The Only 3 Things To Do In Amarillo Texas
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Looking for things to do in Amarillo Texas? If you only drive through the city – no plan to stay for a night – there are only 3 places where you need to stop.
Of course, there are so many things to do in Amarillo Texas, but these 3 places are the ones you should put at the top of your bucket list. Their locations are along the highway and don’t take a lot of your time of visit.
3 Things To Do In Amarillo Texas
Here is your Amarillo bucket list for a drive through city visit, in no particular order.
1. Cadillac Ranch
This world’s famous ten Cadillac buried nose-down in a field has been attracting visitors since they were installed in 1974. It is one of the famous must-stop for people who’s traveling along The Mother Road.
Cadillac Ranch was invented and built by a group of art-hippies from San Francisco with their silent partner Amarillo billionaire Stanley Marsh 3. What started as a public art project to baffle the locals, it has now become a famous stop for international travelers as well. It’s not uncommon to hear people speaking in French, German, or English spoken in British accents when you visit the ranch.
Moreover, it is the place where everyone can be a graffiti artist freely. You can spray whatever you want on one, two, or every car, but you must realize that someone else will spray another graffiti on yours when you move to the other car. So, don’t forget to snap a picture once you are done with your creation. It also means not to forget to bring the spray paint. Or, if you are lucky, someone will share it with you. Just remember to throw the empty cans to the trash can by the gate. Don’t just leave them on the ground like some people did.
As they were buried on an open field, expect a muddy ground if you visit after the rain. This place is open everyday during daylight, dog-friendly, and there’s no admission.
Address: 13651 I-40 Frontage Rd., Amarillo, TX 79214.
Direction: If you come from New Mexico, it will be on your right side. Take exit 60 from I-40 E and merge onto I-40 Frontage Rd. If you come from downtown Amarillo, it will be on your left side. Drive on I-40 W and exit to Frontage Rd. Just park your car along the shoulder and enter the pasture through an unlocked gate.
2. The Big Texan Steak Ranch
Famous for its 72-oz. steak dinner challenge, this is another thing to do in Amarillo on your drive through the city. The 72-oz. steak dinner challenge started in 1962, where you must eat the whole 72-oz. steak with all the trims that includes 3 fried shrimp, baked potato, garden salad, and a dinner roll. If you can finish the whole thing in under one hour, the steak dinner is free. If you can’t finish under one hour or you get sick in the middle of the challenge, you lose. You must pay the $72 dinner bill!
Of course, you don’t have to do the challenge when you stop at The Big Texan. You can order other steaks, burgers, calf fries, or their popular hand-breaded chicken fried steak from the menu. In fact, if you arrive outside the lunch or dinner hours, you are always welcome to come and look around.
The Big Texan has so many photo ops starting from outside to inside of the restaurant. The western vibe is strong in this place. Once you are done taking pictures outside, go inside and you can check the mock-up of the 72-oz. steak dinner. You can play some games, or go all the way to the back. There are more photo ops here, like jail, giant rocking chair, giant boots, etc.
Before you leave, don’t forget to check the souvenir shop. There are all kinds of Texas souvenirs here, as well as the The Big Texan souvenirs. And, watch for a rattlesnake inside a glass box!
Address: 7701 E I-40, Amarillo, TX 79118. Ph. (806) 372-6000.
Direction: if you come from Dallas/Fort Worth directions, destination will be on your right side. Stay on I-40 W and take exit 75 to Interstate I-40 Access Road. If you come from Albuquerque, New Mexico direction, stay on I-40 E and take exit 75 to I-40 Access Road. Turn left on the light, go under the bridge, and make another left to the Access Road. Follow the road, destination will be on the right.
3. Route 66 Historic District
The U.S. Route 66-Sixth Street Historic Districts stretches 13 blocks along Sixth Street in the San Jacinto Heights district between Georgia and Western Streets. Visitors will find over one mile long of vintage service stations, antique shops, art galleries, collectible stores, craft and specialty stores, restaurants and bars; in buildings that were built in different architectural styles from the 1920s to 1940s.
When you come here, drive from one end to the other end while marking places where you want to stop. Don’t forget to look for Route 66 themed wall arts on the side of the streets that cross the Sixth Street.
The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
Address: SW 6th Ave between S Georgia and S Western Street.
Direction: The street location is on the northside of I-40. When you drive from the east on I-40 W, take exit 68B, then take S Georgia St. to the right. The Historic District on SW 6th Ave will be on your left. When you come from the west on I-40 E, take exit 67, then turn left to S Western St. The Historic District on SW 6th Ave will be on the right.
Where is Amarillo Texas?
Strategically located in the Texas Panhandle, Amarillo is the last largest city in the region before you get to explore states in the west or southwest of the country; like New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, or Oklahoma. Or, when you travel from those states or through those states to Texas.
If you decide to spend a night in the city, you must add a trip to Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Located about 30 miles to the south, Palo Duro is the second largest canyon in the country, right after the Grand Canyon. Views are spectacular, and a hike to iconic Lighthouse rock formation in the park is a must. A visit to the park will take at least half a day, although a day in the park will be better.
Don’t forget to save these 3 things to do in Amarillo Texas for your next drive through the city. Have a safe drive and enjoy your travel!
I would love to visit Amarillo / Texas. Climbing all over the cars at the Cadillac Ranch looks like fun. And the Route 66 Historic District looks superinteresting too. I would pass the steak restaurant though, as I am vegetarian.
Such great stuff along Route 66 – adding these to the list for our big road trip next spring
That’s great!
