Amarillo is the major hub within the Texas Panhandle, serving a tri-state area with medical centers, shopping, education and entertainment venues. It’s probably true that more cattle than humans live here, but it doesn’t really matter because there are still plenty of fun things to do in Amarillo, Texas, with kids.
10 Best Things to Do in Amarillo, 2023 In this article, we’ll explore some of the best things to do in Amarillo TX this weekend, today, or any day of the year. We’ll also cover some fun things to do in Amarillo TX for adults, as well as some free things to do in Amarillo TX today. Then let’s get started!
1. Cadillac Ranch
Cadillac Ranch is a public art installation located in Amarillo. It was created in 1974 by a group of artists known as Ant Farm, which included Chip Lord, Hudson Marquez, and Doug Michels. Cadillac Ranch consists of ten Cadillac cars buried nose-first into the ground at an angle, with the rear fins up. The cars are partially buried in a line, with older models near the front and newer ones towards the back.
This is a surprisingly fun, free attraction on the western edge of Amarillo, just off Interstate 40. Old Cadillacs, stuck nose-first into the ground of a farmer’s field, stand artistically in a row.
The tradition here is to grab a can of spray paint and create your own graffiti on cars. Don’t worry about bringing your own can, there are half-full cans scattered around the field surrounding the cars. Pick a couple of colors and get to work creating your artistic vision.
This is an incredibly popular family activity. Kids can jump into cars, run around the open interiors, and spray paint whatever they want. The cars are literally thick and dripping paint.
Photographers will also enjoy the colorful and ever-changing canvas before them.
The cars are located about 150 or 200 meters from the parking area. The driveway is via a wide, flat dirt road, which can be muddy and slippery after rain. Near the always open door, you can often find a souvenir seller, selling pieces of colored paint taken from cars, placed on key rings.
Address:13651 I-40 Frontage Rd, Amarillo, TX 79124
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/1974cadillacranch
2. Amarillo Zoo
Since 1955, the Amarillo Zoo has shared the wonders of the animal world with children of all ages. Amarillo Zoo strive to be the Texas region’s premier location for wildlife education and family entertainment. Community connection, high-quality animal care, and engaging programming are the cornerstones of our vision.
Location: The Amarillo Zoo is located in Thompson Park, which is in the city of Amarillo, Texas.
Meet Our Animals: Over 120 animals representing 70 species from around the world call the Amarillo Zoo home. From native species like bison, to creatures from the other side of the planet like tigers, you can travel the world in a day when you visit the Zoo!
Upcoming Events & Programs: The Amarillo Zoo offers a wide variety of special events and public programs for all ages!
HOURS: The Amarillo Zoo is open 7 days a week, 9:30am-5:00pm. Closed for most city holidays and during inclement weather. Please check our Facebook for up-to-date information.
PRICING:
- ADULTS (13 -61): $4.50
- SENIORS (62+): $3.50
- CHILDREN (3-12): $2.50
- INFANTS (0-2): FREE
Address: 700 Comanchero Trail Amarillo, TX 79107
Official Website: https://zoo.amarillo.gov/
3. Amarillo Botanical Gardens
The Amarillo Botanical Gardens is a beautiful and serene botanical garden located in Amarillo.
The Amarillo Botanical Gardens are designed to showcase a wide variety of plants and landscapes. Visitors can explore different themed gardens and exhibits, each with a unique collection of plants, flowers and natural beauty. The gardens serve as an educational and recreational destination for residents and visitors alike.
Location: The Amarillo Botanical Gardens are situated at 1400 Streit Drive, in the city of Amarillo, Texas.
Amarillo Botanical Gardens’ features:
- The Culinary Herb Garden: This garden showcases a range of herbs that are used in cooking and culinary purposes.
- The Butterfly Garden: Designed to attract and support local butterfly species, this garden is filled with nectar-rich plants.
- The Xeriscape Garden: Focusing on water-efficient landscaping, this garden demonstrates ways to create beautiful outdoor spaces while conserving water.
