![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Big-Texan.jpg\")
Big Texan | Photo by Jason Heidemann<\/p><\/div>\n
Big Texan Steak Ranch<\/strong><\/h2>\nThis huge and kitschy restaurant complex is famous for its steaks\u2014the 16-ounce bone-in Duke\u2019s Cut ribeye is sublime\u2014but is perhaps even better known for the 72-ounce Steak Challenge. Anyone who eats a 72-ounce steak, baked potato, shrimp cocktail, dinner roll and salad in one hour gets the meal for free. And all the other diners get to watch the action (on a stage no less) while they attempt finishing off their own meals.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/TEXAS-AMARILLO-Cadillac-Ranch-row-4-c2018-Carole-Terwilliger-Meyers.jpg\")
Photo courtesy of Carole Terwilliger Meyers<\/p><\/div>\n
Cadillac Ranch<\/h2>\n
Back in 1974, Stanley Marsh 3 and other artists got together and planted ten Cadillacs in the ground, nose first. The installation was moved in 1997 and is now closer to old Route 66, but it’s still out there in a cow pasture. Nowadays, in addition to viewing it, visitors often bring their own cans of spray paint to add a personal touch to the dramatic work.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/TEXAS-AMARILLO-Polk-Street-Cattle-Drive-longhorn-steers-1-c2018-Carole-Terwilliger-Meyers-BEST.jpg\")
Photo courtesy of Carole Terwilliger Meyers<\/p><\/div>\n
Coors Cowboy Club Ranch Rodeo and Cattle Drive<\/h2>\n
The Coors Cowboy Club Ranch Rodeo comes to town just once each year. It focuses on the ranch hands who work locally and so is not as polished as some, but it exudes a down home, everyone-knows-everyone feeling. And there are plenty of bucking broncos. The cattle drive of Texas longhorns down the city\u2019s main drag\u2014Polk Street\u2014occurs the day before the rodeo opens and is followed by plenty of celebrating in adjacent bars and restaurants.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Floating-Mesa-trover-Erik-Rowley.jpg\")
Trover photo by Erik Rowley<\/a><\/p><\/div>\nBig art in big sky country<\/h2>\n
There is plenty of space available in Texas for big art. You do have to hunt down most of the sites, which is part of the fun. Ask around. \u201cOzymandias\u201d by Lightnin\u2019 McDuff dates to the mid-1990s. Located in a private cow pasture protected with barbed wire, it consists of two giant legs that pay homage to the Egyptian king. \u201cFloating Mesa\u201d is credited to Stanley Marsh 3 and dates to 1981. Installed on top of a mesa, it appears to be floating atop the ground when the sun reflects just the right way. There’s also “Combine City,” a Cadillac Ranch of sorts, but featuring combines instead of cars.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/TEXAS-AMARILLO-Palo-Duro-Canyon-SP-scenic-2-c2018-Carole-Terwilliger-Meyers.jpg\")
Photo courtesy of Carole Terwilliger Meyers<\/p><\/div>\n
Palo Duro Canyon State Park<\/h2>\n
Known as the \u201cGrand Canyon of Texas.\u201d this 120-mile-long canyon is the second largest (based on length) in the U.S. Among its features are a giant cave and a 300-foot-tall \u201choodoo\u201d rock formation that resembles a lighthouse. In summer the temperature can climb above 100 degrees, so each trailhead here has a warning thermometer. For 53 years now, when the sun sets and the canyon cools off, the over-the-top extravaganza known as \u201cTexas\u2014The Musical\u201d lights up an outdoor amphitheater. It features real horses and a fireworks show at the end.<\/p>\n
ALSO:<\/strong> Rack up Texas-sized rewards with Orbitz Rewards, good towards 200,000+ hotels worldwide!<\/a><\/p>\nPanhandle-Plains Historical Museum<\/h2>\n
Situated inside a 1921 Art Deco building on the West Texas A&M University campus, this is the oldest and largest history museum in Texas. It is often referred to as \u201cThe Smithsonian with a Texas accent.\u201d Displays cover petroleum, archaeology and costumes and textiles, but it also holds a fine arts collection that includes many Georgia O\u2019Keeffe artifacts and one painting (she was once an area resident).<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/TEXAS-AMARILLO-Route-66-Midpoint-Cafe-midpoint-signfamily-taking-photo-c2018-Carole-Terwilliger-Meyers.jpg\")
Photo courtesy of Carole Terwilliger Meyers<\/p><\/div>\n
Route 66 halfway marker<\/h2>\n
Amarillo<\/a> is the big city mid-point for Route 66, the famous \u201cMother Road\u201d running between Chicago and Los Angeles. But the actual mid-point, which measures in at 1,139 miles between starting points, is at the MidPoint Cafe and Gift Shop in nearby Adrian. It makes the perfect stop for some fresh homemade pie, and the gift shop is loaded with souvenir items that you might actually want. Also check out the Route 66 Historic District in Amarillo, where you can duck into the Lile Art Gallery to pat Lady, an Australian Shepard that keeps watch at the door. Inside, check out the owner\u2019s exclusive line of cadilite jewelry made from the paint layers that peel off those famous Cadillacs.<\/p>\nAmerican Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum<\/h2>\n
Dedicated to \u201cthe horse that settled the West,\u201d this museum showcases the history of the quarter horses and the people who have brought the breed fame. (Did you know the quarter horse got its name by being the fastest horse to run the quarter mile?) An arena outside sometimes schedules demonstrations with real horses.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Embassy-Suites-Amarillo.jpg\")
