WHAT TO DO
One of the most famous people from Lubbock is the late musician, Buddy Holly. The Buddy Holly Center pays tribute to him, and the building even features a massive outdoor sculpture of his signature black rimmed eyeglasses outside. Inside, learn more about his life and work. We saw a documentary featuring musicians like Paul McCartney and those glasses that he was wearing when he died. He tragically passed away at the age of 22 in a plane crash. In the Fine Arts Gallery, visitors can enjoy a rotating arts exhibit. A few steps away from the Buddy Holly Center is the childhood home of J.I. Allison, the drummer for Buddy Holly’s band, The Crickets. The home was relocated to its current location in 2013.
The Buddy Holly Center.
The house is where Holly and Allison wrote the hit “That’ll Be the Day.” The Buddy Holly Center is not to be confused with the performing arts venue, the Buddy Holly Hall. The hall itself is a work of modern art. With white spiral staircases and high ceilings, the cavernous concert hall is stunning with wraparound balconies and circular lights up above. It’s simply stunning and worth checking out even if you don’t have time to see a show.
Prairie Dog Town.
Prairie Dog Town is worth a quick visit. K.N. Clapp established this place during a time when the government was poisoning prairie dogs. He sought to create a refuge for these animals and succeeded. He even oversaw this place until he died in 1969. Today, see prairie dogs pop up and run around in this open field. They’re adorable creatures.
National Ranching Heritage Center.
Located on 19 acres, the National Ranching Heritage Center is dedicated to, you guessed it, telling the stories of ranching in the area. Agriculture, to this day, is still a big part of Lubbock’s economy. See historic cars, Western art and spurs. Our favorite part, by far, was the outdoor park. The park is filled with recreations and actual buildings of early pioneers who called the area home. Circa 1920, the Trinity Mission church features wood church pews, stained glass windows and wood on the ceiling. Another highlight was a recreated barn that even displayed ranching equipment. The two-and-a-half story Barton house is named after rancher Joseph Barton. He set out to build his dream home after the price of his land boomed. He even set up his own town called Bartonsite. Today, see bedrooms, real hardwood floors and the kitchen on the first floor of the historic property.
National Ranching Heritage Center.
Since 1976, Llano Estacado Winery & Vineyards has been creating award-winning wines. Llano’s light-filled tasting room beckons with seating alongside the windows and a white bar in the center of the space. I took home a crisp, light and refreshing Roussanne white wine.
Llano Estacado Winery & Vineyards.
The Charles Adams Gallery features over 30 modern artists. We enjoyed strolling through this wide open gallery. Our favorite piece was a colorful portrait of the late and great chef Anthony Bourdain. The history is also fascinating. The owner, Charles Adams, opened his first gallery in Greenwich Village in New York City before it relocated to his hometown of Lubbock in the 1980s. Charles owned it until he retired in 2022 and sold it to current owner Zach Morriss. Texas Tech is what dominates Lubbock. The sprawling college has a public art collection that visitors can check out free of charge. A few of my favorite pieces included the massive “Bulls” sculptures and the “Four Faces” that are seemingly woven together. Stroll around the campus to see art of all stripes.
The Cast Iron Grill.
WHERE TO EAT
One of the best meals I had in town was at French restaurant Chez Sami. The setting was elegant and came complete with white tablecloths, brick walls and chandeliers hanging overhead. The menu is filled with decadent French fare. My personal favorite was the creamy and rich French Onion Soup. The Beef Wellington is another highlight. The Cast Iron Grill feels downright comfortable. This classic breakfast spot serves hearty fare that’s all homemade. Dig into classic orders like Scrambled Eggs, burritos and Biscuits and Gravy. Sides include hash browns, a cup of fruit and Cinnamon Toast. The pancakes were downright delicious. We enjoyed buttery, light and fluffy pancakes. If you’re searching for something really filling, consider ordering the Chicken Fried Steak & Eggs. Pies here are another noteworthy item. They have a strong following and typically sell out at noon. The slices we had were light, decadent and served with a heap of whipped cream.
The Nicolett.
Evie Mae’s BBQ is a family-owned downhome joint. After Arnis Robbins was diagnosed with Celiac disease, the family started preparing all their meals at home. Arnis eventually built his own smoker and started cooking in his backyard. It took off with family and friends and prompted him to move from Tucson to Lubbock and open up his very own BBQ spot named after his daughter, Evie Mae. The restaurant opened up in January of 2016. The BBQ menu features classics like brisket, pulled pork (our personal favorite), turkey, sausage and pork ribs. In keeping with tradition, all items except for the sandwich buns and white bread are gluten free. Our last meal of the trip was at The Nicolett. The most magical part of the meal – besides the food – was the setting. Dinner was set up inside the green house located just a few steps from the main restaurant, which was someone’s home at one time. James Beard award nominated chef Finn Walters leads the kitchen at this fine dining hot spot. Look forward to Southwestern fare. Currently on the menu are Hill Country Antelope, Farm Cheese Ravioli and Seared Foie Gras. It was one of the most memorable meals we’ve ever enjoyed.
The Cotton Court Hotel.
WHERE TO STAY
During our time in town, we stayed at the Cotton Court Hotel. The contemporary hotel is located downtown, and we could easily walk to many nearby restaurants and businesses. What we loved most was the lobby. Housed in a historic brick building, the lobby featured a grand fireplace, an acoustic guitar on the wall, high ceilings and windows throughout. We spent plenty of time chatting on the couches in front of the fireplace. It’s an ideal place to pass the time. The spacious suite featured a sitting area with a plush couch, a King size bed and an oversized bathroom with a rainfall showerhead. Additional amenities include a massive outdoor pool, outdoor fire pits and a fitness center. The spacious outdoor courtyard was a great place to soak up the sun.
