If you’ve always dreamed of playing cowboy for a day, then Amarillo is the city for you. A popular stop on the US major 1-40 route, this Texas gem retains a strong Old West flavour that’ll have you strutting down the highway like John Wayne in his heyday.
There’s more to Amarillo than it’s cattle ranches, though. The regional economic centre for the Texas Panhandle, it has a top class conference centre, two higher education facilities and a number of alternative cultural attractions. Get hands on with science at the Don Harrington Discovery Centre, while the Arts Centre has six galleries with a host of European paintings from the 17th through to the twentieth century.
Council groups have been actively promoting its cultural side since the early 1990s, sponsoring a variety of arts projects and starting various block parties throughout the downtown area. So play cowboy if you like, but take time to explore Amarillo’s more hidden charms.
Where to stay
Amarillo hotels tend to be basic but comfortable and you’ll probably have to settle for less than you might elsewhere. The Sleep Inn is a relatively new place that’s so far had an excellent response, while the Drury Inn also has a good reputation.
Where to eat
Texas Roadhouse is great for big steaks and American barbecue, while you can get good Mexican at El Tejavan. For a taste of the Mediterranean, Olive Garden and B L Bistro do Italian and Greek respectively.
What to see
For authentic Amarillo head to one of the ranches, such as Elkins or Cadillac – the latter has some great graffiti art as well. There are six art galleries at the Amarillo Museum of Art, while The Don Harrington Discovery Centre is aimed at kids but can be just as fun for playful adults.
