Amarillo, Texas

Nearby: Canyon, Shamrock

Historic Route 66 runs right through the heart of this Panhandle city, and the buildings that once housed theaters, roadside cafes, and drugstores are now chock full of shops, diners, and buildings that hark back to the region's heyday. Amarillo is also the cultural and commercial capital of the Texas Panhandle. From a humble beginning as a staging area for the Fort Worth and Denver City Railroad in the 1880s, the city became a center for cattle ranching, wheat and cotton farming, and oil production.

Amarillo is also the gateway to the nation's second largest canyon where you can get a taste of the Old West at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Truly a Texas-sized wonder, this natural chasm stretches 120 miles. City slickers can also experience the canyon with a cowboy breakfast, a mule train ride and a campfire-cooked breakfast prepared by cowboys.

Top Attractions:

Palo Duro Canyon State Park The nation's second largest canyon is a Panhandle must-see.

Cadillac Ranch Cadillacs and cattle come together in one of the state's most unusual attractions.

Don Harrington Discovery Center. A monument at this science museum recognizes Amarillo's role as "the helium capital of the world."

American Quarter Horse Heritage Center and Museum. This interesting museum takes a look at the history of the American Quarter Horse.

Historic Route 66 This formerly famous coast to coast highway is now a favorite with shoppers.

More Attractions:

Amarillo Museum of Art. Designed by the architect of Washington, DC's Kennedy Center, this museum on the campus of Amarillo College showcases fine arts as well as the performing arts. Located at 2200 S. Van Buren.

Amarillo Zoo. This small zoo contains herds of bison on a 20-acre range as well as more exotic species like cougars, spider monkeys, and brown bears. Loated in Thompson Park off US 287.

Dining:

Big Texan Steak House. Don't miss the Big Texan Steak House. A tourist attraction as well as a fine steak house, this restaurant offers a free 72 ounce steak to anyone who can eat it in one hour. Along with good ol' Texas beef, they also serve exotic dishes such as rattlesnake and buffalo. Located at 7701 I-40 East.

In Depth Travel Articles

Group Events in Amarillo

Winter Activities

For More Information:

• visit the Amarillo Convention and Visitor Council

Big Texan photo courtesy Amarillo CVC

What's Happening Now...