Northwest Texas presents vacationers with a massive area for exploration. The level plains of this region extend as far as the eye can see, with virtually no defining topography to obstruct a clear view of the horizon. Historically associated with cattle drives and the frontier lifestyle, Northwest Texas now offers visitors a surprising amount of cultural variety across its major cities, along with natural areas that highlight the region's windswept grandeur.
Panhandle Arts
- Amarillo, the second largest city in Northwest Texas, functions as a cultural and artistic hub for the region. The Amarillo Little Theatre is one of the oldest continually functioning community theaters in the United States. The theater maintains a full schedule that has included hits like "Shrek, the Musical" and "Les Miserables." Fans of the performing arts can also visit the Amarillo Opera, Amarillo Symphony and Lone Star Ballet, all based in the Globe-News Center in the Amarillo Civic Center Complex. Visual art lovers can check out the Galleries at Sunset Center. This former shopping mall has become a massive art space, with over 50 studio galleries.
Northwest Texas Nightlife
- The largest city in Northwest Texas, Lubbock, has the region's most prominent university, Texas Tech, and a reputation for live music. The birthplace of Buddy Holly, Lubbock honors his legacy at the Buddy Holly Center. The center promotes Texas music with a collection of artifacts and exhibits, along with visual arts galleries. The contemporary music scene is alive and well in Lubbock, especially around the Depot Entertainment District. Guests interested in some West Texas nightlife can wander down Buddy Holly Avenue and visit venues like the Blue Light Live, Cactus Courtyard and Thirsty Turtle, or head closer to Texas Tech for Bash Riprock's, Lubbock's oldest college bar.
- Explore Regional Cities
- Vacationers to Northwest Texas will also find plenty do in the region's smaller cities. Dumas, one of the northernmost cities in Texas, has an Art Center that hosts workshops and showcases Northwest Texas art. Right next door, the Window on the Plains Museum has exhibits on the cultural history of the region. Canyon, located outside of Amarillo, has the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum, which covers 14,000 years of panhandle history. Visitors to Plainview, located midway between Lubbock and Amarillo, can catch a film, play or musical at the historic 1920s Fair Theatre. Plainview's Llano Estacado Museum focuses on regional history, with an emphasis on archaeology.
Northwest Texas Outdoors
- Palo Duro Canyon State Park, 28 miles from Amarillo, covers over 29,000 acres and has the second largest canyon in the U.S. The park offers cabins, tent and RV sites, and has extensive hiking trails. Caprock Canyons State Park, 76 miles east of Plainview, allows guests to observe bison in their natural habitat, and also has a 120-acre lake. Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge covers over 7,600 acres, 175 of which have designation as a National Natural Landmark. Located 14 miles from Canyon, the landmark area serves as one of the last surviving examples of short grass prairie.
