I'm sharing 5 tips to make the most of your visit to Magnolia Market and a recap of our visit!

We were going to get up early the next morning and head to the  Silos Bakery Co, but we slept in. By the time we arrived around 9 the next morning, the lineup waiting just to get inside the bakery went around the building!

But that's what we were there for, so we joined the line and filled out our order card while we waited. Aaaand there might have been a little monkey business as we got closer to the front and the adrenaline started pumping!

We were excited y'all! Little DIY has been watching Fixer Upper with us from the beginning! In fact, when we told her we were moving to Texas last August, she wanted to know if Joanna was going to do our home for us... I only wish! Alas, our town is too far.

We finally made it to the front doormat...it was our turn next!


Once we got inside, it was just as cute as it looked on Fixer Upper when Chip and Joanna revealed the makeover.

Attention to detail was evident in literally everything in the bakery, from the ceiling to the floor, and it was oozing classic farmhouse charm...and delicious smells!

I asked and found out that all the cupcakes and biscuits are baked on the premises...the cookies were brought in from another bakery in town. We went for both sweet and savory with the biscuits aptly name 'the prize pig' (bacon and cheddar topped with chopped chives), a jumbo chocolate chip cookie, and a lavender-lemon cupcake. The little takeout boxes with The Silos Baking Co branding are so cute and everything was very tasty! If you don't own any of Joanna's cookbooks yet, you can save money by purchasing them on Amazon. Her first book, Magnolia Table is available here and you can grab the second volume of her popular book here. Both are large hardcovers and very nice quality for under $15!  One thing that surprised me about the Silos and Magnolia Market is that they are smack dab in the center of downtown Waco. Somehow on the show it always looks like they're out of town. During the time that we spent in line for the bakery and then eating breakfast, the crowds got even larger. By the time we were ready to join the line to get into Magnolia Market, it pretty much snaked around the entire grounds!


At least there was a lot to see while we were in line waiting, like the beautiful gardens growing on the property. I love this herb garden, backed right up to one of the silos, and the miniature fairy gardens sprinkled throughout the grounds.


Lots of photo ops too!

And maybe even a celebrity sighting? Sadly, upon closer inspection, we realized this was not Chip and Joanna surveying their domain! And no, we didn't see them around town either. I think they probably keep a pretty low profile. The property has a large green space with balls and toys for kids to play with, while mom and dad stand in line 🌝  

And there is a large picnic area and several food trucks that are permanently parked on the perimeter of the grounds. I'm sure this area is busy around lunchtime when the weather is nicer!

When we finally made it through the doors of Magnolia Market, we were greeted by this sweet display of paper roses and faux greenery. Faux greenery and flowers featured largely in the offerings for sale inside the market. Because it was so crowded, it was difficult to really look at what I wanted. Now I know just what cattle feel like when they're being herded! The displays were all beautiful with lots of ideas and inspiration...just what you'd expect! I'm sure they are constantly changing. I didn't get a chance to make it over to the other side where this line of people were. I think it was housewares, but honestly I couldn't really see much because of the crowds! Little DIY and I each found a t-shirt, and I bought a couple samples of paint from Joanna's new line. We did see Chip's Corner, and I took a picture but there were several grandpas featured prominently, so I left that picture out! After waiting so long to get inside Magnolia Market, I wanted to stay longer but you could hardly move around and honestly, it was a relief to get back outside! After exploring Magnolia Market, we drove past a couple places in town that you probably recognize. This is the home that Chip and Joanna fixed up for Clint and Kelly Harp, and Clint's shop is right next door. We were told that they no longer live here because they were getting too many visitors stopping by on a daily basis. We also found our next fixer upper if we ever move to Waco, lol! Can you imagine this Victorian repainted white with black shutters and blue trim? The houses are all smaller, all super cute with that classic Fixer Upper style. And notice the name of the street... At the time of our visit, Magnolia Table wasn't built (it's currently closed due to damage from recent flooding), nor were Magnolia Press or Magnolia Home or Shops at the Silos or  Magnolia Seed & Supply or The Little Shop on Bosque or any of their rental homes. WOW, Chip and Joanna have been busy! Okay, now that you've seen our recap, I'm sure you're wondering if there is ever a good time to visit Magnolia Market to avoid the crowds. The truth is that a staggering number of people visit each week, but there are some ways to visit when it's not as busy.

5 Tips For Visiting Magnolia Market and the Silos

1. Time Your visit to beat the crowds

Peak shopping hours at Magnolia Market are around lunch. Skip the weekends if at all possible...Wednesday is the best day to go to avoid large crowds. Definitely stay away during holidays unless you don't mind Disney-like lines! The best time to hit The Silos Baking Co. is when it opens at 7:30 am. Early, yes but you shouldn't have to wait in a mile-long line either! Most people show up after 8:00 like we did and the weekends are especially crowded.

2. Do your homework beforehand

Also plan your day before jumping in your car because there's a lot to do in Waco. Do you want to visit Harp Studios? Laverty's Antiques? Try to find some of the Fixer Upper homes? Joanna's first store? Decide what you want to see, and plan your trip accordingly because most things are pretty spread out. If you want to visit Chip and Joanna's Magnolia B&B, you'll need to drive to nearby McGregor.

3. Magnolia Market is a destination

If you've got kids along, they will have fun playing on the large green space at Magnolia Market! Stroll the grounds, plan to have lunch at a food truck or two (or three), check out the Magnolia Seed & Supply. Enjoy an iced cowboy coffee from Common Grounds, play a game or two of cornhole. You get the idea...stay and play 🌝

4. Have lunch at one of the Gaines' favorite restaurants

You might recognize these Gaines family favorites from episodes of Fixer Upper:

• Vitek's BBQ (Chip orders the Gut Pack, a Frito pie BBQ dish)
• Common Grounds coffee for an iced cowboy coffee (food truck on grounds)
• Newks Eatery (one of Joanna's fave places for great salads)

5. Consider Staying Overnight

Let's face it...you made it here so why not stay awhile! There's so much more to do and see in Waco! We got a very affordable (and nice and modern) room at Comfort Suites.

• The Waco Suspension Bridge makes a nice stroll
• Baylor University Campus is beautiful
• If shopping is what you're looking for, The Findery is just up the street from the Silos. Items you'll find there include furniture, home accessories and decor (and the prices are better...ssshhhh!) You should also be sure to visit Spice Village, a collection of 90 fun boutiques in the downtown historic Waco Hardware building, or Junque in the Trunk, an antiques and vintage store a couple miles from Magnolia Market
• Cameron Park Zoo
• Dr Pepper Museum
• Mammoth National Monument
• Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum

Magnolia Market and The Silos might be your ultimate destination, but there is a lot more to Waco for the whole family to enjoy! bringing beauty to the ordinary,