Amarillo, Texas is an underrated American city that not only serves as the midpoint to the historic Route 66 highway,but also boasts a vibrant art scene, historical landmarks, and thriving local economy that demands to be explored. In its time, the city of Amarillo has seen its fair share of wild west legends, including Billy the Kid and Doc Holliday, and while there are plenty of museums and historic sites dedicated to these figures—and other famous cowboys like Jesse James—there’s so much more to do in Amarillo than just learning about its history. Thanks to this detailed travel blog from Southern Living, the following are the top picks for things to do the next time you’re in Amarillo.
Spray paint a car monument at Cadillac Ranch
If you’re looking for a place to get creative and add your own touch to one of the most popular roadside attractions in America, then you should consider making your way out to the stunning collection of Cadillac cars, known as the Cadillac Ranch. Resembling an automotive Stonehenge, this attraction features ten Cadillacs that are lined up in the desert, each with their front ends buried in the sand and covered in thousands of layers of spray paint from visitors over the years. So, get on the road and get ready to start drawing. Note: when you approach Cadillac Ranch, follow signs that point towards where you can start adding your own masterpiece onto one of these classic cars. You’ll receive a free stencil kit when you arrive at this free attraction that’s sure to stick in your memory for a lifetime.
Visit the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum
The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum is a great place to learn about the history of the famed American Quarter Horse, the most popular breed of horse in the country. The Hall of Fame & Museum is free to visit and is located in downtown Amarillo, where you can observe a large collection of horse artifacts, including a look at the most famous horses of this breed. Trophies, photographs, memorabilia, and the stories of these great horses are on display throughout the museum. Additionally, the American Quarter Horse Association also has an online databasewhere you can search for horses going back as far as 1854 until the present day, who are registered with AQHA or otherwise. If you’re at all interested in the development, history, or legacy of the horse breed that literally shaped the American West and was favored by Texan cowboys, then this is a must-stop attraction.
Take on a Culinary Challenge at the Big Texan Steak Ranch
Having opened in 1960, this staple of Amarillo cuisine has become a well-known staple of great American and Texan culinary excellence. This is in part due to its 72-ounce steak challenge that is open to any member of the public. The challenge details that whoever can finish a 72-ounce steak dinner in the course of an hour eats that meal free. As of 2021, there have been 10,077 steak challenge champions out of 87,655 attempts. Do you have what it takes to be added to the Hall of Fame of this celebrated Amarillo, Texas steakhouse?
Stroll through the Amarillo Botanical Gardens
As you drive into Amarillo, one of the first things you see is a beautiful green array of colors emitting from the Amarillo Botanical Gardens. Located in the heart of the city, these beautiful gardens are a great place to relax and enjoy nature, as they are open year-round with free admission and have a variety of activities planned throughout the year.
Find the painted horses located throughout Amarillo
Although there’s no shortage of things to do in Amarillo, residents of the city likely associate the city with its painted horses. These beautiful creations can be found throughout Amarillo, including each of the locations listed above. That is because, since 2002, more than 100 horses have been placed throughout Amarillo as a way to raise funds for Center City of Amarillo and to promote art in public places. The project is sponsored by the American Quarter Horse Association, and each horse is painted by a local artist, who receives a particular honorarium for the work.
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