Hey there! I completely forgot to share my tips for visiting Magnolia Market after we went but better late than never right? And just in case you have not heard of Magnolia Market, it’s the store owned by Chip and Jo Gaines from HGTV’s Fixer Upper. The Magnolia Market sits on 5 acres in Waco, Texas and gets thousands of visitors a week. Waco is also home to their other businesses: Silos Baking Co., Magnolia Table (the restaurant), Magnolia Press (coffee shop) and the Little Shop on Bosque.
If you’re planning a trip, I’ve got some helpful tips and things to know before going.
- Choose a good time to visit. All seasons are busy and there can be lines wrapped around the buidlings. Some days people wait 2-3 hours in line! When planning which day to visit, keep in mind that none of the Magnolia entities are open on Sundays. Fridays and Saturdays are the busiest days. Mondays and Tuesdays are the least crowded. Go early. The earlier you can arrive, the better. Lunch time is one of the busiest times to visit, so if you cannot arrive early, I suggest waiting and going closer to closing hours. We actually drove to Waco and spent Sunday night in an airbnb so we could get up bright and early Monday for Magnolia. Be sure to check the Baylor football schedule, because this area gets more crowded during football season.
- Plan for the weather. It can get really hot waiting in the line, and there’s not much shade, so bring a hat and sunscreen just in case. I would suggest a bringing an umbrella also since there is not currently any overhead coverage on the sidewalks. There are water stations available to purchase bottled water while waiting.
- Note on parking- there used to be free parking on 8th Street but that has been permanently closed due to the expansion. If you arrive early enough, you can usually find free parking on 6th Street. There are also free trolleys that run throughout downtown Waco that you can hop on. Click here for the trolley map and info.
- Traveling far? They will ship items back home for you, just ask one of the store associates for help. They also loan you super cute sturdy jute totes to use while shopping.
- Keep in mind if there is construction going on, the lawn is closed and there are no food trucks on site.
Magnolia Press: (Monday-Saturday 8am-5pm) A great spot to grab coffee before gettting started. *You must try the iced Lavender Latte! It was SO good. If the lines are long, you can always order online and pick up at the to-go window. (As you can see, when we went there was no one there)
Magnolia Market: (Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm) The store offers everything from home decor to t-shirts and leather goods. *Be sure to ask for a Waco Passport. It has tons of handy info about all the Magnolia shops and local Waco recommendations.
Silos Baking Co: (Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm) Offers a varierty of muffins, cookies, cinnamon rolls and cupcakes. Be sure to try the lemon lavender cupcake or the peach cupcake. These go quick!
Seed + Supply: (currently closed due to construction) Garden shop
Magnolia Table: (Monday-Saturday 8am-3pm) Breakfast and lunch spot about 2.5 miles from the Silos. *Reservations can be booked up to 2 weeks in advance and are hard to come by, so plan ahead. If you cannot get a table, they do have a take away entrance with a smaller menu of pre-packaged “lunch on the go” items. P.S…..you can also get that yummy lavender latte here and don’t forget to try the strawberry butter. Check wait times or make reservations at magnolia.com/table
Little Shop on Bosque: (Thursday-Saturday 10am-5pm) This is where the original Magnolia Market was located before it’s location at the Silos. Offers slightly damaged and last chance items.
WHERE TO STAY
If you are not close enough for a day trip, Waco has plenty of lodging options. There are the 3 homes that Chip and Jo renovated for vacation rentals: Magnolia House, Carriage House and the Hillcrest Estate. These tend to book quickly, so again plan ahead. Booking info can be found here.
You can also find quite a few Waco vacation rentals on airbnb. These tiny houses are popular for Magnolia Market visitors. We stayed at this home, found on airbnb that was walking distance to the Silos.
- Be sure to verify Magnolia business hours online as they can change.
Enjoy!