Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument

Prized For More Than 13,000 Years!

13,000 years ago this site was already well-known by mammoth hunters as a place to get the best stone for their tools. Centuries passed but the colorful flint found right here in the Texas panhandle never lost its value and usefulness. Visit and gain a sense of how integral this site was to the survival, commerce and culture of the High Plains.

Archeological traces of prehistoric Indians’ homes, workshops, and campsites dot the entire Canadian River region of the Texas Panhandle, but few sites are as dramatic as Alibates Flint Quarries. Actually an agatized, or silicified, dolomite, the flint is distinctive for its many bright colors. This flint comes from a 10-square-mile area around the monument, but most is concentrated on about 60 acres atop a mesa in the heart of the 1,000 acre monument.

More than 700 quarries exist where this flint was dug out by hand. The quarries today are usually round ovals about six or more feet in diameter with depressions in the center. Wind and rain have filled the once four to eight foot deep holes with soil.
Unweathered flint was obtained by digging a foot or more below the surface. The flint bearing dolomite layers are up to eight feet thick. Tools made from Alibates Flint have been found in many places across the Great Plains and Southwest. Its use dates from 13,000 years ago to about 1870.

Between 1150 and 1450, people identified as the Plains Village Indians, ancestors of the Caddo, Pawnee and Wichita, lived here in large permanent villages and smaller, outlying farming and gathering communities. Villages were built of rock-slab houses from one to 100 rooms. Most were single-unit dwellings, although some rooms were connected. Architecture of this period featured rectangular or semi-circular rooms with funneled entranceways and stone enclosures. Severe drought coupled with raids from aggressive tribes from the West–probably Apache–likely drove these Indians out of the region by the end of the 15th century.

Historical Route 66

Over one mile of antiques and collectibles, located along 6th Avenue between Georgia and Western, await the visitor to Historic Route 66 in Amarillo. The neighborhood was one of the city’s first residential and business districts. Featuring buildings that once housed theatres, cafes and drug stores, the historic places now contain antique, craft and specialty shops, music venues and unique dining experiences.

Amarillo is the largest city on the 178 mile portion of Route 66 that goes from Oklahoma to Texas and into New Mexico. Even though Amarillo takes the cake for the largest city there are things to see and do in both directions on the Mother Road. So take your time to browse the information and make your cruise on Route 66 through the Texas Panhandle a memorable one.

Restaurants

Amarillo, Texas Restaurants:

Copper Fire Grill
When you want upscale dining and want a taste of the best wild game, Copper Fire Grill is the place!
2800 Civic Circle, Suite 500, Amarillo, TX 79109
(806) 803-9432
Website: copperfiregrill806.com

Coyote Bluff Cafe
This is the dive to go to! Their food, atmosphere and service are fantastic.
2417 S Grand St, Amarillo, TX 79103
(806) 373-4640

575 Pizzeria
The pizza and salads are great, but the service is what makes this place special
2803 Civic Cir, Amarillo, TX 79109
(806) 331-3627

Spicy Mike’s
Best Ribs in Town
7028 S Western St, Amarillo, TX 79110
(806) 358-8550

Tyler’s BBQ
It is all about the meat!
2014 Paramount Blvd, Amarillo, TX 79109
(806) 331-2271

Abuelo’s
The experience is filled with fantastic food and welcoming service
3501 W. 45th Avenue, Amarillo, TX 79109
(806) 354-8294

Crush
Very nice selection of wine and beer by the glass
701 S Polk St, Amarillo, TX 79101
(806) 418-2011

Macaroni Joes
Italy in Texas – very good pastas, fish done well and steak dishes cooked perfect.
1619 S Kentucky St #1500-D, Amarillo, TX 79102
(806) 358-8990

Embers Steak House
Wait staff is great and the restaurant is beautifully decorated
2721 Virginia Cir, Amarillo, TX 79109
(806) 350-3303

The Golden Light Café
This place opened in 1947 and has been a landmark in Amarillo on Route 66 since, with famous burgers, grilled cheese and fries
2906 SW 6th Ave, Amarillo, TX 79106
(806) 374-9237

Ichiban Noodle Bar & Asian Cuisine
Good and hearty, authentic noodle bowls and other delights
3309 Wimberly Rd, Amarillo, TX 79109
(806) 355-5031

Ohms Cafe
The atmosphere is excellent and service outstanding. Try the Elk Tenderloin
619 S Tyler St, Amarillo, TX 79101
(806) 373-3233

The Big Texan Steak Ranch
The One and Only Route 66 Attraction. Try to eat the 72 ounce steak dinner. You get that down in an hour along with a shrimp cocktail, salad and roll, you get the meal for free and become a legend!
7701 Interstate 40 Access Rd, Amarillo, TX 79118
(806) 372-1000

