Markets and Ancient Fossils: Waco Downtown Farmers Market, Magnolia Market, Waco Mammoth National Monument

The rain has finally cleared and the sun has come out, so we decided to make the most of the day. And with a packed itinerary ahead of us, there was no time to waste.

Waco Downtown Farmers Market

• Location: Downtown Waco, Texas
• Hours: Saturdays, 9am to 1pm, year-round
• Number of vendors: 40 to 50, with capacity for up to 80

The last couple of farmers markets we had visited were relatively low-key, so you can imagine our surprise when we arrived in Waco to find what felt like the entire city had turned out. And honestly, it's easy to see why. With well over 30 vendors, you can find just about everything you'd want from a farmers market: homemade breads and baked goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, and every kind of sweet treat imaginable. My only regret was having eaten beforehand, because I had no idea there would be food trucks.

Magnolia Market

• Location: Downtown Waco, Texas
• Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9:00am to 6:00pm
• Admission: Free
• What you'll find: Souvenirs (hats, mugs, shirts), home goods and decor, food trucks and drinks, bakery

Truthfully, we weren't quite sure what to expect from this place. Josh had never seen "Fixer Upper," and I was only familiar with the brand from watching a handful of episodes and browsing the Magnolia section at Target. Needless to say, we were pleasantly surprised.

The first section features six charming mini shops housed in white cottages arranged around an inner quad, anchored at the far end by a church. The open green space is set up for groups to play cornhole, giving it a relaxed, community feel.

Walking behind the church, you'll spot a wiffle ball field to the left and the beginning of a food truck row to the right. Continue down the path and you'll find about a dozen more food trucks, along with Magnolia Market (a home goods store) and another open quad with more cornhole in the center. The iconic Silos stand tall behind it all. To their right is Silos Baking Co., where the line is perpetually out the door as guests wait to choose from an impressive lineup of cookies and cupcakes.

If you veer right before passing the church, you'll find Magnolia Home (a furniture showroom) and Magnolia Press Coffee Co.

Joanna Gaines clearly had a strong vision when designing this market. The whole space has a village-like feel, and the warm, welcoming energy is contagious. We even noticed that the crowd seemed to lean into the farmhouse-chic aesthetic with their own clothing choices, which only added to the atmosphere.

All in all, we went in with low expectations and came away genuinely impressed. It's a memorable stop for any visit to Waco.

Waco Mammoth National Monument

• Location: Waco, Texas
• Duration: 1 to 3 hours
• Walking Difficulty: Easy

This is the kind of hidden gem that makes a travel itinerary feel special. We had never heard of this national park unit before arriving in Waco, but we are so glad we stumbled upon it. It's the perfect place to let your inner nerd shine and reconnect with that childhood dream of uncovering something buried deep in the earth.

Your visit begins at the gift shop before you follow a roughly 300-yard path down to the dig site, where 33 mammoth fossils have been discovered so far, with more potentially still waiting to be found. Don't worry if you arrive knowing nothing about mammoths. The park rangers and volunteers are wonderfully knowledgeable and eager to share what they know. We came away having learned not just about the history of the site itself, but also fascinating facts about mammoths, including that woolly mammoths did not actually roam this far south in North America.

It may be a brief visit, but it is an informative and surprisingly moving one.

If you want to see all of this in action, be sure to check out our YouTube video covering our full day in Waco. Watching it alongside this guide is the best way to get a real feel for each stop before you visit yourself.

 Exploring Waco: Magnolia Market, Farmers Market & Ancient Mammoths

The Dr Pepper Museum: Our First Stop in Waco

It's our first weekend in Waco, Texas, and our first outing has to be the Dr Pepper Museum. Josh and I are both huge Dr Pepper fans, so when we discovered there was a museum dedicated to this iconic drink, we knew we had to go.

Dr Pepper Museum

• Location: Waco, TX
• Hours of Operation: Monday through Sunday, 10 AM to 5:30 PM
• Parking: Free street parking (if available) or paid public parking across the street
• Website: https://drpeppermuseum.com/
• Notes: General admission ticket includes self-guided access to museum and a complimentary drink at the Soda Fountain

Our first weekend here gets off to a rainy start, which makes a day at the museum a natural choice. We began our visit on the main floor, where we learned about the history of carbonated drinks and the early days of beverage advertising.

