Things to Do in Waco, TX? Here's Why We Say Start With a Horse

If you are making a list of things to do in Waco, TX, we will say the obvious thing first: we are a horseback ranch, so of course we think a ride belongs on it. But we have been putting first-time riders and lifelong Texans alike in the saddle since 2011, 15 minutes from the Magnolia Silos, and we have heard from enough guests to know it is not just us talking. A morning or evening on a horse changes the rest of the trip.

The quick version: The best things to do in Waco, TX mix the city's big draws, Magnolia Market at the Silos, Baylor University, downtown, and the Brazos River, with at least one thing that gets you outside and off your feet. A guided horseback ride at Brazos Bluffs Ranch does that in about two hours, welcomes first-timers, and gives you a Brazos River overlook you will not get from the sidewalk.

Start your trip in the saddle, not at the end of it

Most visitors put Waco's shopping and museums first and squeeze in "something outdoorsy" if there is time left. We would flip that. Book the ride early in your trip, and the rest of Waco becomes the wind-down instead of the rush.

A Brazos Bluffs Trail Ride runs about two hours: a groundwork introduction on the ground, a horse matched to you, and a guided ride across 300 acres of native grassland and limestone bluffs to a Brazos River overlook. You do not need any riding experience. Riders 10 and up are welcome, and your guide is with you the whole way.

Book the ride first. The Brazos Bluffs Trail Ride runs year-round, takes about two hours, and welcomes first-timers ages 10 and up. See dates and book your ride.

Fifteen minutes from the Silos and Baylor

Once you have ridden, the rest of Waco is close. Magnolia Market at the Silos and Baylor University are both about 15 minutes from the ranch, so a morning ride and an afternoon downtown fit easily into one day. Downtown Waco and the Brazos River, the same river that runs along our property, sit between the two.

If you only have a day in Waco, this is the order we would run it: ride in the morning while it is cool, then head into town for the Silos and downtown once the sun is up high.

Make an evening of the river, not just the daytime

The Brazos River is one of the reasons people come to Waco at all, and you do not have to leave it behind once the sun starts to drop. Our Sunset Horseback Ride ends at a Brazos River Valley overlook timed to the sunset, with a seasonal stop for s'mores or Dr Pepper over ice cream. Read more about what to expect on a sunset ride if you want the full picture before you book.

Turn one thing to do into a whole weekend

If a single ride turns into "we should stay," we built the ranch stays for exactly that. The Texas Ranch Stay sleeps up to six with a guided ride included, and the Couples Ranch Getaway pairs a private cabin with two rides for two. Either way, you wake up on the same land you rode the day before instead of driving back out to it.

Things to do in Waco this weekend, by who is coming

Put the ride at the top of the list

You can do the Silos, downtown, and the river any time you are in Waco. What you cannot get anywhere else in town is 300 acres of ranchland and a guide who has been riding this land since 2011. Book the Brazos Bluffs Trail Ride to start your trip, or see all our rides to pick the one that fits your day.