Homestead Heritage is full of shops that showcase simple living.
WACO, Texas – For most people, a trip to Waco means a trip to the Silos Magnolia Market, made famous by Chip and Joanna Gaines’ TV show “Fixer Upper.” While Magnolia actually put Waco on the map, there’s an equally charming place off the beaten path.
About 10 miles from the tourists is a place that the locals have tried to keep a secret: Homestead Heritage.
“That’s what people actually tell us,” said Dan Lancaster, general administrator of Homestead Heritage. “,That is our secret. We bring the family here and not everyone knows about it. ‘”
Waco people certainly know about it, but visitors to the city may regret missing out on this hidden gem set on more than 500 acres of land.
Homestead Heritage is a Christian community that practices an agrarian lifestyle, which means they live on the land.
Becoming more sustainable is something that, as we have all heard, has been important over the past few years. No doubt a lot of people make this choice, but a simple life has always been cool at Homestead.
“I think we did a lot of these things before they became popular,” said Lancaster. “We were a bit ahead of the curve.”
RELATED: One-Tank Road Trips: Turner Falls Park
Pretty much everything community members need are handcrafted and visitors can watch them do it.
The picturesque craft village has all sorts of shops, such as pottery, wood processing, knitting and a blacksmith’s shop. In each store, visitors can watch items being handcrafted by one of the community members. The items are also often put up for sale.
The parishioners also produce much of their own food. They grind their own grain, roast their own coffee (complete with a cafe for visitors), and make their own cheese, which they keep in their cheese cave.
Their handcrafted goods can be purchased from many of the stores or stores on the property. Visitors can even learn these professions themselves.
RELATED: One-Tank Road Trips: Caddo Lake
Homestead offers more than 120 courses for anyone looking to create something new.
“I think there’s just something solid in people who like to do something with their hands,” said Lancaster.
But perhaps nothing has given this place such a loyal following than the Homestead Café, the community restaurant.
Everything on the menu is grown, raised or sourced locally by the people who live there.
A simple online search reveals that Homestead Café is one of the top rated restaurants in the area.
“Oh definitely,” said Lancaster. “In my opinion it is the best restaurant in Waco.”
How good is the food? People don’t mind waiting up to an hour just for lunch. You shouldn’t either, now that the secret is out.
For more information on Homestead Heritage, visit the website here.
[ad_1]
