladder
Jacob’s Ladder was constructed in the early 1900s on the side of a cliff in Cameron Park. They’ve since renovated it into concrete steps, but it’s still pretty challenging (and fun) to climb! If you want to get a quick workout in, be sure to park at the bottom (FREE parking!) and enjoy the climb up 88 steps in total.
2. Homestead Craft Village
This is by far one of the coolest things you can do in Waco, and I can’t believe how many people either don’t know about it or haven’t taken the time to check it out!
Homestead Craft Village is a series of shops located at Homestead Heritage, a Christian community about 5 miles northwest of Waco. They value taking care of their land and being fairly self-sufficient, so there’s a lot of woodworking, sewing and weaving, candle making, farming, smoking their own meats, making their own cheese, etc.
You can go for tours, shopping, and classes…or if you want a completely FREE thing to do in Waco, just stop by and browse the entire village. It’s a thriving art scene full of so many treasures. (It’s also home to one of my personal favorite restaurants in Waco, Homestead Café. If you need lunch, I strongly encourage you to stop by and get the burger!
WEBSITE | 608 Dry Creek Rd. Waco, Texas
3. Waco Riverwalk
The Brazos river runs through Waco, and there’s a really nice Riverwalk that wraps around the downtown portion of the river. There are 7 miles of trails that are available for walking, running, and biking. This map of the Riverwalk is helpful if you want to find mile markers or see where the bike trails begin and end.
I don’t know about you, but I find being by the water so calming and grounding! The river in Waco is a really nice place to enjoy a leisurely walk and spend exactly zero dollars.
WEBSITE | Waco Riverwalk, Waco, TX 76701
4. Find Some Waco Murals
I mean, who knew that Waco was so great for mural hunting?! There are dozens of beautiful murals throughout downtown Waco and beyond. Try to find a few of them and snap a selfie with them.
WEBSITE | Dr Pepper Museum/300 5th S St.
5. Stroll Magnolia Market
Magnolia Market is the destination in downtown Waco. Some argue that Chip and Jo of Fixer Upper fame are what made Waco famous in the way it is today.
If you want the full experience, I recommend starting with this weekend guide to Magnolia Market to really get to know The Silos, the restaurants, and the food trucks.
And if you simply want a free thing to do in Waco, find some free parking near Magnolia Market, head inside, and enjoy browsing the shop. You’ll instantly feel like you’re inside Joanna Gaines’s living room.
WEBSITE | 601 Webster Ave Waco, TX 76706
6. Baylor Bear Habitat
There are two live black bears that live at a bear habitat in the middle of Baylor University campus, and visitors can stop by any day of the week to visit them for free at the Eva Williams Bear Habitat.
Their names are Indy and Belle, and they’re gorgeous black bears that have a beautiful home in the middle of Waco. Their home is constructed to feel like a natural habitat, and there are a few windows around the edges so you can get up close and personal with these creatures.
It’s open 7 days a week from 9:30-5, but just keep in mind that sometimes the bears won’t be there, like if there’s bad weather or if their habitat is getting maintained.
WEBSITE | 1311 S. 5th Street, Waco TX 76706
7. Waco Suspension Bridge
The Waco Suspension Bridge dates back to 1870 and was part of the Chisholm Trail crossing. In fact, it used to be the largest suspension bridge west of the Mississippi, which definitely puts this thing on the map!
It’s a cool piece of history to see, and there are parks on either side of the bridge and memorials and statues that are definitely worth checking out.
WEBSITE | 101 N University Parks Dr Doris Miller Park, Waco, TX 76701
8. Art Center Waco
Interested in art? Art Center Waco is a gallery in downtown Waco where visitors can stop by and enjoy looking at works of art. They have exhibits that rotate throughout the year, so there’s always something new to see. Best of all? It's completely free admission.
9. Lovers Leap
Drive a few miles along Cameron Park and you’ll find yourself at Lovers Leap, which is probably the prettiest view in Waco. It's a stunning overlook at the top of a cliff over the Brazos River.
