Waco is an easy stop right off I-35 and has impressive museums that are all highly underrated. It would be an easy stop to quickly hit them all in just one day or you may need two days to do justice to each one. Four of the five are located in the same area of Baylor University, with only the Dr Pepper Museum on the other side of I-35 but still very close by and easy to get to.
Mayborn Museum Complex – 1300 S. University Parks Dr. Waco, TX 76706
Part of Baylor University, we consider this museum one of the most underrated ones that we have been to. Fascinating natural and cultural displays are inside as well as outside. A hands-on science area that is touted as for the kids but we can attest that adults have as much fun as the kids.
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum – 100 Texas Ranger Trail, Waco TX 76706
The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum honors the rangers who served this great state, preserving an important part of Texas history. One of our favorite aspects of the display is the bronze statues. They’re phenomenal, intricately detailed, and almost lifelike. You’ll also find many displays of beautiful old guns, a Bonnie and Clyde display talking about their ties to the area, as well as other historical information not necessarily tied to the Rangers but of great interest.
Texas Sports Hall of Fame – 1108 S. University Parks Dr., Waco, TX 76706
Opened in 1993, this museum boasts of over 6000 pieces of memorabilia and holds items from every single inductee, going back to 1951. You can see items belonging to Troy Aikman, Ernie Banks, Drew Brees, Roger Clemens, Clyde Drexler, George Foreman, and many more. Items are typically loaned to the museum for a specific amount of time, then sometimes the inductee requests them back but sometimes they also donate them permanently. So you may want to see something as soon as possible in case it has to be returned.
Armstrong Browning Library & Museum – 710 Speight Ave., Waco TX 76706
Another museum belonging to Baylor University, this museum is known for being dedicated to Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning and having the largest collection of Browning material in the world. Scholars literally come from all over the world to do research in this awe-inspiring facility. But even more surprising and amazingly beautiful is that it also has the largest collection of non-secular stained glass in the world. Elevators are available to move between floors.
Dr Pepper Museum – 300 S 5th St., Waco TX 76701
Who can resist finding out how Dr Pepper came to be? Other historical information is included such as information about the deadly 1953 tornado. At the end of your tour, you can participate in making your own soft drink concoction, or simply buy a float with your favorite beverage.
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