For the last three summers Nick and I lived in Amarillo, TX. Amarillo is a city in the northern Panhandle of Texas. A lot of friends have asked what there is to do there and that is literally one of my favorite things to find out when I get to a place! I researched a lot while we lived there and found some things that made me really grow to love Amarillo. I’m not claiming to be a local, but here are some of my favorite things to do there:
ACTIVITIES/PLACES:
-Cadillac Ranch
This is one of the icons of Amarillo! It’s free to visit, but make sure you take a few cans of spray paint to leave your mark on the Cadillacs (until someone paints over it at least, ha). There are also a few other works of art around Amarillo (including the unusual street signs in downtown) so don’t forget to check them out too!
-Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro is the second biggest canyon in the U.S. There are some neat hikes ranging from 1/2 mile to 7 1/2 miles. The lighthouse is one of the most popular and epic hikes there. Make sure to take lots of water and a hat! There isn’t much shade. And try to go in the morning or evening, or on a day thats not too hot.
*You can also go ziplining in Palo Duro canyon. My husband did it and loved it! I was pregnant so I couldn’t try it out at the time.
-Antique Shopping on 6th street (historic Route 66)
There is amazing antique shopping on sixth street in Amarillo. I don’t even love antique shopping but I found a few things that I had to take home. Sixth street is historic Route 66, which makes it a place with lots of history, and lots of time for antiques to come about, haha.The Nat is one of my favorite shops on 6th street, not all of it is antique, they also have some small independent shops. And its housed in the old Natatorium in Amarillo, which was a swimming pool (hence the name the Nat).
-Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum
I only visited this museum once, but I really enjoyed it! It has tons of vintage RV’s that you can walk in and explore. Its a really neat and unique place to visit, you can’t find a museum like this anywhere else! It’s also free to visit, which is a bonus.
-Amarillo Museum of Art
I interned here my first summer living in Amarillo and had such a great experience! I got to be a docent for groups coming through, and help with the children’s summer art camps. It’s a small museum, but very cool. There are some cool sculptures outside and lots of great art inside. They have a big permanent collection of Asian art on the top floor, and then usually different exhibitions on the main level. They also have a Georgia O’Keefe in the basement (its not on public display, but if you ask to go see it they might show you! they did with me!). The Art Museum is free to visit!
-Farmer’s Market (in Canyon, TX)
Canyon is a small town adjacent to the Southside of Amarillo. Depending on where you are in Amarillo it’ll be probably around 20 min drive away. The farmers market is on Saturday mornings from 8-12 during the summer and early fall. It takes place in the Canyon town square, and is lots of fun. On the fourth of July they usually have a really big fun market and parade too.
**Other places that I haven’t visited but I’ve heard are neat: Tacosa Drive-in (Drive-in movie place), Wonderland Amusement Park, Quarter Horse Museum, Botanical Gardens
FOOD:
-Yellow City Street Food
YCSF is my all time favorite restaurant in Amarillo. It is so tasty and the chefs come up with the most unique and creative dishes.
-Torchy’s Tacos
I know this is a chain and they have these in other places, but I loved Torchy’s so much that I can’t not include it! This place sells little street tacos that are fun and delicious.
-The Bagel Place
-Coyote Bluff
This place was featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives for its famous Burger-from-Hell. We tried it and it was really, really hot, ha. But it had a really good, tasty flavor at the same time. This place is small, its just a tiny shack, and they only accept cash. But if you make it over there and through the line, you won’t regret it!
-575 Pizzeria
This pizza place was one of our favorites. The pizzas are made in a brick oven and are so tasty. The restaurant has a cool, fun atmosphere inside which helped too.
-The Big Texan
The Big Texan is an Amarillo legend. It’s been around forever and has an infamous 72 oz steak challenge. If you can eat a 72 oz. steak, shrimp cocktail, baked potato, roll (with butter), and salad then you can get your meal for free! We had 3 friends that tried it while we were at dinner with them, and one of them actually completed it successfully! The food itself wasn’t anything too special in my opinion, but the experience (especially if you have a friend trying to complete the challenge) was definitely awesome.
–Scratchmade Bakery
This bakery is relatively new, it opened up about two years ago! It is super cute and they sell really yummy baked goods, especially cupcakes. They also have a Saturday brunch, by reservation only, that is really fun and sweet.
–Cowboy Gelato Smokehouse
This restaurant used to be located on 6th street in Amarillo, but it relocated a couple of years ago. We loved this restaurant for their gelato! They had some really fun, interesting flavors, and its the perfect treat to cool off with on a hot day.
**Restaurants I haven’t tried but I’ve heard are awesome: Golden Light Cantina, Tyler’s Barbeque, Sayakorman’s (Canyon)
I hope this helps if you’re ever driving through or visiting Amarillo! Its kind of in the middle of nowhere, but it really does have a lot of charm. If you’ve ever been to Amarillo, and you think I’m missing something, let me know in the comments!