There are benches, paths, a bathroom, and even a playground in the vicinity. You could make a whole event out of visiting this (FREE) place in Waco!
Guests have enjoyed this view for more than 100 years. And the city has had to work really hard to maintain the stunning views while also protecting people from the fatal drop off ledge. There’s a guard rail up with signs saying not to cross…and please don’t! You can enjoy the stunning views from the safety of the guard rails.
WEBSITE | 301 Bosque Blvd Waco, TX 76707
10. Armstrong Browning Library
Calling all poetry nerds!! Armstrong Browning Library is part of Baylor University. It’s where you can find the largest collection of works by Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. There’s also art and rare 19th century books and manuscripts.
For parking and hours, check out their website. But rest assured that admission is FREE so you can add this to your list of free things to do in Waco.
Photo Credits: Phillip E S, Yelp
WEBSITE | 710 Speight Ave Waco, TX 76798
11. Indian Spring Park
Remember when I mentioned that there are some parks on either side of the Waco Suspension Bridge? Indian Springs Park is one of them, so tie this into your visit to the bridge.
There are benches, restrooms, shady trees, and a fountain area, but the crown jewels are the “Branding the Brazos” sculptures. They show a trailhead leading a herd of cattle toward the bridge. They’re life-size and you can totally imagine what life was like back when this historic bridge was built!
WEBSITE | 101 N University Parks Dr Waco, TX 76701
12. Carleen Bright Arboretum
Located just a bit outside of Waco in Woodway, TX, the Carleen Bright Arboretum is totally free to visit for anyone who wants to find a moment of peace and quiet in nature.
There are 16 acres of botanical gardens, including a meditation garden, fountains, trails, picnic areas, and more.
Photo Credits: Carleen Bright Arboretum, Yelp
WEBSITE | 9001 Bosque Blvd Woodway, TX 76712
13. Waco Sculpture Zoo
Not to be confused with the Cameron Park Zoo (which is not free!), the Waco Sculpture Zoo is a cool art installation along the banks of the Brazos river that shows bronze sculptures of animals you might find in the actual zoo.
It’s actually really fun to walk along the riverwalk and see all of these bronze animals along the way. They’re spaced out so you have to walk about a mile to see all of them. There are little signs along the way that say “this way to the zoo!” because the sculpture zoo eventually funnels you to the Cameron Park Zoo entrance.
14. Lee Lockwood Library
The Lee Lockwood Library is a really impressive building from the outside. If you drive past it, you’ll notice it right away! This is the home of the Waco Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, and there’s a free 2-story library inside that you can visit.
Photo Credits: Lee Lockwood Library and Museum, Facebook
WEBSITE | 2801 W Waco Dr, Waco, TX, United States, Texas
15. Waco Farmers Market
The Waco Downtown Farmers Market happens every Saturday morning from 9 am - 1 pm. Farmers and vendors come from as far as 150 miles to sell produce, eggs, meat, homemade jams and bread, and other handmade items. You can find so many fun things here! And if you’re trying to find FREE things to do in Waco, I’ve found that I get a lot of joy just from walking through the Farmers Market and soaking up the ambiance and good, healthy vibes.
Photo Credits: Waco Downtown Farmers Market, Yelp
WEBSITE | 500 Washington Ave Waco, TX 76701
16. Proctor Springs
Proctor Springs, located at the incredible Cameron Park, was a “watering spot used for frontiersmen.” And even today, people love to visit this pretty area, climb the steps, splash in the water, and picnic nearby.
The “springs” aren’t quite as gurgling in the summer months as they are during the rainy season…so keep your expectations in check. But it’s still a really pretty area to walk, hike, and enjoy nature.
WEBSITE | Waco, TX 76708
17. Mayborn Museum - Free Days
Mayborn Museum is a pretty impressive museum complex at Baylor University campus. (Like, 143,000 square feet of impressiveness!) They have a bunch of exhibits, hands-on learning, and LOTS of kid-friendly things to do. It’s a phenomenal place to check out in Waco.
