Spray Paint at the Cadillac Ranch and Eat a Big Texan Steak in Amarillo

Pick up a can of spray paint and have some fun at Cadillac Ranch, and afterward enjoy a steak at the Big Texan in Amarillo.

Amarillo, Texas, is on Historic Route 66 and is one of many cities with fun attractions along this highway. We also stopped briefly in Santa Rosa to check out the Blue Hole and Conoco Tower Station & U-Drop Inn Cafe

CADILLAC RANCH

Ten Cadillacs are buried nose-down in a field at the same angle as the Pyramids of Giza. This roadside stop has attracted visitors since 1974. You’ll find it on the south access road of Interstate 40, just east of the Arnot Road exit and just west of Amarillo, Texas. It’s a classic Route 66 attraction.

It’s open all day, every day, and there’s no admission fee.

*Quite a few choices of which Cadillac to paint.*

Our Time Here

The best part is grabbing a can of spray paint and adding your own art to the Cadillacs.

Our son loved getting to spray-paint the cars. The Cadillacs are already covered in layers of paint, but David found a way to make his mark. He painted a spot, like a circle, filled it in, and then wrote over it. It was a clever idea and really stood out.

My son really got into it, moving from one Cadillac to the next and trying out different paint combinations. He enjoyed figuring out which designs looked best.

It can get hot and windy out here, so be sure to bring some water, and be aware that the spray paint might come back on you.

*Look for food trucks if you want a snack, although hours may vary.*

There’s a trailer near the parking area where you can buy snacks, drinks, and Route 66 or Cadillac Ranch souvenirs.

Details

Parking: You can park along the outer road on the south side of Interstate 40, between the Arnot Road exit and the Amarillo Boulevard exit.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 13651 I-40 Frontage Rd, Amarillo, TX 79124

*Outside Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery*

THE BIG TEXAN STEAK RANCH & BREWERY

If you can finish the Big Texan’s famous 72-ounce steak dinner with all the sides—three fried shrimp, garden salad, baked potato, and a dinner roll—in one hour, your meal is free! Nearly 140,000 people have tried, and over 9,000 have succeeded.

Checking out the menu,you will see plenty of other options, like prime Texas beef, buffalo burgers, calf fries, and their popular hand-breaded chicken fried steak.

The Big Texan Brewery is the only handcrafted brewery in the Texas Panhandle, offering more than 12 different beers that change with the seasons.

Our Time Here

We ordered some steak for ourselves, though not the giant 72-ounce one. My son was excited to get a drink served in a Texas boot-shaped cup filled with soda.

*My son is trying his hand at the shooting game in the arcade area.*

While we waited, we explored the on-site store. There’s also an arcade where you can use some change to play a shooting game with a toy rifle, aiming at a bar scene full of animals. You might even hear the sound of clanking or breaking glass. It’s worth checking out if you have time.

Dinner included plenty of side options, such as my fried okra, and we even had some leftovers for the trip home.

Details

The Big Texan complex also has a motel and other nearby places to stay.

Hours: 8 a.m. – 10: 30 p.m., Daily

Address: 7701 I-40, Amarillo, TX 79118

Palo Duro Canyon State Park is just south of Amarillo, and I wish we could have hiked there, but we didn’t have time on this trip. We spent the night in Oklahoma City instead.

MORE ROUTE 66 STOPS

ON THE WAY TO AMARILLO: Santa Rosa

We took a restroom break in Santa Rosa. If we’d had more time, we might have gone for a swim at Park Lake, a spring-fed lake, or at the more famous Blue Hole, which is also spring-fed and very deep. Both are great options if you want a swimming break.

Blue Hole Address: 1085 Blue Hole Rd, Santa Rosa, NM 88435

Park Lake Address: 913 Blue Hole Rd, Santa Rosa, NM 88435

LEAVING AMARILLO GOING TO OKLAHOMA CITY

If you remember the movie Cars, you might want to stop in Shamrock, Texas.

Conoco Tower Station & U-Drop Inn Café

In Shamrock, you’ll find the real-life model for the gas station from the movie. You can go inside the Conoco Tower Station & U-Drop Inn Cafe to check out the museum and gift shop.

It’s located right off the highway.

Address: 105 E 12th St, Shamrock, TX 79079