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!

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