Lubbock area
Around Lubbock area
Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Greater area · Texas · 404k people
Lubbock area
Locals say South Plains · “Hub City”, “The Hub”
Flat lands, big skies, and a whole lot of Texas heart.
Red Raider scarletBlack
Welcome to the Hub City, where the plains stretch wide and the wind keeps things interesting. Whether you're here for Texas Tech, the music, or just the wide-open skies, you'll find a friendly handshake and a good plate of chicken fried steak.
Clubs for Lubbock area
No clubs for Lubbock area yet.
The room
Lubbock area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Lubbock's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Lubbock. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Lubbock area. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Texas Tech University campus Spanish Renaissance architecture and the iconic Masked Rider statue.
- Buddy Holly Center Museum dedicated to the rock 'n' roll pioneer, with his famous glasses.
- Lubbock Lake Landmark National Historic Landmark with 12,000 years of human history.
- Mackenzie Park Large city park with Prairie Dog Town and a golf course.
- Prairie Dog Town Famous colony of prairie dogs, a quirky local favorite.
- Jones AT&T Stadium Home of Texas Tech football, known for the Masked Rider's entrance.
- Outdoors Watch prairie dogs at Prairie Dog Town in Mackenzie Park
- Outdoors Hike the trails at Lubbock Lake Landmark
- With kids Explore the Science Spectrum & OMNI Theater
- With kids Visit the Buddy Holly Center
- Evenings Dance at a honky-tonk in the Depot District
- Evenings Catch a show at the Cactus Theater
- Locals love Honky-tonks
- Locals love Tex-Mex restaurants
Through the year
- Lubbock Arts Festival April Celebrates visual and performing arts with booths and live acts.
- National Cowboy Symposium & Celebration September Honors cowboy culture with poetry, music, and history.
- South Plains Fair September Classic fair with rides, livestock shows, and food.
- First Friday Art Trail First Friday monthly Monthly gallery walk through the Depot District and beyond.
- Red Raider Football Saturdays Fall Texas Tech home games at Jones AT&T Stadium, a fall ritual.
Semi-arid with hot summers, mild winters, and frequent wind. The best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal—mild days and cool nights.
Talk like a local
- “Hub City”
- Nickname for Lubbock, as it's a hub for the South Plains.
- “South Plains”
- The region around Lubbock, used to describe the area.
- “Red Raiders”
- Texas Tech athletic teams.
- “Guns Up”
- The hand gesture and cheer for Texas Tech, meaning 'guns up'.
Getaways
- Plainview See the American Windmill Museum and small-town charm.
- Snyder Home of the Scurry County Museum and nearby Lake J.B. Thomas.
- Hereford Known as the 'Beef Capital of the World' for its feedlots.
- Big Spring Visit the historic spring and the Hangar 25 Air Museum.
Local flavour
Teams
- Texas Tech Red Raiders NCAA Division I
Also rooting for Dallas Cowboys (NFL), Texas Rangers (MLB)
Eat and drink
- Chicken fried steak Classic West Texas comfort food
- Tex-Mex (enchiladas, fajitas) Local staple with a Southwestern twist
- Beef brisket Smoked low and slow, a Texas tradition
Where people go
- Cotton fields The iconic crop of the South Plains
- Wind turbines Modern landmarks on the flat horizon
- Flat open plains Vast, unbroken views that define the region
- Texas Tech University campus The heart of Lubbock's culture and pride
- Honky-tonks Country music venues that keep the West Texas spirit alive
Heritage and traditions
Lubbock is proud of its West Texas heritage, from its cowboy and ranching roots to its pioneering rock and roll legacy, and the resilient spirit of the South Plains.
This time of year in Lubbock area
- Fall Fall Red Raider football and tailgating.
- Lubbock Lake Landmark Archaeology Day October Hands-on activities about ancient life on the plains.
- West Texas Jazz Party October Jazz performances by regional and national artists.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — about to
Festivals
- Lubbock Music Festival June A weekend of live music across genres.
- 4th on Broadway July 4th Fireworks, parade, and family fun.
- Lubbock PRIDE June Celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.
- Buddy Holly Birthday Celebration September Honoring the rock and roll pioneer.
- Lubbock Lights December Holiday lights and activities in the Depot District.
- West Texas Hispanic Heritage Festival September Music, dance, and food from Hispanic cultures.
Landmarks with a story
- National Ranching Heritage Center Historic ranch buildings and exhibits on cowboy life.
- Silent Wings Museum Dedicated to WWII glider pilots trained in Lubbock.
- American Wind Power Center Indoor and outdoor exhibits on wind energy and windmills.
- Lubbock County Courthouse Historic courthouse in the city center.
- Lubbock Cemetery Final resting place of Buddy Holly and other local figures.
- Cactus Theater Historic theater hosting live music and events.
Food traditions
- Tamales at Christmas Families gather to make tamales, a Mexican tradition.
- Menudo on New Year's A hearty soup to cure the night before.
- Breakfast tacos A morning staple with eggs, potatoes, and salsa in a flour tortilla.
- Frito pie at football games A bag of Fritos topped with chili and cheese.
Music and arts
- Rock and roll heritage (Buddy Holly) The city's most famous son.
- The 'Lubbock sound' A blend of rock, country, and folk.
- Country and Americana music (Waylon Jennings, Joe Ely) Roots of the outlaw country movement.
- First Friday Art Trail Monthly art walk in the Depot District.
A little history
- Lubbock founded as a ranching and farming community. 1890
- Texas Tech University established. 1923
- Dust Bowl impacts the South Plains, shaping agriculture. 1930s
- Buddy Holly and the Crickets pioneer rock and roll. 1950s
- Oil boom brings economic growth. 1970s
Rivalries
- Texas Tech vs. Texas The Red Raiders vs. Longhorns rivalry in football and basketball.
- Texas Tech vs. Texas A&M A historic rivalry, though they rarely play now.
- Texas Tech vs. Baylor A heated Big 12 matchup in football and hoops.
- Game day Red Raider football tailgating
- Game day Guns Up hand sign
- Outdoors Visit the American Wind Power Center and see the windmills
- Outdoors Walk the trails at the National Ranching Heritage Center
- With kids Visit the American Wind Power Center
- With kids Explore the Silent Wings Museum
West Texas drawl with a slow, friendly pace. Common phrases include 'y'all', 'fixin' to', and 'bless your heart'.
Only here
- Buddy Holly's iconic glasses statue at the Buddy Holly Center.
- The 'Guns Up' hand sign at Texas Tech games.
- The flat, endless plains that stretch to the horizon.
- The wind turbines that dot the landscape.
New here? A few tips
- Prepare for extreme weather: hot summers, cold winters, and strong winds.
- Learn to say 'y'all' and 'fixin' to' to fit in.
- Try a chicken fried steak at a local diner.
- Attend a Texas Tech football game for the full experience.
- Know that the city is spread out; you'll need a car.
Make this page better
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Areas in Lubbock area
Nearby
Every areaTuliaTexasBig skies, warm hearts, and a horizon that never ends.LittlefieldTexasBig skies, flat horizons, and Friday night lights.LamesaTexasWarmth under wide-open skiesHerefordTexasFlat skies, hearty beef, and wide-open Texas.AmarilloTexasBig skies, big steaks, and a whole lot of Texas.SeminoleTexasBig skies, warm hearts, and the smell of cotton and crude.SnyderTexasHeart of the oil patch, soul of the plainsClovisNew MexicoWhere the high plains meet the sky
Lubbock-Plainview, TX CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.