99 things to see and do during #BaylorHomecoming
Thousands of Baylor alumni descend upon Waco each fall for Homecoming. Some have returned every year since graduation; others are setting foot on the Baylor campus for the first time in five, 10, even 20 years or longer. Regardless of how long it’s been since you’ve visited Baylor, there’s likely something new you haven’t seen or done before — and at the same time, plenty of old favorites to revisit and traditions to enjoy.
Presenting: 99 things to see and do during #BaylorHomecoming:
12 things that are still the way you remember them:
* Baylor’s Homecoming Parade remains among the best in the nation, featuring balloons, student-made floats, community entries and more.
* The Bonfire and Pep Rally bring thousands of Bears together on Fountain Mall the night before the big game.
* With four shows over three nights, Pigskin Revue features the best of All University Sing’s Broadway-style acts.
* Since Baylor moved to Waco in 1886, Old Main and the Quadrangle have been the center of campus, with classic architecture that has become the model for countless other Baylor buildings.
* Baylor’s memorial lampposts still light the ways of time across campus, recognizing Baylor Family members who have given their lives in service to our country, and the Baylor banners on many of them add an extra touch of green and gold to the landscape.
* If you look down at the sidewalk as you tour campus, you’ll find that students still communicate with one another through “chalking.” Primarily used by student organizations, messages written in chalk all over campus let students know what’s going on.
* Pat Neff Hall and its stunning gold dome remains the symbol of Baylor.
* Still home to Chapel, Sing and Pigskin Revue, Waco Hall celebrated its 90th birthday in 2020.
* As you walk through North Village, East Village and Brooks Village, look down at the Scripture verses and other inspirational quotes from famous leaders inscribed in the sidewalks and other places.
12 things you may not have seen at Baylor:
* The Hurd Welcome Center now stands as the front door to campus — and your Homecoming headquarters. Stop in Friday and Saturday for snacks, Baylor gear, giveaways, and special events throughout the weekend.
* The Foster Pavilion opened in January along the Brazos River as the new home for Baylor men’s and women’s basketball.
* Baylor’s new bear cubs, Indy and Belle, are growing quickly; they’ll turn two in January!
* Earlier this year, the Mayborn Museum unveiled life-size bronze sculptures of three mammoths to celebrate the Museum’s 20th anniversary and its long connection to the nearby Waco Mammoth National Monument.
If it’s been awhile since your last Baylor visit, you might also want to check out these additions/updates from the last decade:
* Pat Neff’s new LED lights (2022)
* Black Gospel Archive and Listening Center in Moody Memorial Library (2021)
* Historic Carroll Field arch (original in SUB, replica outside) (2018)
* Pullin Family Marina (2016)
* Paul L. Foster Campus for Business & Innovation (2015)
* Rosenbalm Fountain (2015)
* McLane Stadium (2014)
* Clyde Hart Track & Field Stadium (2014).
10 things that are the same — but different:
* After a top-to-bottom renovation, Tidwell Bible Building reopened in 2021 with much-needed updates to classroom, office and study spaces — even an elevator that (at last!) goes all the way to the sixth floor!
* New signage at some of Baylor’s oldest spots on campus — locations such as the Quadrangle and Founders Mall — adds some context to the university’s history as it relates to slavery and racial injustice.
* Memorial, Alexander, Penland, North Russell, South Russell, Martin, and Collins have all been significantly renovated in the last decade or so; each now features updated rooms with new furniture, lighting and fixtures; new apartments for Faculty-in-Residence; and drastically improved community spaces for studying and socializing.
* Baylor’s libraries continue to evolve to meet the needs of today’s students; check out the first floor of Moody Library for a glimpse at how 21st-century Bears study.
6 places to eat on campus (besides the dining halls):
* The Bear Market Food Court in the SUB now includes an expanded Chick-fil-A, Panda Express and Asian Tako.
* Visitors will also find a rotating lineup of food trucks outside the SUB every Monday-Friday
* The Baylor Sciences Building also has Rising Roll and Copperhead Jack’s.
