Top 5 Amarillo Cultural Tours: A Real Guide to the Texas Panhandle

Amarillo, Texas, that spot in the Panhandle known maybe best for its steaks and the Cadillac Ranch, well, it’s truly got more going on than meets the eye, almost, I would say. If you’re looking to peek at that heritage, you may want to consider the various cultural tours this cool town offers, too. So, from peeks at public art to some old tales from way back, there’s truly a tour out there for all. Let’s check out five of the cool experiences Amarillo has to give folks, and why they might just give you a fresh way of seeing this spot. By the way, I hope this gets you really jazzed up about taking some travels around the Texas plains.

1. Big Texan Steak Ranch: A Tasty Slice of Amarillo Culture

I mean, what’s a visit to Amarillo without talking Big Texan Steak Ranch, literally? It’s more than just a place that serves grub, by the way; it’s almost an icon, kinda speaking to that huge, larger-than-life persona this state usually is known to have. Established way back in 1960, this spot really brings in peeps because of its pretty unique, yet famous 72-ounce steak challenge, so it’s almost crazy. Get this: If you finish the steak with its side fixings in one sitting (just one hour), your meal’s free! Is that neat or what? Besides that meat challenge, Big Texan really captures what that true Texas vibe is: great eats, super-friendly people, and a kitsch so vibrant, too, it makes you smile. Stop on by to test that cowboy strength and feel what makes Amarillo what it is. Trust me.

2. Cadillac Ranch: A Public Art Stop You Need To See

Okay, next up is Cadillac Ranch, and boy, what a wild sight this thing is, that you need to witness at least once, usually. In fact, it’s like one of those public art stops that you really have to experience yourself. You’re going to see ten Cadillacs stuck, nose-down, into that ground in a straight line out in the plains, in a way. They’re covered over and over in layers and layers of spray paint from all the folks stopping to give their mark. From its start back in 1974 by an art group known as Ant Farm, Cadillac Ranch now kinda comments on the USA’s love for cars and the open road, very deep stuff if you consider it, literally. Plus, peeps are totally encouraged to come give it that touch and bring a can and get going! By the way, make sure you bring your cam because that spot really offers some rad photo stops.

3. Amarillo Museum of Art: Seeing What the Region Has To Offer

You can swing by the Amarillo Museum of Art to see stuff that is really interesting, usually. AMoA has a crazy array of artwork that is permanent plus cool rotating displays that give you peeks into stuff happening way back when as well as how artists create art now, right now, is that awesome? The museum doesn’t only put up paintings for you to see, that is that; they also do events all the time, giving kiddos as well as the public those hands-on encounters and classes that spark all sorts of crazy thought patterns. I suggest giving a few hours one afternoon to just wander and soak up some stuff to reflect on. You might discover something about you by doing this.

4. Historic Route 66: Really Go Back to The Mother Road

For folks that are kinda fascinated with the road as it once was, cruising part of Historic Route 66 that ran right by Amarillo can really deliver you backward. This strip used to be like that vital coast-to-coast artery, the very “Mother Road,” drawing drivers to stop on by those classic motels, grub joints, and shops of every variety. Certain portions by Amarillo did get kept up really well, still echoing the charm that this path once had. It almost has that time capsule vibe now, so, cruise it and picture how travelers back then had it, and it truly might be the thing that links up folks to the Americana heart.

5. Palo Duro Canyon State Park: Glimpse The Grand Canyon of Texas

Though technically not like a structured trip per se, no one wanting to feel Amarillo totally should miss a tour by Palo Duro Canyon State Park, very true, so I’m serious! It’s right there around 25 miles from Amarillo, so, that spot’s nicknamed “The Grand Canyon of Texas,” offering peeks at stuff so striking it could take your breath, pretty much. Over 120 miles long as well as some 800 feet deep, it’s the second biggest canyon system around these parts of the USA, after, naturally, the Grand Canyon. Do you want a cool adventure for yourself? Picture hiking trails by yourself? Think about riding those horses and getting lost for a bit? How about camping right there so you can feel how awesome the wild outdoors truly is? You really ought to scope that area to add that touch of something that feels way cool, very true to those digs near Amarillo that touch both minds as well as that soul.