Every inn has its charm, but not every inn has a tortoise.
Meet Waldo: The Famous Tortoise at Magpie Inn
At Magpie Inn, our most famous resident doesn’t cook breakfast or fluff pillows—but he does win hearts, slowly and steadily, one leafy bite at a time. Meet Waldo, our sulcata tortoise and unofficial mascot, who thrives in the summer sun and keeps guests smiling with his gentle spirit and unexpected antics.
If you’re visiting Mineral Wells this August, you’re in luck: Waldo loves the heat. Sulcata tortoises are native to the Sahara Desert, which makes Texas summers feel like a spa day. While the rest of us are reaching for iced tea and shade, Waldo is basking, munching, and moseying around the Magpie yard with pure tortoise joy.
He’s not just a pet—he’s part of the experience.
Big Shell, Bigger Personality
Sulcata tortoises can live over 100 years and grow to more than 120 pounds. Waldo’s still a young guy, but he’s already made a big impression. Whether he’s nibbling on dandelions, making a pilgrimage to his raised garden bed, or lounging near “Munch Mountain” (a small hill made just for him), he’s earned himself quite the fan club. Guests often pull fresh greens from his garden to feed him by hand—farm-to-tortoise at its finest.
Jeremy, Chef Magen’s husband, even built him a custom tortoise cottage, complete with a name plaque and shady porch. This isn’t just any yard—it’s a slow-paced sanctuary, and Waldo is its king.
Waldo’s Great Escape Through Mineral Wells
This spring, Waldo took his role as town ambassador a little too seriously. One morning, we discovered he’d quietly slipped out the gate and was off exploring Mineral Wells.
Cue the community-wide game of “Where’s Waldo?”
Social media lit up with sightings. Locals walked their neighborhoods, eyes peeled for a slow-moving shell on stubby legs. We received tips from people out walking their dogs, driving down NW 4th Avenue, and peeking under porches.
Thankfully, Waldo was found safe and sound after his “unauthorized field trip.” But we like to think of it as his personal tour of Mineral Wells—and a reminder of how much this town comes together when it counts.
What did he see on his walkabout? We can only guess. Probably made a pass through the Farmers Market to judge the produce. Maybe tried his hand at paddleboarding at Lake Mineral Wells State Park—well, paddle-floating (he’s not exactly aerodynamic). Perhaps even stopped by the Crazy Water pavilion for a sip of the town’s famous mineral water.
Outdoor Adventures (Inspired by a Tortoise)
Want to follow in his (slow) footsteps? We’ve created a free Outdoor Adventure Guide for guests—a curated collection of the best places to hike, sip, soak, and explore. Waldo may have wandered, but you don’t have to. We’ve got the route mapped out for you.
Plan Your Visit (and Maybe Feed a Tortoise)
Whether you’re here for the trails, the vintage finds, or the mineral-rich soaking tubs, Magpie Inn makes a cozy, character-filled home base—and yes, that includes your chance to meet Waldo.
Guests especially love playing “Where’s Waldo?” from the balcony. He blends in surprisingly well with the landscaping, so spotting him is half the fun. And feeding him from the garden? That’s the kind of slow joy you’ll still be smiling about weeks later.
This August, come take a cue from our favorite slowpoke. Life doesn’t have to move fast to be full.
Book Your Stay to Meet the Tortoise at Magpie Inn
Whether you’re here for the mineral baths, the history, or the tortoise with a fan club, we’d love to welcome you to Magpie Inn. We’ve got charming rooms, amazing food, and a yard that’s home to one of the quirkiest mascots in Texas.
Book your stay this August and catch Waldo in his natural habitat: soaking up sun, chewing with his mouth open, and dreaming about his next great escape.
We’ll be watching the gate.
(And maybe installing a tortoise tracking device. Just in case.)