Archive for the ‘The Panhandle’ Category

« Older Entries

Caprock Canyons State Park

Wednesday, April 24th, 2013

Located 3.5 miles north of the little town of Quitaque, on FM 1065, Caprock Canyons State Park is a major destination for the Texas Panhandle. Its activities, beauty, history, and facilities are top-notch. Caprock Canyons is about a two hour scenic drive from Lubbock, and considered by many the closest place to that city that offers such a variety of beauty and scenery.

Caprock Canyons State Park opened in 1982. It consists of over 15,000 acres, including the Trailway, a 64 mile Rail-to-Trail conversion, acquired by donation in 1992. The park offers day-use and camping facilities, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, boating on a no-wake lake, fishing, swimming, guided tours, and seasonal horse back riding.

90 miles of multi-use trails range from very rugged terrain to trails that are mostly flat. About 25 miles of trails include cliffs and drop-offs, with steep climbs and descents that are recommended only for experienced equestrians and mountain bikers.

You can also rent an audio driving guide to the park. It’s like having a tour guide on in the car with you. The audio guide is available for for free at the park headquarters on tape or CD.

Caprock Canyons Trailway

The Caprock Canyon Trailway – check out those colors!

This acquisition added recreational opportunities for parkgoers. The multi-use trail (hike, bike, and equestrian), opened in 1993, stretches the park through Floyd, Briscoe, and Hall counties crossing 46 bridges and running through Clarity tunnel, one of the last active railroad tunnels in Texas. From June through August, have a once in a lifetime experience watching the bat emergence from the tunnel via a van tour. The 64.25 miles of the Trailway are open to the public from Estelline to South Plains.

Caprock Canyons Wildlife

The park is home to numerous species of wildlife such as African aoudad sheep, mule and white-tailed Deer, raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, opossums, porcupines, foxes, and over 175 species of birds. The pride of Caprock Canyons is the official Texas State Bison Herd (the largest herd of buffalo in the state park system), and the illusive Golden Eagles. There is good fishing in Lake Theo for bass and catfish.

Visiting Caprock Canyons

If you want to spend a day (or several) at Caprock Canyon, you can set up home base at one of our bed and breakfasts in Lubbock. Enjoy all Texas has to offer this summer!

 

 

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in The Panhandle | No Comments »

Lake Mackenzie

Wednesday, December 26th, 2012

Lake Mackenzie, located on Highway 207 between the towns of Silverton and Claude, came into existence in the 1970s when the state dammed Tule Creek Canyon. This is the same region as the infamous Battle of Palo Duro Canyon during the Indian Wars of the mid-19th century. The lake is named after the Colonel that took control of the Canyon from the Comanche, Cheyenne and Kiowa.

Native American artifacts discovered in the area include arrowheads, tools, and animal remains.  Tule Canyon is part of Palo Duro Canyon, the second largest canyon in the United States.  Many people feel this is the most beautiful area in Texas.

Mackenzie Lake is a 2,386-acre park, owned by the Mackenzie Municipal Water Authority. Visitors enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, picnicking and camping here. The park surrounding the lake is also very popular with mountain bike and ATV riders, as many trails surround the lake. Bonus fact: The only quartz quarry in this part of the United States is located near the reservoir.

Parks in the Texas Panhandle

Man-made lake Mackenzie in the Tula Canyon provides year-round ATV and mountain biking, plus seasonal fishing and boating.

(more…)

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in The Panhandle | No Comments »

Tour the Wineries of Lubbock, Texas

Thursday, August 2nd, 2012
Visit Lubbock Texas wineries

Visit Lubbock Texas wineries

During your stay at our Texas Panhandle bed and breakfasts, be sure to check out the many nearby wineries. The Texas High Plains American Viticultural Area (AVA) is located in the Texas panhandle. It is the second largest recognized grape growing region in Texas. Located in the heart of this AVA, Lubbock, TX features numerous wineries. Experience the award-winning wines of the Texas Panhandle in the tasting rooms of these Lubbock, Texas wineries. Tours and special events are also offered for the education and enjoyment of discerning wine aficionados and casual wine drinkers alike.

Lubbock, TX Wineries

Caprock Winery: A beautiful spacious facility with tastings, tours and events.
@ 408 E. Woodrow Rd. ~ (806) 863-2704

La Diosa Cellars: Spanish-inspired cuisine and artisan wines in a colorful, eclectic setting.
@ 901 17th St. ~ (806) 744-3600

Llano Estacado Winery: Tours and tastings at the biggest and best selling winery in Texas.
@ 3426 E. Fm 1585 ~ (806) 745-2258

McPherson Cellars: Historic facility run by the grape growers/winemakers of the McPherson family.
@ 1615 Texas Ave. ~ (806) 687-9463

Pheasant Ridge Winery: Texas’ fourth oldest winery, producing 100% estate grown wines.
@ 3507 E. County Rd. 5700 ~ (806) 746-6033

