The South Plains are the southern part of the Llano Estacado, a high, astonishingly flat tableland that covers much of West Texas and eastern New Mexico. Spanish explorers crossed it in the 16th century; Comanche horsemen ruled it until the 1870s; ranchers, then cotton farmers and the railway, turned it into what it is today. Lubbock, its capital, is a friendly university city — and a superb base for exploring.
Top sights at a glance
Lubbock city sights Buddy Holly Center
The rock ’n’ roll pioneer’s hometown museum, his famous glasses and the West Texas Walk of Fame.
Lubbock’s tribute to its most famous son, Buddy Holly, in a restored 1920s railway depot — with his trademark glasses, Crickets memorabilia, a fine-art gallery and the Buddy Holly statue and West Texas Walk of Fame across the street.
Road trips & nature Palo Duro Canyon State Park
The second-largest canyon in the United States, two hours north of Lubbock.
A vast red-rock canyon cut into the edge of the Llano Estacado south of Amarillo — around 120 miles long and up to about 800 feet deep — with the Lighthouse hoodoo, horseback rides, camping and the summer TEXAS outdoor musical.
Museums & heritage National Ranching Heritage Center
Fifty-plus historic ranch buildings brought together on the Texas Tech campus.
A superb open-air museum of ranch life: more than 50 authentic structures — dugouts, adobe, bunkhouses, windmills and a railway depot — moved from across Texas and restored, plus galleries of saddles, art and cattle-country history.
Lubbock city sights Texas Tech University
Spanish Renaissance towers, a huge public-art collection and Red Raider game days.
Lubbock’s great institution: a large campus of Spanish-style architecture with a celebrated public-art collection, the Will Rogers statue, the Carol of Lights in December and Red Raider football at Jones AT&T Stadium.
Suggested itineraries
Two days: Lubbock highlights
- Day 1: National Ranching Heritage Center and the Museum of Texas Tech in the morning; a walk around the Texas Tech campus; late afternoon at the Buddy Holly Center, then dinner and live music in the Depot District.
- Day 2: Lubbock Lake Landmark in the cool of the morning; the American Windmill Museum or Silent Wings Museum; an afternoon at the wineries.
Four days: canyons and Route 66
- Days 1–2: Lubbock as above.
- Day 3: drive north to Palo Duro Canyon for a sunrise hike; the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in Canyon; sunset at Cadillac Ranch; overnight in Amarillo.
- Day 4: Route 66 on Sixth Street in the morning, then southeast to Caprock Canyons to see the bison, and back to Lubbock.
Five days or more
Add a small-town day to Post and Slaton, the Muleshoe cranes in winter, or continue west into New Mexico — Roswell, Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands, or Santa Fe on US-84. See our tour picks for bookable experiences on the way.
Food and drink
This is cattle and cotton country, so expect generous portions: chicken-fried steak, brisket and ribs at barbecue joints, big steaks and — everywhere — excellent Tex-Mex, from breakfast burritos to enchiladas smothered in chili con carne. Look out for local wine from the High Plains on restaurant lists, craft breweries in the Depot District and, in autumn, green chile influences from neighbouring New Mexico.
Lubbock has an unusual drinking history: for decades most of the city was “dry”, and package alcohol sales were only approved across the city in 2009. Today it is easy to buy a drink, but some surrounding counties and towns still have restrictions.
Money and costs
- The currency is the US dollar. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including contactless; carry a little cash for small-town cafés and tips.
- Sales tax (around 8.25% in Lubbock) is added at the till, not shown on price tags. Hotel bills carry additional occupancy taxes.
- Tipping is expected: around 18–20% in sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, and a few dollars a night for housekeeping.
- Lubbock is generally cheaper than big Texas cities — except on football and graduation weekends, when hotel rates can double.
Safety and health
- Lubbock is a typical mid-sized US city: take normal precautions at night and don’t leave valuables visible in your car.
- Weather is the main hazard. Take tornado and severe-thunderstorm warnings seriously (mainly April to June); hotels post shelter instructions. Dust storms can reduce visibility on highways to near zero — pull well off the road and wait.
- Heat and sun: the altitude and dry air mean strong sun and fast dehydration. Carry water, especially on canyon trails.
- Wildlife: keep your distance from bison at Caprock Canyons and watch for rattlesnakes on trails in warm weather.
- In an emergency, call 911. Covenant and University Medical Center hospitals serve the region.
What to pack
- Layers: days can swing 30 °F (15 °C) or more between dawn and afternoon.
- A windproof jacket, sunglasses and lip balm — the wind and dry air are constant companions.
- Sturdy shoes, a wide-brimmed hat and a large water bottle for the canyons.
- Scarlet and black if you are going to a Texas Tech game.
Local etiquette
West Texans are famously friendly: expect a wave from passing pickups on country roads and conversation in queues. Dress is casual almost everywhere. “Guns Up” — the Texas Tech hand sign — is a greeting, not a threat. And on game days, remember: in Lubbock, everybody is a Red Raider.
