Destination Waco

08/27/2026

I-35 TRAFFIC WEEKEND IMPACT 🚧 Texas Department of Transportation has an overnight main lane closure this Saturday at 7 p.m. between New Rd. & 17th St. that’s expected to impact traffic on I-35 through Sunday morning.

Our suggestion? 👉 Skip the bumper-to-bumper blues with a fun detour instead - grab dinner or drinks at one of downtown’s dining hotspots! 🍝🍸✨

Waco is wide open and ready for you, even when I-35 isn’t!

➡️ Note: Most cross-street bridges in that stretch will also be closed, so use New Rd. or 12th St. for east and westbound crossings!

ℹ️ Details & live updates: My35WacoSouth.com | Texas Department of Transportation

08/10/2026

Welcome to Waco, Bears! 💚💛

Whether you're unpacking your dorm, settling into your apartment, or just looking for an excuse to explore downtown, we've got you covered! 🫡

Swing by the Waco Welcome Center and stock up on:
- Baylor gear
- Waco merch you'll actually want to wear
- Gifts for your roommates (or yourself—we won't judge)
- Local goodies and one-of-a-kind finds you won't see at the campus bookstore

New to Waco? We'd love to help you discover your new favorite coffee shop, taco spot, hidden gem, or weekend adventure. ✨

Come say hi, and make the Waco Welcome Center one of your first stops this semester!
📍323 S. 6th Street

Sic 'Em, Bears! 💚🐻

08/07/2026

I-35 TRAFFIC WEEKEND IMPACT 🚧 Texas Department of Transportation has a major 24-hour main lane closure beginning TONIGHT between New Rd. & 12th St. that’s expected to impact traffic on I-35 throughout the weekend.

Our suggestion? 👉 Skip the bumper-to-bumper blues with a Waco excursion instead! ✨

Sample downtown’s foodie favorites, explore some one-of-a-kind attractions, or drop by our new Welcome Center to stretch your legs and let our team help you map out a fun detour! 🗺️

Waco is wide open and ready for you, even when I-35 isn’t! 🚗

➡️ Details & live updates: My35WacoSouth.com | Texas Department of Transportation

I-35 WACO SOUTH | Beginning Friday night, TxDOT and its contractor will begin removal of the South Valley Mills Drive direct connect to northbound I-35 as part of the My35 Waco South Construction Project.

Work will take approximately 24 hours and require closure of:
• All I-35 mainlanes between New Road and 12th Street
• East/westbound crossings at 17th & 18th Streets, Valley Mills Drive, and Irving Lee Street/Primrose Drive

Following the removal, the Irving Lee Street/Primrose Drive underpass will remain closed for an additional 14 days for drainage and utility work, with reopening anticipated on Saturday, Aug. 22.

These closures will allow crews to safely remove the direct connect and begin preparations to construct the new Diverging Diamond Intersection (DDI) planned for the area.

For more information and updates, visit My35WacoSouth.com.

07/13/2026

Now that’s some mammoth publicity. 🦣

The Waco Mammoth National Monument was recently featured in Morning Brew’s Sunday special on America’s National Parks. With a readership of more than 4 million, the feature shines a spotlight on one of Waco’s most remarkable destinations, from its active Columbian mammoth dig site to the passionate volunteers who bring its history to life.

It’s fantastic national exposure for Waco and another reminder that our city is home to experiences you won’t find anywhere else. ✨

07/04/2026

Join us this weekend for some FREE family fun at Waco's annual Brazos Nights Fourth on the Brazos extravaganza! 🇺🇸⭐ Be sure to stop by the Mobile Welcome Center for some fun Waco merch and ideas on how to spend the rest of your weekend in Waco! 🎆🎉

This year’s celebration will feature live music by the legendary band The Jacksons, along with food trucks and, of course, a spectacular fireworks display!

📅 Saturday, July 4
⏰ Gates open at 6 p.m. | 🎶 The Jacksons on at 8 p.m.
📍 McLane Stadium: Touchdown Alley | 1001 S. MLK Blvd.
ℹ️ Full details on parking, the clear bag policy and FAQs: brazosnightswaco.com

06/30/2026

This First Friday Waco, in honor of Fourth of July, we're tying one on... a friendship bracelet, of course. 😉❤️🤍💙

Stop by the Waco Welcome Center between 1–7 p.m. and:
⭐ Make a FREE friendship bracelet. An instructor will walk you through it;
📸 Strike your best patriotic pose at our selfie station;
📱 Tag us in your photo;
🎁 Get entered to win a cool prize!
🐾 Also…pup cups always on hand!

Come shop and celebrate with us - see you Friday! 🛍️
📍Waco Welcome Center | 323 S. 6th St., Suite 100

06/29/2026

As we wrap up June, we wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to catch the profile in this month’s WACOAN on our Chief Destination Development Officer Lisa Blackmon! We’re excited to see her featured, and honored to have her leading our team.

"Hospitality can be applied to any line of work... it teaches you how to communicate, how to deal with difficult situations, how to prioritize tasks and manage time." 🏨✨

Meet , a leader driven by a deep passion for community and connection. From her roots in the California wine industry to navigating the fast-paced world of local government, Lisa’s journey is a masterclass in building meaningful relationships and "putting yourself out there" to create change.

Discover how she’s building from the ground up and why she calls our city an "imperfectly perfect" place where visitors and locals alike can truly thrive. Now at the link in bio!

06/18/2026

This year, celebrate all the father figures in your life with gifts they’ll actually use and enjoy! 🤠🎉 No socks, no ties - just fun, curated finds they’ll like, and you won’t have to save the receipt. 🫡

✨ Waco Welcome Center
📍 323 S. 6th Street

06/16/2026

Big debut for Team Waco! 🎉

Destination Waco and the Waco Tourism Public Improvement District unveiled a new co-branded trade show booth at Meeting Professionals International - MPI World Education Congress in San Antonio, introducing meeting planners from around the globe to everything Waco has to offer.

The new booth showcases Waco’s growing meetings and events landscape, including our walkable downtown, unique venues, vibrant culinary scene, and expanding convention infrastructure. Together, Destination Waco and the Waco TPID are delivering a unified message: Waco is ready to host meetings, conventions, sporting events, and group business of every size.

This collaborative investment will support sales efforts at regional and national trade shows throughout the 2026–2027 booking season as we continue bringing new visitors, events, and economic impact to Waco.

06/16/2026

June is flying by, but the Hot Dog Crawl by Waco Restaurant Week is still sizzling! 🔥🌭

We're officially at the halfway mark, but there's still plenty of time left to support Waco's culinary scene, try these menu specials, and earn free merch while doing it!

From now through June 30th, local spots are serving up some sweet specials - whether you’re team mustard, team chili, or looking for a wild creative twist, there's a dog with your name on it at these participating spots: 👇
Dog Haus Waco • Wienerschnitzel • hilltoptaverntx • Helberg Barbecue • TruJamaica • Milo All Day • Cha Community

Quick overview on how to dive in:
✨ Sign up for your FREE digital passport at wacorestaurantweek.com
📍 Check in via GPS at participating locations to stack up points
🧢 Cash in your points for exclusive merch
🗳️ Vote for your favorite to win "BEST IN BUN"!

Check out the video for a taste of what you're missing, then get your passport and go get that merch! 🎉