Things to Do in Amarillo
Amarillo is burrowed in the scenic panhandle of Texas, halfway between Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Albuquerque, New Mexico
You’ll find an international airport, an exquisite art museum and the world-class Cadillac Ranch, a quintessentially American art display where several graffiti-covered Cadillac’s can be found projecting straight out of the ground. Palo Duro Canyon State Park is only 30 minutes south of the city and offers biking, horseback riding and hiking adventures. So pack those bags, your Amarillo family getaway awaits!
Walk Route 66
Perhaps America's most famous road, Historic Route 66 runs through the center of Amarillo. Walk the 13-block stretch of road, locally known as Sixth Street, and stop into the many specialty shops and galleries that line Route 66 today. You'll have your choice of restaurants and bars along the way. Be sure to check out the Natatorium, or "the Nat," which was originally an indoor pool built in 1922. Today the space is a massive antique market.
Admire Unusual Art
You've probably never been encouraged to vandalize a piece of public art. Well, all of that changes at Cadillac Ranch. Admire the various messages and images painted on the cars but for even more fun, bring spray paint and add your own. Afterwards, cruise on over to another unusual display, the RV Museum at the back of Jack Sisemore's Traveland, an RV dealership. Admission to this collection of classic RVs, some dating back to the 1930s, is free!
Feast on Local Specialties
In Amarillo, you can feast at a new barbeque spot every day for an entire week—no questions asked. Pay a visit to Tyler's Barbeque (2014 Paramount Blvd., Amarillo), a hole-in-the-wall-type establishment with an extremely casual ambiance that's loved by all. Try the brisket at Spicy Mike's Bar-B-Q Haven (7028 S. Western St., Amarillo) or if you're really hungry, try the 72 oz. steak challenge at the Big Texan Steak Ranch (E. Interstate 40, Amarillo). If you can eat the entire meal in under an hour, you get the meal free! Authentic Mexican food is also easy to find in Amarillo. Fill up on homemade corn tortillas and superb guacamole at El Manantial (3823 E. Amarillo Blvd., Amarillo). You can’t leave without paying a visit to Yellow City Street Food (909 S. Madison St., Amarillo), a commonplace drive-thru shack but with a surprisingly diverse menu.
Explore Outdoors
Go for a stroll among vibrant flowers and exotic plants at the fun-filled Amarillo Botanical Gardens. Go for a nice hike with the whole family in the nearby River Breaks Ranch and Wildcat Bluff Nature Center while the picturesque Lake Meredith Recreation Area, just a little farther away, offers fishing and boating. You can also make the 25-mile drive south to the Palo Duro Canyon State Park, where you’ll find over 30 miles of paths for bikers and horseback riders, and there's a stable on the grounds.
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