Nestled in the Texas panhandle and marking the halfway point of the epic Route 66, the city of Amarillo packs many surprising tourist attractions, which you wouldn’t imagine finding in such a small town. Providing a taste of what a real Texan town looks like, Amarillo has a unique atmosphere and features many museums and historic sites, perfect to visit with the help of a good Texas limo service. In this article, we have compiled a list of the best things to do in Amarillo TX, so follow our tips to be sure you won’t miss out on any fun.

Top-Rated Attractions in Amarillo

1. Amarillo Botanical Gardens

One of the most surprising things to see in Amarillo TX, that you wouldn’t expect to encounter given its position near the desert, is a beautiful and lush botanical garden. Spread over 4 acres, the garden makes for a splendid green oasis in the city, and is articulated in several seasonal themes, also featuring a Japanese garden and a space dedicated to butterflies. Further attractions, exhibiting more exotic species, are the Mary E. Bivins Tropical Conservatory and the fragrance and xeric gardens. Guided tours are available to give you information not only about the plants but also on the history of the gardens themselves.

2. Don Harrington Discovery Center and Space Theater

If you are on a family trip and looking for what to do in Amarillo on a gloomy day, when the weather is not on your side, then the Don Harrington Discovery Center and Space Theater is the place to go. Designed to encourage hands-on learning by featuring plenty of interactive exhibits, the museum deals with everything related to space exploration and science and is the perfect place to stimulate inquisitive minds. Different galleries, such as the Space Gallery and Critter Row, are presented throughout the museum to showcase all the different aspects of human knowledge on the subject.

3. The Cadillac Ranch

Established in 1974 by a group of local artists, The Cadillac Ranch has rapidly become one of the most famous pieces of art in the whole country and visiting it is one of the most iconic and fun things to do in Amarillo TX. Colorful cars are partially buried and placed in a straight line in what is an ode to the epic Route 66 that the city of Amarillo sits on. The Cadillac’s were not originally colored but have become so over the years, only adding to their charm and the uniqueness of the spot, which has become an instant reference in popular culture.

4. Watch TEXAS-The Musical

For history lovers, going to watch TEXAS-The Musical is one of the greatest Amarillo TX attractions. Shown at the Pioneer Amphitheater in Palo Duro Park, the musical has become known throughout the whole of the United States and tells the story of the Lone Star State from its beginning up to the present day. Running from June to August, the show has been performed for the last 50 years and is a great way to spend some time with your family. The option of having a real traditional Texas barbecue when the show is over is a delicious cherry on the top of the whole experience.

5. The Big Texan Steak Ranch Brewery and Hotel

If going around the Amarillo Texas attractions has got you hungry, there is no better place to head to than the Big Texan Steak Ranch Brewery and Hotel. The restaurant is quintessentially Texan, full of traditional treats that will keep your taste buds more than entertained. However, it is mostly famous for its insane 72-ounce steak challenge. To succeed, you have to eat the steak together with an appetizer, salad, and potatoes in the space of one hour. If you win, the meal is free, if you don’t, then you have to pay the bill, but in any case, you won’t leave feeling hungry and you’ll have gotten a taste of true Texan food.

6. Palo Duro Canyon State Park

A visit to the Palo Duro Canyon State Park is without a doubt among the best things to do in Amarillo TX. Even if you are not a fan of the outdoors, you can’t help by being charmed by the stunning landscapes or amazed by the second largest canyon crater in America. For outdoor lovers, the Palo Duro Canyon State Park is the stuff of dreams, with plenty of opportunities to go hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding. Camping is also permitted in the park, which is home to a multitude of stunning birds and beautiful wildlife and can make for great pictures if you have a knack for photography.

7. Route 66 District

Stretching for one mile in the city, the Route 66 district regroups numerous historical buildings and a multitude of shops, to pay homage to the epic route that stretches through the country, from coast to coast. Antique stores, handicraft shops, and art galleries line the sides of every street in the district, and plenty of restaurants are just waiting to feed you as you stroll along. If you’re looking for a place to dive deep into American and especially Texan culture and lifestyle, there is no better place than the Route 66 District in the center of Amarillo.

8. Amarillo Opera

The list of attractions in Amarillo TX doesn’t skimp out on a good number of cultural spots, where you can fill up your mind with inspiration and beauty after having filled your stomach with plenty of pure Texas steaks. The Opera house is the beating heart of the city’s cultural life and has been going strong for over 30 years, attracting over 500.000 visitors every year. The program is rich and varied, having started with a representation of Madame Butterfly by Puccini but now incorporating all sorts of stimulating shows, representing a wide range of styles.

