Student Tours and Programs

The Free Enterprise Institute at the Dr Pepper Museum offers a variety of tours and programs for students based in history, science, and math principles that can last an hour to all day.  Based on the development of Dr Pepper, our tours and programs provide a look into the background of 2 American institutions-the soft drink industry and the free enterprise economic system. Each program includes a tour of the museum led by one of our professionally trained staff members as they guide students through the invention of Dr Pepper in Waco, Texas in 1885 to its international recognition today.

Waco: Home of Dr Pepper and Little Peppers Program    

Our most popular tour tells the story of the invention of Dr Pepper and the growth of the soft drink industry.  Visitors will discover some interesting smells and flavors in the Old Corner Drug Store, explore the bottling room, and “shoot a Waco” in the Soda Fountain.      

For our younger visitors (ages three to five), we recommend the sensory-rich Little Peppers tour.  See, hear, smell, touch, and taste your way through the Museum!

Cost is $3.00 per person, with a maximum of 60 people per group.  Groups of more than 60 people should schedule more than one session.  School employees bringing a group receive free admission.  This hour-long tour does include a sample Dr Pepper from the fountain.


Advertising & Marketing Kid Style 

The Free Enterprise Institute at the Dr Pepper Museum is pleased to offer the only program of its kind to teach the principles of free enterprise and entrepreneurship.  The highlight of the day* is creating a new soft drink and a marketing campaign for it—name, slogan, logo, label, and commercial.  This very intense hands-on program is suitable for students in at least the third grade, and can be arranged for groups with between ten and thirty students. 

Cost is $10.00 per student and $4.50 per adult facilitator, and includes admission to the Museum, workbook, supplies and materials, and a Dr Pepper float from the Soda Fountain.  School employees bringing a group receive free admission.  Students (and facilitators) need to bring a sack lunch.  Discounts are available for schools bringing three or more classes. Private school, home-school groups, Boy/Girl Scouts of America, and other youth groups are welcome!
     
*This program requires 4 to 6 hours (we can make adjustments based on distance and travel time).

Create a Soft Drink      

Create a Soft Drink is our solution to traveling and scheduling problems.  Students tour the Museum and participate in the hands-on portion of our AMKS program.*  Working in teams, students get to use their imaginations as well as their measuring and team-building skills to create new soft drinks.  This program is designed for kids in at least the 3rd grade for groups of 10 to 30. 

Cost is $6.00 per student participant and $4.50 per adult facilitator.  It includes admission to the Museum, supplies, and a Dr Pepper float from the Soda Fountain. School employees bringing a group receive free admission.  Discounts are available for schools bringing multiple classes.  Private school, home-school groups, Boy/Girl Scouts of America, and other youth groups are welcome, and we encourage classes for students with special needs. 
 
*Please allow 2 hours for the CASD program.


Authorized Peppers Only

Join our curatorial staff on a behind-the-scenes tour at some of the Dr Pepper and other soft drink memorabilia we have in our collections.  This program is geared more towards science as we look at how museums choose exhibits and care for their artifacts.  It is based on the William and Mary GT “What a Find!” curriculum on archaeology for 5th graders.       

Cost is $6.00 per student participant and $4.50 per adult facilitator.  School employees bringing a group receive free admission.  It works best with a group of 10 to 30 students.  Allow approximately two hours for this program, which includes a Dr Pepper float.  There is a limited availability of these programs, so we recommend calling as early as possible.

Prices for tours are subject to change without notice

Check out our Resource page for pre and post tour activities and directions to the museum.

Field trip tips:

Typically, museum visitation is lower from September through December and on weekday afternoons. You are encouraged to take advantage of these times. Register as early in the school year as possible to ensure current prices time and date of your choice. Reservations do need to be made in advance to ensure your group receives the discounted admission and a guided tour of the museum. We look forward to serving you this year.

Making a Reservation

Please contact the Programs Department during normal business hours.

tours@drpeppermuseum.com
Dr Pepper Museum and Free Enterprise Institute
300 S. 5th St.
Waco TX 76701
254.757.1025 ext. 129
254.757.2221 (fax)

Please have the following information prepared when you contact the museum.

  • Credit card number to hold a reservation. The card will not be charged unless the reservation violates the cancellation policy. We accept Mastercard, Visa, and Discover.
  • 3 choices of dates and times 
  • Number of students in each class
  • Age/ grade level
  • Address of organization

PAYMENT POLICY

Special admission rates and program fees are for groups with advance reservations only. All tours and programs must be confirmed with a credit card or a deposit of 20% of the anticipated total bill. Groups who confirm with a credit card will only be charged for failing to show (20% of the anticipated total bill) or if that is how they choose to pay upon arrival.

Acceptable Forms of Payment:

·         Check or Money Order

·         Credit card

·         Cash (upon arrival only-please do not mail cash!)

·         Purchase Order (with prior approval of the Director of Interpretation; e-mail joy@drpeppermuseum.com or call 254-757-1025 ext. 130)

Cancellation Policy

Groups needing to cancel should make every effort to let us know within at least 48 hours' notice. No refunds of received deposits will be given to groups with less than 48 hours' notice; deposits or prepaid admissions may be re-applied to future visits.

Confirmation

A confirmation number will be given to you when you book your tour.  When calling about your tour, please have it handy and bring it with you when you come for your tour. 

Questions?  Contact us at:

tours@drpeppermuseum.com
Dr Pepper Museum and Free Enterprise Institute
300 S. 5th St.
Waco TX 76701
254.757.1025 ext. 129
254.757.2221 (fax