My Visit to Magnolia Market in Waco, Texas

I’m sure you have all heard of Magnolia Market in Waco, TX. But for those of you that have not… how?! Just kidding.

I know that not everyone is as obsessed with Fixer Upper as I am.

Fixer Upper is my favorite TV show on HGTV. It’s about a couple named Chip and Joanna Gaines that fix up old homes in Waco, Texas and make them their clients dream homes. If you don’t know much about the Gaines, I strongly encourage you to read ! Chip and Jo tell their story of how they met, the businesses they started and how they came to be on HGTV. (It is extremely inspiring!)  I could talk ALL day about them- they are truly a family (and a couple) that I admire and look up to. But just read the book! I promise you will like it.

So I thought going to Magnolia solo was going to be boring. I thought I would be bummed because I didn’t have anyone to enjoy it with… (you can read about my whole solo trip to Texas here!)

Oh, how I was wrong!

I think going to Magnolia alone was the best decision ever! I was able to do exactly what I wanted, when I wanted. I was able to just linger a bit in certain areas and just soak it all up.

I arrived just after 9:00 AM (when they open) on a Friday in September and I was glad the lines were not too long. I had read that getting there early was a good idea, but I was on vacation so I was moving slower that morning.

While driving into Waco, I start to see the tops of the silos… you guys, I am not going to lie, I cried. Just for a minute, but I really did. I was FINALLY here! I was practically running to the entrance when I jumped out of my rental car.

My first stop was the Bakery, because I hadn’t even had my coffee yet and I was exhausted. Plus, the lingering scent of fresh baked goods catches your nose as soon as you walk up to the entrance. I waited in line for only maybe 10-15 minutes, really not bad at all. Once I got into the building, I just gasped. It was even more beautiful than it looked on TV. The huge shelves lined with fresh baked goods, the smell of hot freshly brewed coffee and laughter filled the air. How could ANYONE step into this place and not be happy? What a wonderful place to work! Everyone was giddy and there was the most spectacular joyful vibes in that little bakery.

 

I ordered a cupcake, two pastries and a coffee. ( I recommend ordering extra so that you can snack of them later or the next day!) Once outside in the patio area for the bakery, I was able to look around a bit and start to take it all in. The weather was perfect that morning, with a light breeze and sunshine.

I probably looked like a crazy person because I was just sitting there by myself eating with this giant awkward smile. It is difficult to eat when you can’t stop smiling. Magnolia was like a happy pill for me.

After inhaling the best damn apple turnover I have ever had, I headed into the market because more and more people were coming in. The market was loud and busy and a bit overwhelming. I wish I had stopped in there first when there were way less people. Patience and time is needed if you are actually wanting to shop in there.

I wish I had taken more photos of the Market, it was so beautifully curated. Every little corner of the silos had something adorable. I only had my suitcase so I was pretty limited with what I could buy and take home with me.

I decided on a mug, tank top, some post cards, a tote bag, measuring spoons, a cute little wooden spoon (which I put in my coffee tin) and Joanna’s candle. I also got a bunch of stickers and every issue of Magnolia Journal I didn’t already have.

I spent a good hour in the market strolling the aisles and drooling over the beautiful pieces. After I had checked out, I headed to the lawn to relax. I pulled up a big bean bag chair, took my shoes off, sipped my coffee and flipped through the new issue of Magnolia Journal.

Children were playing catch, women were dumping out their bags of the goodies they found in the marketplace, a little girl was eating chocolate ice cream next to me and looked like she was in complete heaven. Everywhere I looked, people were smiling. There was something in the air there that made me just want to slow down and enjoy life.

How amazing is it that Chip and Joanna built this place to share with the world?! And you can truly notice all the little details that they put into this place. What a wonderful feeling that must be… to know that all these people from all over the world come to see their place! And not only that, but everyone is having just the best time!

After relaxing on the lawn for awhile, I started walking around to see the different food trucks that line the property. It was so hard to choose, everything looked and smelled amazing.

I grabbed a fresh juice from Luna Juice Bar and some Truffle Shuffle Fries from Milo. I sat at a long table to eat my snack with a group of women that were checking out each others treasures from the Market.

I walked over to the Seed and Supply store. I wish I had more room in my suitcase because I found a whole bunch of things in there that I wanted too! I took my time strolling around the gardens.

After some time I realized it was probably time for me to finally leave, as I had a few other places in Waco I wanted to see still.

I was almsot to my rental car when I realized my phone was not in my pocket anymore. OOHHH man. I started to panic. What on earth would I do if I lost my phone out here? I don’t even know how to get back to Dallas without my GPS and I needed my phone to make sure my flight was going to be on time etc. I asked the first employee I saw if anyone had turned in a phone. After him going above and beyond for me, asking all around and even getting someone else to help me find it with the “find my iPhone” app…. we finally found my phone in the gardens! WHEW! That would have been a bummer. I was SO incredibly grateful for these two men that helped me hunt for my phone. I am sure they were busy and had plenty of other things to do. But they spent 20 minutes walking around with me searching. I only wish I had gotten their names! I gave them a huge hug and headed back out. Again.

My next stop was to Spice Village, one of the coolest stores I have ever been to! It was set up like a flea market with over 60 booths! There was everything from baby items to home decor, antiques, clothing and bags… this place was huge!  I spent a good chunk of time in there, with so much to look at you could easily spend 2-3 hours in there! I scored a few awesome deals (YAY to end of summer sales!) and then headed to Torchy’s Tacos for a late lunch.

I had planned on checking out several more shops but I was beat and I had a massage appointment back in Dallas soon anyways.

I said my farewells to this adorable little town and headed back up north.

I will never forget how I felt while I was there. It was the most relaxed I have been in ages. Checking off a place on my bucket list sure felt good!

Things to know:

1. This place is definitely kid friendly but I would refrain from taking them into the silos if they are younger. It gets very crowded and there are many breakable items on the shelves. I was really glad my son was not there with me, he would have terrorized the place!
2. If you really want to get some shopping in, head into the market first before the crowds get too crazy
3. Get there early! I would say 8:30 Am on weekdays and maybe even earlier on Saturdays.
4. They are not open on Sundays!
5. They do have plenty of shade and even offer umbrellas for you to borrow to hide from rain and sun!
6. Buy extra pastries from the bakery!
7. Bring a water bottle. They have a refill station outside.
8. If you are going alone, don’t be afraid to ask people to take your picture! Most people there were in groups so I just would offer to take their group photo if someone would take mine!
9. Wear comfortable shoes. I wore brand new sandals that gave me the worst blisters! I was limping into my hotel room by the end of the day !
10. You can pay to park but if you get there early enough you can just park on the street. (This is what I did)
11. If you are on a budget, make sure you keep track of the prices of the items you are buying. It is a bit expensive here so it is super easy to get to the register and be a little shocked from the total. ( I sure was!)

Thank you for following along! It was such an amazing trip, I only hope I will be able to visit Magnolia again in the future.

If you are thinking about visiting Magnolia, GO FOR IT! It really was worth it.

I will forever have the memories of going here and I just can’t wait for my next adventure!

Until next time,