A two-day trip isn’t enough to see the whole Texas Panhandle, but here are some “don’t miss spots” in the wide-open spaces and vast horizons of the Texas Plains. Uncover unique hotels, historic restaurants, and attractions you can’t find anywhere else.
Where to Stay
The Panhandle offers many places to stay, from camping in Palo Duro Canyon or luxury hotels in Amarillo, you can find accommodations that suite your needs. The Barfield Autograph Collection in downtown Amarillo offers a high-end, modern take on Western style. Treat yourself with their soft robes and room service after a long day exploring. If a unique, boutique hotel is more your speed, consider The Cactus Cove Inn, a hip hotel with pickleball courts, restaurant, and indoor swimming pool.
Day One
On your first day in the Panhandle, enjoy a cup of coffee and light bites at Palace Coffee. With four locations, you will be able to stop in and grab a locally roasted coffee with in-house pastries before a big day of adventure.
Your first stop is bound to be Palo Duro Canyon, but before your big hike, make sure you check out the town of Canyon, where you’ll find Tex Randall, a 47-foot-tall cowboy who will welcome you to the town. You can’t miss him!
Next, head over to Texas’s largest history museum — the Panhandle Plains Museum — for incredible art, archeology, history, and textile exhibits. You’ll find artifacts from the early days of human existence in the Texas Panhandle, dating back more than 13,000 years, as well as dinosaur fossils from hundreds of millions of years ago!
While in Canyon, consider eating at some of the local spots for lunch. Check out Fat Boys Family BBQ (because you can’t go wrong with Texas barbecue), or spend some time at Creek House Honey Farm and its Honey Buzz Winery and Restaurant, for some bottled and house brewed meads, savory sandwiches, then shop for some local honey products.
Palo Duro Canyon is a must for visitors to the Texas Panhandle. The breathtaking views of the second largest canyon in the country are worth the stop. With walls that rise 800 feet from the canyon floor, the deep canyon was formed by a fork in the Red River over millions of years, creating what some call “The Grand Canyon of Texas.” Hiking, horseback riding, bird watching, and camping are all available at this state park. Unlike other canyons, Palo Duro Canyon also hosts the iconic TEXAS Outdoor Musical in the summers. For well over 50 years, the Pioneer Amphitheater has produced the colorful family-friendly historical show with actors, dancers, and singers. Take in the beauty of the park while enjoying the show as the sun sets in the canyon.
Day Two
There are no shortages of great coffee and breakfast spots. Duck into Roasters, a staple in Amarillo, serving coffee for over 30 years, or Ye Olde Pancake Station where you can order (of course) mouth-watering pancakes, but also any home cooking breakfast item you can imagine.
Head over to one of the most legendary highways in the U.S., Route 66, often called the "Main Street of America.” With its rich history capturing the spirit of American travel and adventure, it continues to captivate visitors from around the world.
At the heart of this experience is Historic 6th Street, a vibrant district along Route 66 that offers a unique blend of nostalgia and modern-day shopping. With 13 blocks of local vendors, shoppers can discover everything from antiques and souvenirs to handcrafted leather goods and more. Whether you're a tourist, history buff, or local, this stretch of Route 66 invites you to explore its timeless charm and discover hidden treasures along the way.
As you keep exploring the iconic Route 66, visit the award-winning Tyler’s BBQ just down the road for a true taste of Texas barbecue. The melt-in-your-mouth brisket is not-to-be-missed, and the restaurant is a local favorite among the community. To walk off your lunch, head over to the roadside oddity known as Cadillac Ranch, an attraction found nowhere else in world — wander through the 10 Cadillacs sprouting from the ground like trees, a sight that has been stopping visitors in their tracks since 1974. Speaking of classic cars, make sure to pay a visit to nearby Bill’s Backyard Classics, a classic car museum with over 100 classic, custom, and hotrod cars. At Bill’s, you’ll be transported back to what the bustling Route 66 must have looked like. Nearby, visit the Amarillo Botanical Gardens for a relaxing afternoon exploring flowers and plants.
End the night at The Big Texan Restaurant, one of the iconic restaurants in the Panhandle. Earn a free dinner and bragging rights if you can finish the 72-ounce steak! After your meal and evening full of music and fun, exit through the gift shop for souvenirs and gifts to take back to friends and family. The Pondaseta Brewery is a great spot for a night cap, with 21 local beers on tap.
