The Dr Pepper Museum is dedicated to the history of the nation’s oldest major soft drink, situated in the original 1906 bottling plant in downtown Waco, Texas. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in April 2026, noting that the museum admissions desk has recently transitioned to a cashless system, meaning all general entrance fees must be paid via credit or debit card.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
| Opening hours | 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, daily. |
| Ticket prices | General Admission: $12.00, Children (4 and under): Free |
| Address | 300 South 5th Street, Waco, TX 76701 |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Paid public lot on 5th Street |
| Typical time needed to visit | 2 to 3 hours |
Dr Pepper Museum opening hours
The Dr Pepper Museum opening hours are from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, seven days a week. These core hours remain consistent throughout most of the year, though extended summer hours are occasionally implemented.
The museum is open year-round with the exception of Easter, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day, when the facility is completely closed to the public.
Dr Pepper Museum ticket prices
The Dr Pepper Museum ticket prices are a flat rate of $12.00 for all general admission visitors aged five and over. Children aged four and under are admitted completely free of charge.
A significant perk of the general admission ticket is that it includes a complimentary Dr Pepper at the Soda Fountain, or a $1.00 credit towards an upgraded menu item, such as a Dr Pepper Float.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in April 2026. General admission tickets are not sold online and must be purchased in person at the desk. Please note that while the admissions desk is now entirely cashless, cash is still accepted inside the Gift Shop and the Soda Fountain.
How to get to the Dr Pepper Museum
You can reach the Dr Pepper Museum by driving into downtown Waco. It is located at 300 South 5th Street, situated conveniently within a short walking distance of the famous Magnolia Market at the Silos and the local Spice Village shopping complex.
Parking at the Dr Pepper Museum
Paid parking at the Dr Pepper Museum is available in the dedicated lot across 5th Street from the main yellow brick building. This lot charges $10.00 (plus fees) for up to five hours of parking, and does not allow come-and-go privileges.
Alternatively, the First Baptist Church at the corner of Webster and 5th Street offers a $10.00 daily paid lot that accommodates standard vehicles, RVs, and buses. If you prefer not to pay, free street parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis on the blocks surrounding the museum.
How long to spend at the Dr Pepper Museum
Visitors typically spend between two and three hours at the Dr Pepper Museum. This duration provides enough time to explore the three floors of exhibits in the main building, watch a science demonstration in the Liquid Lab, and enjoy a fresh float at the Soda Fountain.
Accessibility at the Dr Pepper Museum
Accessibility at the Dr Pepper Museum is comprehensive. Both of the museum’s historic buildings feature ramp access, and two elevators service the main building. Complimentary wheelchairs are available upon request at the admissions desk.
Dedicated free accessible parking for those with valid placards is located immediately outside the Kellum-Rotan building, directly beneath the red neon Dr Pepper sign. Additionally, the museum provides sensory accommodations, offering free check-outs of sunglasses and earbuds for visitors with Sensory Processing Disorder.
Inside the Dr Pepper Museum
Visitors to the Dr Pepper Museum will explore the history of the soft drink—invented in Waco in 1885—across two separate historic buildings located around a central courtyard.
The Artesian Manufacturing & Bottling Company Building is the prominent yellow brick structure serving as the main museum. It features three floors of exhibits detailing the invention of the drink, the history of its iconic marketing campaigns, and a fascinating gallery exploring failed vintage sodas from the past.
The Kellum-Rotan Building is easily identifiable by the large red neon Dr Pepper sign painted on its side. This building houses the Keurig Dr Pepper Liquid Lab, where staff perform interactive science and chemistry demonstrations.
The Soda Fountain is also located in the Kellum-Rotan building. Designed like a classic 1950s diner, this is where visitors redeem their entry vouchers for a free freshly mixed Dr Pepper or a famous Dr Pepper ice cream float.
The Gift Shop is situated on the first floor of the main building and can be accessed from the courtyard without needing to pay the museum admission fee.
Practical visitor tips
| Focus | Tip |
| Timing | Arriving before 11:00 am allows you to explore the galleries quietly before the afternoon rush and secures a shorter line at the Soda Fountain. |
| Crowds | Weekends and summer holidays can be very busy due to the close proximity of Magnolia Market drawing large crowds to the immediate downtown area. |
| Layout | General admission grants you an entry wristband with in-and-out privileges for the entire day of purchase, allowing you to leave for lunch and return later. |
| Entry process | Admission tickets cannot be bought online; simply walk up to the desk. However, special “Experiences” (like Make-A-Soda) should be reserved online in advance. |
| On-site logistics | Do not park in the lot directly across from the red neon sign; this is strictly for staff, and unauthorised vehicles are towed immediately. |
Frequently asked questions about the Dr Pepper Museum
| Question | Answer |
| Is the Dr Pepper Museum suitable for children? | Yes, the museum is highly family-friendly and features hands-on science activities in the Liquid Lab designed to engage younger visitors. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Dr Pepper Museum? | No, general admission walk-up tickets are purchased upon arrival at the desk. |
| Is the Dr Pepper Museum open on Sundays? | Yes, the museum operates standard hours from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm every Sunday. |
| Are bags allowed at the Dr Pepper Museum? | Standard day bags and purses are permitted throughout the historic buildings and exhibits. |
Things to do near the Dr Pepper Museum
- Magnolia Market at the Silos
- Spice Village
- Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
- Cameron Park Zoo
- Waco Suspension Bridge
More Texas travel
Other Texas travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- What are the best stops on the Fort Worth to Austin drive or Dallas to Austin drive?
- Tick off the stars of the Dallas Arts District, including the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center and the Crow Museum of Asian Art.
- Visit the Meadows Museum and the George W Bush Presidential Museum on the Southern Methodist University campus in Dallas.
- What to know before visiting the Kimbell Art Museum and Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth.
- Practical guide to visiting Fort Worth Botanical Garden.
