Where to base yourself
Downtown suits couples and anyone who likes to walk to dinner. I-40 East and West have chain hotels, big parking lots and quick highway access, which suits road-trippers. The Sixth Street area has more character than lodging, so eat there rather than sleep there.
Food and drink
This is beef country: steakhouses range from the theatrical Big Texan to plain local grills. Look also for Tex-Mex, chicken-fried steak and barbecue. Sixth Street has bars and live music on many weekends.
Money-saving tips
The best-known sights are free, including Cadillac Ranch and walking Sixth Street. Hotels near I-40 can be excellent value mid-week, but prices jump for big events, so book early around rodeo and sports weekends.
Safety
Amarillo is a normal mid-sized American city. Use common sense at night, lock valuables out of sight, and take the weather seriously: severe storms, hail and tornado warnings are possible in spring and early summer.
Sample plans
One day
Morning at Cadillac Ranch, lunch and a stroll on Sixth Street, an afternoon at Palo Duro’s rim overlook, and steak for dinner.
Two days
Day one in the city as above. Day two is all Palo Duro: hike the Lighthouse Trail at sunrise and visit the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in the heat of the afternoon.
Three days
Add a Route 66 drive west to Vega and Adrian, or a day at Lake Meredith and Alibates.
