“The only doctor you want to visit”
The Dr Pepper Museum was founded in 1988 to educate and entertain the general public through the collection, preservation, interpretation, and exhibition of objects relevant to the history of the soft drink industry, and through that example, the free enterprise economic system. The Dr Pepper Museum & Free Enterprise Institute is a private, non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors elected by its membership. The Museum and Free Enterprise Institute opened to the public in May 1991 and has hosted over 1,200,000 visitors. The Museum is housed in the 1906 Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company building located in downtown Waco. The 100 year-old building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as the "Home of Dr Pepper.” The Museum receives the support of Dr Pepper Snapple Group and its affiliated bottlers but is not owned or operated by them. Located at the corner of Fifth Street and Mary Avenue in the turn of the century manufacturing district, the vacant bottling plant was in a sad state of repair in a neighborhood comprised mostly of abandoned warehouses that was officially declared as "blighted" by the City. The Waco Chamber of Commerce and the City of Waco hoped that the Museum would be a catalyst for renewed energy and growth in the area, with the potential for restaurants and shops in the old warehouses down the street similar to the “West End” district in Dallas.
This was a nice stop after a hot afternoon at Magnolia Market. It was not the best museum ever, but it had some interesting aspects. Our kids enjoyed it...especially the free Dr. Pepper at the end of the tour.
I wasn't super excited about this, but it was a non-negotiable stop for my husband. It wasn't super riveting, but I guess interesting enough. The best part was tasting a Dr. Pepper that was NOTHING like any Dr. Pepper I've had in my life. Completely different flavor here. I really loved that. I could have skipped the tour part and saved the $7, had it been up to me.
They have a good old fashioned soda and ice cream shop.
Fun place to go learn about the greatest and oldest soft drink!
Late review. Visited in July of 2020. This was a great trip and I'm so appreciative my friend took me to visit! Good times and a great place in the AC and with a yummy shake afterward in their shoppe. Followed up by one of the best cupcakes I've ever had from the Magnolia Market at the Silos/ Silos Baking Co. All in all a great visit to Waco, even after visiting the site of the Waco Massacre from '93 (David Koresh)
My daughter's favourite soft drink is Dr. Pepper, so this made a good stop on our way from Austin to Amarillo. It's a large museum, with lots of vintage artifacts and fun photo opportunities. If you're not super into the history, though, it can feel a little slow. The kids loved the Dr. Pepper floats at the end of the tour and we picked up some Dr. Pepper cotton candy for my niece, too. Overall, I'd recommend it, but don't expect little ones to be patient while you read all the history text that's there. :)
My family loved watching the Dr. Pepper commercials over the years in the theater. We enjoyed the history of the famous soda. Didn't know Big Red Soda was part of the Dr. Pepper family until going there. My son is a huge Dr. Pepper fan and we had a visitor from out of town so we drove down to Waco to visit the museum.
Expensive for what you get. Cute photo ops outside
Not the most amazing place I've been to. Rather expensive for what you get, but still fun. Enjoyed the well and it's artifacts.
Little museum with some interactive feature but the real treat is the amazing soda jerk counter. Must get a Dr Pepper Float.
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Dr. Pepper Museum
Hours
- Mon - Sat: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Sun: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
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