9. Splash Amarillo

When you get fed up with the Texas sun, the choice of what to do in Amarillo TX points you in the direction of Splash Amarillo. A full-sized water park full of all sorts of attractions, the park is the ideal place to entertain your whole family and cool down after a day and will have you sliding down water slides and wave pools to your heart’s content. For those looking to cool down more quietly, the Lazy River runs more calmly, or you can also choose to play some volleyball and basketball on the courts that the park provides.

10. Amarillo Historical Museum

In Amarillo TX things to do come in all shapes and sizes, just like the exhibits shown in the Amarillo Historical Museum. Another great choice for a rainy day, but an entertaining place all year round, the museum showcases a collection of pieces that tell the story of the town’s development, with galleries full of plenty of memorabilia or old photographs that give you a very accurate feel for the times. The museum opened in 2013, but despite its young age, it is rapidly becoming one of the most visited attractions in the city.

11. Wildcat Bluff Nature Center

The Wildcat Bluff Nature Center is one of the most beautiful of all Amarillo Texas attractions and provides a great and relaxing way to connect with nature while always remaining close to downtown. Situated across 600 acres of green land, the Center delivers plenty of information on the Texas environment and features numerous hiking trails to explore, each of them lined with a great variety of wildflowers. The Center still features parts of the trail that used to link Santa Fe to Fort Smith, the Gregg-Marc Wagon Trail, which makes it even more interesting to visit.

12. Lone Star Ballet

Another of the cultural Amarillo things to do that you won’t want to miss if you are in town is the Lone Star Ballet, which has been active since 1975. Focused on training new generations of young dancers, the ballet provides stunning shows to its audience and is famous for performing the Nutcracker every year during the holidays, so be sure to make a note of it if you’re there at the right time. The program is rich and varied and doesn’t only feature classical pieces, so keep an eye on the listing to find out what’s going on when you are in town.

13. Amarillo Zoo

A visit to a nice zoo is always an enjoyable experience, especially if you are traveling with kids, and the Amarillo zoo is one of the finest in the state. The zoo showcases a mix of animals that are indigenous to Texas as well as many that come from other continents and are sure to amaze you, like the African lions that call the place home. Other notable animals that your kids are bound to love are the Emperor Scorpion or the Green Iguanas. Several educational programs are also offered to give you a clearer understanding of the flora and fauna that are put on display.

14. Amarillo Little Theater

The Amarillo Little Theater is one of the oldest theaters in the country, and the one that has been continuously open for the greatest amount of time. A true vibrant hotspot for arts and culture, the Little Theater is a surprising gem in a landscape that mostly makes you think of beef steaks and cowboys. The selected shows are always thought-stimulating and carefully put together, to give the audience something to remember when they head out, and we believe the Little Theater should be on your list of destinations if you are passing through town.

15. Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum

Putting together one of the finest art collections you can find in the Southwest and offering a complete guide to the history of Texas, the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum is the closest thing you’ll find to the Smithsonian Museum outside of Washington DC. Full of information on American Indians, the pioneers that settled in the region, the oil they found there, and the materials that shaped life in the 19th century, the Museum has more than enough material to keep history buffs at bay for a whole day.

16. Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum

For lovers of vintage items, there is no better place to head to than the Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum. A free attraction, it boasts a superb collection of RV dating back to the 1930s and 1970s, together with a plethora of other vintage items. This gives you an incredible glimpse into an era of the near past that has inspired countless movies and that have shaped imagery in popular culture for years. All the appliances you see are original, letting you take a true step back in time.

FAQ

Q: What is famous in Amarillo Texas?

A: The city of Amarillo is mostly known for being at the center of Route 66 and being surrounded by stunning Texas landscapes. Most of the best attractions in the city reflect this, but there are also plenty of options for those interested in culture or history, as well as several great Texas-style restaurants.

Q: Is it safe in Amarillo TX?

A: Despite there being some crime, just like in any other city, Amarillo doesn’t stand out as a particularly dangerous place. The usual common-sense precautions have to be taken, just like on every trip you go on, but sticking to the basics should be more than enough to avoid any trouble.

Q: What is there to do in Amarillo at night?

A: Amarillo is not a big city, but there are plenty of options for night lovers to enjoy themselves. While the disco scene might not be as developed as the one in major hubs, there is no shortage of restaurants or nice venues to spend the evenings, so you surely won’t be disappointed.

Related Post: Amarillo Nightlife

Limo Find Overview

Often overlooked in favor of other, larger cities, the town of Amarillo has plenty to offer to people visiting and its smaller size makes it extremely easy to get around in. Find a reliable Amarillo limo service and you’ll be well on your way to discovering all the things to do in Amarillo TX that we have talked about in this article, experiencing the warm Texas hospitality we have come to know and love.