Valerie Mellema; Mar 2008 ...As a resident of Amarillo, I know a little bit about what to do here. The description is right in that Amarillo is not a particular interesting town, but it used to be back in it's "hey day." Today,...
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Cattle ranch © Amarillo Convention and Visitors Council
Why? The friendly city of Amarillo offers the 'best of
the west', both old and new: a fun hang-out for modern Texan
cowboys. Clean air, excellent accommodation, the country's second
largest canyon, and a western heritage make a holiday in Amarillo a
memorable experience.
When? The 'High Plains' climate makes a holiday in Amarillo
a hit and miss affair weather-wise. Severe weather is common, from
drought to flooding. Summer weather is unbearably hot, and winters
freezing cold. Snow is common between October and April. The
Tri-State Fair and Rodeo in mid-September and the Cowboy Round-up
USA in early June are great events to aim for.
Who for? Anyone who is a cowboy or cowgirl at heart should
travel to Amarillo. An Amarillo holiday is also perfect for
carnivores who can consume the biggest steaks in Texas here.
Surprisingly the city also caters for ballet and opera buffs, with
a renowned cultural community.
More Info: Our Amarillo travel guide will point the way to
this fun destination in the Texas Panhandle, containing all the
up-to-date detailed information necessary to travel to
Amarillo.
Overview
The city of Amarillo, about 330 miles (531km) northwest of
Dallas-Fort Worth, is where the old West lives on in the commercial
centre of the Texas panhandle.
Amarillo started out in 1887 as a 'buffalo-hide tent camp' for
railroad construction workers. Today, the town named for a nearby
stream, the Arroya Amarillo, boasts a convention centre, symphony,
ballet, theatre, opera and two higher education facilities,
Amarillo College and Texas State Technical College.
Amarillo's fortunes have long rested on the horns of cattle
ranching, but it has also become a popular stopover for tourists
keen to play cowboy or cowgirl, with numerous motels and
restaurants having opened up in recent years. The town is located
on the major Route 1-40 east-west highway, making it easily
accessible for visitors and those who come for the famed frenetic
Amarillo Livestock Auctions.
At first glance Amarillo may seem unprepossessing and have
little to offer apart from cowboys and cattle, but it is worth
digging below the dust of the high plains to discover its
attractions.