WANDERING THROUGH WACO
Waco, Texas, “a city to believe in,” has been rebranded with a new tagline and is in the midst of celebrating its 175th year! Welcoming to all, it is a city rich in history, traditions and diverse cultural backgrounds. Waco is growing steadily and is intricately woven with innovation, warmth, and friendliness. Everywhere I wandered, I felt a strong sense of community among the local businesses and residents.
HOTEL HERRINGBONE
Luxury accommodations…in shipping containers? In the heart of Waco? Well…yes! Not only does Hotel Herringbone offer world-class rooms and amenities, but also an upscale dining experience complete with a grand piano, live music events, a wine & charcuterie shop, a coffee and donut shop (opening soon), rooftop bar, a ballroom event center, retail, and more in a four-story shipping container complex! The downtown landscape has been transformed with the overhaul and renovation of what used to be a vacant shipping container development that occupied an entire city block. It desperately needed the design, contracting, branding, managing, restaurant and hospitality expertise of a dynamic group of very talented and ambitious partners with a whole lot of heart and soul. They combined forces to pull this project together and completely reimagined an area which has now become an integral part of the cultural epicenter in downtown Waco. In a pursuit of excellence, the partners, management, and staff have an elevated experience waiting for you at 319 S. 4th Street. They are located just across the street from the Magnolia Market at the Silos and behind the Dr. Pepper Museum. In other words, centrally located within walking distance of so many restaurants, shops, and attractions!
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The grounds are artistically landscaped and maintained well with lush green plants, agave gardens, and trees. Healthy shades of green bring life to the industrial metal features of Hotel Herringbone. Checking in under the neon lobby sign is easy and friendly in the first shipping container experience…the streamlined lobby. Art deco and urban modern collide to set the design atmosphere for the property. An ornate chaise covered in bright, plush orchid velvet is just waiting for your best pose!
ACCOMMODATIONS
Hotel Herringbone has 21 thoughtfully appointed guest rooms. With each one being a little bit different, you’ll want to go online and look at the details and choices which include large tubs, a balcony, a patio, etc. They are all designed with a hint of simple elegance and artistically unique decor. The bathrooms are meticulously tiled in monochromatic Italian tile. The mint green tile in my bathroom contrasted nicely with the patterns, textures, and mixed shades of plum, mauve and gold in the guest room. It felt very reminiscent of various “Orient Express” images that I’ve admired – a mix of art deco millwork, art nouveau touches, and “grandma’s attic” accessories.



AMENITIES
Signature robes, local treats on the refreshment cart, pull down shades (I love a dark room!), mini fridge, and Grown Alchemist personal care products are among the amenities provided by Hotel Herringbone. On the third floor, you’ll find daily coffee service, fruit, and simple breakfast treats. Fill your (complimentary) HH signature glass water bottles and your ice bucket for your room. You can even rent an electric Moke by the hour or the day. What a fun way to see Waco…easy-breezy style!
RED HERRING “Coastal Mediterranean” cuisine in a luxe setting with special attention to design details. A grand piano sits elegantly on a zebra-print stage in the center of the dimly lit restaurant. It was entertaining to watch one of the property’s talented partners playing original compositions for the dining guests. Lush plants circumvent the seating areas and a giant oyster shell is the backdrop for the raw bar. Fresh oysters paired with Prosecco followed by lamb skewers… delicious! Want a night cap? Reverse Happy Hour is from 8:30pm- to close at the bar.
SONG BIRD A delightful and thoughtfully curated wine & charcuterie shop, Song Bird, is located in the center plazaat Hotel Herringbone. Bistro tables scattered among trees form an open-air dining area in front of a live music stage outside the shop. Don’t miss the gazebo and large wooden table around the corner from the courtyard…a perfect place to style a private picnic. Select an array of food and refreshments at Song Bird and enjoy a performance! Happy Hour daily from 4pm-5pm.
LUCKY BUCK’S Buck up to the bar at the coolest rooftop around and enjoy a spectacular birds-eye view of Waco, craft cocktails, a rotating beer menu, and classic American fare. Plenty of leather sofas, German Tables, flatscreens, and a
whole lot of railing to perch your elbow. If sunset is your favorite color, this is the place to be!
THE BALLROOM & EVENT SPACES With well over 15,000 sq feet of combined event space between the ballroom and other gathering areas (and so much to discover in Waco), why not book your special event at Hotel Herringbone? The ballroom holds up to 150 guests and has floor-to-ceiling windows with views of downtown. An adjacent Boardroom & Bridal Suite open up to a shared terrace space that overlooks the plaza.
RETAIL IN THE PLAZA Exciting plans are around the corner for the retail spots in the plaza area at Hotel Herringbone. You’ll soon be able to shop with some favorite local retailers like Sendero Provisions and Repose.
DINING IN WACO After a fabulous meal at Red Herring and a picture-perfect grazing board picnic at Song Bird, I tried several other restaurants during my stay. Milo’s has a fresh urban vibe with so many live plants, photo ops and a clean design. The jalapeño deviled eggs and chicken Caesar salad were delish! I’ve had several great Tex-Mex meals at Hecho en Waco, and L&L Hawaii and Segovia Wine Bar are also in the same strip. Revival Eastside Eatery has a yummy cheeseburger and sweet potato fries. It is located on the other side of the river from the downtown area where there is a lot of exciting change happening. At Magnolia Market at the Silos, I like to picnic in the food truck area with avocado toast from Magnolia Table paired with a strawberry basil lemonade from Pop’s Lemonade! If you have a sweet tooth, try Milk
Bottle Cookies, Hey Sugar or Splendid Oaks. I had a super fun experience meeting Chef Sebastian, and his sons, at Huaco Lounge. He is passionate about the art of food from the heart of Mexico fused with contemporary techniques! He presented an ahhhh-mazing spread with a beautiful presentation of three trios: queso blanco, guacamole, and salsa; then three of the best ceviches I’ve ever had, and a mini flight of margaritas to prove he has nailed some signature flavors that I have not found anywhere else.
SHOPPING IN WACO Obviously you’ll want to explore Magnolia Market at the Silos. As a plant and pottery lover, my fave shop there is Ferny’s Retro Plant Shop! Check out the website waco-texas.com for a complete Magnolia Trail guide. There are many darling shops and businesses in Waco and wish I could have seen them all, but I’ll share the ones I personally visited. Don’t miss these: Lone Star State of Mind, Urban Bliss Boutique, Mainstream Boutique, Ramble and Company, Paper Crown, Fabled Book Shop, Revision Photo,Moon Rein Bedding, Tecova, Washington Gallery, Grocery,
Gather, Wildland Spice Village.
ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES The Dr. Pepper Museum, Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum, Mammoth
National Monument, Baylor University, Waco Riverwalk, Texas Sports Hall of Fame, Sancho Rancho, Waco Suspension
Bridge Cattle Drive Sculptures, Cottonwood Castle, Country Spring Vineyard and Wine Gardens, Hawaiian Falls Water
Park, Waco Surf, Cameron Park and Zoo, Cottonwood Creek Golf Course, Balcones Distillery, Bill and Eva Williams
Bear Habitat, Doris Miller Memorial, Valley Mills Vineyard, Homestead Craft Village, Art Center of Waco, Carleen Bright
Arboretum, Lake Waco, Martin Museum of Art, Mayborn Museum Complex, and oh so much more! Explore additional
adventures and watch for special events @cityofwaco.
Hotel Herringbone is dedicated to ensure that your experience is memorable
and personal…and Waco is waiting to welcome you! Happy Wandering!


