Texas panhandle

[tk]

Hi guys, We are contemplating a long week-end drive to Bovina,
Tx, this spring (end of May, first of June). Our 14-year-old will be working on a ranch/farm for family friends this summer. Bovina is tiny town about 20 miles from Clovis, NM. Any thoughts on places to stay, things to do. I know we will spend 24 or more hours driving so there won't be a whole lot of time for touristy stuff, but I can't see going somewhere I've never been just to turn around and come back. We don't have a TD (yet), might tent, maybe motel, probably one or two nights with the friends. I know the area around Bovina is pretty flat and arid so maybe someplace with scenery on the way down? Our route will probably take us through OK City. Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks,
Tom

[Juneaudave]

Might be an opportunity to take some time and do a Route 66 theme trip?

[Laredo]

muleshoe national wildlife refuge
caprock canyons / copper breaks / palo duro canyon state parks
National Ranching Heritage Center at Texas Tech University in Lubbock
West Texas A&M University's Panhandle Plains Museum in Canyon
National Quarter Horse Museum in Amarillo
Big Texan Steak House, also in Amarillo
Amarillo's zoo, which is free
If you're up to run on into Lubbock there's the Tech Museum, which
has a planetarium
National Ranching Heritage Center at Texas Tech University
Silent Wings Museum at Lubbock International airport

what sorts of things are y'all interested in?

[tk]

Good ideas guys. I hadn't made the connection between Rte 66 and I-44. My wife is eleven years younger than myself so I don't know if Rte. 66 will resonate so well with her. We like the outdoors, scenic kind of stuff so I'll investigate Muleshoe, Caprock and Copper Breaks. I knew about Palo Duro already. Is the Big Texan reasonably priced? I used to live in Nebraska so steakhouses are big with me. Thanks for the responses.

Best,
Tom

[Laredo]

Big Texan is kinda a tourist trap, so you'll pay a little more than you might otherwhere in Amarillo -- my favorite place is Hoffbrau, but Country Barn is good (and open late on Sundays).
If you're not shy about such things you might visit this site and print out some savings before you leave home:
http://www.visitamarillotx.com/coupons.cfm

Must say though Big Texan's steaks are tasty and filling -- a big serving. Friends have recommended Desperados and Cattlemans Cafe to me too. I like the food at Blue Sky Cafe (it's a popular spot at mealtime rush hours).

Amarillo's got a Visitor Info Center all its own. The folks there are friendly
and know where to go for a great meal.
http://www.visitamarillotx.com/visitors ... tionCenter

this is probably my favorite thing to do in Amarillo:
http://www.amarillozoo.org/

Since I'm a barbecue junkie, I'm probably not the greatest authority on steaks in Amarillo. I'll suggest you check out the restaurant reviews on Texas Monthly's website, though -- they're pretty reliable.
http://www.texasmonthly.com/

In Lubbock I like Texas Roadhouse more than Cagle's Steaks; but
Cagle's does good barbecue (I'm not a fan of the seasoning they
use on their steaks).

This is a great site for learning about parks in this part of Texas:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/find ... le_plains/

and then this is Amarillo's nature center:
http://www.wildcatbluff.org/

and here's a site on the federal park that's closest to Amarillo:
http://www.nps.gov/alfl/index.htm

and there's also the Black Kettle National Grasslands north of Canadian, if you're coming in that way, and Lake Meredith (where the camping is ok, and will help stretch your budget if you need it 'cause it's a Corps of Engineers campground):

http://www.nps.gov/lamr/index.htm

as well as the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge.

There's a great place to eat in Canadian called the Cattle Exchange.
Not cheap, but very tasty. The bread pudding is amazing, and the barbecue is just this side of heaven.

There's a pretty good site about Amarillo here:
http://www.visitamarillotx.com/visitors ... ttractions

This is a great museum:
http://www.panhandleplains.org/

Now if you get time to go on over to Clovis, there's quite a bit going on there too: http://www.clovisnm.org/visitors/attractions.htm


Hmmm. That oughta cover a Thursday-to-Monday weekend.

[kajamelu4]

If you are stopping in OKC, I would recommend visiting the Bombing Memorial. Just off of I-40, right downtown. Signs point the way. It is an emotional place to visit, so be prepared.
If you're looking for a great steak in OKC, Cattleman's in the Stockyards will have it. It is pricey however. The house salad dressing is yum, yum.

If you are into history, Fort El Reno is also interesting. Be sure and go out to the cemetary.

Is it too early for the play at Palo Duro? It is worth the visit for sure! There is also a great museum in Canyon (the town just south of Amarillo).

Have fun!
Karol