At the top of Texas is the Panhandle Plains region. Its rectangular shape jutting out over the rest of the Lone Star State is easily one of the state’s most recognizable features. Within this region are also some of the most unique attractions in the state. The iconic Route 66 runs through the Panhandle. The “Grand Canyon of Texas” is also found in the Panhandle Plains, as are many quirky and bizarre attractions, including the famous “Cadillac Ranch.” So while the Panhandle may appear at first glance to be nothing more than wide open spaces, there is actually a lot to see and do in the region.
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Palo Duro Canyon
Direction
11450 State Hwy Park Rd 5, Canyon, TX 79015, EE. UU.Get directions
Telephone
+1 806-488-2227
Web
Visit the website
Although the Panhandle region is known as the Panhandle Plains, they are actually high plains, with numerous deep canyons. The largest of these canyons is Palo Duro Canyon, known as the Grand Canyon of Texas. Palo Duro Canyon is 120 miles long, 20 miles wide, and 800 feet deep and today is part of the 20,000-acre Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Popular activities within Palo Duro State Park are hiking, camping, horseback riding, and mountain biking.
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Big Texan Steakhouse
Direction
7701 Interstate 40 Access Rd, Amarillo, TX 79118-6915, EE. UU.Get directions
Telephone
+1 806-372-6000
Web
Visit the website
Located on historic Route 66, the Big Texan Steak Ranch offers a “free meal” to anyone who can finish a 72-ounce (4 1/2 pound) steak, baked potato, salad, dinner roll and shrimp cocktail at one hour. Since 1965, tens of thousands have attempted the 72-ounce steak challenge, which has been immortalized in numerous movies, books, and other pop culture media, becoming a national icon along the way.
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Cadillac Ranch
Direction
13651 I-40 Frontage Rd, Amarillo, TX 79124-2619, EE. UU.Get directions
Located on I-40, about 12 miles west of downtown Amarillo (between exits 60 and 62), Cadillac Ranch is an iconic attraction. Originally located along Route 66, Cadillac Ranch was moved to its current location in 1997 due to the ever-expanding city limits of Amarillo. The Cadillac Ranch was created by a group of California-based artists known as Ant Farm at the behest of eccentric millionaire Amarillo and art patron Stanley Marsh 3. Cadillac Ranch consists of 10 Cadillacs planted upside down on the ground. The 10 cars used were model years 1949, ’52, ’54, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’59, ’60, ’62 and ’64. These models were chosen to represent the evolution of the Cadillac tail fins. Cadillac Ranch gained cult status thanks to Bruce Springsteen’s ode to this strange attraction.
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Devil’s rope museum
Direction
100 Kingsley St, McLean, TX 79057, EE. UU.Get directions
Telephone
+1 806-779-2225
Web
Visit the website
Nicknamed “Devil’s Rope” because of the metal “thorns” found along its length, barbed wire revolutionized livestock farming. At the time barbed wire was invented, the Texas Panhandle was the center of the nation’s livestock industry, so the impact of the “Devil’s String” was certainly felt in the region. Today, the Devil’s Rope Museum, located just off Route 66 outside of Graham, TX (currently connected to the Route 66 Museum), houses more than 6,000 examples of various barbed wire.
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Route 66 / Yellow
Route 66 is a long way to be safe. But, the section through the Texas Panhandle is certainly worth the drive. The entire length of Route 66 contained in Texas is dotted with interesting and unique attractions. Also located on Route 66 is the iconic Texas city of Amarillo. Founded in the early 1800s, Amarillo was once the center of the American livestock industry. It later gained fame as a central stop along Route 66.
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Caprock Canyon State Park
Direction
850 Caprock Canyon Park Road , Quitaque , TX 79255 , EE . UU.Get directions
Telephone
+1 806-455-1492
Web
Visit the website
Located approximately 100 miles southeast of Amarillo, Caprock Canyon State Park is home to the state’s official bison herd. In addition to the herd of bison, there are numerous canyons that were once home to several different groups of Native Americans, including the Folsom Indians, one of the first recorded Native American cultures. The park is also home to a 120-acre lake and more than 100 miles of trails. Popular activities within Caprock Canyon State Park include mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, boating, fishing, swimming, and camping.
