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Amarillo
Most cities
have made access to their Interstate-side businesses awkward or even
difficult. Amarillo has done an excellent job of making it easy and
efficient. The frontage roads are ONE WAY: the eastbound on the eastbound
side of the Interstate and the westbound, similarly, on the westbound
side. There are special 'u-turn' lanes for exiting traffic to zip over to
the other side of the Interstate and reach the business (or hotel) they
just spotted from the Interstate. To get back on the Interstate, just come
back to it, get on the side for the direction you wish to go and follow it
to the next on-ramp. Neat.
Exit 70 is the I-27 interchange. I-27 was built just to connect the
Lubbock area with Amarillo and I-40, the nations primary east-west
Interstate. From Lubbock there is an assortment of 4-lane highways (NOT
freeways) to take you to I-20 and I-10 further south; there are no
connecting freeways. Strange! In fact, there is no easy way to get to
Dallas from Amarillo. To get to Dallas by freeway you need to drive into
Oklahoma City then take I-35 south to Dallas. Very strange!
Amarillo Botanical Garden
This small, 2-acre garden within the 51-acre Medical Center Park is
bursting with blooming plants from about mid-May to well into October.
There is a special fragrance garden - intended for the visually challenged
but enjoyable by all. Also a greenhouse which is usually open to visitors.
For more information phone 1-806-352-6513.
From I-40 take exit 65. If eastbound, turn left; if westbound, turn
right. Head north on Coulter Drive to Amarillo Blvd (I-40-D Business).
Turn right, drive to the next street and turn left on Hagy Blvd. Go one
more block and the Amarillo Botanical Garden and the Harrington Regional
Medical center are at 1400 Streit Drive - right on the corner.
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American Quarter Horse Museum
The American Quarter Horse Association is the largest equine breed
registry in the world. The American Quarter Horse Heritage Center & Museum
mission is to preserve and exhibit the many photos and artifacts of the
history of the American Quarter Horse. A 12-minute, multi-media
presentation in their modern, 70-seat theater, allows you to,
"...experience the emotion of owning and riding an American Quarter
Horse."
Open 9a to 5p Monday through Saturday; noon to 5p Sundays except from
September through May, inclusive, when they are closed Sundays. Admission
$4; kids 6 to 18: $2.50.
For more information phone 1-806-376-4811 or visit their web site:
AQHA.
If eastbound on I-40, take exit 72-A and stay to the left so you can pass
under the Interstate and get on the westbound frontage road. The museum is
at 2601 I-40 East.
If westbound on I-40, take exit 72-B. Stay to the left on the exit ramp
so you can continue westbound on the frontage road. The Quarter Horse
Museum is a few blocks ahead at 2601 I-40 East.
Big Texan Steak Ranch & Opry
This is the one and only Big Texan Steak Ranch, home of the free 72oz
steak! Think of Texas and you think of cattle. Think of cattle and you
think of steaks. Amarillo is big on steaks - the billboards tell you that
as you approach town. The Big Texan is among them promising a 72
ouncer FREE - if you can finish the five pounds of meat AND the
potato and the salad, and even a shrimp cocktail, all within one hour.
They say over 35,000 folks have attempted the feat and, so far, over 5,500
have actually earned their free meal. Will you be the next?
Eatin' isn't all you get at the Big Texan, though. They have a
wild variety of live entertainment - including, occasionally, some
big-name stars. Shows and other special events start at various times.
They post coming shows and entertainers and schedules on their web site.
(see:
SpecialEvents)
For more information, phone 1-800-657-7177 or visit their web site:
BigTexan.
From I-40 take exit 75. (If you were eastbound, do the double left turns
at Lakeside Drive to get on the frontage road on the other side of the
Interstate.) Follow the frontage road to the Big Texan.
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