In a city where the cattle is king,you can find the kind of cowboy culture that knows the value of a good hard day’s work. This Texas Panhandle city has rough hands but soft hearts.
Visit the famous Route 66 for a trip back in time. The road is lined by historic buildings,and a number of restaurants that have a traditional Texan flare.
1. The Big Texan Steak Ranch
The Big Texan steak Ranch is one of Amarillo TX‘s most recognizable attractions. This restaurant,which was originally opened along Route 66 in 1960,is famous for giving away 72-ounce steaks to those who finish them within an hour. This is a four and a half-pound hunk of beef,served with a salad,baked potato,shrimp cocktail,and a dinner roll,and only those who can complete the challenge will get to dine for free.
When you enter,it’s obvious that this is a tourist attraction. The restaurant is brightly painted yellow and has a huge Texas flag with a giant statue of a longhorn welcoming you. The restaurant has also been featured in a number of movies and TV shows,including Waking Up in Reno and Man vs. Food,where host Adam Richman completed the challenge.
The arcade is open to guests,who can also shop for souvenirs and try some microbrews. They can also stay at the motel which was built to look like a main street in a western town.
2. The Don Harrington Discovery Center
Don Harrington Discovery Center provides interactive exhibits and programming that actively engages children,adolescents,and their families. It fosters inquiring minds and nurtures the individual genius within each of us.
The museum’s goal is to spark an interest that will last a lifetime in science and technology. The museum is located in the Medical District and has a variety of educational exhibits covering everything from space exploration to the human anatomy. The museum is also home to the Helium Centennial Time Columns monument and a digital planetarium called the Space Theater.
The Space Theater offers out of this world trips that range from our closest neighbors in the solar system to the edge of a black hole in the blink of an eye. Space Theater shows are part of the general admission. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday,9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
3. The Space Theater
The Space Theater is one of the most interesting and educational attractions that you can visit with your kids in Amarillo. The museum has sixty different exhibits that allow kids to experiment,tinker,and play in order to learn. A digital planetarium is available that features a variety of light shows and astronomy programmes.
Amarillo,besides being known for its culinary scene and outdoor adventures,is also known for its arts and culture. The city is home to several theatres and musical venues that host some of the most acclaimed performances in the country.
Many museums showcase the rich culture and history of the city. Palo Duro Canyon is a popular destination for hikers and bikers. The city also has a variety of sporting teams including the AHAI Amarillo Wranglers Hockey team and the Amarillo Venom,an indoor football team. It is also home to the renowned Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts.
4. Wonderland Park
This local amusement park offers family fun at a reasonable price since 1951. The park,located in Thompson Park,offers over 30 rides for both kids and adults. The merry-go round and carousel are great for little ones,while teens will love the Texas Tornado double loop coaster. Shoot the Chute,a log flume and the water ride Shoot the Chute are also thrilling. Minigolf and an arcade round out the lineup.
The Park was founded by Paul and Aletha Roads and continues to be run by their children today. Their daughter,Paula,is a CPA and manages the Park with her husband,Paul Borchardt. The Park is run on the basis of family values,cleanliness and safety. The Borchardts’ commitment to the Park can be seen in how they treat their employees. They believe that their staff are their biggest asset and they strive to treat them with respect.