Amarillo, Texas Offers Unique Activities and Events

The city of Amarillo is located in the Texas panhandle and is the city where I grew up. Although it's not near as big as some of the states largest cities - Dallas, Ft. Worth, or Houston - it's just big enough. The city offers plenty to those who are visiting the area.

Kwahadi Museum of the American Indian:

Amarillo is home to the Kwahadi Museum of the American Indian located at 9151 Interstate Highway 40 East. Here you will find a collection of Native American culture from Thomas Mails as well as the Perry Null Game Animal Exhibit, among other collections and displays.

Dance performances are put on during certain times of the year. The Summer dance performance, "Song of the Eagle," is performed most Friday and Saturday nights beginning in mid-June through early August; the last weekend of September brings the annual Indian Summer ceremonials, and the Winter Night Ceremonial, which is also performed in Pueblo Villages in Arizona and New Mexico, is an annual dance that takes place after Christmas.

A barbeque dinner is prepared for those wishing to dine before the dances. Cost of the barbeque dinner is $7.50 and reservations are required. Just give them a call at (806) 335-3175.

TEXAS:

"TEXAS" is an outdoor musical performed at Palo Duro Canyon State Park, located 25 miles southeast of Amarillo, during the Summer. In 2011, you can catch "TEXAS" beginning June 4 through August 21. Tickets range in price from $9.95 to $29.95 plus fees (there is a $2 non-refundable handling fee for every ticket). Ticket prices vary depending on the location of seats and the date of the show.

If you want to have dinner before the show, why not dine on a steak dinner at the Pioneer Ampitheatre complex? Steak dinners are prepared by the folks at the world-famous Big Texan Steak Ranch. Cost of the meal is a real steal at $16.95 for adults and $12.70 for children 12-years-old and younger. Dinner is served from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. CT.

Dinner includes steak, salad bar, cheese potato casserole, bread rolls, and peach cobbler. Sides include grilled onions and mesquite roasted jalapenos. Yum!

For more information or to make reservations, call (806) 655-2181.

Amarillo Botanical Gardens:

Finally, if you just want to stop and smell the roses, pay a visit to the Amarillo Botanical Gardens located at 1400 Streit Drive. There you will find a lovely tropical conservatory full of exotic plants, a Japanese garden, butterfly garden, xeric garden, and fragrant beauties.

Admission to the botanical gardens is free until July 1 and memberships are available for as little as $45 for individuals. Leashed dogs are welcome.