Where to Play, Eat, and Stay in Amarillo, TX, an Iconic Stop on Route 66

Visiting again reminded me of how I felt the first time I visited the city. I was excited about leaving my home state of Virginia but looking forward to the future. I wasn’t sure if I’d make it as a full-time writer and editor (I did) but knew I had to try. That’s what the future is, really. It’s about acknowledging the past but also about moving forward, step by step, into the great unknown and toward a brighter future. It’s what I did over a decade ago, and what I do nearly every day — like so many Americans headed out West on Route 66 looking to build better lives.

Things to do in and around Amarillo

Cadillac Ranch

Perhaps Amarillo’s most famous attraction, Cadillac Ranch is a free public art installation featuring Cadillacs that have been spray-painted many times over sticking up out of the ground. The cars are striking. They’re right beside the highway and are an endlessly fascinating, beautiful visual scene. Be sure to bring a can of spray paint (or purchase one at the trailer by the cars) so you can literally make your mark on this interactive attraction. The vehicles paired with the Texas skies make for a dramatic view. When I first visited here over 11 years ago, I watched a storm roll through town and thought it was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.

Cadillac Ranch: 13651 I-40 Frontage Rd, Amarillo, TX 79124

Palo Duro Canyon

Located about 30 minutes from Amarillo in a state park of the same name, Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon in the US, and it feels otherworldly. I didn’t visit the sandstone canyon on this trip but have been before and was completely captivated by it. Its colors shift in the sunlight and almost seem to glow as the sun sets. I did a driving tour of the canyon when I visited, and the memories have stuck with me for over a decade. You can also explore the area’s 30-plus miles of trails on foot, via mountain bike, or on horseback, as well as camp or glamp in the park if you’re interested in an overnight.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park: Canyon, TX 79015

Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ

Regardless of your religious beliefs, the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ in Groom, Texas, literally towers at 190 feet feet tall. It’s a massive white cross that lights up the blue Texas skies and wows. The site also contains a replica of the Shroud of Turin — a long strip of cloth found in Italy that some believe Jesus was buried in — and a gift shop.

Note: There’s also a memorial to abortion victims here. You may or may not want to skip this site because of that.

Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ: 12 I-40, Groom, TX 79039

Britten Leaning Water Tower

The name of this attraction says it all. You don’t see a leaning water tower all that often, and this one is quite the quirky roadside attraction. The tower (which is also called the Leaning Tower of Texas) was built by Ralph Britten as an advertisement for his nearby truck and restaurant, which has since burned down. As you can imagine, he got many phone calls about the leaning tower. The tower rests on stilts, ensuring that it doesn’t topple over, and is still quite the sight.

Britten Leaning Water Tower: I-40 US Rte 66, Groom, TX 79039

VW Slug Bug Ranch

Located just down the road from Amarillo’s most iconic restaurant, the Big Texan, the VW Slug Bug Ranch is essentially the cousin of the Cadillac Ranch. Visitors can spray paint VW Bugs and limos that are sticking out of the ground. If you want to literally leave your mark on Amarillo, head here. The attraction shows off how quirky Amarillo is. What other city can you name that has not one but two attractions that encourage visitors to spray paint cars?

VW Slug Bug Ranch: 1415 Sunrise Dr, Amarillo, TX 79104

1929 Phillips 66 Gas Station

This tiny pink house on the corner of First Street in McLean once housed a Phillips 66 gas station, which is one of the oldest in Texas. Wander around the site to see vintage red gas pumps and a tow truck. They don’t build gas stations like this anymore. Note that the interior of the home hasn’t been restored and isn’t open to the public.

1929 Phillips 66 Gas Station: 218 W First Street, McLean, TX 79057

Jericho Ghost Town

Once a thriving town, Jericho is now a ghost town. Visitors can check out a former hotel, a vintage vehicle, and the shell of a home coupled with expansive skies. This made for some great photo ops. A couple is currently working to restore this ghost town, and it’s exciting to think about what this place will become in the future.

Jericho Ghost Town: 5989 Highway 70, Clarendon, TX 79226

Devil’s Rope and Texas Rope Museum

Located in McLean, the Devil’s Rope Museum is dedicated to the history of barbed wire in addition to recapping the history of the Dust Bowl and Route 66. Some of the most interesting things I saw included a barbed wire bra, the many different types of barbed wire, and a covered crib used to protect babies from the extreme amounts of dust.