Lubbock, TX Wine Bars & Bistros

You can also taste the wines of the Texas High Plains wineries at these Lubbock, Texas bars and bistros…

The Buzz Coffee and Wine Bar: 606 W. Loop 289 ~ (806) 831-7657

D’Vine Wine Lubbock: 4210 82nd St., Ste. 232, Kingsgate North ~ (806) 771-4886

The Funky Door Bistro & Wine Room: 6015 82nd St., Ste. 2 ~ (806) 687-0505

Manna Bread & Wine: 2610 Salem Ave., Cactus Alley ~ (806) 791-5600

The B&Bs of the Texas Panhandle invite you to enjoy our warm hospitality while you tour the wineries of Lubbock, Texas and the Texas High Plains. Choose your Texas Bed and Breakfast today!

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in The Panhandle | No Comments »

Spring Commencement in Lubbock

Tuesday, April 17th, 2012
Lubbock Texas lodging commencement

Be there to celebrate commencement with your grad.

Lubbock is home to several universities. Each spring, they host their Commencement Ceremonies, and lodging in Lubbock fills.

Plan ahead and book rooms in Lubbock Bed and Breakfasts.

2012 Commencements

  • Texas Tech University: May 18 and 19.
  • Lubbock Christian University: May 4 and 5.
  • Wayland Baptist University: May 7.

 

If you have a student in one of these universities, make your commencement plans early. Many Lubbock Bed and Breakfasts accept commencement reservations a year in advance. This could be the moment to solidify plans for 2013.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in The Panhandle | No Comments »

Prairie Dog Town Prairie Dog Town

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012
Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus)

The Black Tailed Prairie Dog.

There are many reasons to travel to the Texas Panhandle. One of them is to visit Prairie Dog Town.

Prairie Dog Town was established in the early 1930′s by Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy N. Clapp. What started as a modest home for four dogs has grown into a thriving colony–or town, as it were. Today, it is one of the most widely visited attractions in Lubbock.

Prairie Dogs are wonderfully adapted to life on the treeless plains of the American West. They burrow deep into the earth for shelter, and nibble on what grasses they can find for nourishment. They live in many areas of the United States, from the Mississippi River Valley to the Rocky Mountains, from Canada to Mexico.

Their society is fascinating to observe, and observe them is what visitors to Prairie Dog Town do. There are distinct “neighborhoods” in each town. There are familiar faces and strangers. There is love, confrontation, play, and gossip.

Prairie Dog Town is also home to Burrowing Owls and rattlesnakes. This keeps life exciting.

Is it worth traveling to Lubbock to see the Prairie Dog Town? Only you can say. What we do know is that, if you do come to town to see the dogs, you should stay in a Lubbock, Texas Bed and Breakfast.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in The Panhandle | No Comments »

Dining Out in Lubbock

Monday, November 7th, 2011
.our last dinneR

Dine out in Lubbock.

It has been said that the land around Lubbock is “a treeless, desolate waste of uninhabited solitude, which has always been and must continue, uninhabited forever”.*  Tell that to the more than 275 thousand people who call Lubbock home today.

The Lubbock of the 21st century is home to universities, colleges, and both cultural and historical museums. It has a thriving nightlife, a busy music scene, and good restaurants. If you find yourself happily nestled in a Lubbock Bed and Breakfast, consider yourself lucky.

Foodies will be impressed with Lubbock restaurants:

  • Café J serves an eclectic menu with Pan-Asian dishes like Sesame Ginger Noodles, Italian dishes such as Hand Rolled Gnocchi, and Enchiladas Montadas.
  • La Diosa Cellars is a comfortable spot to enjoy a glass of wine, a cup of coffee, and Spanish-inspired food.
  • Gardski’s Loft features tasty burgers, amazing sandwiches, and favorite appetizers in a lovely Victorian-home setting.
  • Melt is a restaurant with yummy appetizers and satisfying food, and a lounge known for it’s elegant, upscale atmosphere.

 

Try one of the restaurants listed above, or ask the innkeepers of your Lubbock Bed and Breakfast  where they most enjoy dining. Bon appétit!

* Captain Randolph Marcy, as quoted in Frommer’s Guide to Lubbock.

Tags: , ,
Posted in The Panhandle | No Comments »

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

The largest history museum in Texas isn’t in Dallas or Houston. It isn’t in San Antonio or Galveston. The largest history museum in Texas is the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum, and it’s located in the Texas Panhandle.

If the Panhandle conjures images of vast empty spaces, dusty cowboys, and tumbleweed, then the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum is bound to astonish and delight. The largest, most impressive museum in all of West Texas, it is tasked with exploring the history, cultures, paleontology, geology, Western heritage, and art of the Panhandle-Plains. What could be a jumble of too much information is, in fact, well conceived and well organized. It is a pleasure to move from one exhibit to the next.

