Tumbleweeds and cowboys may be the first things that come to mind when thinking of Lubbock. But think again. Ballet. James Beard. Giant armadillos. Prairie dogs. Buddy Holly. And the list goes on.
Lubbock is a cornucopia of wonder … and so much more.
Buddy Holly
One cannot overestimate Lubbock’s love of its native son, Buddy Holly, a man whose life was cut short - at the age of 22 - by a tragic plane crash in 1959. Though he was on the national and international scene for less than three years, he made his mark on the music industry with songs that are still familiar today, such as “Peggy Sue” and “That’ll Be the Day.”
Musicians to this day, such as Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and others, credit Holly, and his band, The Crickets, with influencing their own styles.
Learn more about his life and the roots of rock n’ roll at the Buddy Holly Center (ci.lubbock.tx.us) where a tour begins with a short documentary film about his life. From there, you’ll enter galleries filled with artifacts, including those famous horn-rimmed glasses that he wore, as well as his Fender Telecaster guitar. It’s a walk through his boyhood into his remarkable, albeit short-lived, career.
Lions, Mammoths and Bears, Oh My
Woolly mammoths and snubnose bears, along with dire wolves and giant sloths - armadillos, too, the size of a small car - once traversed the prairies across West Texas and have, over the past 50-plus years, been unearthed at Lubbock Lake National Historic Landmark, an interpretive center owned by Texas Tech (depts.ttu.edu/museum/lll).
The lake, now just a tiny body of water compared to what it was thousands of years ago, was a gathering place for all kinds of animals. Now, visitors to the center can learn more about its history and walk in the footsteps of the animals that once called this area home. Lubbock Lake Landmark is the only park in America that can document 12,000 consecutive years of history, says Joseph Pitts, operations manager.
The Ballet
Ballet Lubbock is a testament to the determination of five local women who, back in 1969, had the foresight to realize the importance of ballet to this West Texas city.
As a result of their success, the Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences (buddyhollyhall.org) became reality and is a gleaming example of architectural significance in the heart of the city’s cultural arts district.
With 2,200 seats in its magnificent auditorium, the building is West Texas’ largest dedicated performance venue, bringing together the city’s vibrant performing arts community, including the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Lubbock and other organizations.
Even if you visit Lubbock when there is not a performance happening, a visit to Buddy Holly Hall is important because of its jaw-dropping architecture, including a stunning spiral staircase that swirls and sweeps from floor to ceiling with the intention of honoring the victims of the 1971 tornado that killed dozens of citizens.
“It’s the only theater of its caliber within five hours of any direction,” said Helen Duncum, executive director. “Lubbock is a multi-faceted diamond.”
Eat Up!
Whether it’s diner fare or gourmet-level dining, you’ll find it in Lubbock. According to some figures, Lubbock has more restaurants per person than many larger cities in the United States, so it’s not hard to find something to please your palate. Here are some suggestions:
Cute Critters
Take the time to visit Prairie Dog Town. It’s a fun spot for a picnic or just a quick visit to see prairie dogs running around, popping their heads up through their burrow holes or chasing each other around McKenzie Park. It’s an opportunity to see these clever animals out in the wild, taking a respite from your busy day in Lubbock.
So as you can see, there’s plenty to do, eat and experience in Lubbock - and, oh yes, you will find tumbleweeds and cowboys.
And where to stay? Consider Cotton Court, a newly constructed property from the Valencia Hotel Collection that reflects the agriculture and music that made Lubbock famous: Cotton and Buddy Holly. Live music is played poolside each evening Thursday through Saturday.
It’s easy to get there with daily flights from Dallas. Now that Chattanooga airport offers nonstop flights on American Airlines, getting to Dallas is even easier.
Lubbock is a cornucopia of wonder … and so much more.
Buddy Holly
One cannot overestimate Lubbock’s love of its native son, Buddy Holly, a man whose life was cut short - at the age of 22 - by a tragic plane crash in 1959. Though he was on the national and international scene for less than three years, he made his mark on the music industry with songs that are still familiar today, such as “Peggy Sue” and “That’ll Be the Day.”
Musicians to this day, such as Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and others, credit Holly, and his band, The Crickets, with influencing their own styles.
Learn more about his life and the roots of rock n’ roll at the Buddy Holly Center (ci.lubbock.tx.us) where a tour begins with a short documentary film about his life. From there, you’ll enter galleries filled with artifacts, including those famous horn-rimmed glasses that he wore, as well as his Fender Telecaster guitar. It’s a walk through his boyhood into his remarkable, albeit short-lived, career.
Lions, Mammoths and Bears, Oh My
Woolly mammoths and snubnose bears, along with dire wolves and giant sloths - armadillos, too, the size of a small car - once traversed the prairies across West Texas and have, over the past 50-plus years, been unearthed at Lubbock Lake National Historic Landmark, an interpretive center owned by Texas Tech (depts.ttu.edu/museum/lll).