- The Rose Garden: A classic favorite, the rose garden features a variety of rose cultivars.
- The Japanese Garden: This garden is designed with traditional Japanese aesthetics, including water features and Zen-inspired landscapes.
Address: 1400 Streit Drive, Amarillo, Texas
Official Website: http://www.amarillobotanicalgardens.org/
4. Texas Air & Space Museum
The Texas Air & Space Museum is located in Amarillo, and it focuses on preserving and showcasing the history of aviation and space exploration.
The goal of the Texas Air & Space Museum is to establish and maintain a premier aviation museum to honor the military men, military women, aviators and astronauts of Northwest Texas and to provide young people in this five-state area the opportunity to see and touch the technology of the world of tomorrow.
Location: The Texas Air & Space Museum is located at the Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport in Amarillo, Texas.
Historical Aircraft: The museum features a diverse collection of historical aircraft, including vintage military planes, civilian aircraft, and helicopters. Visitors can get up close to these aircraft and learn about their history and significance.
Space Exploration: In addition to its focus on aviation, the museum also highlights the history of space exploration. It may include exhibits and displays related to space exploration, space technology, and the contributions of astronauts.
Educational Programs: The museum often offers educational programs and events designed to educate visitors, especially students, about aviation and space-related topics.
Astronaut Rick Husband, who died on the space shuttle Columbia when it was destroyed upon re-entry from space, was from Amarillo. Another small area of the museum displays model airplanes and information about her husband and her career.
Address: 10001 American Dr, Amarillo, TX 79111
Official Website: http://www.texasairandspacemuseum.org/
5. Amarillo Museum of Art
“The Amarillo Museum of Art is dedicated to enriching the lives of the diverse people of the Texas Panhandle area, bringing them together for the experience of art through exhibitions, education, and collections.”
Located on the campus of Amarillo College, the Amarillo Museum of Art is open to the public free of charge. While the museum houses an impressive collection of art from around the world, the majority of the artwork comes from the Far East.
Location: The museum is situated in the Amarillo Cultural District, at 2200 South Van Buren Street, Amarillo, Texas.
Collection: The Amarillo Museum of Art houses a diverse collection of art, primarily focusing on American and European works. The museum’s collection includes paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, and decorative arts. It features pieces from various time periods and artistic styles.
Special Events: The Amarillo Museum of Art often hosts special events, such as exhibition openings, fundraising galas, and family-friendly activities.
Address: 2200 S Van Buren St, Amarillo, TX 79109
Official Website: http://www.amoa.org
6. American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum
The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum is a museum and educational center dedicated to the American Quarter Horse, one of the most popular breeds of horse in the United States.
Location: The museum is located in Amarillo, Texas, which is often referred to as the “Quarter Horse Capital of the World.”
The history of AQHA and the American Quarter Horse are as vast and colorful as our favorite horse is versatile. Learn about how the American Quarter Horse came to be, and meet some of the people who were instrumental in the establishment of the breed and the organization of AQHA as an organization committed to preserving breed integrity.
American Quarter Horse: The museum celebrates and honors the American Quarter Horse, which is known for its speed and versatility. The American Quarter Horse is a popular breed in rodeo events, horse racing, and various equestrian sports.
Hall of Fame: The museum houses the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame, which recognizes and commemorates the achievements and contributions of outstanding horses, breeders, owners, trainers, and individuals associated with the breed.
Exhibits: The museum features a range of exhibits related to the history, characteristics, and significance of the American Quarter Horse. Visitors can learn about the breed’s origins and its impact on American culture and sports.
Art and Memorabilia: In addition to historical exhibits, the museum often includes art displays, memorabilia, and artifacts related to the American Quarter Horse. This may include artwork, riding gear, and trophies.
Address: 2601 E Interstate Dr, Amarillo, TX 79104
Official Website: http://aqha.com/foundation
7. Panhandle Plains Historical Museum
The Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum is a renowned museum located in Canyon. It is the largest history museum in Texas and one of the largest in the United States. The museum’s primary focus is on the history, art, and culture of the Texas Panhandle and the surrounding plains region.
