Amarillo, which means "yellow" in Spanish, is the center of the Texas Panhandle, located at the edge of the Great Plains. Offers wide-open spaces and breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. It is the gateway to Palo Duro Canyon, the second largest canyon in America. The city has a mild climate and is rated as having some of the cleanest air in the country.
Things to do in Amarillo
Alibates National Monument
Mined from about 10,000 B.C. to the 1800s, these quarries yielded multicolored flint highly prized by ancient man for tools and weapons. This is the only monument in the state of Texas that is administered by the National park Service. Entrance is by ranger- guided tours only and limited to no more than 25 persons. Tours are conducted from Memorial Day through to Labor Day. Mined from about 10,000 B.C. to the 1800s, these quarries yielded multicolored flint highly prized by ancient man for tools and weapons. Tours originate in Bates Canyon off Texas 136. Collecting flint specimens is prohibited on monument grounds. Best Western Amarillo lodging is nearby.
Amarillo Botanical Gardens
This attraction was completely renovated in 2000. The gardens features outdoor and indoor educational exhibits with plant displays, butterfly, touch and smell, and other demonstration gardens. Located at 1400 Streit drive in Amarillo. Open Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm. Closed on major holidays. Call 806-352-6513 for more information.
Amarillo Livestock Auction
One of the largest privately owned cattle auctions in Texas. More than 100,000 head of cattle are sold at the auction each year. Located at 100 S. Manhattan. Call 806-373-7646 for more information.
Amarillo Museum of Art
This visual arts museum features a broad range of paintings, prints, photographs, sculptures and textiles from 20th Century artisans. Also includes Southeast Asian artifacts. Exhibits change frequently. Located at 2200 Van Buren Street on the campus of Amarillo College. Open Tuesday - Friday 10am - 5pm; Saturday, Sunday 1 - 5pm. Call 806-371-5050 for more information.
Amarillo Zoo
The zoo features a herd of bison grazing on a 20-acre range plus other animals of the high Plains in a special "Texotic" exhibit. It is fun for the whole family. Open year round Tuesday - Sunday 9:30am - 5pm. Located NE 24th Street and US 287. Call 806-381-7911 for more information.
American Quarter Horse Heritage Center & Museum
This museum features many hands-on and interactive exhibits, video presentations, artifacts and live demonstrations on the history and significance of this unique American breed. Heritage Gallery traces the chronology and development of the breed. The Performance Gallery includes rodeos, ranching and racing aspect and also features the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame. Facilities also included research library, Orientation Theater and meeting rooms. Open Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm; Sunday noon - 5pm. Located off 1-40 at Nelson Street exit. Call 806-376-5181 for more information.
Big Texan Cowboy Palace
Adjacent to the Big Texan Steak Ranch you will find a 350-seat theater for concerts, musical reviews, special events and parties throughout the year. Tickets for all performances usually include dinner. For schedule and more information please call us. Call 806-372-6000 for more information.
Cadillac Ranch
"Bumper crop" of ten Cadillacs buried nose down in the field at the same angle as Cheops' pyramids. This represents the Golden Age from 1949 through 1963. About 12 miles wet of downtown between exits 60 & 62. Exit Arnot Road on the south side of I-40.
Comanche Trail Municipal Golf Course
4200 S. Grand Street, Amarillo, TX
Cowboy Morning/Evening
Join groups for Old West style chuck wagon breakfast on the open range at eh Figure 3 Ranch on the rim of Palo Duro Canyon. Enjoy scrambled eggs, sourdough biscuits, brown gravy and campfire coffee. Dinner is available by special arrangement. Enjoy a wagon ride, watch real cowboys roping and receive a souvenir brand. Call for reservations. Call 806-944-5562 for more information.
Don Harrington Discovery Center
In a 51- acre park with lake and picnic area, this center offers a variety of attractions. The center hosts a diverse collection of special exhibitions on physical, earth and life sciences each summer. There are more than 100 permanent hands on activities for kids of all ages and planetarium shows tot learn about the stars, constellations, planets and the solar system. Also enjoy the 3,000- gallon aquarium with both saltwater and freshwater habitats for marine life. A weather watch area features popular displays such as the tornado machine, cloud ring machine and turbulent orb. You will also find a Botanical garden and Helium Monument here. All are open Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm; Sunday 1 - 5pm. Located at 1200 Streit Drive. Call 806-355-9547 for more information.
