Sightseeing in Amarillo

For the foreign visitors who would like to experience a little bit of what the region has to offer before the blessing we use this post to recommend a few places in and around Amarillo.

Since you are probably going to spend a lot of your time in a car anyway, we suggest that you take a trip on Historic Route 66 and experience the legend of a road filled with hopes that will make you take a trip back in time to the Steinbeck years of the American depression. You can drive into the sunset or just take a quick turn around the block. Route 66 runs straight through Amarillo.

While you are out on the roads you might as well go by the Cadillac Ranch (picture on the left) and view this contemporary monument of American culture.

When you are getting hungry, there is no place more that can bring you more authentic Texas cooking than The Big Texan. They serve everything from traditional barbecue dishes to deep fried rattle snake! Or try the 72 oz. steak - it's free (if you can eat it all in an hour)!

For the ones who are looking for a great outdoor experience we recommend Palo Duro Canyon. It is the second largest canyon in the US, and the views are sure to make you breathless. The scenery is very beautiful! Here you can go horseback riding, walk through the badlands or visit the museum in the park.

(Do you feel that Palo Duro is too much of an effort if you just want to look at beautiful flowers? Then we suggest that you visit the Botanical Garden instead.)

If you have not had enough of this Western culture you should try to catch a rodeo show in the area. The best way is to go to Working Ranch Cowboys Association to look for dates. If you haven't had enough of caddle after that experience, you will have to check out the Amarillo Livestock Auction - one of the largest privately owned cattle auctions. More than 100.000 head of cattle sold in the auction ring each year. The auction is open on Tuesdays.

To experience the best of the old west - be sure to visit the Kiva Indian Museum. Here you find both exhibitions and live performances!

Another great All-American event is the Dirt Car Racing - just pure mud and lots of action!

For the visitor who feels a little bit more sophisticated, or culturally inclined in a more refined way, you should pay a visit to the Amarillo Symphony or the Amarillo Opera or The Lone Star Ballet.

For further tourist information, together with maps and suggestions, visit the Amarillo tourist info page.