Top Places to See When Driving From Amarillo, Texas to Tucumcari City Limit, New Mexico

Traveling is one of the best ways to discover new places and learn about different cultures. The road trip from Amarillo, Texas to Tucumcari City Limit, New Mexico is a must-see adventure that takes you through the beautiful landscapes of the Panhandle Plains region and the Southwest. If you're planning a trip along this route, here are the top places you should stop by and experience.

Driving from Amarillo to Tucumcari is a 103-mile journey that takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on the route you take, and is perfect for a day trip. Along the way, you'll be greeted with nostalgic Americana, stunning natural landscapes, and quirky roadside attractions.

Big Texan Steak Ranch

The Big Texan Steak Ranch is a famous family-owned restaurant located on Route 66 that has been visited by thousands of people since 1960. It is located just east of Amarillo and is known for its gigantic 72-ounce steak challenge that comes with a salad, baked potato, shrimp cocktail, and a roll.

Apart from its steak, the restaurant also has live music, an arcade, a gift shop, and a brewery. It's a unique place to visit that celebrates the cowboy culture and the Old West. If you're not up for the steak challenge, you can still enjoy their delicious Texan-style dishes, such as ribs, burgers, and brisket.

Cadillac Ranch

One of the most iconic roadside attractions along Route 66 is the Cadillac Ranch. This art installation consists of ten Cadillac cars buried nose-first in the ground, and it's located on the west side of Amarillo. The artwork was created in 1974 by a group of artists called the Ant Farm and is a must-see for anyone driving along this route.

Visitors are encouraged to bring spray paint and leave their mark on the cars, creating an ever-changing canvas. This is a fun and unique stop that represents the spirit of Route 66 and its culture.

Route 66 Historic District

The Route 66 Historic District is a section of Route 66 that was developed in the early 1900s and has been restored to look like it did in the 1950s and 1960s. The district is located in Amarillo's downtown area and features historic motels, diners, and shops.

One of the most notable landmarks in the district is the Tower Station and U-Drop Inn, which was built in 1936 and is now a museum and visitor center. The district is perfect for a stroll and to admire the vintage architecture, and it's a great place to buy Route 66 souvenirs.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Located 27 miles southeast of Amarillo is Palo Duro Canyon State Park, the second-largest canyon in the United States after the Grand Canyon. This natural wonder is 120 miles long and up to 20 miles wide, and it's a popular spot for hiking, camping, biking, and horseback riding.

The park has several trails of different difficulty levels that offer stunning views of the canyon's red rock formations, including the Lighthouse Trail, which is a five-mile round trip hike that takes you to the iconic Lighthouse rock formation.

Tucumcari Murals

Once you reach Tucumcari, you'll be welcomed by dozens of colorful murals that decorate the town's buildings. These murals depict the history, culture, and heritage of Tucumcari, and they're a beautiful way to explore the town's artistic expression.

The murals were created by the Tucumcari Mural Arts Program, which started in 2002 to revitalize the town's downtown area. Some of the most notable murals include the Tucumcari Train Depot mural, the Route 66 mural, and the Route 66 Diner mural.

Mesalands Community College's Dinosaur Museum

If you're traveling with kids or are a fan of paleontology, the Mesalands Community College's Dinosaur Museum is a must-visit stop. The museum is home to the world's largest collection of bronze dinosaur skeletons, which were created using the lost-wax casting method.

The museum also has several interactive exhibits, including a fossil preparation lab, where visitors can watch paleontologists work on dinosaur bones. It's a fun and educational attraction that appeals to all ages.

Conclusion

The road trip from Amarillo, Texas to Tucumcari City Limit, New Mexico is a journey that's filled with unique experiences, stunning landscapes, and a sense of nostalgia. From the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo to the Mesalands Community College's Dinosaur Museum in Tucumcari, there's something for everyone along the way.

Make sure to take your time and enjoy each stop to get the most out of this journey. Don't forget to capture the memories on camera, leave your mark at the Cadillac Ranch, and buy souvenirs from the Route 66 Historic District. This road trip is a journey that you'll remember for a lifetime.