Amarillo, TX

I stopped in Amarillo, TX on my way back from Santa Fe. I didn’t really know what was here until I arrived – and the answer is “not much.” But there is some big Texas roadside fun to be had, for sure! Enough for a fun weekend, at least.

Driving Tour through Amarillo

I set out with a list of possible sights to see, and for no good reason, I’ll go through them in the same order here. And much of what I did drive by wasn’t open, so just know, a “fully operational” tour would take a bit longer.

I happened to stay in an Airbnb unit right downtown – it is super cute.

Being downtown, I start with the Heart of Amarillo statue. Just for the picture, really. Morning light is best on this one.

Next is a stop at the Madame Queen, a unique “Texas-type” locomotive. Saying it’s located in a park is a bit generous… It’s at the side of the road with a chain-link fence around it. I assume train enthusiasts might be the only ones truly interested in this sight.

The Big Texan

My next stop is one you’ll see signs for miles leading up to Amarillo. The Big Texan is the spot where, if you can eat an entire 72 oz. steak, by yourself, within an hour, you can have it for free. (Otherwise, it’s $72. And they charge you up front.)

Inside, you find a huge western-style saloon with balconies and strolling singing cowboys, lots of tables and tons of diners. Sadly, I didn’t get a picture of this room but trust me, it’s epic. If I’m by again when there’s less Covid, I’ll eat inside and report.

Besides the huge restaurant, there’s an actual saloon/bar area, adjacent to an ice cream bar and opposite a shootin’ gallery with saddles for seats. Farther back is a casual dining area flanked by a bank of slot machines and silly coin-operated sideshow gags (think Zoltar.) Behind that are restrooms and a patio area. And around the bathroom area are creepy-fun lenticular photographs you’ve got to check out. To say this place is over the top would be a significant understatement.

Then the far side of the building is all shop – any silly tourist item you can think of plus some real stuff like boots and hats. And fudge. I’m sure there’s fudge in here somewhere. Wrapped around the front and side is a porch with rocking chairs and photo ops. And on the restaurant side is a take-out window. I actually ate a half order of BBQ-loaded fries here for lunch. (It wasn’t the best – it’s a situation where you put in your order then just come back 10-15 minutes later to see if it’s ready. It tasted like my meal had been sitting for a while before I got it.)

And that’s not even all! The Big Texan is SO POPULAR they have their own hotel! (!!) It looks like an old west town with hotel rooms behind fake storefronts.

Museums

On to possibly more cultured pastures, there are several museums in Amarillo. The largest seems to be The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and Museum. It is closed until June due to Covid but I did stop by to take a pic.

Also not open is the Harrington Historic Home, though it sounds like it’s open selectively even in the best of times. To tour, it’s best to call ahead and arrange a time.

Amarillo Museum of Art

The Amarillo Museum of Art is a lovely museum and it is open to the public! On the weekends, anyway. This small museum is adjacent to Amarillo College and mostly houses rotating/traveling exhibits. The only permanent collection is some Asian art on the top of three floors. And honestly, that was my favorite. There’s also an Art-o-mat in the lobby, which is loads of fun.

Amarillo Botanical Gardens

The Amarillo Botanical Gardens is a sweet spot near a big medical center and park. Terraced and themed plots surround a large tropical conservatory and some indoor and outdoor event spaces. Nothing much was blooming outside (or, in fact, growing) during my early March visit.

But inside the conservatory is a lush tropical jungle with a waterfall and birds! In fact, there are even signs on the doors to make sure you don’t let the ducks out. I saw a stunningly beautiful golden pheasant mercilessly court a poor female. At one point, she hopped up on a planter to get away from him and they looked like the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet.

Helium & History

Just down from the Botanical Gardens is a popular kid’s Science Museum. Out front of it is a Helium monument, honoring a nearby helium well.

I had to drive a little to get to my next stop, the Texas Panhandle War Memorial. This is definitely pretty skippable unless you are a veteran or have a name on one of the memorials in the small park. I like most the bell tower that plays music every so often. (It seems to start at the hour and cut off abruptly at the 15-minute mark…I’m not entirely sure of the schedule.) There is an education center/museum adjacent, though closed on my visit.

Cadillac Ranch

The one thing that has put Amarillo on the map, especially for travelers on Route 66, is Cadillac Ranch. In 1973, Amarillo billionaire Stanly Marsh 3 (not “III”) facilitated an art installation of 10 Cadillac cars, model years from 1949-1963, their tailfins sticking into the air at a uniform angle. The same angle as the pyramids in Egypt, supposedly.

In the last almost 50 years since their installation, visitors have come to rip off souvenirs and deface the cars with graffiti. Now, it is the expected thing to do – to bring a few cans to add your own layer to the barely-recognizable cars. If you go, be mindful of the wind and the clothes you’re wearing. They’re likely to come away with someone else’s paint.

Speaking of Route 66, there’s a strip on 6th Avenue and McMaster’s downtown with a lot of cute Route 66 shops and restaurants. I heard that someone there makes jewelry out of paint chips that flake off the Cadillac Ranch cars.

Amarillo Zoo

Certainly the smallest zoo I have ever visited, the $4 Amarillo Zoo is a nice chance to get outside and take a walk. There are even some big animals here too, like tigers and lions and bears (oh my.) All those guys were sleeping, however. I actually enjoyed petting the friendly donkey and seeing the turkeys and the foxes more, especially around feeding time. I mean, it’s cute, but don’t expect too much. There is a fun Walt Disney connection in the park – an old Snow White exhibit now used for storage.

The zoo is located in a larger park which also is home to Wonderland Amusement Park, a seasonal amusement park that I totally would have visited if it were open! Probably. (My last amusement park experience didn’t go so well.)

I’m sure there’s more to see in Amarillo, especially after Covid is more in the past. There’s this cool RV Museum for one, which is currently closed for relocation. I’m not saying I would make Amarillo a stand-alone destination, but I look forward to traveling Route 66 and coming back through town one day.