Waco, Texas- More than 270,000 people from around the world visited the Dr Pepper Museum in 2025, making it the most-visited year in the Museum’s 35-year history and reinforcing its role as Waco’s most-visited cultural destination.
Guests travel to Waco from across the United States and around the world to experience the Museum’s hands-on experiences like Make-A-Soda, historic bottling exhibits, and handcrafted made fountain drinks that connect a global brand to its Waco origins. Beyond its exhibits and experiences, the Dr Pepper Museum serves as a gathering place for the Waco community, offering special educational programs and partnerships with local organizations to serve as a place of learning and collaboration.
Based on an onsite survey of Museum visitors administered through an online form in November–December 2025, 85% of respondents reported that the Dr Pepper Museum influenced their decision to visit Waco, including 55% who said it was the primary reason for their trip. The survey also found that 38% of respondents stayed overnight in McLennan County, highlighting the Museum’s contribution to overnight tourism.
“We’ve seen steady growth over the past several years, and 2025 was truly a milestone,” said Chris Dyer, President & CEO of the Dr Pepper Museum. “This growth pushes us to keep evolving to create and best serve our community, tourism and honor the history that started here.”
As part of its continued growth, the Museum opened two new exhibits in 2025, further expanding the ways it shares the story of Dr Pepper. In addition, the Museum started working on its fourth preservation project, the Mary Avenue Façade Project, which will restore and update the Mary Avenue side of its historic National Register-listed 1906 Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company Building. The project is scheduled to be completed by March 2026.
While tourism plays a key role in Waco’s economy, community engagement remains central to the Dr Pepper Museum’s work. Events such as Día de los Niños and A Dr Pepper Christmas invite residents to experience the Museum in new ways and foster ongoing community connections.
Building on this momentum, the Dr Pepper Museum is preparing to celebrate 35 years as a nonprofit museum in May 2026. The centerpiece of the anniversary celebration will be the unveiling of the World’s Largest Dr Pepper Bottle, a 23-foot-tall permanent landmark in the Museum courtyard, celebrating the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that began in Waco and changed the beverage industry forever.
With record attendance, major preservation work underway, and a milestone anniversary on the horizon, the Dr Pepper Museum invites the public to join us as it enters its next chapter.
About the Dr Pepper Museum
The Dr Pepper Museum educates, inspires, and entertains by sharing the stories of Dr Pepper and the soft drink industry. Located in the historic Artesian Manufacturing & Bottling Company and Kellum-Rotan Buildings, the Museum is the most visited cultural destination in Waco and the Original Home of the Dr Pepper Float. The Museum offers over 35,000 square feet of exhibits, popular experiences like Make-A-Soda and handmade fountain drinks. In 2025, the Museum welcomed over 270,000 visitors. As a proud independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we are celebrating 35 years of public service in 2026. We are not owned or operated by Keurig Dr Pepper. (Please note, there is not a period after “Dr” in our name.) For more information, visit drpeppermuseum.com.
