EXPLORING BEYOND OKLAHOMA
Day Two The morning would be well spent at Lake Meredith National Recreation Area , just 40 minutes north of Amarillo. This hidden oasis is a respite from the surrounding dry, windswept plains and a haven for migratory birds. The Canadian River has cut dramatic 200-foot canyon walls around this gorgeous lake, where visitors enjoy water skiing, fishing or hiking along the nearby trails. Just 15 minutes away is the Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, where your family can take a unique tour to learn about Native Americans who used this flint 13,000 years ago. These beautifully colored rocks form pathways of rainbow flint pieces, which are revered for their sharpness and use in tool and weapon- making. Tours run twice daily from April through October. Make your way back to Amarillo for lunch at Yellow City Street Food , a chef-owned and operated restaurant inspired by street food from around the world. The menu changes daily and often includes several vegan options. Afterward, kids will enjoy some hands-on fun at the Don Harrington Discovery Center , where exhibits stimulate imaginative play and STEM-based learning. The outdoor science park includes a fossil dig and tennis ball launch while indoors offers a space and weather gallery, a giant ant maze to crawl through and a rotation of other seasonal exhibits. Route 66 is dotted with roadside oddities and Amarillo is home to several. Venture over to the Historic 6th Street Antique Mall for several blocks of walkable shops, art galleries and unique boutiques to peruse one-of-a-kind gifts. Don’t miss a chance to visit The Big Texan Steak Ranch , home of the 72 ounce steak challenge, where patrons eat for free if they can finish the entire steak, sides included, in under an hour! Today’s final attraction is Cadillac Ranch , an art installation featuring 10 Cadillacs lined up and buried headfirst into the earth. Each car showcases thousands of layers of spray paint, so bring a can or two if you want to add your own unique art design. After another full day of sightseeing, enjoy a remarkable Indian meal at It’s a Punjabi Affair . Customers rave about the butter chicken and Naan-wiches, all rich with savory Indian spices and an American twist.
HIKING SOUTH PRONG UPPER CANYON TRAIL AT CAPROCK CANYONS STATE PARK REWARDS WITH EXPANSIVE VIEWS.
Day Three A final day of excursions in the Texas Panhandle calls for a nutritious brunch at Girasol Café and Bakery . This restaurant’s quaint garden patio is the perfect spot to enjoy a beautifully plated dish, including breakfast tacos, omelets or avocado toast. The Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum is the largest museum of its kind in Texas, with exhibits showcasing artifacts and stories of this area’s ancient inhabitants, from dinosaurs to Native people and western pioneers. Explore more than 4,000 pieces of artwork, fossils from the late Triassic Period and a life-sized Pioneer Town. The rest of the day will be spent at Caprock Canyons State Park , located about 90 miles southeast of Palo Duro, where majestic red cliffs reach 1,000 feet above the surrounding green landscapes and riverbeds. There are 90 miles of trails here, but we enjoyed hiking the 3-mile Mesa Trail and the 2.3-mile Haynes Ridge Overlook Trail most for their unmatched views across the park. While on the trail, watch for pronghorn antelopes, foxes, raccoons, jackrabbits, and of course, the Texas State Bison Herd.
60 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / SEPT-OCT 2023
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