We continued along the first floor to discover the origins of Dr Pepper, invented over 140 years ago in a drugstore. We were a little disappointed to find out that the true origin of the name "Dr Pepper" remains unknown to this day.

The last room on the first floor focuses on the factory itself. This building became the Dr Pepper Museum because it was the drink's original bottling plant, opened in 1906. In this exhibit, we learned about the lives of factory workers, viewed example machinery from the era, and even spotted damage on the floor left behind by the original bottle washing machine.

Heading up to the second floor, we explored the advertising history of Dr Pepper. Multiple displays trace the evolution of marketing from the early 1900s through to the present day, highlighting specific campaigns along the way. One room also covers the history of the building itself, while another offers a thoughtful look at the historical significance of people of color and the role that soda shops and convenience stores played during various civil rights struggles.

The third floor is the quickest stop in the museum, devoted to W.W. "Foots" Clements, the man credited with transforming Dr Pepper into a global brand. Foots was the driving force behind the company's remarkable growth throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

Once we finished exploring the museum, we stepped next door into the gift shop, which is a Dr Pepper fan's paradise. In addition to the expected hats, mugs, and t-shirts, you can find some genuinely unique items featuring Dr Pepper flavor, including cotton candy and Tic-Tacs.

We wrapped up our visit with our complimentary drinks at the Soda Fountain. The soda jerks can serve you a soda of your choice, or you can upgrade to a float. I went with the Diet Caramel Creme Dr Pepper, while Josh opted for a Dr Pepper float with vanilla ice cream. It was the perfect ending to a fun and informative visit for two die-hard fans.

If you want to follow along on our Waco adventures in real time, be sure to check out the corresponding video on our YouTube channel. We captured all the best moments from the museum so you can experience it for yourself before you go!

 Soda, Storms, and Sirens: Our First Week in Waco

Firefighters, Two Pups, and a Faulty Alarm: Just Another Night on the Road

Well, tonight was quite the adventure. Our CO alarm went off multiple times, which meant calling in the local firefighters to inspect our camper. While they worked, we waited outside with our two pups, which was every bit as entertaining as it sounds.

Fortunately, the firefighters didn't find anything dangerous. The culprit appears to be a malfunctioning CO alarm, which is either due for a replacement or may simply need us to check the camper's battery, since that's what powers it.

In the meantime, we're picking up a standalone CO alarm here in town as a temporary fix while we sort out the original one. It's worth noting that the built-in camper alarm does double duty, detecting not only carbon monoxide but also propane gas leaks, so getting it properly replaced is a priority, not something we want to put off for long.

Anchors Aweigh: USS Lexington Museum

Today's adventure takes us back to Corpus Christi. After spotting her during our visit to the art museum yesterday, we couldn't resist checking out the USS Lexington Museum, and it did not disappoint.

USS Lexington Museum

• Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
• Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. year-round, seven days a week
• Website: https://usslexington.com/ 
• Note: Wear sturdy shoes, as there are many flights of stairs that are more akin to ladders. Plan to arrive before noon, as the museum is quite large and takes several hours to explore fully.

Commissioned into the United States Navy in 1943, the Lexington served actively for nearly 40 years, with a brief decommission period from 1947 to 1955. When she was finally decommissioned in 1991, she was the oldest working carrier in the United States Navy. She has steamed more miles and served longer than any other Essex Class carrier in the world. 

Nicknamed "The Blue Ghost," the Lexington earned her title because the Japanese reported her sunk no fewer than four times. She arrived at Corpus Christi in 1992, where she has since served as a naval aviation museum, educational facility, and popular tourist attraction. Remarkably, she remains a working ship to this day.

Flight Deck

We started our day on the flight deck, where more than a dozen historical aircraft were on display. We easily spent an hour walking around and observing the aircraft before making our way to the navigation bridge, where we also got a look at the captain's quarters.

Foc’sle

The second stop was the foc'sle, a vernacular term for forecastle, referring to the forward upper deck area that extends to the bow. Here, we learned about the space and some of the ship's equipment.

The most powerful collection in this section, however, was the Pearl Harbor exhibit. Featuring firsthand accounts, news releases, and a wealth of primary sources, it was difficult not to be moved to tears. You feel as though you are stepping back in time and experiencing the events firsthand.