Delve into dinosaurs, learn about Spanish Conquistadors, and discover the fascinating history of the area’s petroleum industry. This museum covers a lot in both permanent and special exhibits. Many special exhibits highlight aspects from the permanent collection, such as the current exhibition on Clothing Accessories from the American Indian Collection. Others focus on such quirky items as costumes from the Amarillo Little Theatre. All are worth a look.

The Panhandle Plains Historical Museum is located on the campus of West Texas State A&M University, in Canyon Texas. Just 20 minutes south of Amarillo and less than 2 hours north of Lubbock Texas Bed and Breakfasts, the museum is a must-see for folks traveling in and around the Texas Panhandle.

Travel through the vast Texas Panhandle feels more intimate when staying in Panhandle Texas Bed and Breakfasts. Guests meet locals, learn about favorite restaurants, shops, and beautiful places; best of all, guests are comfortable and well-fed. Visit our Find an Inn page for a list of inns.

More information about the museum may be found at Panhandle Plains Historical Museum.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in The Panhandle | No Comments »

Where to Stay When Visiting Texas Tech

Friday, June 24th, 2011

Lubbock Texas Bed and Breakfasts welcome prospective Texas Tech students and their families.

A campus visit is an essential part any college search. If you or your child is going to spend several years at Texas Tech, you should know what the campus is like. You should know what the town is like. You should walk among the citizens of Lubbock for a time.

Jones AT&T Stadium

Jones AT&T Stadium at Texas Tech.

There is a Texas Bed and Breakfast quite close to Texas Tech. Ask the innkeepers what it’s like to live by the campus. Sleep there. Wake up early and, after a tasty, home made breakfast, tour the campus on your own or with a guide.

Guided tours and information sessions take place Mondays through Thursdays during the month of July, and Mondays through Fridays in August. Tours are also available on Saturdays, though information sessions are not. Techsan Previews are available Fridays in July – contact Texas Tech to learn more about this cutting edge look at campus.

It’s worth taking the time to visit several college campuses, even if doing so requires a good deal of travel through the Texas Panhandle. While visiting Texas Tech, you’ll be comfortable in a Bed and Breakfast Texas.

More information about visiting Texas Tech is available at Visit Texas Tech.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in The Panhandle | No Comments »

American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum

Sunday, April 17th, 2011

The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and Museum is located in Amarillo. If you happen to be traveling about the Texas Panhandle – whether for business or pleasure – consider stopping by this fascinating museum.

09-04-28-Brendas-Dixie-044_

Visit the American Quarterhorse Hall of Fame and Museum in Amarillo, Texas.

The American Quarter Horse is descended from English horses and the Chickasaw breed (descendant of Arabia and Barb horses originally brought to this country by the Spanish). The American Quarter Horse is a sturdy, agile horse with speed, power, and an agreeable temperament. The breed was favored by cowboys during the 1800s, and remains a popular rodeo horse today.

The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in Amarillo details the lives and careers of the most famous and unforgettable American Quarter Horses. Learn about Dash for Cash and First Dash Down – two of the greatest race sires to live, and the great Streakin Six. And learn about the people who help ensure that American Quarter Horses remain a hard working, gentle breed.

Exhibitions in the American Quarter Horse Museum reveal the history of the breed and modern activities. The museum features audio-visual displays, hands-on exhibits, art and artifacts. The gift shop and boutique are also worth a look.

Amarillo is just two hours north of Lubbock Texas Bed and Breakfasts. The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum is a fun day trip for folks visiting Lubbock or the Texas Panhandle, and a must-see for anyone interested in horses.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in The Panhandle | No Comments »

Lubbock’s First Friday Art Trail

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011

Lubbock is a thriving university town with a whole lot of creative residents. It is well known for its music scene, and with good reason: Buddy Holly was born here after all. Yet music isn’t the only art embraced by Lubbock; plan a getaway at a Lubbock, TX, Bed and Breakfast and discover the fine arts of the Texas Panhandle.

Lubbock devotes itself to the arts on the first Friday of each month, between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. Art enthusiasts may walk, bike, or drive to the different participating venues on the First Friday Art Trail, or enjoy a guided tour and a free trolley ride. There are currently fourteen regularly participating First Friday Art Trail venues, and more are welcome to join.

Venues include the Tornado Gallery, McPherson Cellars, and Art on Texas Avenue – a commercial art gallery created to “promote art appreciation in the Texas Panhandle Region.” Larger venues include the Museum of Texas Tech University, the Municipal Garden and Arts Center, and the Buddy Holly Center.

Let the arts be a part of your next Lubbock Texas Bed and Breakfast vacation. Visit Lubbock on the first Friday of the month, and follow the First Friday Art Trail to see the finest art in Lubbock. It’s a delightful addition to any Lubbock Texas travel, whether you are in town for business, pleasure, or to visit a student at Texas Tech.

Additional information about the Lubbock First Friday Art Trail may be found at www.ffat.org.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in The Panhandle | No Comments »

« Older Entries