Visiting Amarillo (Dallas, Austin, Spring: spring break, best hotel, house)

[medic51]

My family and I (2 kids and 2 adults) will be hopefully visiting Amarillo come March. I am looking for suggestions of places to stay that are clean, comfortable, and safe. We will be there for 5 days. The idea is to poke around and get a feel for the area.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

[karenew]

There are quite a few hotels north of I40 between Coulter and Soncy.

Just a few in the area include:
Courtyard Marriot
Drury
Holiday Inn Express
Holiday Inn
Comfort Inn & Suites
Homewood Suites (Hilton)

this area is also near a movie theater, the mall (Soncy, but south of the interstate), other shopping and lots of restaurants.

Soncy is the westernmost exit of Amarillo, the next exit is Bushland.

Palo Duro Canyon is lovely to visit and March would be a GREAT time to walk around.

Anything else that I (and others) can help with?

[Westerntraveler]

Palo Duro is real nice.....

[medic51]

Thank you for the info Karenew. This will probably be the first of several trips out there. We are thinking of relocating to Amarillo and are trying to get a lay of the land before we make a decision. March will be Spring Break for the kids and will give the whole family a chance to visit. After that, it will probably be just me traveling out.

[JoninATX]

Medic51, Here's a few things that are worth checking out in Amarillo. Wonderland Theme Park, Cadillac Ranch, Palo Duro Canyon, & Amarillo Museum Of Art.

[karenew]

We do have a zoo, botantical garden and Discovery Center. (I haven't been to any of them, but I have only heard good things about them all.) Although we don't have kids, it isn't uncommon to see kids playing outside. Don't know what age your children are, but there is a gym/facility called Kids Inc that organizes children's sports teams. (Located at 34th and Ross/Osage)

There is a lot of homes being built off Soncy .. between 45th and the loop 335/Hollywood. The neighborhood names are Hillside Terrace, Greenways, Colonies and the last neighborhood name escapes me. Greenways and Colonies are the priciest of the neighborhoods in Amarillo and both have HOAs. (Hoas are uncommon here for the most part.)

[LargeKingCat]

We travel from Florida once every few years to Texas. We are now skipping Dallas altogether and opting for a week in and around Amarillo and the Palo Duro Canyon. My kids and I enjoy the quiet and clean air (although when the wind blows, the smell of cattle ranches pervades the olfactory senses like axe spray in my sons bathroom)

BEST HOTEL Comfort Suites on Bell and I27 in South Amarillo. Free Full breakfast each Morning, hot breakfast , not just muffins and cold coffee. The staff is knowledgeable about anything or anyplace you would want to go. The rooms were clean and comfortable. Pointed us to some of the best eateries in town off the beaten path. And Amarillo has some Excellent places to eat. Yes, the Big Texan is very touristy, but the steak is still good.
That being said, Amarillo has many good hotels

Now someone please answer this. We were told that the Stockyard Cafe at the Cattle Auction house is closed? Is that true ? Please say it ain't so !!!! Home - Amarillo Livestock Auction
The man and his wife that ran this place were not only some of the nicest people we ever met but they seem to be about the best down to earth cooks as well. I could not imagine a trip to Amarillo without lunch there.
A few hours away is an untouched preserve near Quitaque Quitaque Chamber of Commerce that has a bison herd. Inside the town is a small diner, food ok but go ONLY for the atmosphere, not if you are in a hurry.

The small towns around Amarillo reflect a slower, more relaxed pace in life. Something that can be helpful and healthy at times. Some people would find it boring, but as a place to just enjoy a sunset, a simple way of life, and be surrounded by history, then plenty can be found.

[medic51]

Thank you again to everyone for the information. I really appreciate y'all taking the time to post a response. I will let everybody know what I find.

[CptnRn]

On our last trip to Denver from Austin we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Amarillo, it was a decent place, walking distance to several 4-5 restaurants. Continental breakfast was included with the room.

[karenew]

Originally Posted by LargeKingCat

Now someone please answer this. We were told that the Stockyard Cafe at the Cattle Auction house is closed? Is that true ? Please say it ain't so !!!!

I don't know if it is or not, but DH and I went there about 2 years ago and the food was AWFUL!! I had CFS and the grease hadn't been changed, the batter was burnt- I didn't eat more than a bite. That was our first (and last) time to ever eat there.