Elkins Ranch
Chuck wagon suppers, country/Western entertainment and horseback riding await visitors at this ranch perched on the rim of the Palo Duro Canyon. Check with the ranch about guided jeep tours, wagon rides and cattle drives. Located just 25 miles south on Texas 217 at Palo Duro Canyon. For information and reservations contact us. Call 806-488-1200 for more information.
English Field Air Space Museum
The site of English Field is part of a plan by the Texas Aviation Historical Society Inc. to create a superior aviation and aerospace facility in the Texas Panhandle. The field is rich in history from landing by Charles Lindbergh, Howard Hughes, Wiley Post, Will Rogers and Amelia Earhart. Exhibits include a C-7A Caribou, OV-IB Mohawk, F-100 Super Sabre, UH-IM (Huey) Iroquois helicopter, an extensive collection of thermo-nuclear weapons, and other sir and space artifacts. Open Saturday and Sunday noon - 5pm. Call 806-335-1812 for more information.
Firewater Water Park
This 14-acre water park offers cooling rides for summer visitor including a wave pool, speed slide, flume slides a lazy river, arcade, kiddy pool area and concessions. There are sand and grass volleyball court. Located at I-40 and Whitaker Road. Call 806-342-FIRE for more information.
Harrington House
This 1914 neo-classical house reflects exquisite materials and workmanship as well as fine French and English furniture, porcelain, crystal, silver, carpets and fine paintings. Free-guided tours with prior reservations, April - December on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Groups limited; contact us to arrange tours. Located at 1600 S. Polk Street. Call 806-374-5490 for more information.
Helium Monument
This six-story stainless steel time column was erected in 1968 to celebrate the element helium, which is found nearby in greater quantity than anywhere else on earth. Located at 1200 Streit Drive. Call 806-335-9547 for more information.
Meredith Lake
Built by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation this beautiful blue lake covers 16,500 acres. The facilities include a marina (for renting boats and house boats), seven boat launching ramps, 11 campgrounds and nice picnicking areas. Fishermen like to fish for walleye, bass, crappie and catfish. Located at Texas 136.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
This is one of the nation's most magnificent scenic attractions. Enjoy incredible vistas of color from the comfort of your vehicle. The park covers over 18,000 acres and offers riding stables, picnicking, hiking, biking and horse trails. Located 25 miles southeast of Amarillo at the end of state highway 217. Call 806-488-2227 for more information.
Preston West Par 3 Golf Course
9101 S. Coulter Road, Amarillo, TX
Ross Rogers Golf Course
722 NW 24th Avenue, Amarillo, TX
Route 66
Get your kicks on Route 66! Amarillo was the largest Texas City on the route and many Route 66 fans clubs have sprung up all over the U.S. Look for the "Old Route 66" highway signs installed by the Texas Department of Transportation marking the route through the area making it easier for visitors to find that piece of Americana. One mile of antique and specialty shops, along with restaurants welcome visitors along this historic route. Located between Georgia and Western Street along 6th Street.
Southwest Golf Course
Rural Route 1, Amarillo, TX
Splash Amarillo
This 14-acre water park has cooling rides for visitors who visit during the summer. There is a wave pool, speed slide, flume slides, a lazy river, a children's area and an arcade. Located at I-40 and Whitaker Road. Call 806-376-4477 for more information.
Texas Travel Information Center
Operated by the Texas Department of Transportation for the convenience of travelers. Working with the Texas Official Travel Map, experts help chart routes to any area of Texas. Located at 9700 East I-40. Call 806-335-1441 for more information.
Visitor Information Center
Open year-round in the Amarillo Civic Center in downtown. Here tourists can find information on events, attractions, accommodations, shopping and more. Call 806-374-8474 for more information.
Wildcat Bluff Nature Center
This nature center has 600 acres of rolling grassland with nature trails, knee-high grasses, wildflowers and huge cottonwood trees. It is also an awesome place to see the ecosystem of the Texas Panhandle. Three miles north of I-40 on Loop 335, just west of Soncy Road. Call 806-352-6007 for more information.
Wonderland Park
One of Texas' largest privately owned amusement parks with more than 25 rides and 32 attractions. Miniature golf, arcades, bumper cars, Big Splash log flume, Fantastic Journey spook house, Shoot the Chute water ride, Raging Rapids water slide, Texas Tornado double loop roller coaster to mention just some of the fun. Open daily Memorial Day - Labor Day. Off US 287 North at River Road exit. Call 806-383-4712 for more information.