Amarillo, Texas, or as some locals refer to it, "Yellow City," is one of the major cities in the northwest corner of Texas. Home to a large portion of the region's population, the town is known for many things, including at one point being the helium capital of the world, and the headquarters of the Osprey helicopter. But what can tourists find there? Certainly more than empty fields and cowboys!
Where to Visit in Amarillo
The town's community college, Amarillo College, is home to a marvelous collection of Modern art done by women in the period, while the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum in Canyon, TX, a fifteen minute drive south, houses a number of pieces by famed painter Georgia O'Keefe. Visual art is highly represented in the area, and it is not uncommon to find businesses selling local artwork from off of their walls.
The area also has a great number of museums, including Canyon's aforementioned Panhandle Plains Historical Museum, which is the largest history museum in Texas, the American Quarter horse Museum, and the Kwahadi Kiva Indian Museum on the outskirts of east Amarillo all provide excellent opportunities to learn about the area's long history.
The town also has an arboretum with an impressive assortment of tropical plants and flowers, and next to this is the Don Harrington Discovery Center, dedicated to teaching children about science through entertaining activities and hands-on displays that function as half-toy, half-experiment. The Amarillo zoo, while not comparable in size or diversity to other zoos in the state, displays an impressive assortment of animals.
The town has other buildings devoted to the arts. The relatively new Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts houses the symphony as well as the Amarillo Opera. Several theatre troupes are active in the area, as well, such as Avenue 10 and the local college theatre programs, as well as one called "Shakespeare in the Park."
Some places in Amarillo, however, defy any categorization. Among the most interesting of the area's citizens is responsible for the many unique signs that sit along the roads in Amarillo, as well as for the famous Cadillac Ranch. Stanley Marsh 3 is a local arts patron who frequently makes life in Amarillo interesting through various public works that may be described as "bizarre," but are always fun to see.
There is, finally, the natural beauty of the area. The Palo Duro Canyon sits not far from Amarillo, as well as the easily recognized lighthouse. The canyon is still remarkably pristine in many areas, and an abundance of wildlife. Camping and other activities are available, though often times fires can be dangerous, as the area is often short of rain.
Where to Eat in Amarillo
There are also many local restaurants in the area worth exploring. Tex-Mex food is of course heavily represented by places such as Ruby Tequila's, Abuelo's, Tacos Garcia, and several others scattered around the area. There is also The Big Texan, known for its giant 72 oz steak competition, which was recently highlighted on the Travel Channel's "Man vs. Food."
For those who prefer a more sophisticated environment, OHMS offers a more casual and pricey evening, but with excellent food and a laid-back atmosphere that is harder to find in other restaurants about town.
For those looking for a night life can certainly find a number of bars covering dozens of preferences. The historical route 66 and 6th street are renown in the area for having an active and entertaining night life. The most well-known local nightclub in town is Midnight Rodeo, where a visitor may hear a famous country song and rap song back to back without anyone batting an eye.
Amarillo offers a lot for visitors who are willing to look for a little more than a song reference. The people, by and large, are friendly, and hospitality is certainly present. It is a hub for the area miles around, and will remain that way for some time. Amarillo is the cultural and economic capital of the Texas Panhandle, and offers travelers a unique view of Texan culture.
Learn more about the history of Amarillo
The Main Website of the City of Amarillo
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