I stopped at Cadillac Ranch on a road trip from Dallas back home to LA a few years ago and LOVED it! I actually had no idea it existed and my road trip companion surprised me with it´s delightful quirkiness! As a vego, the Texas Steak Ranch wouldn´t be to my taste, but I think I would have really enjoyed a trip to the Route 66 Historic District had I known it existed! I´ll have to add it to the list for next time 🙂
I’m sure one day you will find yourself driving through Amarillo again. So, you can stop at Route 66 Historic District.
Thanks for this informative post. I love the look of Cadillac Ranch. Route 66 looks cool too. I will have to pass on the 72 oz steak with trimmings though. I’d like to know how many people (%) can finish all of that food in an hour or less. That is impressive!
I don’t know the exact number of people (%) who could finish the steak challenge, but a few years ago there’s a lady who could finish 3 steaks under an hour.
I would spend all my time exploring the artsy and antique area, especially the architecture of 1920s to 1940s that you mention. Looks like they have some interesting street art too. The ‘nosey’ cars are so interesting.
You will enjoy your time here in Amarillo, Texas.
I wonder if my 16-year-old son could eat the 72-ounce steak? I would be happy to make a mark on the Cadillac even if I knew it would go away, because I would know.
Haha… you never know with the boys. And yes, I always found it fun to live marks on the Cadillacs.
What an interesting place to visit! I’ve never heard of it but now im intrigued. I love the Cadillac ranch, what a cool idea and rare thing to find. I love these off the beaten track places (off the beaten track to me) that are new and exciting.
Yeah! Cadillac Ranch is unique. It’s really a must stop when you drive through Amarillo, Texas.
This is such a fun post on the Amarillos Texas. I absolutely love the concept of the Cadillac Ranch, what a creative idea with a dash of colors and spray, so much to try hands on haha! The steak ranch would be a great bet too for foodies like myself and my partner. The dinner challenge sounds exciting, would love to try it out though finishing off that mighty meal in under one hour would really be something, incredible that it dates back to 1962!
Cadillac Ranch is really attractive. And you know what? A few years back there’s a woman that could finish 3 meals under one hour!
I never knew about Amarillo and it really has some unique things to do. Cadillac Ranch looks amazing with those cars upside down and all are beautiful painted too. There must be so many photo opportunities with these cars. Route 66 historic route looks worth doing too with those antique gas stations and shops for approximately 1 km stretch. Thanks for sharing something unique to me.
You are welcome! I’m glad you learn something new about the US from my post.
Am so glad i am coming across blogs like these featuring some amazing less heard of things to do in places that i’ve got no idea about. As i haven’t been to the states yet, all these places are getting added to the list one by one. The Cadillac Ranch seems like such an instagrammable and action packed destination beeming with creativity. The Steakhouse is also going on my bucket list, as i’m a foodie by heart.
I’m glad I can give you info about places in the U.S. that are not too touristy like, you know. And yes, the Cadillac Ranch is an instagrammable place. My sister had fun when I took here there. 🙂
Being a big fan of daytrips I love this itinerary. Whoa! The Cadillac Ranch is super cool. I always love street-art and public art installations and this a cool mix of the 2. Also, Cadillac is something I love as well! Big Texan steak ranch? I think I’ll pass that – being a veggie, not my piece of cake, wait, not my piece of steak. Haha… Route 66 district is something I wouldn’t miss to! I’ve heard so much about it, seen it in way too many movies and it is very much in my wishlist.
Haha… I’m a meat eater, but I passed the steak, too. Too big for my stomach.
I have to take a look closer of those cars, realizing it was buried facing above. This art installation looks totally cool and making use of old Cadillac (that is an expensive taste!) and painting them all. When you are on the road, you will always see unexpected beauty.
You’re right! There’s always something during a road trip. That’s what make it interesting.
We are open to all ideas for a visit to Amarillo Texas since we have not yet visited. Since we have travelled on other parts of Route 66, it would be fun to add Amarillo too. Love that car art collection at the Cadillac Ranch. Love the people continue to spray paint and create new art. A new display every time you visit. While I do love my steak, that 72 oz steak would be beyond my ability for sure. But I bet their beef is outstanding.
I know, right? 72-oz. is just too big. And yes! You must add Amarillo to your Route 66 experiences. From here you can continue to Route 66 part in New Mexico.
I haven’t heard about Cadillac Ranch before! I would love to see it. It is such a photogenic place. Route 66-Sixth Street Historic Districts looks also impressive. I was on route 66 in Arizona and California, but I would love to see more places on The Mother Road. Amarillo seems to be perfect place for a stop during the Texas road trip.
I would say Amarillo is the middle section of The Mother Road and it’s really close to the ones in New Mexico.
Cadillac ranch definitely looks like the product of art hippies! It’s hilarious to me that it’s an international attraction. I’m not sure I would be able to try the steak challenge though, seems like a bit too much food. If I’m ever in the area I’ll definitely be using this guide.
I think when international tourists do The Mother Road, they will do all part of it. That’s why the Cadillac Ranch became their stop, too. 🙂
I have wanted to visit in Amarillo for soooo long! Now I have a few other places to check out while there. Restored stretches of Route 66 are always fun to check out and Big Texan Steak Ranch sounds like a great place to stop for dinner. I can’t imagine even considering eating a 72 ounce steak with sides in an hour! That’s crazy.
I just watched a video of a lady finishing 3 steaks under an hour. It’s really crazy!