Amarillo
Around Amarillo
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Metro area · Texas · 274k people
Amarillo
Locals say Texas Panhandle · “Helium Capital of the World”, “Hub of the Panhandle”
Big skies, big steaks, and a whole lot of Texas.
Amarillo YellowCanyon Red
Welcome to Amarillo, where the wind blows and the steaks are big. Get ready for wide open skies, friendly folks, and the sound of the canyon calling. Whether you're here for the rodeo or just passing through on Route 66, you'll find a home in the Texas Panhandle.
Clubs for Amarillo
No clubs for Amarillo yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Amarillo. 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 Amarillo. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Palo Duro Canyon State Park Second-largest canyon in the US, known as the Grand Canyon of Texas.
- Cadillac Ranch Iconic Route 66 art installation of half-buried Cadillacs.
- Big Texan Steak Ranch Famous for the 72-ounce steak challenge and Route 66 stop.
- Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum Largest history museum in Texas, in Canyon.
- Amarillo Civic Center Hosts concerts, events, and conventions.
- American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum Celebrates the history of the quarter horse.
- Outdoors Hike the Lighthouse Trail in Palo Duro Canyon
- Outdoors Camp under dark skies in Palo Duro
- With kids Visit the Don Harrington Discovery Center
- With kids See animals at the Amarillo Zoo
- Evenings Two-step at a honky-tonk
- Evenings Listen to live music at a local bar
- Locals love Canyon trails
- Locals love Honky-tonks
Through the year
- Tri-State Fair September Annual fair with carnival rides, livestock shows, and concerts.
- World Championship Ranch Rodeo November Top ranch cowboys compete in authentic working ranch events.
- Texas Outdoor Musical Summer Outdoor musical drama performed in the natural amphitheater of Palo Duro Canyon.
- Route 66 Music Festival June Live music celebrating the historic highway's legacy.
- Amarillo Marathon October Road race through the city with a flat, fast course.
Amarillo has a semi-arid climate with hot summers, cold winters, and frequent strong winds. The best time to be out is spring and fall when temperatures are moderate and the wind is less intense. Best: Spring and fall are the most pleasant, with mild temperatures and lower wind.
Talk like a local
- “the canyon”
- Palo Duro Canyon
- “the panhandle”
- The Texas Panhandle region
Getaways
- Lubbock College town with music scene and Texas Tech sports.
- Clovis New Mexico town with Route 66 charm and a historic depot.
- Guymon Oklahoma panhandle town known for its rodeo heritage.
- Lake Meredith Reservoir for fishing, boating, and camping.
Local flavour
Teams
- Amarillo Sod Poodles Double-A baseball, Texas League
- Amarillo Wranglers NAHL
Also rooting for Dallas Cowboys (NFL), Texas Rangers (MLB), Dallas Mavericks (NBA), Texas Tech Red Raiders (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Chicken-fried steak A Texas staple, often served with cream gravy in local diners.
- Texas-style BBQ Slow-smoked brisket and ribs, a Panhandle favorite.
- Tex-Mex Enchiladas, tacos, and fajitas with a local twist.
- Sopaipillas with honey A sweet fried pastry often served as dessert in Mexican restaurants.
Where people go
- Cattle ranches Working ranches and feedlots that define the agricultural economy.
- Honky-tonks Country music bars with live bands and dancing.
- Steak houses Iconic spots like the Big Texan, known for the 72-ounce steak challenge.
- Palo Duro Canyon trails The second-largest canyon in the US, offering hiking and scenic views.
- Route 66 roadside attractions Historic highway landmarks, including Cadillac Ranch.
- Rodeo arenas Local rodeos and cowboy culture events.
Heritage and traditions
Amarillo is proud of its cowboy heritage, wide-open skies, and the rugged beauty of the Texas Panhandle, where cattle, oil, and the spirit of the Old West still shape daily life.
Say it like a local: “Coke” — Any carbonated soft drink
Festivals
- Fiesta del Sol August A celebration of Hispanic culture with music, food, and dancing in downtown Amarillo.
- World Championship Chuck Wagon Cook-off September Cowboys cook traditional chuck wagon meals over open fires, a nod to Panhandle ranching history.
Landmarks with a story
- Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument Ancient quarries where Native Americans mined flint for tools and weapons for thousands of years.
- Amarillo Texas Temple A Latter-day Saint temple, the first in the Texas Panhandle, known for its striking white spire.
- Santa Fe Depot A restored 1910 depot that once served the Santa Fe Railway, now a symbol of Amarillo's railroad past.
Food traditions
- Chuck wagon cooking Rooted in the cattle drive era, this style of cooking uses Dutch ovens and cast iron to make beans, biscuits, and meat over an open fire.
- Kolaches Czech settlers brought these fruit-filled pastries to the Panhandle, and they're now a breakfast staple at local bakeries.
- Panhandle chili A hearty, no-beans chili with beef and chiles, often served at cook-offs and community gatherings.
Music and arts
- Cowboy poetry A cherished art form that celebrates ranch life and the Western spirit, often performed at gatherings.
- Amarillo Symphony A professional orchestra that brings classical and pops performances to the region.
A little history
- 1887 Amarillo was founded as a railroad town, quickly becoming a hub for cattle and agriculture.
- 1874 The Battle of Adobe Walls took place in the Panhandle, a clash between buffalo hunters and Native American tribes.
- 1920s Discovery of oil in the Panhandle sparked a boom, transforming the economy and landscape.
- 1930s The Dust Bowl devastated the region, leading to mass migration and lasting changes in farming practices.
- 1880s The XIT Ranch, once the world's largest fenced ranch, covered millions of acres in the Panhandle.
Rivalries
- Amarillo High vs. Tascosa High Crosstown football rivalry that draws big crowds.
- Canyon vs. Randall Neighboring high schools with a heated football matchup.
- Game day Friday night lights
- Outdoors Go stargazing away from city lights
- With kids Watch the Amarillo Sod Poodles play baseball
- With kids Explore the Amarillo Museum of Art
People in Amarillo speak with a Texas Panhandle accent, a mix of Southern drawl and Western twang. Common phrases include 'y'all' for 'you all', 'fixin' to' for 'about to', and 'coke' for any soft drink.
Only here
- The Helium Monument in Amarillo, a tribute to the element helium, which was first extracted from natural gas in the Panhandle.
- The phrase 'Amarillo by Morning' is a beloved country song, and locals are proud of the city's mention in music.
New here? A few tips
- Expect strong winds year-round; it's part of the Panhandle's character.
- Try a local steak house for a classic Texas beef dinner.
- Learn to say 'y'all' - it's the friendly way to address a group.
- Prepare for extreme temperatures: hot summers and cold winters with occasional snow.
- Take time to visit Palo Duro Canyon for a hike or the outdoor musical.
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Part of Amarillo area
Nearby
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Amarillo, TX. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.