Written and Photographed by Randy and Caly Behymer
Located in the Texas Panhandle, Amarillo is conveniently located off Interstate 40, along the Historic Route 66 trail. Next time you plan a quick stay in Amarillo as you pass through, add a few more days and experience some of what this town offers. You may be surprised at all there is to do and see in and around Amarillo. These top 10 things to do are a great place to start.
Be sure to download your free PDF copy of Top 10 Things to do in Amarillo, Texas by clicking here. Join in on the fun as Randy and Caly talk about Amarillo on the RVD Podcast by clicking here!
10. Amarillo Zoo and Wonderland Amusement Park—Wonderland, the third-largest amusement park in Texas, opened in 1951 as Kiddie Land and had just three rides. Today, Wonderland is home to traditional amusement arcade games and nostalgic rides—and some modern rides that are wildly popular with the locals. Located near Wonderland, the Amarillo Zoo has more than 120 animals representing 70 species; they even have lions and a black panther. This small zoo is perfect for seeing the animals up close and personal.
9. Cadillac Ranch and VW Slug Bug Ranch—Cadillac Ranch is on Route 66. It was the brainchild of a group of hippies from San Francisco who were into art and referred to themselves as the Ant Farm. They had a silent funder, billionaire Stanley Marsh 3, who yearned for a radical piece of art. In 1974, the Ant Farm drove 10 Cadillacs into one of Stanley Marsh 3’s fields, buried them nose down in a line facing west as a tribute to the changing tail of the Cadillac. The caddies range from the 1949 Club Sedan to the 1963 Sedan Deville. In Conway, Texas, 30 minutes east of Cadillac Ranch, lies the VW Slug Bug Ranch. The spray painted shelled-out frames of five VW Beetles line up next to one another, noses buried. While not as iconic or well-known as the Cadillac Ranch, it remains a must-see.
8. Texas Air & Space Museum—”Built to honor service men and women, aviators and astronauts of northwest Texas.” Many historical airplanes are onsite, including the 1945 Douglas DC-3 N34, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The plane was restored, then flew in 2003 with the First Flight Centennial Celebration commemorating the Wright brothers’ first flight. The DC-3 is one of only three moving items listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The other two are the San Francisco cable cars and the New Orleans streetcars.
7. Amarillo Museum of Art—Home to more than 4,000 pieces of art, four of which are Georgia O’Keefe pieces, AMOA covers post-war to contemporary art. The museum is free, but they appreciate donations. Each year, the museum is home to an exhibit dedicated to up-and-coming college art students. It has been an annual event since the 1970s and is a beneficial way for local art students to showcase their talent. Most of the museum rotates and features just one permanent exhibit. Located off Route 66, the museum draws many tourists each day.
6. Food—Amarillo has a huge food scene, especially around Historic Route 66. Braceros Mexican Grill & Bar was, hands down, the best Mexican food we’ve ever had. GoldenLight Café & Cantina opened in 1946 and is Amarillo’s oldest restaurant. Some believe it may be the oldest continuously operating restaurant on Route 66. They serve great hamburgers in a hodge-podge atmosphere, making it a perfect Route 66 location. Smokey Joe’s Café is located across the street from GoldenLight and offers excellent burgers, chicken fried steak, ribs and great live music. Other local recommendations were Coyote Bluff Café, Pork n’ Things BBQ, Ye Olde Pancake Station, Dyer’s Bar-B-Que and XIT Woodfire Grill.
5. Historic Route 66—On 6th Avenue between Georgia and Western Streets, Route 66 covers about a mile and offers antique shops, art galleries, restaurants, specialty shops and bars. Go into the various stores and peruse; you never know what you may find. Stopping at a gallery, a local artist and Route 66 guru and tour guide greeted us. He gave us great tips on different locations to stop along Route 66 on our way out of town, and we picked up a Christmas tree ornament from a local artist.
4. Jack Sisemore RV Museum—Though the RV dealership that this was once associated with is now closed, the museum remains open. The Sisemore family continues to run the museum, which is free to the public. Trent Sisemore stated: “We just wanted to give back to the community. It really is all about giving back and because of that, we got back so much more.” The Jack Sisemore RV Museum is home to the world’s oldest Airstream, a 1935 Torpedo. The first ever Itasca Motorhome, built in 1975, is housed in the museum, as is one of the most well-known residents, a 1948 Flexible that was used by the Gornicke family in the movie RV. It’s a chance to step back into RVing history and see old radios instead of TVs, wood-burning stoves to keep the camper warm, built-in blenders and even “buddy” seats—a two-seater passenger seat in a motorhome.
3. Palo Duro Canyon State Park—We’d be remiss if we didn’t talk about Palo Duro Canyon. Located less than 40 minutes south of Amarillo, this is an absolute must-do while in the area. It is the second largest canyon in the United States at 120 miles long, 20 miles wide and more than 800 feet deep. There is plenty to keep you busy while visiting the canyon with hikes, mountain biking, horseback riding, Jeep tours, zip-lining, a museum, a trading post and epic views. You can read more about what to do in our Top 10 Things to Do in Palo Duro Canyon.
2. American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum—This isn’t an establishment only for those deeply entrenched in the horse world. The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum is open to everyone and encourages those unfamiliar with the horse world, specifically the Quarter Horse, to stop in and visit. It includes 328 inducted Hall of Famers, both horses and people. Inductees are people or horses who significantly impacted the Quarter Horse breed over the years. Guests will enjoy art exhibits home to one-of-a-kind paintings; the revered Grand Hall of Fame; interactive displays for children; a gift shop; and the Hall of Fame presentations, with pictures, stories and artifacts from the inducted Hall of Famers. Check their website for live demonstrations, family days, art show sales and limited exhibits.
1. Big Texan Steak Ranch—The Big Texan is a Route 66 icon that is a yellow beacon off Interstate 40. The Big Texan is home to the world-famous 72-ounce steak challenge for those daring enough to try. The challenge consists of 72 ounces of steak (that’s 4.5 pounds!), a salad, a fried shrimp appetizer, a baked potato and a dinner roll, all of which have to be consumed within an hour. Winners get the dinner for free and the coveted winner’s t-shirt. Losers must pay for their meal but still receive a t-shirt touting the attempt at the 72-ounce steak challenge. If the steak challenge isn’t your thing, you can enjoy a delicious steak dinner in a fun atmosphere that is genuinely Texas-sized. Be sure to visit the expansive gift shop, gelato and bakery counter, the bar, and the pictures that follow you back near the restrooms.
Whether you are just passing through Amarillo for a day or choose to stay a little longer, there is plenty to do to keep you busy in this Panhandle town.
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