Gallery Deck

The gallery deck opened with a history of the USS Lexington before leading us through the captain's cabin and the Combat Information Center. There is also a library on this level, though unfortunately it was closed during our visit.

Lower Deck

The lower deck offers a genuine sense of what life was like for a sailor serving aboard a naval vessel. Here you will find exhibits on sleeping quarters alongside the facilities that supported daily life, including the chapel, crew's galley, dental clinic, engine room, sick bay, and mess hall. The lower deck also houses two notable collections: the POW Exhibit and the Scale Model Gallery, the largest publicly exhibited model collection in Texas with more than 440 scale models. A personal highlight was the collection dedicated to Women in the Navy.

By this point, we realized we were running short on time. We had started this deck assuming we could get through it quickly, but we were very wrong. In hindsight, we should have known better, as each section took close to an hour or more. We found ourselves practically racing through the final portions to reach the exit before closing.

Hangars Deck

The last section is the hangar deck, but the museum was closing by the time we arrived and we were unable to explore it properly. We did pass through briefly, as it serves as the entry level of the ship and functions as the main floor, but we had no time to stop and take anything in. The hangar deck features a stage, a 3D mega theater, virtual battle stations, a flight simulator, an active mess hall, and the museum gift shop.

If you want to see the USS Lexington up close and follow along with our full visit, check out our YouTube video. Seeing the ship brings the whole experience to life in a way that words and photos simply cannot capture.

 Art and Aircrafts: Inside the USS Lexington & Art Museum of South Texas in Corpus Christi

Art and Custard: Art Museum of South Texas and Freddy's

What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than at an art museum followed by some custard? So that is exactly what we did.

Art Museum of South Texas

• Location: Corpus Christi
• Hours: Tue – Sat: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday: 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., and Monday: closed
• Website: https://www.artmuseumofsouthtexas.org/
• Note: Free admission days are offered frequently throughout the month, so be sure to check their website before visiting.

Our visit to the art museum actually started before we even walked through the doors, as the Gulf right beside the parking lot was impossible to ignore.

Featured Exhibit

We began with the featured exhibit, "In Nature's Studio: Two Centuries of American Landscape Painting," organized by the Reading Public Museum of Reading, Pennsylvania. The majority of the paintings were oil on canvas, exploring the late-nineteenth century shift toward Impressionism and Tonalism. Josh and I loved imagining ourselves escaping into these natural sanctuaries. The artists captured the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere through new techniques, most notably painting outdoors, or en plein air.

Permanent Collection

We then moved on to the permanent collection, which was wonderfully eclectic. It spans oil paintings, glasswork, watercolor, photography, ceramics, and much more. A standout is the Spanish Colonial Gallery, which showcases Spanish Colonial, pre-Columbian, and contemporary works. With over 1,900 pieces in the collection, you are sure to find plenty that catches your eye.

And of course, don't leave without browsing the gift shop on your way out!

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

No trip to an art museum is complete without a sweet finish, so Josh and I stopped into Freddy's afterward. We grabbed some steakburgers and a couple of concretes, a perfect end to the afternoon.

We captured the whole afternoon on camera, from the paintings to the custard. Give our video a watch to come along for the full experience.

 Art and Aircrafts: Inside the USS Lexington & Art Museum of South Texas in Corpus Christi

Second Saturday in Rockport

Second Saturdays in the District

🎨 Austin Street Art Walk, Makers Market, Downtown Farmers Market
📅 Every 2nd Saturday of the month
📍 Downtown Rockport, TX 

One of our favorite things to do while traveling is visit craft fairs and artisan markets. Last month, we checked out Rockport Market Days, held every third Saturday of the month. Since then, we discovered Second Saturday in Rockport, a monthly event that brings together multiple small markets: the Farmers Market, the Makers Market, and the Austin Street Art Walk. All three are located within blocks of each other, making for a pleasant, leisurely morning of walking around, browsing art, and exploring unique, handmade goods.

The Farmers Market is exactly what you would hope for from a small-town market. You will find locally grown produce alongside homemade jams, jellies, and pickled goods. Fresh-baked bread, local honey, farm eggs, and locally made treats round out the offerings.