Sakura Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
Panhandle Texas Sushi! The restaurant is very nice inside and the food is really good
4000 S Soncy Rd, Amarillo, TX 79119
(806) 358-8148

Green Chile Willy’s
Real Panhandle cooking plus Green Chile
13651 I-27, Amarillo, TX 79119
(806) 622-2200

Canyon, Texas Restaurants:

Mickey’s Place
Modern take on traditional recipes – Italian and Pizza
1512 5th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
(806) 452-7320

Creek House Honey Farm
Honey farm with handcrafted Winery & Restaurant
5005 4th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
(806) 381-3446

Joe Taco
Mexican restaurant with live music
502 15th St, Canyon, TX 79015
(806) 452-8226

Feldman’s Wrong Way Diner
All around good eats. A family oriented eating establishment
2100 N 2nd Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
(806) 655-1800

Rock N Roll Soda Shop
Great food and atmosphere! 1950’s inspired decor with candy for sale from that era
404 15th St, Canyon, TX 79015
(806) 655-3381

The Ranch House Café
Local favorite and breakfast ALL DAY is the best
810 23rd St, Canyon, TX 79015
(806) 655-8785

Pepito’s Mexican Restaurant
Nice place to eat while you’re taking a break from hiking
408 23rd St, Canyon, TX 79015
(806) 655-4736

Buff’s
Burgers, Breakfast Cherry-lines, Fried Pies and and more
2201 4th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
Phone: (806) 655-2833

Bubble Bar
Boba Tea, Smoothies, Smoothie Bowls
2203 4th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015
(806) 510-7207

Shopping

Want to be a cowgirl or cowboy? Amarillo & Canyon has it going on from custom boots, hats and spurs to off-the-rack jeans and shirts. Shop till you drop and find all your western dud’s and more from local boutiques to national retail outlets.

  • – Wolfin Square & Wolfin Village, both located south of I-40 at Georgia Street in Amarillo are friendly boutique style shopping centers with a wide variety of locally-owned shops.
  • – Gerogia Street Mall at 34th & South Georgia in Amarillo features a varierty of crafts and specialty items. Historic Route 66 focuses on antiques and boutiques aimed at motorcyclists and Route 66 enthusiasts.
  • – Westgate Mall on Soncy Road in West Amarillo is the regional hub for national retail outlets.
  • – Canyon Town Square off 4th street has unique boutiques and antiques and all shops are locally owned.

Amarillo & Canyon Spas

Amarillo:

Braxton Paul Salon
2301 S Georgia St, Amarillo, TX 79109
806-331-8364
Visit Website

Awaken Spa
1301 South Coulter Street
Suite 204
Amarillo, TX 79106
806-354-8600
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The Spa at Proffer Surgical in Amarillo, Texas
1611 Wallace Blvd
Amarillo, TX 79106
806-352-1185
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Sensei Med Spa, Day Spas
3716 Olsen Blvd
Amarillo, TX 79109
806-322-3250

K & K Nail Spa
201 Westgate Pkwy W
Amarillo, TX 79121
806-358-3030

Canyon:

Beauty Nails
1911 4th Ave
Canyon, TX 79015
806-655-6135

La Bella Massage
1610 5th Ave
Canyon, TX
806-655-4247

American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum

The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum’s spectacular facility is designed to showcase the stars of the American Quarter Horse world — those people and horses who have earned their place as a legend.

From the moment you approach the larger-than-life bronzes and the Wall of Honor Plaza, you’ll know immediately you’re about to walk where the legends once did.

The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum is a great place to bring Panhandle visitors where they can experience a piece of the West; it’s a place for horse lovers of all ages to learn more about the breed; and it’s a quiet sanctuary in which to appreciate some outstanding artwork.

The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum — built to preserve the past, honor the present and build the future of the American Quarter Horse.

Museum Hours
Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
*Closed Sundays, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum

Let history surprise you!

Where else can you cover 26,000 square miles in a day on foot? From dinosaurs to conquistadors, you’ll find it all in Texas’ largest history museum. Relive the stories of courage and hardship, victory and defeat over the past 14,000 years. Step in and step back to the Old West in a life-size Pioneer Town, view one of the Southwest’s finest art collections, experience the exciting history of the petroleum industry, and more.

PPHM been described as “the Smithsonian with a Texas accent,” and we’re pretty happy with that personality sketch. Located just a few miles from Amarillo as well as Palo Duro Canyon, we’re easy to find in the middle of Canyon, Texas. Just look for the big art deco building with the huge floor-to-ceiling windows. And a giant oil derrick inside. And a log-cabin out back. That’s us.

Once you arrive, be sure to carve out enough time to enjoy our exhibits. If you’re a dedicated history geek, we’ve got enough to keep you occupied from open to close. For more casual museum-goers, you might plan to spend at least a couple hours touring our premises. We’ve got something for everyone, and can’t wait to make your acquaintance.