Devil’s Rope Museum: 100 Kingsley St, McLean, TX 79057

Pioneer West Museum

Located just down the street from the U-Drop Inn, the Pioneer West Museum is dedicated to showcasing the history of the area. The building itself is located in the 1928 Reynolds Hotel. Each room has a different theme. One features old barbershop equipment, and another is filled with vintage dentist equipment that could have been in a horror film.

Pioneer West Museum: 204 N Madden St, Shamrock, TX 79079

McLean-Alanreed Area Museum

Housing many trinkets from the past (like old prom dresses and yearbooks), the McLean-Alanreed Area Museum is like a time capsule of life along Route 66. There’s also an exhibit featuring photos from an old POW camp in the area. The city of McLean was founded by the Englishman Alfred Rowe, who died on the Titanic.

McLean-Alanreed Area Museum: 116 Main St, McLean, TX 79057

Magnolia Gas Station

One of my favorite stops during the entire trip, the Magnolia Gas Station is a brick structure in Vega that houses a historic gas station that opened in 1926. The top floor was once the owner’s home. The inside is filled with old oil cans, pictures of the past, and a bright red cooler with the Coca-Cola logo.

Magnolia Gas Station: 904 S Main St, Vega, TX 79092

Milburn-Price Culture Museum

Located right across the street from the Magnolia Gas Station, the Milburn-Price Culture Museum is filled with relics from the past. You can’t miss the colorful mural on the wall facing the street outside and the cow statue outside. Be sure to check out the massive wind turbine out back that you can step inside. It was quite the experience. Inside, look forward to plenty of classic cars. I personally loved sitting inside a vintage car with a bench seat in the back and one very heavy passenger door.

Milburn-Price Culture Museum: 1005 Coke St, Vega, TX 79092

The Glenrio Pontiac

One of the most photographed sites on Route 66, the Glenrio 1968 Pontiac Catalina is a rusted-out car sitting outside of a private home. It’s a striking sight and a reminder of the past. Glenrio is the last Texas town before you hit New Mexico. I remembered driving underneath the bright yellow New Mexico sign over the highway.

The Glenrio Pontiac: Off I-40, Glenrio, TX 88434

Cowgirls & Cowboys in the West

My Amarillo trip wrapped up with a guided horseback ride on the private Los Cedros Ranch. The group of journalists I was traveling with climbed aboard saddled horses and headed out on a private path. I rode on a gorgeous painted pony named Whiskey, and it felt like a true adventure. This was my second or third time on a horse, and I felt so wild. The midway point of the ride had us stop at a spot overlooking Palo Duro Canyon — the deep, colorful canyon complemented by Texas’s famously blue skies. It was a fitting end to the trip.

Cowgirls & Cowboys In The West: 19100 S FM 1258, Amarillo, TX 79118

Where to eat and drink in and around Amarillo

The Big Texan

The Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery is an absolute must-visit restaurant in Amarillo and is one of the most famous restaurants in the entire country. This steakhouse — which makes Las Vegas look quaint and includes a brewery, games, a fudge and dessert shop, and a fully stocked gift shop — is legendary for its 72-ounce steak challenge. You can even peek into the restaurant’s livestream to see if anyone is currently participating.

If you can finish that massive cut plus a shrimp cocktail, a baked potato, a salad, and a roll with butter in under 60 minutes, it’s free. Participants devour this massive meal on an elevated stage in the center of the dining room and in front of the open kitchen. One surprising fact about The Big Texan? The owners actually want people to finish. They can usually tell in the first 20 minutes if the person will finish or not. I saw one person win when I was eating here and two others attempt the challenge.

Even if the 72-ounce steak is too huge, all the steaks here are excellent, but everything on the menu here is over-the-top big. I devoured a massive fish sandwich that was delicious, as was the massive loaded baked potato.

