This vibrant college town in West Texas is a wonderful place for arts and culture and is a really fun and interesting place to visit. Lubbock claims to have more live music venues per capita than any city in Texas, with trendy and intimate venues tucked away throughout the city and particularly in the Depot district. The city also has an abundance of unique museums, some of which focus on agriculture, heritage, history and aviation. Several museums even offer free admission. Famed musician Buddy Holly was born in Lubbock and you can learn more about his life and music at the Buddy Holly Center. If you’re traveling with kids, stop at Prairie Dog Town and possibly Joyland Amusement Park or the Science Center & Omni Theater.
1 Bayer Museum of Agriculture
For an insightful look at how farming and agriculture have developed over the years, the Bayer Museum of Agriculture is well worth a visit. Fantastic displays show the equipment farmers have used over the years. Many of the displays are interactive and at the touch of a button a 3D blacksmith will talk about his trade, activate an animatronic farmer at work in the field or start other unique programs. One of the most impressive exhibits is the 20th-century tool shop, with hundreds of small tools mounted in an intricate design on the walls. A touch screen allows you to find out what each tool was used for. Other displays include a room dedicated to more than 700 toy tractors, a water well and a drilling exhibition and a seed display case. Of particular interest to children of all ages is the Cotton Harvesting Simulator which shakes, rattles and gives you the feeling that you are driving the machine through a cotton field.
Adres: 1121 Canyon Drive, Lubbock, Texas
Official site: https://agriculturehistory.org/
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2 American Windmill Museum
As you drive along the Interstates, you will undoubtedly see the gigantic modern windmills in the distance. To better understand these towering machines and how they evolved from their humble beginnings, a visit to the American Windmill Museum is in order. Here you will find the world’s largest collection of windmills, spread over 28 hectares. Artistically displayed in two custom-built massive buildings are more than 200 windmills dating from the 1860s to the present.
Also notable is an impressive 6,600 square meter model railway sign that emphasizes the relationship between railways and windmills. The trains run through the entire building on two levels, connected by a unique spiral track that makes the climb possible. Next to this display is the largest collection of miniature houses in America and the Garrison Millstone Room, dedicated to historic millstones from the 17th century. Outside the two main buildings, in the Lineberry Windmill Park, is an assortment of windmills, including a huge Vestas wind turbine and a replica of a 1622 Post Mill windmill.
Adres: 1701 Canyon Lake Drive, Llubbock, Texas
Official site: https://windmill.com/
3 National Ranching Heritage Centre (NRHC)
The National Ranching Heritage Center offers a unique look at the evolution of ranching and its associated architecture in the West. The complex displays 49 historic structures from the 1780s to 1950s. All but one of the buildings had been moved to other provinces. The oldest building represented is a replica. A great place to stroll, the buildings are spread over 19 hectares, connected by concrete paths and laid out in chronological order. If you wish, a trolley runs on a 30 minute schedule. A small fee is charged per passenger.
The main building is a 44,000 square foot museum with displays related to animal husbandry; topics range from cowboy boots to rustling cattle. At the front of the building there are a series of 42 beautiful life-size sculptures. If you’re in Lubbock in April, you might be lucky enough to visit during Ranch Day, when cowboys, chuck wagons and horses perform.
You can combine a visit to the National Ranching Heritage Museum with a stop at the nearby Museum of Texas Tech University. There are plenty of fast food restaurants in this area, or nearby you can find the more upscale Cocina de La Sirena restaurant, less than 10 minutes away.
Adres: 3121 Fourth Street, Lubbock, Texas
Official site: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/nrhc/
4 Silent Wings Museum
The Silent Wings Museum, housed in the former Lubbock airport terminal, is dedicated to the American glider pilots of World War II, 80 percent of whom were trained here. The highlight of the aircraft on display is a perfectly restored WACO CG-4A. This gigantic glider hangs from the ceiling, but low enough to the ground that you can look inside and imagine what it must have been like to fly from 1,500 feet in the air without an engine to a remote airstrip in a country in a state of war. Other aircraft and related items are also on display, including a smaller glider, glider components and military equipment that was typically carried by gliders, such as bulldozers and jeeps. The walls and displays display photographs and other artifacts and memorabilia. A 15-minute documentary describes the heroics and bravery of World War II glider pilots.
Adres: 6202 N.I-27, Lubbock, Texas
Official site: https://www.mylubbock.us/departmental-websites/departments/silent-wings-museum/home
5 Buddy Holly Center, Statue en West Texas Walk of Fame
1950s American rock and roll icon Buddy Holly was born in Lubbock, Texas. For a glimpse into his life and career, the Buddy Holly Center is a great stop. Memorabilia from his childhood to his performing days is on display. Some of the notable items from the collection include Holly’s Fender Stratocaster guitar and his signature horn-rimmed glasses that were recovered from the crash site on the plane where he was killed. You can view several of his guitars, along with personal items, records and more. In front of the museum is a giant sculpture of Holly’s signature horn-rimmed glasses. Next to the main house is the JI Allison House , which is the house where Buddy Holly wrote the hit song That Will Be the Day. Across the street is the larger than life statue of Buddy Holly with his guitar. Behind the statue is the West Texas Walk of Fame .
