Lubbock, Texas might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of places to visit in the United States, but this big little city will surprise you with all of it’s charm and southern hospitality! Lubbock is home to Texas Tech, so it’s a college town with lots of delicious places to eat and hang out as well as fun things to do outdoors and in nature. We were truly blown away by how kind everyone was and we kept joking that we might just have to leave Ryan there, because he wouldn’t stop talking about how much he loved it there. There are so many fun things to do in Lubbock, Texas, so here is our ultimate guide of what to do in Lubbock, Texas:
what to do in lubbock, texas:
National Ranching Heritage Center:
The National Ranching Heritage Center is the perfect place to go and learn about the history of ranching in Texas. It is a historic park with over 50 different ranching structures (like barns, houses, cabins, school houses, etc.), and they’re all restored and brought in from all over Texas to showcase all the different aspects of ranching life. It’s also so fun if you’re a Yellowstone fan, because the Four Sixes Barn is there. The National Ranching Heritage Center is definitely a family-friendly activity during your time in Lubbock. There’s free admission, the entire outdoor area is stroller and wheelchair accessible, and it’s a great place to learn about history in Texas!
Buffalo Springs Lake:
Buffalo Springs Lake is the perfect spot to come spend the day relaxing in the sun on the beaches, exploring the cliffs on ATVs, fishing, boating, or cooling off in the water. It’s about a 15-minute drive from downtown Lubbock, making it a really easy spot to add to your itinerary. There is an entrance fee ($15 per adult 11 & older and $5 for kids 6-11), but there is so much to do here. It’s a great spot to come with the whole family!
Caprock Canyons:
Caprock Canyon State Park is a beautiful state park with lots of hiking trails and camp sites. The landscape is stunning with red rocks, cacti, and unique rock formations. You’ll likely even see wild bison here! There are a lot of different trail options, so you can do a short or a long hike. Even if you don’t want to go on a hike, you should drive through it, because the views are beautiful!
Take a Pottery Class at LHUCA:
We took a pottery class at the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts, and it was such a fun and memorable activity! I was so inspired that I signed up for classes at home haha. This is such a fun way to relax and get in touch with your creative side. If you don’t have time for a class, you should still visit the art galleries at LHUCA. The galleries are open Wednesday – Saturday from 11am – 5pm, and admission is always free!
Buddy Holly Hall:
See a broadway show or attend a comedy show at Buddy Holly Hall. Buddy Holly was born in Lubbock, Texas, so this hall is named after him. The architecture and attention to detail is incredible! There are so many design details that refer back to music and instruments, so spend some time looking around at them. Ballet Lubbock also holds an incredible performance of the Nutcracker here during the holidays. The theater at Buddy Holly Hall is one of the biggest in West Texas, so it’s definitely worth coming to see a performance while you’re here.
Get a Custom Cowboy Hat at Flint Hat and Boot:
Flint Hat Shop is a local shop that makes custom cowboy hats and boots. They measure the shape of your head and make sure it fits exactly how you want it to and then they hand shape them all. Custom cowboy hats are a big deal in Texas, and some can even go for as much as $2900. If you’re looking for a custom cowboy hat of your own, this is definitely the place to go. The owner is so kind and clearly puts a lot of love and care into making his hats. They have clients all over the world, so even if you can’t visit, you can still get your own custom cowboy hat from here.
Prairie Dog Town:
Prairie Dog Town is just that – an open field full of wild prairie dogs! They’re actually pretty cute and just sit up right and stare at you. If you get too close, they’ll run in their hole. Prairie dogs make a really unique, high-pitched noise that you can hear pretty clearly while you’re there too. This is definitely one of the more unique things to do here in Lubbock!
First Friday Art Trail:
The first Friday of every month, there is a free public art event called the First Friday Art Trail. There’s a huge food truck round up and art trail. The whole town comes out to eat and shop from local artists and artisans. There are small shop pop ups with local goods and artwork, and local restaurants and food trucks come out so you can try a little bit of everything. The cookie ice cream sandwich is a must. It’s held on the first Friday of every month from 6-9 pm, rain or shine.
Where to eat:
The Nicolett:
The Nicolett is one of the newer fine dining restaurants in town. It’s a limited option three-course meal menu and has the most charming aesthetic. Don’t leave without ordering the fry bread. It is absolutely amazing! We ordered two rounds, because it was seriously that good.
Cast Iron Grill:
If you want to experience true southern Texas hospitality, come to Cast Iron Grill. Everyone was so kind and friendly and it’s clearly the local breakfast spot. It felt like all the staff knew the regulars by name, which made it feel like such a fun small town experience. The french toast was incredible, and Ryan wouldn’t stop talking about the $6 breakfast burrito all week.
J’s Creamery:
If you’re looking for delicious ice cream and shakes, J’s Creamery should definitely be on your list. From custards and shakes to smoothies and sundaes, they have everything you need to treat your sweet tooth.
Triple J Chophouse:
Triple J Chophouse is a steakhouse and brewery. It’s Lubbock’s only brew pub, and it came highly recommended to us by the locals, and it was both delicious and a fun atmosphere. We got the chicken pot pie and pizza, and they did not disappoint. There was also live music when we were there. It’s closed on Sundays and Mondays, so keep that in mind while planning your trip.
Ninety-Two Bakery and Cafe:
Ninety-Two Bakery and Cafe is such a cute, French-inspired bakery and cafe. It’s a great spot to start your day with a delicious hand-crafted pastry and artisan coffee. They offer a small selection of breakfast and brunch options like avocado toast or Croque Madame. It also has a great vibe as a place to hang out and get some work done if you need to.
Holly Hop Ice Cream Shoppe:
This vintage-styled inspired ice cream shoppe is so cute. It has a jukebox, ice cream sundays, classic sodas, and they even offer ballpark-style snacks. It’s the perfect place to go for a treat and experience some 50’s nostalgia.
The Farmhouse:
The Farmhouse Restaurant is a great spot to grab breakfast or lunch. They offer class breakfast foods like pancakes and waffles, and the vibe is laid-back and casual. I had the Nutella stuffed french toast, and it was incredible.
Evie Mae’s BBQ:
We weren’t able to make to Evie Mae’s BBQ, but everyone told us it’s the best BBQ in Texas! So you should definitely add it to your list. It’s only open from Wednesday to Saturday from 11 am until it sells out, so make sure to plan ahead (that was our mistake, haha).
where to stay:
Cotton Court Hotel:
We stayed at Cotton Court Hotel in Lubbock and loved it! Cotton Court is a boutique hotel that has very cozy vibes and the interior design is the perfect mix of charming and homey mixed with a modern western twist. The details really make the stay. Each room has a porch with rocking chairs, SMEG refrigerators, and wire baskets that hold the mini bar treats. There’s also an awesome outdoor space, where you can hang around a fire pit and roast s’mores, relax on the hammocks, play yard games like Jenga, and listen to live music & events. There’s also a swimming pool to relax and cool off during those warm Texas days. Cotton Court Hotel is located in the heart of downtown Lubbock, which makes it the perfect place to stay to be able to experience all Lubbock has to offer.
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*This post was sponsored by Visit Lubbock, but as always, all opinions are our own.
