Five public parks in McGregor bring together walking trails, sports and water activities. The town also has a theatre and broadcasting museum, a seasonal StoryWalk and events with specific weekend dates. The town’s history can also be seen in notable buildings and a public historical marker.
Parks, Sports and Seasonal Activities
The five public parks offer walking trails, sports facilities and playgrounds, as well as disc golf, fishing, a splash pad and a swimming pool. Amsler Park has a 9-hole disc golf course with nine baskets and two tee pads for each basket. Bewley Park has a different focus, with two tennis courts and six pickleball courts. The facilities can also be compared by the number of courts, though the two sports offer different options.
In summer, the Amsler Park Aquatic Center offers swimming, wading and diving. It opens every year on the Friday after Memorial Day and closes on the second Saturday in August. Check that year’s schedule before your trip. The Aquatic Center also hosts an annual Cardboard Boat Regatta on the second Saturday in June; checking the dates for that year’s event is also recommended.
Another regular event is McGregor Founder's Day, held every year on the third weekend in September. Saturday morning activities include a 5K run and a parade. During the festival, local artisans and food vendors line the streets. If you’d like to plan your visit around these events, check the program for that year’s edition in advance. The Christmas Parade features a lighted procession, followed by a gathering with Santa Claus and cookies at Legacy Park.
The McGinley Memorial Public Library’s StoryWalk is a seasonal program for children and adults. It follows Main Street and passes through participating downtown businesses. This activity combines a route through the town center with stops at participating businesses, without requiring a set duration.
Museums and Local History
The Texas Museum of Theatre and Broadcast is located downtown at the corner of South Main Street and 3rd Street. It is housed in the former historic Lee Hardware building, which later served as Keith’s Ace Hardware. Its collection includes movie theater equipment, antique musical instruments and two Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organs. The museum’s focus on theatre and broadcasting distinguishes it from the historical references to the town’s founding and naming.
The public historical marker stands on public property at 409 W. 4th Street, at the corner of 4th Street and Madison Street. It commemorates the public auction of the founding lots of the community of McGregor Springs on September 7, 1882. McGregor was named for Dr. Gregor Carmichael McGregor (1824–1902), a Texas pioneer physician and later a prominent Waco businessman. These are two specific historical points of reference: the auction of the lots and the person for whom the town was named.
The railroad’s history can also be seen in a building: McGregor’s L-shaped depot dates from around 1904 and retains its original appearance. The Spradley Telephone Museum is also among the town’s attractions. Aviation enthusiasts have a clearly dated point of reference: in fiscal year 2023, Chapter 59 of the Experimental Aircraft Association operated a museum at McGregor Executive Airport and supported the Young Eagles program. This information refers to that fiscal year; it does not describe current visiting hours.
Local Events and Getting There
Food and shopping also feature in local coverage, with details that should be considered in their time context. A PBS program published in 2026 featured the Coffee Shop Cafe and its homemade pie, made with dough prepared from scratch. A 2026 PBS program gives the Cedar Chest Antique Mall’s size as 32,000 square feet. These dated references complement the enduring descriptions of the parks and cultural attractions without making any promises about current opening hours or availability.
From Waco, McGregor is accessible via US-84 West. The seasonal highlights vary considerably for trip planning: swimming is limited to summer, the Cardboard Boat Regatta is held annually in June, and Founder's Day takes place in September. You can plan your visit around the activities that matter most to your stay.
Discover more destinations: Hewitt, Waco, Robinson, Woodway, Bellmead
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