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“Fixer Upper” Girls’ Trip to Waco, Texas
If you’ve visited my blog before, you know I love to travel. During this time at home, what I’m missing most is the ability to travel. So, what better way to pass some time during quarantine than to start planning trips for when it’s safe to travel. I’m planning a few trip options so I’m ready to utilize any travel deals that may be offered.
If you love all things Chip and Joanna Gaines, consider a trip to Waco, Texas. I was there for four days in November 2019 for an annual girls’ trip and we had a great time. It’s a charming town that’s easy to navigate and everyone was really friendly.
How to get there:
You can either fly into Dallas (DFW) and drive less than two hours South to Waco or fly into Austin (AUS) and drive about an hour and a half Northeast. Check airline prices and flight times to determine which airport will work best for you.
Where to Stay: (Click any blue words below for more information / websites.)
I would strongly consider booking a “Fixer Upper” home. Several of the houses featured on Fixer Upper are listed on VRBO or AirBnB. We stayed in the Mid-Century Modern Home owned by Josh and Jill Barret. It was so much fun to stay in a Fixer Upper house.
Mid-Century Modern Kitchen 
Mid-Century Modern Dining Room 
Mid-Century Modern Living Room 
Mid-Century Modern Master Bedroom Also, check Magnolia.com for the three vacation rental homes owned by Chip and Jo. Chip and Joanna are also renovating a historic building in downtown Waco and converting it into a hotel that is scheduled to open in 2021.
If a hotel is more your style, I would recommend staying downtown so you can walk to many of the shops and restaurants. Hotels downtown include: Hotel Indigo, Marriot Residence Inn and Hilton Waco.
Things to Do:
Waco Tours: I strongly suggest starting your visit with the Classic Waco Tour. It’s a two and a half hour tour that will give you a nice overview of the city on your first day. During the tour they do talk about Fixer Upper, but the tour also includes a history of the area, a visit to the Baylor University campus, a stop at Heritage Creamery and Common Grounds coffee shop, suggestions for restaurants and things to do as well as a coupon book to use during your stay. One of the owners of Waco Tours, David Ridley, had a house on season three of Fixer Upper.
Waco Tours 
Waco Tours stop at Common Grounds Magnolia Farms Shops: This is an entire block downtown that includes the silos, the Magnolia Press coffee shop, the Silos Baking Co, Magnolia Seed + Supply garden store, a big green lawn bordered with food trucks and Magnolia Market. Check online for opening days and times. Note: Most shops in Waco are closed on Sundays, including anything affiliated with Magnolia. Also, if you want to avoid the crowds, I read that Mondays and Tuesdays are the quietest shopping days at Magnolia.
Magnolia Farms Silo at dusk 
Silos Baking Co, 
Magnolia Market 
Chip’s Corner inside Magnolia Market Little Shop on Bosque: This is the original Magnolia location at 3801 N. Bosque. It’s a much smaller location and typically has last season’s left-over products from the Magnolia Market. If you buy anything at Magnolia Market, bring your receipt and you will get a 10% discount here.
Tip: When we made purchases at any of the Magnolia shops, including the Magnolia Table Take Away + Market, we received a card with a discount code for future online purchases. If you didn’t travel to Waco with an empty suitcase, buy a few small items to find out if they are still giving out the discount code with purchase. If so, consider only buying items not available online during your trip and utilize the discount code to purchase items online and have them shipped directly to your house.
JDH Iron Designs: There is a small pop-up trailer located across from the silos on 8th Street. (You most likely will meet Jimmy Don during your Waco Tour.) Jimmy Don’s main shop is located on Lone Star Parkway near Valley Mills which is about a 30-minute drive West of Waco. If you have the time, it’s a nice relaxing drive. At the shop, there is a larger selection of metal work than what’s available at the trailer in Waco. There is also a viewing window where you can watch workers cut the signs. (Waco Tours coupon book)
The Findery: A great home goods and clothing store just across the street from the Magnolia Press coffee shop. (Waco Tours coupon book)
Harp Design Co: Clint Harp’s store has a lot of beautiful wood home goods like candle stick holders and cutting boards as well as other merchandise like t-shirts and earrings. (Waco Tours coupon book) The shop is located next to Harp House from season one of Fixer Upper which is available as a vacation rental.
Spice Village: An indoor market that consists of 60 individual vendors, but you make all of your purchases at one check-out counter. Note: When we were in Waco this market was open on Sundays. (Waco Tours coupon book)
Fox & Gray: A nice boutique with clothing, shoes and jewelry.
Iron Willow: The walls in this shop are covered with signs of all styles. (Waco Tours coupon book)
Savage Finds Antiques and Oddities: If you like looking for hidden treasures in antique stores, make sure to stop here.
Dr. Pepper Museum: Definitely worth a visit for the $10 admission. Pick up some Dr. Pepper jelly beans at the little gift shop. Yum! (Waco Tours coupon book)
Simply Irresistible: A huge shop featuring home decor, clothing and jewelry.
