Region: Panhandle Plains
Amarillo, which means "yellow" in Spanish, is the center of the Texas Panhandle, located at the edge of the Great Plains. It offers a true Western heritage, a unique geographical area with wide, open spaces and breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. Amarillo also is the gateway to Palo Duro Canyon, America's second largest canyon. With its relatively mild climate, the city is rated as having some of the cleanest air in the country.
Indians, conquistadors, buffalo hunters, settlers, cowboys, adventurers, lawmen, gunfighters and the railroad all contributed in many ways to the development and growth of the area. That heritage is still felt here, where "cowboy" is still an honorable profession. Here you can enjoy the best of the Old and New West.
Founded in 1887, the city charter was adopted in 1913. Amarillo is one of the first cities in the nation to use the City Commissioner-City Manager form of government.
Today, the city features excellent accommodations, a spacious convention/civic center, symphony, ballet, little theater, opera and Amarillo College.
Inquire locally about Big Texan Steak Ranch. Known nationwide for a 72-oz. steak dinner offered free to anyone who can eat the entire meal in one hour. More than 35,000 people have taken the challenge and 7,000 have succeeded. Open daily. 7700 I-40 at Lakeside. 806/372-6000.