Things To Do In Amarillo

Saluting 86 historic horses and 141 of their human counterparts, the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum is a sprawling 45,000 square feet of equestrian exhibits and attractions in a sleek, modern space. Towering bronze statues of noble steeds greet knowledge-thirsty museum-goers next to the Wall of Honor, a commemorative mural that varies its appearance depending on the direction from which its viewed. Inductees get their props in the elegant Grand Hall, where rock columns support high ceilings above a floor etched with genealogies of famous horse heroes and the jealous tears of overshadowed mule villains. Voyage further into the lives of game-changing mares, stallions, and stallion people in the timeline exhibit, full of glass-encased artifacts and photography, audio recordings from hall-of-famers' own brethren, and the technologically-advanced, multimedia Champion's Gallery, which recreates events such as glory-bestowing races and the American Quarter Horse World Championship Show.

Established: 2014
Reservations/Appointments: Required
Staff Size: 1 person
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Parking: Parking lot
Most Popular Attraction/Offering: Bounce house
Recommended Age Group: All ages

The Party Suite eases the planning of birthday, graduation, or retirement parties with its private hall, onsite kitchen, and entertainment options. Kids can tumble around in the indoor suite's bounce house or zip down its slide, and adults can grab the karaoke machine's wireless microphone and read off interesting facts on Snapple caps. Plus, they don't even have to pay more to do so because the karaoke machine, as well as the bounce house and slide, are included with the rental of the party hall, along with tables and chairs that can seat up to 48.

At one of J 'n C Archery's four indoor lanes, an archer stands at the ready. He releases the string on his bow and the tension sends the arrow shooting forward. The arrow slices through the air, hitting the target with a loud thrup.

Archers deliver straight shots like this all the time at J 'n C Archery, where 25-yard lanes and a digital video target provide a challenge to shooters of all skill levels and dimensions. The shop also provides lessons to those who want to improve their technique and sells Genesis bows, Spyderweb targets, and Winchester archery equipment.

Located on notoriously twisted Route 66, a derelict movie theater has become the stomping grounds of the McKill family—a criminally insane brood with a predilection for torture and murder. The site is filled with horrific vignettes: piles of human skulls, walls stained with gory handprints, and funerals attended by the dead.

Down the theater's dilapidated halls specters stalk interlopers, awaiting the right moment to jump out and shock—but never touch—their prey. The location has appeared on the Biography Channel’s My Ghost Story, where numerous suspected apparitions were caught in the act.

From reading tablature to molding axe-wielding masters, Amarillo Guitar Lessons improves the play of aspiring guitarists of all ages and experience levels. With a music education degree from West Texas A&M University, primary instructor Tim McGaughy has been teaching since the late 1970s and has played guitar in local bluegrass bands and the Amarillo Symphony. With an individual evaluation to set a starting point, McGaughy can tutor musical neophytes and retired rockers in virtually any style, including bluegrass, folk/traditional, classical, jazz, and rock. During half-hour classes, six-stringers will learn how to tune the instrument and read musical notation, as well as how to avoid bad habits such as holding the guitar incorrectly or strumming with drumsticks. String-picking students should bring their own guitars and schedule lessons within four to six weeks of their first appointment.

YMCA of Amarillo has opened its doors to peoples of all faiths, races, income levels, and abilities since 1937. Today staffers continue to uphold the YMCA’s core values of honesty, acceptance, and fairness as they ensure each location is a safe place for members to play, exercise, and strengthen family bonds weakened by overzealous games of Monopoly. Adults can take aquatic, boot-camp, and Zumba classes or workout within fitness centers filled with cardio and strength-training equipment. Kids, meanwhile, can join in on youth basketball and soccer matches or stimulate their imagination, mental development, and growth in afterschool programs, homework-assistance sessions, and art classes. To help guests of all ages get in touch with their creative sides, local artists host writing groups, dance courses, and photography classes.

YMCA of Amarillo emphasizes the importance of cultural enrichment in their community as well—they partner with such community-based organizations as Boy Scouts of America, Lone Star Ballet, and Amarillo Opera. They also further strengthen the community by offering much-needed funding to children and families who cannot afford the full cost of any of these progressive programs.