Waco Suspension Bridge: Built in 1870, this is a pedestrian only bridge that’s surrounded by parks, sculptures and a Riverwalk.
Cameron Park: A giant park that includes one of the most desired neighborhoods in Waco. Great hiking and views of the river. (Included on Waco Tour)
Farmer’s Market: Open on Saturday mornings, in the parking lot on Washington and 3rd Street near city hall. There are several food trucks, so go hungry.
Fixer Upper Homes:
Click here for an interactive map of the houses from the first three seasons of Fixer Upper.
A few addresses from season 4 of Fixer Upper:
- 2419 Arroyo
- 2611 Arroyo
- 826 W Panther Way, Hewitt
- 3391 Speegleville Rd
Although some of the homes are available for vacation rentals, many are single family homes so be respectful of the families living there.
Drive around the Castle Heights Neighborhood and make sure to drive by Cottonland Castle at 3300 Austin Avenue, which is owned by Chip & Joanna.
Restaurants:
Magnolia Table: Open for breakfast and lunch. They take a limited number of reservations Mondays – Thursdays but walk-ins are available as well. Chip has been known to stop by the restaurant around opening to meet people and take photos. If there’s a line when you arrive (and most likely there will be), put your name on the list and then browse the Take Away + Market and hang out on the patio while waiting for a table. Everything on the menu is delicious!
Silos Baking Co: open Monday – Saturday 7:30 AM – 6 PM, great pastries, buy your cupcakes early in the day before the line is crazy long
Magnolia Press Coffee Co: open Monday – Saturday 7:00 AM – 6 PM
Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits: coffee in the front, craft cocktails in the back
Lula Janes: limited hours and menu, but worth a visit; great bakery
Butter my Biscuit Cafe: great breakfast and lunch
Café Cappuccino: three locations, great breakfasts, huge pancakes
Harvest on 25th: wonderful breakfast and brunch place
Ninfas: good Tex Mex (Waco Tours coupon book)
La Fiesta: Tex Mex (Waco Tours coupon book)
Torchy’s Tacos: delicious, fast food style tacos and margaritas, ask for the secret menu, order the queso (Waco Tours coupon book)
Vitek’s Market: great BBQ with indoor and outdoor seating, don’t forget an order of banana pudding
Milo All Day: “farm to table” Southern inspired food
George’s by Baylor: comfort food
Twisted Root Burger Co: gourmet burgers
1424 Bistro: steaks and Mediterranean food (Waco Tours coupon book)
Diamondbacks: very nice restaurant, make a reservation to avoid a long wait
Moroso’s Pizzeria: wood fired pizza and nice atmosphere
Heritage Creamery: amazing Homeade ice cream (Waco Tours coupon book)
Brazos Bar & Bistro at Hotel Indigo: good cocktails and food (Waco Tours coupon book)
Until we’re able to travel again, enjoy Joanna’s blog, Joanna’s Instagram and The Magnolia Journal. If you are planning a trip to Waco and have any questions or would like additional suggestions, please contact me.
Click on the three lines to the left of the word “lifestyle” at the top of this page and enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Also, follow me on Instagram at cocktailsandgratitude for photos of cocktails, flowers, my pets and, someday soon, more travel.
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Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is great for a couple’s trip or a girl’s trip. It’s the perfect place for foodies, historians, golfers and shoppers.
Best Hotels
The Wyndham Mill House: Great location, a very nice / old hotel (photo of their courtyard at right) with great public bathrooms on the main floor for when you’re out exploring, nice restaurant on-site, across from Husk and Poogan’s Porch http://www.millshouse.com/- Belmond Hotel: The best (and most expensive) hotel in Charleston, it also has a nice spa but you don’t need to stay here to book spa services. http://www.belmond.com/charleston-place/
- Market Pavilion: great location near the waterfront, nice rooftop bar and pool http://www.marketpavilion.com/
- Kings Courtyard Inn: on King Street / great location, no restaurant but your rate includes a continental breakfast delivered to your room or in one of their courtyards, a wine and cheese reception from 5 – 6 and sherry after dinner https://www.kingscourtyardinn.com/ Book a Parlor Suite (pictured below) to get a King bedroom including a separate living room with TV, desk, fireplace and lots of windows.
Things to Do
Two Sisters walking tour – 2 hours and 15 minutes, $20 / person cash only, (many things listed below will be covered on this tour) I highly recommend doing this on your first full day to get a feel for the city. http://www.twosisterstours.com/about.php- Carriage ride through the historic district
- King Street – huge shopping street
- Battery & White Point Garden – the Southern tip on Charleston peninsula, lots of history here
- Waterfront Park (the East side of Charleston)
- Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist
- Michael’s Church – George Washington sat in pew #43, original organ, Tiffany stained glass, a must see
- Nathaniel Russell House – recommended over the Heyword tour, knowledgeable tour guides, great history of Charleston
- Edmondston-Alston House – must see, best views of the waterfront
- Heyword Washington House
- Aiken-Rhett House – can buy a tour combo with Nathaniel Russell House
- Joseph Manigault House
- Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon – great tour, worth a visit
- Historic Charleston City Market – on Market Street, shops with farmers market style items (jewelry, crafts, local art, food) http://www.thecharlestoncitymarket.com/
- College of Charleston – stroll through the campus, beautiful old buildings
- Old Jail – walk by, lots of ghost sitings here. There is also a ghost tour here that could be worth taking https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/charleston/old.htm
- Rainbow Row – beautiful, pastel painted homes along the waterfront
Plantations (rent a car for the day) Avis, Budget and Enterprise are a 5 minute Uber from the hotels – they are all in the same building. It is walkable but if you’re going to a Plantation, you’ll already be walking a lot. Take note that many plantation owners also had homes in the city of Charleston. I highly recommend visiting both a home in Charleston and a plantation home.
