Amarillo
The Big Texan in Amarillo, home of the 72-oz Steak Challenge
Amarillo, But Not By Morning
I know you have the song in your head now. You’re welcome.
It took me much longer to make my first visit. I am a lifelong Central Texan, and my first trip to Amarillo was in 2022. Amarillo is a 7.5-hour drive from Austin, so it’s no day trip from Central Texas.
Situated on I-40, it is easily accessible from the Midwest United States and the Rocky Mountains. It is closer to three state capitals than it is to Austin, so unless you are coming from the heart of Texas, you won’t have to drive through much of Texas to get there.
Amarillo is the largest city in the Texas Panhandle, and there is a lot to do in the area. A long weekend in Amarillo provides enough time to visit most of the city attractions.
Tornado Safety
Check the forecast before you go; the Texas Panhandle is one of the most active tornado zones in the United States. While your visit likely won’t involve a tornado with your name on it, severe thunderstorms that produce them can form quickly, and most Texas buildings do not have basements or shelters.
As a Texan who has lived through her share of tornado warnings, I can confirm we are taught to shelter in the innermost room of your building away from any glass and pray that sucker isn’t an F-5. Bathrooms and closets away from windows are preferable. Few homes have tornado shelters.
Who needs basements and shelters when you have prayer, amirite?
The Texas General Land Office offers tornado preparation tips specific to Texas.
2022 Spring Break Trip
When my nephew and I decided we wanted to go to Colorado for his Spring Break in March 2022, I was happy I could finally visit. We were able to pack a lot into one day before heading to Denver thanks to Amarillo being easy to drive and navigate.
Texas Air and Space Museum
Our first stop was the Texas Air and Space Museum close to Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (my nephew loves air and space museums, so these are priority when he travels with me). The facilities are not state-of-the-art, but for air and space enthusiasts, this is a true labor of love with indoor and outdoor exhibits, including planes and helicopters available for tour and mementos donated by noted pilots and astronauts.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
We then went to nearby Palo Duro Canyon State Park outside of Canyon (south of Amarillo). Known as the Grand Canyon of Texas, Palo Duro Canyon has hiking trails, horseback riding, campgrounds, and entertainment. Arriving at Palo Duro Canyon, you see the sharp contrast of the canyon’s colorful, rugged beauty against the flat, beige Texas Panhandle. For those who want the rugged beauty without roughing it, it even offers glamping.
My nephew was a good sport and hiked the popular Lighthouse Trail with me. This 3.8-mile out-and-back trail leads to Lighthouse Rock, the rock formation that is the symbol of Palo Duro. I did not come prepared to hike on this road trip; the Skechers Slip-ins I was wearing taught me that a good pair of hiking boots makes a moderate trail more comfortable. But since I am not a quitter, my questionable footwear decision did not stop me from making it onto Lighthouse Rock (with an assist from a nice stranger).
There are many trails at Palo Duro Canyon; learn more about the trails and trail safety at Palo Duro before you go. Since we went in March, the weather was great for hiking, but in hot weather, water is a must because temperatures can exceed 120 degrees on the canyon floor.
Cadillac Ranch
Cadillac Ranch is the iconic art installation featuring 10 old Cadillacs buried nose-down in the ground. Cadillac Ranch is one of those tourist attractions where you should quickly visit at least one time because, well, you just should.
Since I figured this would be a quick visit, my nephew and I made time to stop after our hike at Palo Duro Canyon. Located west of Amarillo on Interstate 40, it’s easy to get to, although parking is on the frontage road (i.e., service, access, or feeder roads), which runs parallel to the highway. These are common in Texas, so the Texas Department of Transportation offers more information.
Formerly located on old Route 66, it was moved to its current location visible from Interstate 40 after highway realignment. Though it’s on private land, visitors are encouraged to park on the frontage road and bring spray paint to leave their own graffiti on the cars.
The next morning, we made a stop at Roasters, a local coffee chain we both enjoyed. Read more about the rest of our Spring Break trip.
2023 Amarillo…by Afternoon
In summer 2023, I returned to take advantage of my post-layoff time to visit attractions I did not have time to visit the previous year. The primary goal was to see TEXAS: The Musical, which plays every summer at Palo Duro Canyon, but I also wanted to enjoy a meal at The Big Texan, which my nephew and I skipped because it was crowded, required reservations, and wasn’t as appealing to my nephew as the Denny’s in front of our hotel.
Big Texan Steak Ranch
Before heading out for TEXAS: The Musical later that evening, I stopped to see if the food was worth the hype. Yes, I’d go back. My meal was fantastic.
The Big Texan is home to the famous 72-oz Steak Challenge. After paying $72 upfront, people with elastic tummies and a death wish eat a steak the size of ten meals (plus the sides) in the hopes of being reimbursed the $72. You must eat the entire meal in less than an hour: the steak, of course, plus shrimp cocktail, baked potato, salad, and a roll.
(Since I can only eat a fraction of a 72-oz steak in any sitting, there is zero chance I attempt this.)
If you are bored, there is a live stream.
On my way out, I found someone I knew on the Wall of Fame! While I had not seen him in…ahem…decades, one of my childhood friends from East Bernard, TX won the challenge three days prior. I hope he’s okay.
While The Big Texan has more than steak plates, you go there to eat steak. So I ordered the smallest steak available on the menu, the filet mignon (rare, of course). It came with two sides and amazing rolls, so I balanced it by ordering the indulgent, delicious Cheesy Potatoes as a splurge and perfectly steamed broccoli to keep my meal on the healthier side. The steak was perfectly cooked and tender, and the sides were fantastic. Per usual, I ate half at the restaurant and took the rest back to the hotel to enjoy later.
TEXAS: The Musical
As the sun set on another very hot July day, I headed out to Palo Duro Canyon in time to drive through Palo Duro Canyon to the TEXAS: The Musical stage, only performed during the summer months. Since the show begins after sundown, you can enjoy the musical without the punishing daytime heat. Read more about my experience.
Route 66
The day I left, I drove old Route 66, which runs along Business I-40 or Amarillo Blvd. north of downtown. Driving Old Route 66 in Amarillo is a bit ho-hum, but if you are a Route 66 enthusiast, you might want to say you’ve visited. It does have some local businesses you can support. Since I was ready to head back to Austin, I just drove through.