The Downtown Makers Market is an outdoor market showcasing locally made items including original paintings, pottery, photography, and a variety of handcrafted goods.

The Austin Street Art Walk is presented by the Rockport Center for the Arts in partnership with local galleries, restaurants, and businesses along Austin Street. It is a free, open-air, walkable experience with an ever-changing lineup of artists and makers working in a wide range of mediums, including paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography, and textiles. Live music, artist demonstrations, and food vendors add to the festive atmosphere, making it a wonderful way to spend a Second Saturday morning in Rockport.

Josh's Birthday Adventure: Goose Island State Park & Port Aransas

Last weekend was Josh's birthday, and even though we wanted to check out some local sights, it was too cold and rainy to do much of anything. So we pushed our plans to today. It's still cold and a bit windy, but we needed to escape our camper for a bit and enjoy the outdoors. So we're off to Goose Island State Park and Port Aransas!

Goose Island State Park

• Location: Rockport, Texas
• Geography: Located on the southern tip of Lamar Peninsula and the island south, between St. Charles Bay and Aransas Bay
• Activities: Camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, geocaching, boating, birdwatching
• Website: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/goose-island

Both visitor centers in Rockport and Aransas Pass suggested we check out Goose Island State Park. Since the weather was more cooperative (though still a bit cold and windy), we made it our first stop during Josh's birthday celebration.

St. Charles Bay and Aransas Bay

We started by just driving around the park to get a feel for the land. After exploring via our truck, we drove to the southeast point of the island, where St. Charles Bay and Aransas Bay meet. There was a notable fishing pier stretching 1,620 feet out into Aransas Bay.

Josh and I chose to walk along the shoreline for a bit, but it was no sandy beach. It was quite uneven, full of oyster shells and marsh grass, leaving a rather unpleasant smell. Between that and the frequent cold gusts of wind, we decided to head to the mainland part of the park to check out a hiking trail.

Turk's Cap Trail

• Distance: 1.1 miles loop
• Difficulty: Easy
• Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour
• Parking: Lot at start of trail
• Note: Pets must be leashed.

The trail was a nice change of scenery. The wind was far less severe than when we were out on the water. The path was easy and dotted with nature signs labeling the plants along the way. The best part was how the trees and bushes formed a canopy over most of the trail, making it feel like wandering through a secret garden.

The park is known for whooping cranes in the winter, which we weren't fortunate enough to spot during our hike. But there were a great number of other birds to observe, serenading us for most of the walk. There were even a couple of dedicated bird viewing areas, where you could sit, slow down, and lose yourself in the show.

The Big Tree

• Trunk circumference:  35 feet 1.75 inches
• Average trunk diameter:  11 feet 2.25 inches
• Crown spread:  89 feet
• Height:  44 feet
• Age: centuries old

You can't visit Goose Island State Park without stopping by the Big Tree. This coastal live oak has been standing here for centuries, and it shows. We're talking 44 feet tall, with branches that stretch nearly 90 feet wide. And that trunk? Over 35 feet around. You'd need more than seven people just to wrap your arms around it.

Nobody knows exactly how old it is, but honestly? That mystery makes it even more magical.

While you can't climb or touch the Big Tree itself, right nearby there's some gorgeous trees, where you can get up close, climb those massive branches, and snap some epic photos.

Port Aransas

• Drivable: Yes
• Parking: Parking permit required, available at most gas stations and souvenir shops
• Pet Friendly: Yes, but must be leashed
• Website: https://www.portaransas.org/beach/
• Travel Note: There are two main ways to get into Port Aransas -- from the south side of the island via State Highway 361 or across the ferry from the north. The Port Aransas Ferry System, operated by the Texas Department of Transportation, provides free transportation seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Port Aransas is one of the beaches you can drive on, so we wanted to take full advantage of that. With it being so cold, we drove right up to the shoreline and parked our truck. We took our time barely wading, careful not to let our feet or pants get wet.

After enjoying the sand and water for a bit, we settled in to watch the shore from the comfort of our truck. We stayed until the sun was almost completely set before heading back, wanting to make the ferry before dark.

Want to see our full Port Aransas and Goose Island adventure come to life? Catch all the action in our YouTube video, linked below!

 Josh's Birthday Adventure in Coastal Texas! | Goose Island State Park & Port Aransas