The lake, now just a tiny body of water compared to what it was thousands of years ago, was a gathering place for all kinds of animals. Now, visitors to the center can learn more about its history and walk in the footsteps of the animals that once called this area home. Lubbock Lake Landmark is the only park in America that can document 12,000 consecutive years of history, says Joseph Pitts, operations manager.
The Ballet
Ballet Lubbock is a testament to the determination of five local women who, back in 1969, had the foresight to realize the importance of ballet to this West Texas city.
As a result of their success, the Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences (buddyhollyhall.org) became reality and is a gleaming example of architectural significance in the heart of the city’s cultural arts district.
With 2,200 seats in its magnificent auditorium, the building is West Texas’ largest dedicated performance venue, bringing together the city’s vibrant performing arts community, including the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Lubbock and other organizations.
Even if you visit Lubbock when there is not a performance happening, a visit to Buddy Holly Hall is important because of its jaw-dropping architecture, including a stunning spiral staircase that swirls and sweeps from floor to ceiling with the intention of honoring the victims of the 1971 tornado that killed dozens of citizens.
“It’s the only theater of its caliber within five hours of any direction,” said Helen Duncum, executive director. “Lubbock is a multi-faceted diamond.”
Eat Up!
Whether it’s diner fare or gourmet-level dining, you’ll find it in Lubbock. According to some figures, Lubbock has more restaurants per person than many larger cities in the United States, so it’s not hard to find something to please your palate. Here are some suggestions:
- Evie Mae’s: Texas is known for its barbecue and Evie Mae’s goes beyond that with an entirely gluten-free menu, a fact that is amazing since you’d never guess that the desserts, Texas sheet cake, Key lime pie and others are gluten-free. Now onto the barbecue. There are plenty of smokers out back that deliver fork-tender brisket, smoked turkey, pulled pork and sausages. It’s a smoke fest going on at this popular lunch-only restaurant. From the looks of the crowd at the height of the lunch hour, this has to be one of the best houses of smoke in the Lubbock area.
- Dirk’s: Okay, you may think fried chicken tenders are the same everywhere, but you have yet to eat at Dirk’s. The locals know this is the go-to place when the craving for tenders hits. Order up a mess of fries or fried okra, along with some cheddar grits and get ready for a feast that will keep you full throughout the day. Servings are generous. Just a little trivia about the name: The restaurant is owned by Cameron West, but it’s named after his grandfather, cartoonist Dirk West, who also created the Texas Tech mascot, Raider Red.
- West Table: Cameron West also jumped the line between diner food at Dirk’s and upscale dishes with a heavy hint of seasonality at his West Table. Fresh oysters served with a lovely mignonette; goat cheese croquettes; crab hushpuppies; and salmon on a bed of creamy risotto are just a few of the selections that show the creative edge West brings to the table.
- Nicolett: Chef Finn Walter, 2026 James Beard Finalist for Best Chef: Texas and 2022 Semifinalist for Best Chef: Texas, returned to his hometown to open Nicolett in 2020. The award-winning eatery has since developed a tremendous following of locals and visitors wanting a memorable meal. From the unusual, such as antelope or chicken in half mourning, to dishes more familiar to the American palette, such as grilled cod or rib-eye, Nicolett is a feast for the senses.
- Monomyth: USA Today ranks this charming coffee shop as one of the top in the nation, and for good reason. It’s located near the campus of Texas Tech, so it’s popular with students, but also locals who come for a morning jolt of espresso or cappuccino, along with homemade baked treats, including a mouthwatering made-from-scratch pop tart.
- Cast Iron Grill: This spacious diner-style eatery boasts a menu that’s “all about boot pie and chicken fried.” Does that give you a clue about what might be on the menu? Chicken fried steak is a house specialty, along with bodacious desserts sold daily, such as Billionaire Pie with fresh strawberries and blueberry pie with a hint of lemon. But you’ll have to go on a Tuesday or Friday to get the house favorite: Texas Delight, a massive square of creamy deliciousness chock full of nuts.
Cute Critters
Take the time to visit Prairie Dog Town. It’s a fun spot for a picnic or just a quick visit to see prairie dogs running around, popping their heads up through their burrow holes or chasing each other around McKenzie Park. It’s an opportunity to see these clever animals out in the wild, taking a respite from your busy day in Lubbock.
So as you can see, there’s plenty to do, eat and experience in Lubbock - and, oh yes, you will find tumbleweeds and cowboys.
And where to stay? Consider Cotton Court, a newly constructed property from the Valencia Hotel Collection that reflects the agriculture and music that made Lubbock famous: Cotton and Buddy Holly. Live music is played poolside each evening Thursday through Saturday.
It’s easy to get there with daily flights from Dallas. Now that Chattanooga airport offers nonstop flights on American Airlines, getting to Dallas is even easier.
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