12 places to get your caffeine fix:
* If you’re on campus, start with Starbucks in the Allbritton Foyer of Moody Memorial Library or Common Grounds Coffee in the SUB.
* Just off campus, Common Grounds (1123 South 8th St.) is as popular as ever, both for its coffee and its comfort.
* Varsity Coffee & Soda (inside the Hurd Welcome Center) is the only place you can get Peet’s Coffee within 100 miles of Waco.
* Pinewood (2223 Austin Ave.) serves up delicious house lattes made with homemade brown sugar syrup and specializes in affordable, delicious drip coffee.
* Sourcing and roasting the highest quality coffee, Dichotomy (508 Austin Ave.) offers sophisticated, top-notch, craft coffee beverages in a space that feels elegant and big city.
* Lighthouse Coffee (624 Washington Ave.) delivers a small and special space, with a warm feel and a little outside patio where you can take in the Waco skyline.
* Be Kind Coffee (1534 Washington Ave.), a Hispanic‑owned business, specializes in vegan and gluten‑free options.
* Brû (601 Franklin Ave.) has a unique location: inside a century-old elevator in the historic Praetorian Building. If you’re craving a classic European-style, dark espresso, this is your place.
* Bitty & Beau’s (110 Franklin Ave.) is more than just a place to grab a cup of coffee; it’s changing the way people see other people, as the shop intentionally creates a path for people with disabilities to become more valued, accepted and included.
* Sip on a Muggle Mocha or Hunny Pot Latte at Fabled (215 S 4th St.), an independent bookstore and cafe in downtown Waco.
* For those who don’t love coffee, there’s Cha Community (1001 Franklin Ave.) and their handcrafted, organic bubble tea; for your first drink, try their Milkyway Thai Tea with 50% sweetness and Boba; you won’t regret it.
8 old favorites (and 10 newer ones) for off-campus eating:
* George’s Restaurant (1925 Speight) remains the same laid-back place known for its chicken-fried steak.
* Vitek’s BBQ (1600 Speight) offers an expanded dining area where customers can keep up with the day’s sporting events on TV while enjoying a traditional Gut Pak.
* Baris III Pizza and Pasta (904 N. Valley Mills Dr.) offers true mom-and-pop Italian food.
* Health Camp (2601 Circle Rd., on the Circle) is a true 1950s burger joint. Don’t forget to wash down your Healthburger with one of the best milkshakes around.
* Ninfa’s (220 S. 3rd St.) still features impressive fajitas and unmatched chips and salsa (red or green, it doesn’t really matter).
* Poppa Rollo’s Pizza (703 N. Valley Mills Dr.) offers one of the more eclectic dining options in Waco, from the Three Stooges films usually playing on the big screen TV to the hidden party room in back.
* Located just across the river from McLane, the outdoor dining at Brazos Landing (100 I-35N Frontage Rd; formerly Buzzard Billy’s) offers an incredible view of the Brazos and downtown Waco.
* Waco’s favorite sandwich shop, Schmaltz’s (105 S 5th St), still has the best garlic bread sandwich you’ve ever had.
* Shorty’s Pizza Shack (1712 S. 12th St.) owner Ted “Shorty” Browning, a 2001 Baylor grad, serves up single slices and full pies (as well as the popular “Pizza Pillows”).
* Union Hall (720 Franklin Ave.) offers 15+ local eateries on one upscale, food-court-style location.
* The Olive Branch (215 South 2nd St.) is located downtown near Ninfa’s and Cricket’s, serving fresh breakfasts, a diverse lunch menu, homemade desserts and more.
* Revival Eastside Eatery (704 Elm Ave.) serves up Texas-sourced and chef-driven salads, sandwiches and burgers in East Waco.
* Oh My Juice (201 South 2nd St.) offers a wide variety of health-conscious options, including juices, smoothies, acai bowls, salads and more.
* If you’re in the mood for high-end Italian food and wood-fired pizza, Moroso’s (4700 Bosque Blvd.) should be at the top of your list.