Extensive Collections: Panhandle Plains Historical Museum boasts a vast and diverse collection that includes artifacts, artworks, and exhibits covering a wide range of topics, such as paleontology, Native American history, ranching, agriculture, transportation, and the oil industry. There are over two million artifacts in the museum’s collection.
Art Galleries: The museum has an impressive collection of Western art, including works by renowned artists like Charles M. Russell and Frederic Remington.
Dinosaur Skeletons: PPHM features an extensive collection of dinosaur fossils, including a complete skeleton of the Panhandle’s state dinosaur, the “Acanthopholis.”
Pioneer Town: The museum’s “Pioneer Town” is an outdoor exhibit that recreates a typical Western town from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It includes historic buildings like a general store, schoolhouse, and saloon.
Address: 2503 4th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
Official Website: http://www.panhandleplains.org/
8. Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro Canyon State Park is a popular and scenic state park located in the Texas Panhandle, approximately 12 miles east of Amarillo. It is known for its stunning landscapes and is often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Texas” due to its remarkable canyons and rock formations.
The park’s main attraction is Palo Duro Canyon, a majestic and colorful canyon that stretches for over 120 miles and is as much as 20 miles wide. Visitors can explore the canyon’s numerous hiking and biking trails, and they can take in breathtaking views from various scenic overlooks.
Lighthouse Peak: The Lighthouse Peak is one of the most iconic rock formations in the park. It’s a striking natural landmark that attracts hikers and photographers.
Outdoor Activities: Palo Duro Canyon State Park offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and bird-watching. There are numerous trails of varying difficulty levels, making it accessible for both casual and experienced outdoor enthusiasts.
Pioneer Amphitheater: The Pioneer Amphitheater is located within the park and hosts the “Texas” outdoor musical drama during the summer months. This popular show tells the story of the Texas Panhandle’s history and culture.
Wildlife Viewing: Palo Duro Canyon is home to diverse wildlife, and visitors may spot animals like white-tailed deer, roadrunners, and turkey vultures. Bird-watching is a popular activity in the park.
Address: Canyon, TX 79015
official Website: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/palo-duro-canyon
10. Don Harrington Discovery Center
The Don Harrington Discovery Center, often simply referred to as the Discovery Center, is a science museum and educational institution located in Amarillo. It is named after Don Harrington, a local philanthropist and businessman who supported the center’s development.
The Don Harrington Discovery Center and Space Theater makes science exciting, relevant and interesting to all types of learners by providing interactive exhibits and programs that actively engage children, adolescents and their families. It fosters inquiring minds and nurtures the individual genius that is within each of us.
Mission: Don Harrington Discovery Center creates moments of discovery that reveal the inner workings of our world to learners across the High Plains.
Vision: The Discovery Center’s innovative programs spark curiosity, inspire lifelong learning through play, and coax the individual genius within each of us to engage confidently in our world.
Discovery Center is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization. Your contributions are tax-deductible less the fair market value of any benefits you receive.
Interactive Science Exhibits: The museum offers numerous interactive exhibits that allow visitors to explore scientific concepts in a fun and engaging way. These exhibits often change or rotate to keep the experience fresh for repeat visitors.
Planetarium: The Discovery Center typically houses a planetarium that offers educational and entertaining astronomy programs. Visitors can learn about stars, planets, and the universe in the planetarium’s immersive environment.
Live Science Demonstrations: Visitors can enjoy live science demonstrations and presentations that showcase interesting scientific principles and experiments.
Special Exhibitions: The museum occasionally hosts special exhibitions and traveling displays on specific scientific topics or themes.
Address: 1200 Streit Dr, Amarillo, TX 79106
Website: https://discoverycenteramarillo.org/
Among 10 Best Things to Do in Amarillo, 2023 I Like Amarillo Botanical Gardens very much…
These are just the tip’s of 10 Best Things to Do in Amarillo, 2023 What other places would you add to the list, and which have you been to? Tell us about your experiences in the comments….