- McLeod Plantation (13 minute drive) http://south-carolina-plantations.com/charleston/mcleod.html
- Boone Hall (30 minute drive, Mt Pleasant) http://www.boonehallplantation.com/
- Magnolia Plantation and Gardens (35 minute drive North) http://www.magnoliaplantation.com/ the most visited plantation and gardens, National Registry of Historic places, world famous gardens, owned by the Drayton family, original house burned down, This one could take several hours if you choose to see / tour everything.
- Drayton Hall (35 minute drive North – next to Magnolia) http://www.draytonhall.org/
- Middleton Place (35 minute drive, 5 miles North of Magnolia) https://www.middletonplace.org/ plantation with nice gardens, the original house was burned down
Restaurants
There is no shortage of amazing restaurants in Charleston. Check TripAdvisor, Yelp, OpenTable, etc. and make reservations for dinner. The best restaurants are booked out months in advance.
Lunch / Cocktails
- Caviar & Bananas: great gourmet market and café (think Dean & Deluca), near Charleston College (also in the Charleston airport)
- Callie’s Biscuits: 188 Meeting Street or 476 ½ King Street (get breakfast here one day – there will be a line on the weekends, so yummy!)
- Pavilion Bar: rooftop bar with amazing views, great lunch spot, 10 minute walk from 80 Broad http://www.marketpavilion.com/pavilionbar.cfm
- The Watch Rooftop (The Restoration Hotel): great views, good lunch and appetizer menus http://www.therestorationhotel.com/the-watch/menu
- The Palmetto Café (The Belmond Hotel): best lunch in Charleston, elegant, great crab and avocado salad http://belmondcdn.azureedge.net/pdfs//PalmettoCafeLunch_Spring17.pdf
- Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar: seafood restaurant on the pier, don’t go here if there’s a cruise ship in port http://fleetlanding.net/
- Bin 152: King Street wine bar with cheese and charcuterie
- Eli’s Table: upscale spot for Southern bites, great shrimp & grits, courtyard, would work for lunch or dinner
- Kitchen 208: brunch and lunch place (closes at 3 PM)
Dinner / Cocktails
- Halls Chophouse: #1 restaurant in Charleston, nationally recognized steakhouse, $$$$$, make reservations far in advance https://hallschophouse.com/
- Magnolias: upscale take on Southern classics https://magnoliascharleston.com/
- McCrady’s Tavern: fun, mixology cocktails; beautiful old building http://mccradystavern.com/
- Carmella’s: café & dessert bar, they make great boozy ice cream drinks and have yummy desserts http://carmellasdessertbar.com/ (close to Magnolias and McCrady’s Tavern for dessert)
- Poogan’s Porch: http://www.poogansporch.com/across the street from Mill House
- Husk: http://www.huskrestaurant.com/home/across the street from Mill House, signature item Manhattans made by the cask and aged – different recipes on a rotating basis
- Husk bar: in the old brick building next to the restaurant, great little spot for a cocktail https://www.kingscourtyardinn.com/
- Circa 1886: http://www.circa1886.com/great old house converted into a restaurant, a top Charleston restaurant
- Charleston Grill (The Belmond Hotel): fancy, nice variety of foods from Southern classics to healthy choices https://www.charlestongrill.com/web/ochg/charleston_grill.jsp
- Peninsula Grill: elevated Southern cuisine, get the famous ultimate coconut cake– the girls all agreed this was our favorite fancy restaurant, it was full of old-school locals on Sunday night https://www.peninsulagrill.com/
Tips
Look at a map of Charleston and take note of a few streets to familiarize yourself with the layout.
Broad Street runs East and West and neighborhoods are referred to as South of Broad or North of Broad, most of the homes South of Broad are very historic and beautiful, a great area to explore during morning walks.- King Street runs North and South parallel to Meeting Street, this is a one-way street with lots of shopping & restaurants, this area is called the Business District.
- Market Street runs East and West and also has many shops and restaurants.
- Meeting Street runs North and South and the area to the East is called the French Quarter.
- Bay Street runs North / South in the French Quarter and is close to or along the water (depending how far South you are), there are many restaurants North of Broad.
Bring comfortable walking shoes for morning walks and shopping; there are many cobblestone streets and alleys. If you bring heels for dinner I’d suggest a chunky short heel or a wedge due to the uneven sidewalks and cobblestone.
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