Ultra High Definition 4K Driving Tour of Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo Texas is a city in the Texas Panhandle. The name Amarillo comes from the Spanish word for yellow. The population of Amarillo is about 200,000 people. Amarillo is located 365 miles from Dallas, 123 miles from Lubbock, 288 miles from Albuquerque and 260 miles from Oklahoma City.
Amarillo is located on the former Route 66. The city became a major hub for rail roads and cattle. Many of the famous ranches in Texas are located near Amarillo. The discovery of oil and gas resources, and in particular helium, helped the city grow even further.
Amarillo became a popular tourist destination during the heyday of travelers on Route 66. There are still a lot of interesting things in the city to draw tourists, and it is a hub of different highways. Palo Duro Canyon is located just south of Amarillo and draws many tourists and outdoor enthusiasts every year.
The military has played an important role in the growth of Amarillo. Amarillo earned the nickname Bomb City because it was where the Pantex Army Ordnance Plant manufactured bombs during World War II and the Cold War.
Things to do in Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo has long been a tourist destination, and there is no shortage of activities for tourists to do while visiting.
Big Texan Motel and Steak Ranch
7701 Interstate 40 Access Rd, Amarillo, TX 79118
Pull into the Big Texas Motel and Steak Ranch and Big Tex is ready to greet you. Everything is larger than life at the Big Texan Motel and Steak Ranch. The distinctive Cadillac stretch limos with longhorn hood ornaments were referenced in the Disney movie Cars. The attached restaurant is home of the 72 oz steak eating challenge. The motel is decorated up with an old west theme and has a horse hotel out back for those of you who are traveling with horses.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park and Texas the Musical
11450 State Hwy Park Rd 5, Canyon, TX 79015
Palo Duro Canyon State Park is not in Amarillo, but at only an hour away it is easily accessible for a day trip. In addition to camping, hiking and mountain biking there is also an amphitheater for presentations of Texas the Musical.
Route 66 District 6th Street Historic District
This is where historic Route 66 passed through Amarillo. The area has preserved buildings that have been converted into shopping and nightlife.
Cadillac Ranch
13651 I-40 Frontage Rd, Amarillo, Texas 79124
Cadillac Ranch is a famous art installation of old Cadillacs buried so they stand vertically with their tail fins in the air. As the city expanded the location of Cadillac Ranch was moved further out into the desert, but it is not very far out of the city. The project was originally done by Stanley Marsh 3 and an artists collective called Ant Farm.
Cadillac Ranch is located on private property, but visitors are allowed to visit the ranch and spray paint on the cars. People pull over on the side of the highway to buy spray paint from vendors and then walk out to where the cars are.
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American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame
2601 E I-40, Amarillo, TX 79104
(Temporarily closed to the public)
Museum dedicated to the American Quarter Horse. Has exhibits on hall of fame horses, the relationship between humans and horses throughout the world, a reading room, and a theater that shows a video on the history of the American Quarter Horse.
VW Slug Bug Ranch
I-40 Frontage Rd, Panhandle, TX 79068
Not technically in Amarillo, but very close in nearby Panhandle, Texas. Note that this is a town named Panhandle that is located just outside of Amarillo. The VW Slug Bug Ranch is a fun spin off of the world famous Cadillac Ranch which is also located outside of Amarillo. This is a fun stop and much less crowded than the touristy Cadillac Ranch. This place has the feel of stumbling upon something neat in the middle of nowhere. On the same piece of property there are empty buildings that seem to have been part of an abandoned motel and gas station from the days of Route 66. The vehicles and the buildings are covered in spray paint. If you visit please proceed with caution, these are abandoned vacant buildings.
Where to stay in Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo is located at the cross roads of a number of different highways and has lots of gas stations, restaurants and hotels. There are hotels available for a wide range of budgets and amenities.