Embassy Suites Amarillo Downtown<\/p><\/div>\n
STAY<\/strong><\/h2>\nSituated near the heart of downtown, the brand-new Embassy Suites Amarillo Downtown<\/a> hotel is filled with natural light and offers a living wall in the lobby that is covered with more than 4,000 green plants. Suites are spacious, Wi-Fi is free and TVs measure 49 inches.\u00a0 Full breakfast and evening reception are included.<\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Carole Terwilliger Meyers<\/p><\/div>\n
Cadillac Ranch<\/h2>\n
Back in 1974, Stanley Marsh 3 and other artists got together and planted ten Cadillacs in the ground, nose first. The installation was moved in 1997 and is now closer to old Route 66, but it’s still out there in a cow pasture. Nowadays, in addition to viewing it, visitors often bring their own cans of spray paint to add a personal touch to the dramatic work.<\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Carole Terwilliger Meyers<\/p><\/div>\n
Coors Cowboy Club Ranch Rodeo and Cattle Drive<\/h2>\n
The Coors Cowboy Club Ranch Rodeo comes to town just once each year. It focuses on the ranch hands who work locally and so is not as polished as some, but it exudes a down home, everyone-knows-everyone feeling. And there are plenty of bucking broncos. The cattle drive of Texas longhorns down the city\u2019s main drag\u2014Polk Street\u2014occurs the day before the rodeo opens and is followed by plenty of celebrating in adjacent bars and restaurants.<\/p>\n
Trover photo by Erik Rowley<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n There is plenty of space available in Texas for big art. You do have to hunt down most of the sites, which is part of the fun. Ask around. \u201cOzymandias\u201d by Lightnin\u2019 McDuff dates to the mid-1990s. Located in a private cow pasture protected with barbed wire, it consists of two giant legs that pay homage to the Egyptian king. \u201cFloating Mesa\u201d is credited to Stanley Marsh 3 and dates to 1981. Installed on top of a mesa, it appears to be floating atop the ground when the sun reflects just the right way. There’s also “Combine City,” a Cadillac Ranch of sorts, but featuring combines instead of cars.<\/p>\n Photo courtesy of Carole Terwilliger Meyers<\/p><\/div>\n Known as the \u201cGrand Canyon of Texas.\u201d this 120-mile-long canyon is the second largest (based on length) in the U.S. Among its features are a giant cave and a 300-foot-tall \u201choodoo\u201d rock formation that resembles a lighthouse. In summer the temperature can climb above 100 degrees, so each trailhead here has a warning thermometer. For 53 years now, when the sun sets and the canyon cools off, the over-the-top extravaganza known as \u201cTexas\u2014The Musical\u201d lights up an outdoor amphitheater. It features real horses and a fireworks show at the end.<\/p>\n ALSO:<\/strong> Rack up Texas-sized rewards with Orbitz Rewards, good towards 200,000+ hotels worldwide!<\/a><\/p>\n Situated inside a 1921 Art Deco building on the West Texas A&M University campus, this is the oldest and largest history museum in Texas. It is often referred to as \u201cThe Smithsonian with a Texas accent.\u201d Displays cover petroleum, archaeology and costumes and textiles, but it also holds a fine arts collection that includes many Georgia O\u2019Keeffe artifacts and one painting (she was once an area resident).<\/p>\n Photo courtesy of Carole Terwilliger Meyers<\/p><\/div>\n Amarillo<\/a> is the big city mid-point for Route 66, the famous \u201cMother Road\u201d running between Chicago and Los Angeles. But the actual mid-point, which measures in at 1,139 miles between starting points, is at the MidPoint Cafe and Gift Shop in nearby Adrian. It makes the perfect stop for some fresh homemade pie, and the gift shop is loaded with souvenir items that you might actually want. Also check out the Route 66 Historic District in Amarillo, where you can duck into the Lile Art Gallery to pat Lady, an Australian Shepard that keeps watch at the door. Inside, check out the owner\u2019s exclusive line of cadilite jewelry made from the paint layers that peel off those famous Cadillacs.<\/p>\n Dedicated to \u201cthe horse that settled the West,\u201d this museum showcases the history of the quarter horses and the people who have brought the breed fame. (Did you know the quarter horse got its name by being the fastest horse to run the quarter mile?) An arena outside sometimes schedules demonstrations with real horses.<\/p>\n Embassy Suites Amarillo Downtown<\/p><\/div>\n Situated near the heart of downtown, the brand-new Embassy Suites Amarillo Downtown<\/a> hotel is filled with natural light and offers a living wall in the lobby that is covered with more than 4,000 green plants. Suites are spacious, Wi-Fi is free and TVs measure 49 inches.\u00a0 Full breakfast and evening reception are included.<\/p>\nBig art in big sky country<\/h2>\n
Palo Duro Canyon State Park<\/h2>\n
Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum<\/h2>\n
Route 66 halfway marker<\/h2>\n
American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum<\/h2>\n
STAY<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Orbitz,](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/OrbitzApp.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"