* It’s probably enough to say that Guess BBQ (2803 Franklin Ave.) and Helberg Barbecue (7809 Hwy 6) are two of Texas Monthly’s favorite barbecue places in Texas.
* Magnolia Table (2132 S Valley Mills Dr) occupies the old Elite Café, offering breakfast, lunch and coffee, just how Chip and Joanna like it.
* Red Herring (319 S. 4th St.) transports diners to a five-star dining experience, with innovative food items not seen before in the Waco area — like raw bar offerings and the Hamachi aquachile.
7 gameday traditions (new and old):
* Whether bringing an RV and going all-out or just coming a few hours early, tailgating at McLane Stadium is a far cry from the old Floyd Casey experience. Alumni, students, even businesses have gotten in on the action, on both sides of the Brazos.
* The best part of tailgating at McLane? Sailgating! Baylor’s stadium is one of just a handful nationwide where fans can tailgate pregame on the water, whether in the nearby lagoon or out on the Brazos River.
* Before the game, check out the Grant Teaff statue near the law school, the RG3 statue on McLane’s South Plaza, and statues of Baylor’s two Medal of Honor recipients (Col. John Kane and 1st Lt. Jack Lummus) near the Umphrey Bridge.
* After tailgating, make sure you’re in your seat to see the Baylor University Golden Wave Marching Band enter the stadium in style, followed by the running of the Baylor Line.
14 uniquely Waco attractions:
* From the birthplace of the world’s oldest major soft drink, the Dr Pepper Museum tells the history of not only DP but the soft drink industry as a whole.
* The 400 acres of Cameron Park offer one of the best natural trail systems in Texas. Whether jogging, hiking, mountain biking, or just out to enjoy nature, the park offers something for everyone.
* The Texas Sports Hall of Fame highlights hundreds of the state’s top athletes from college and professional sports.
* Open to the public, the Waco Mammoth National Monument provides a glimpse into the Pleistocene Era. A breathtaking dig shelter houses an active dig site where the remains of 23 Columbian mammoths have been found.
* Today a Waco icon, when it was completed in 1870, the Suspension Bridge was the longest single-span suspension bridge west of the Mississippi.
* The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum was appointed by the Texas Department of Public Safety as the “Official Museum” of the legendary Texas Ranger lawmen in 1968.
* The first floor of the Mayborn Museum Complex tells the history of Central Texas (including a special exhibit on the Waco mammoths), while the second floor offers 16 themed Discovery Rooms for hands-on learning.
* Covering 52 acres adjacent to the Brazos River, Cameron Park Zoo is home to more than 1,700 animals representing 300+ species.
* The Waco Downtown Farmer’s Market is a wonderful family-friendly place for a Saturday morning. Peruse local food and vendors, listen to live music, and enjoy the (hopefully) beautiful weather.
* The Doris Miller Memorial on the east side of the Suspension Bridge honors a native Wacoan who was awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery at Pearl Harbor and became a cause célèbre in the fight against segregation in U.S. military.
* Nothing brings more visitors to Waco than Magnolia Market at the Silos; with shopping, games, a garden, the bakery, food trucks and more, Chip and Jo have something for almost anyone.
* See Waco in a different way, whether that’s a Waco Pedal Tour, or a driving or river excursion with Waco Tours or Brazos Tours.
8 places/ways to worship as the Baylor Family:
* Featuring music from all generations, Singspiration — held Friday evening before the bonfire — has been a Baylor Homecoming tradition for more than 75 years.
* Multiple chapels provide sacred spaces all across the Baylor campus. Chapels in the Bobo Spiritual Life Center, Brooks Village (Robbins Chapel), Memorial Residence Hall (Memorial Chapel), East Village (Elliston Chapel), Truett Seminary (Powell Chapel) and Stacy Riddle Forum (McCall Chapel) offer quiet getaways in the midst of the Homecoming hubbub.
* Sunday morning worshippers may choose to visit any of hundreds of Waco churches.
Sic ’em, Baylor Family!