Spring break vaccationers hindered by gas prices still have panhandle staycation options
With gas prices reaching all-time highs, many families on spring break may not want to break the piggybank to travel far from Amarillo; with that in mind, here are some ideas that will not use up an entire tank of gas to have fun over the break.
Explore Palo Duro Canyon
If getting back to nature is of interest, then Palo Duro Canyon probably has what you need. The second-largest canyon in the United States, also known as the Grand Canyon of Texas, has a wide range of outdoor activities from hiking, biking, horseriding and camping to offer with breathtaking views of the surrounding canyon. Park traffic, according to officials, is expected to be high for the state park, so it is best to get there early and make reservations for campsites in advance. Suppose you have no camping equipment and want to do a more luxurious and relaxed form of camping. In that case, the park also has glamping facilities which are permanent tentlike structures with beds, electricity and other comfort amenities to make your stay more homelike.
To find out more about what Palo Duro Canyon has to offer, visit the park's website tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/palo-duro-canyon.
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Going out to Lake Meredith
Another natural outing that includes water-based activities is about a 40 minute trip north of Amarillo to Lake Meredith by route of Highway 136. Lake Meredith National Recreation Area is about 10 miles from Borger and features boating, fishing, scuba diving, fishing, picnicking and swimming. Admission is free and there is no charge for camping, although the site is not set up with many of the amenities of traditional camping sites, so preparedness is a key when camping at Lake Meredith. Looked upon as an oasis in the Panhandle region due to the scarcity of larger bodies of water, Lake Meredith truly stands out in the area for its water-based adventures.
To find out more about what Lake Meredith has to offer, visit nps.gov/lamr/index.htm
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Getting your kicks on Route 66
The Route 66 Historic District that stretches from Georgia to Western Street along Sixth Avenue encompasses about a mile of landscape in Amarillo. Taking a few hours to explore the historic buildings of the strip, which feature art galleries, antique and collectible shops covering 13 blocks, is a worthwhile trek for those artistic types or just for the curious. There is a wide range of restaurants in the district, including the original Braceros and the oldest restaurant in Amarillo, the Goldenlight Café and Cantina, which opened in the 1940s. If you need to build up an appetite before visiting the historic district, take a short trek out to the Cadillac Ranch, which features 10 vintage Cadillacs for aspiring artists to show their tagging skills. Cadillacs to paint are provided but do not forget to bring your spraypaint.
For a complete rundown of what is available and locations on Route 66, visit amarillo66.com
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Family trip to the zoo
While not the largest zoo in the nation, the Amarillo Zoo is a very well-maintained facility that houses over 120 animals with over 70 species from around the world. The zoo features special events for spring break, such as crafts, keeper chats and other activities to be educated and entertained throughout the week.
For more information on the Amarillo Zoo, please visit zoo.amarillo.gov.
Don Harrington Discovery Center
For more information on the Don Harrington Discovery Center please visit discoverycenteramarillo.org/event/5836/
While there are many other things to do in the area that were not mentioned, these were just a few suggestions to get people started for the coming week.
For more fun ideas visit visitamarillo.com
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Texas panhandle staycations for spring break around Amarillo