Adres: 1801 Crickets Avenue, Lubbock, Texas
Official site: https://www.mylubbock.us/departmental-websites/departments/buddy-holly-center/home
6 Prairie Dog City
Prairie Dog Town is just a small field full of prairie dogs, but it offers limitless cuteness and is extremely popular with visitors. It’s also free. A very low wall surrounds the main area, where you can see dozens of little guys at any time, but the prairie dogs run freely throughout the area; along the access road, in the parking lot, even sitting on the fence. They go about their business, with little regard for visitors standing just a few feet away. You may see them playing or hanging out near their holes, standing on their hind legs, squealing loudly and then falling over dramatically. Prairie Dog Town is located near Joyland Amusement Park.
Location: Mackenzie Park, Lubbock, Texas
7 Museum van Texas Tech University
This free museum features collections on a variety of subjects, including natural history, anthropology, paleontology, visual arts, textiles, and several changing exhibitions. Some of the most visually impressive exhibits are the enormous skeletal replicas of dinosaurs that dominate some of the large rooms and halls. You can also see a replica of a mammoth skeleton in the Ice Age exhibit. The Diamond M Gallery Wing displays works by a number of Western artists. Also striking is the colorful collection of Southwest Indian pottery and textiles. Changing exhibits compliment the permanent displays and create ongoing reasons for return visits.
Adres: 2500 Broadway, Lubbock, Texas
Official site: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/museumttu/
8 Robert Bruno’s Steel House
This unusual piece of architecture is somewhat reminiscent of Antoni Gaudi’s creations in Barcelona. Made entirely of steel and balanced on four legs, the only entrance to the house is via a narrow walkway that connects the house to the hill. Curved walls that merge into the roof, oddly shaped windows and the elevated position give the appearance of an alien spaceship floating above the ground.
The house, which overlooks Ransom Canyon and the blue waters of the lake below, is uninhabited and unfinished inside. You can enter the house only by appointment, but it is worth driving even if you do not have the opportunity to go inside. The house was built more than 30 years ago by Robert Bruno and completed shortly before his death in 2008. The Steel House is located about 15 minutes east of Lubbock, in the community of Ransom Canyon.
Adres: 85 E. Canyon View Drive, Ransom Canyon, Texas
9 Science Spectrum & Omni Theatre
The Science Spectrum & Omni Theater features more than 250 permanent, interactive exhibits spread over three floors. In addition to the permanent exhibitions, there is an ever-changing series of traveling shows. The center offers live animal shows, where you can get up close and personal with a wide range of beasts from around the world. The Omni Theater is another popular attraction here, showing feature films on a big screen. The Lubbock Children’s Museum, aimed at children ages five and under, is included with regular admission. The Science Spectrum & Omni Theater has the city’s only aquarium and the aquatic animals are all native to the Brazos Watershed.
Adres: 2579 S Loop 289 # 250, Lubbock, Texas
Official site: https://www.sciencespectrum.org/
10 Joyland amusement park
Joyland Amusement Park is a traditional style park with classic rides and familiar sights, sounds and smells. Locals often describe the old-fashioned atmosphere in nostalgic terms. Older kids will enjoy the roller coasters and thrill rides, but you’ll also find plenty of family-style outings and options for little kids. Prepare to get wet if you choose the water rides. You can easily combine a trip to Joyland with a stop in nearby Prairie Dog Town.
Location: Mackenzie Park, Lubbock, Texas
Official site: https://www.joylandpark.com/
Where to Stay in Lubbock
- Luxury and mid-range hotels:Located on the southwest side of the city, the Arbor Inn and Suites is less than 10 minutes from Texas Tech University and attractions such as the National Ranching Heritage Museum and the Museum of Texas Tech University. It is a family oriented and pet friendly hotel. It features a beach-style beach and rooms under 500 square feet, making them the largest hotel rooms in Lubbock. Their more mature and corporate sister hotel, the Arbor Hotel and Conference Center, also offers well-appointed large rooms and is located right next to the 4ORE! Golf course. Featuring an outdoor pool and hot tub, this property is conveniently located near Highway 62 and Highway 87. Both hotels offer complimentary breakfast. Another great high-end hotel option is the Hilton Garden Inn Lubbock, near the western edge of the city. An indoor pool and fitness center; restaurant on site; and large rooms or suites with separate bedrooms, large refrigerators and microwaves are some of the benefits of this hotel.
- Budget Hotels: For reasonable prices and quality accommodation, My Place Hotel is a good option. Located on the west side of Lubbock, this hotel features modern, comfortable suites with a kitchenette. The Days Inn & Suites is slightly less expensive and not far from Texas Tech University. It offers excellent value for money, with standard rooms and suites, free breakfast and a fitness centre.
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