The Big Texan: 7701 I-40, Amarillo, TX 79118

Mama Jo’s Pies and Sweets

Located on Route 66 in Vega, Mama Jo’s Pies feels like stepping into the past. Owner JoAnn “Mama” Harwell has been whipping up pies based on her grandmother’s recipes for decades in her light-filled restaurant downtown. I enjoyed a light yet rich slice of coconut and chocolate and peanut butter pie. The crusts are flaky and buttery, and they’re Harwell’s grandmother’s own creations. I also enjoyed checking out the local soaps and candles sitting on the shelves here.

Mama Jo’s Pies and Sweets: 922 E Main St, Vega, TX 79092

OHMS Cafe

Downtown Amarillo’s OHMS Cafe is a sleek, dimly lit bistro that exudes a hip vibe and has an American-leaning but varied menu, with options ranging from buttermilk fried chicken and elk tenderloin to ahi tuna poke nachos and Thai-style beef jerky. Although the restaurant is known for its martinis, I loved the spicy margarita that I enjoyed here. The ahi tuna and Caesar salad were also both stellar options. Solo travelers can pull up a seat at the bar and mingle with others.

OHMS Cafe: 619 S Tyler St, Amarillo, TX 79101

Midpoint Cafe

This aptly named Route 66 destination is perhaps best known for being located halfway between Chicago and Los Angeles. The Midpoint Cafe has all the hallmarks of a classic diner: plush leather booths and a long short counter that wraps around the bar. The cafe is notable for its ugly crust pies that taste delicious and its hearty hamburgers.

Midpoint Cafe: 305 Historic Rte 66, Adrian, TX 79001

The GoldenLight Cafe and Cantina

Established in 1946, the GoldenLight Cafe claims to be Amarillo’s oldest restaurant and the oldest continuously operating restaurant along Old Route 66. It’s served burgers for decades and is well known for its thoroughly greased-up grill. I enjoyed one of the best burgers I’ve ever had here, along with some decadent, gooey cheese fries.

GoldenLight Cafe and Cantina: 2906 SW 6th Ave, Amarillo, TX 79106

Conoco Tower Station and U-Drop Inn

If you’ve seen the movie Cars, you’ll likely recognize the unique architectural details of the Conoco Tower Station and U-Drop Inn. The building with a green facade has tall spires and an old-school diner that make it stand out in the small town of Shamrock. The light-filled diner features a long counter and a few booths. The menu is small but mighty. I devoured a tuna melt, some sweet tea and a decadent slice of peanut butter pie here.

Conoco Tower Station and U-Drop Inn: 11 US Rte 66, Shamrock, TX 79079

Where to stay in Amarillo

The Barfield, Autograph Collection

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Located in downtown Amarillo, The Barfield, Autograph Collection, is a historic 112-room hotel outfitted with modern amenities. I dug the small details here. The white engraved guns pictured on the floor of the elevator were what the owner, businesswoman M.D. Oliver-Eakle, carried. Also in the elevator? Real hide leather that you can reach out and touch. The shower featured an accent strip made of textured tiles intended to feel like the textiles they showcased. My spacious room featured a king-size bed, a sitting area and a flat-panel television. My only complaint was that my room faced Sixth Avenue, and it could be noisy with all the traffic going by.

Be sure to head downstairs to check out the sleek speakeasy in the basement. The Barfield’s lobby is also fully stocked with books that you can check out and keep during your stay. Guests can leave books behind, too.

The Barfield: 600 S. Polk Street, Amarillo, TX 79101

Big Texan Motel

Amarillo’s most storied restaurant also has its very own hotel if you want to stay within walking distance of the meat-eating action. The Big Texan Motel has a total of 54 units in a two-story multi-colored building. Rooms are individually appointed and feature a bed, a sitting area, and a bathroom. Expect themed decor with accents like a cowboy boot lamp on the nightstand.

Big Texan Motel: 7701 Interstate 40 Access Road, Amarillo, TX 79118

How to get to and around Amarillo

The major Texas airports — Dallas, Houston, and Austin — all offer direct flights into Amarillo. Although downtown Amarillo is walkable, you’ll need a car to reach many of the city’s top attractions. Budget, Avis, National Car Rental, Alamo Rent A Car, and Turo all have outposts at the airport if you want to rent a car at the Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (AMA).

Plus, if you’re treating Amarillo and its neighbors as one leg of a bigger journey down America’s favorite road trip, you’ll already have one.