And while there is a fee associated with admission, they try really hard to make the museum as accessible to all as possible by creating a few Community Days. See the full list here, and check out the other ways to get free entry, including borrowing a membership, and taking advantage of the Museums For All program.
WEBSITE | 1300 S University Parks Waco, TX 76706
18. Lake Waco Wetlands
Lake Waco isn’t in the downtown area, so most of the people who are stopping by to either visit Magnolia Market or check out Baylor University aren’t going to drive out. What does that mean for you? This is a FREE thing to do in Waco that’s also not very crowded with tourists!
The city of Waco decided to increase the lake levels by 7 feet back in 2001. Now, it’s able to be a habitat for native plants and animals. The water comes from the Bosque river and feeds into Lake Waco (Waco’s drinking water source.)
You can visit the education center for free to learn more details about the Lake Waco Wetlands. And if you want to walk around a bit, there are some nice trails where you can see the wildlife, enjoy birding, and soak up the sunshine.
WEBSITE | 1752 Eichelberger Crossing Crawford, TX 76638
19. Waco Indie Film Festival
Do you LOVE indie films? There’s an annual Waco Indie Film Festival that happens every July, and you can actually volunteer to get free access!
It’s about 4 days long, and there are usually around 10-12 locations where the festival takes place. One of the best parts about this festival is that all of the film viewing locations are within a few square blocks of downtown Waco, so you get to wander around. You can stop by restaurants and breweries in between showings and just enjoy that urban lifestyle!
20. Spice Village
Spice Village is a shopping destination in downtown Waco, but I’ve definitely stopped by and just killed an hour of time wandering through the booths and taking it all in without buying anything. It’s a fun place to window shop because there are so many things to see!
Each booth is its own little store, and there are so many of them. The best part is it’s completely indoors, so it’s a fun free thing to do in Waco on a rainy day when you don’t want to be outdoors.
Here’s my full guide to Spice Village, if you’d like to learn more.
WEBSITE | 213 Mary Ave Waco, TX 76701
21. Martin Museum of Art
Martin Museum of Art is a FREE art museum at Baylor University. It mostly houses artwork by Baylor students, so if you enjoy experiencing art from up-and-coming artists, plan on stopping by and looking at the art.
It’s directly across the street from the Mayborn Museum Complex, so you could easily pair these two activities together.
Photo Credits: Martin Museum of Art, Facebook
WEBSITE | 60 Baylor Ave Waco, TX 76707
22. Doris Miller Memorial
The Doris Miller memorial is a historically significant thing to check out in Waco. And yes - it’s free! Doris Miller was a black WWII hero who was from Waco. His selfless actions at the attack on Pearl Harbor are worth reading about, and this memorial in Waco is definitely worth visiting. It’s absolutely beautiful.
(Note: the Doris Miller Memorial is on the end of the Waco Suspension Bridge, so check it out when you’re visiting the bridge!)
WEBSITE | 814 Elm Avenue Waco, TX 76704
23. Cultivate 7Twelve
Cultivate 7Twelve is a free art gallery in downtown Waco. Whether you're in the market for new art or you just enjoy browsing, it’s a darling, independently-owned gallery and event space that’s worth checking out if you love finding free things to do in Waco.
WEBSITE | 712 Austin Ave Waco, TX 76701
24. Swimming at Twin Bridges Park
Check out the sandy beaches of Lake Waco and enjoy an afternoon in the sun at Twin Bridges Park! This is a totally free thing to do in Waco (you might have to pay a couple dollars for parking) where you can enjoy picnicking, swimming, fishing, and just general summer-ing.
25. Hiking At Cameron Park
There are dozens of miles of hiking trails at Cameron Park! This public park in Waco is the crown jewel of the city (and honestly one of the best parks in all of central Texas!), so PLEASE check it out if you have the time! Whether you choose to just drive through the shady, winding roads, or you’re able to lace up your hiking boots and enjoy a few miles of activity, you’re going to absolutely fall in love with Cameron Park. Bonus: IT’S FREE.
WEBSITE | 2601 Sturgis Rd Waco, TX 76701
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