Amarillo

Hi

We are in the process of creating a holiday for 2007, and thinking of staying at Holiday INN Amarillo

Is this a good location, and does anyone know what is within walking distance of the hotel.

Are there sufficient restaurants and fast food outlets nearby?

Thanks

Ben

Amarillo

Hi Ben

Can%26#39;t tell about the hotel but for food a visit to The Bix Texan restaurant along I 40 just east of Amarillo is a must!

We stayed in Canon, south of A. to visit Palo Duro Canyon SP which I can highly recommend. Don%26#39;t miss

Cheers

Tet

Amarillo

If you are thinking of this Holiday Inn

AMARILLO-I-40

1911 I-40 EAST

AMARILLO, TX 79102

UNITED STATES

It is not the best location. I would not walk around at night in that area. It is near the American Quarter Horse Museum. You will need a car in Amarillo. Traffic is not bad there compared to large cities. Public transportation is not good. Link below has suggestions for what to do.

www.amarillo-cvb.org/escortnotes/index.html

I would recommend Palo Duro Canyon. If you come in the summer there is a really good outdoor play. Also try the cowboy breakfast. Big Texan is very touristy, ok if you like that sort of thing.

Alongcamejones is right, it IS touristy. Still: Don%26#39;t miss this yellow tourist trap.....

Tet

The Big Texan is a great place to take pictures and to walk around. But I would spend my money elsewhere for the food. You can get better fair at the Texas Road House or Logan%26#39;s Road House. Also try some of the Mexican restaurants.

You will definitely need a car. The City is spread out and you just don%26#39;t walk to the corner market here. I would also recommend Palo Duro Canyon. If you plan your trip just right you might see the leaves change color.

As for a hotel the further west you go the better chances for a good hotel. I would be careful of the Fifth Season Inn.

if the address that another poster mentioned is correct...

across the (busy street) is Mcdonalds and IHOP.. nearby are Long John Silvers, Popeye%26#39;s chicken and wienerschnitzel.

A car is a must in Amarillo. The Big Texan is touristy, but the food is surprisingly good. Not far from Holiday Inn is a great mexican restaurant, Tacos Garcias.

Not much ';activity'; within walking distance. The American Quarterhorse Musueum should be open again (I think) by then. It has been closed all year for renovations.

The hotel isn%26#39;t far from downtown areas (bars anc a few clubs) and 6th street (part of route 66) isn%26#39;t far. But once again... a car is needed.

Amarillo is easy to get around.

Don%26#39;t know about the Holiday Inn, but the Hampton Inn East is ok. It%26#39;s nothing fantastic, but a safe choice (i.e. clean rooms, easy interstate access, good breakfasts, nice staff, etc.).

To eat within Amarillo, of course, the Big Texan is a must although it%26#39;s not to say it necessarily has the best food. The chili at Dwyer%26#39;s (not sure of spelling) near the intersection of Georgia and I-40 is great. It has won numerous awards. Also, try the Stockyard Cafe. It is really a look at the real Amarillo. The Palo Duro Canyon is only about 25 minutes south of Amarillo and very uncommercialized and unspoiled. The 1 1/2 hour jeep tour at the Elkins Ranch is a great way to see the canyon and the paved drive at the adjacent state park is recommended too. Really nice vistas.

If you are heading west of Amarillo on I-40, be sure to stop at the Midpoint Cafe in Adrian (mile 22). It is just off the interstate at the midpoint of Route 66. The cafe has been operating there since 1928 I think. Great food and service; and a real trip back in time.

Also, if heading west on I-40 the Cadillac Ranch on an access road, just west of Amarillo is an interesting stop.

Our family went to all of these places in one weekend in October 2006 for a Fall getaway. It was a welcome break from the commericialized resort type locales.

Definately, if you make it to Amarillo, you have to see Palo Duro Canyon and if you can, go see the TEXAS play. Its outside during the summer months and its worth it.

The Big Texan is an ok place to eat too, great chicken fried steak, a Texas staple. You also might want to try some Mexican food places like Tacos Garcia on Grand ( I think).

I live here and would not recommend the hotel you%26#39;re thinking of. There are several new hotels built going out I-40 West in the Coulter Rd./Soncy Rd. area. Go there. Lots of restaurants out that way but not within real walking distance. Best Mexican food is Abuelo%26#39;s on 45th Street. There%26#39;s a Joe%26#39;s Crab Shack, Logan%26#39;s Roadhouse, Furr%26#39;s Cafeteria, Johnny Carino%26#39;s(Italian) near the hotels I mentioned at Soncy. The Westgate Mall is also nearby. There%26#39;s an Olive Garden at Western Street and I40. The Big Texan is for tourists. I can%26#39;t really recommend the food. Country Barn Steakhouse is expensive as steaks go. A lot of restaurants are up and down the I40 access roads so you%26#39;ll be able to find anything you want along there: Chili%26#39;s, Bourbon Street, Outback, Hoffbrau and fast food places. Palo Duro Canyon is south of Amarillo and worth seeing. Whatever you do while traveling, not just here in Amarillo, DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING IN YOUR VEHICLE!! Hotel parking lots are notorious for car burglaries!! UHaul trailers have even been ripped off! The upper end hotel here is the Ambassador at I40 and Georgia Street. Nice place but pricey. It%26#39;s where celebrities stay when here. Homewood Suites, Extended Stay, Courtyard by Marriott and Comfort Suites at Soncy and a Drury Inn that%26#39;s under construction now in that area. I cannot vouch for what quality of hotels these are but they are a little newer and in what might be considered a better part of town. Do not stay anywhere east of Georgia. There%26#39;s a newer Holiday Inn off of Paramount Street that looks nice from the outside and again, it%26#39;s near enough to I40 that you won%26#39;t have a problem finding a place to eat. Hope you enjoy your visit here.

Tet recommended me The Big Texan and I went there this summer with my family. I LOVED THAT PLACE! It%26#39;s so much fun! I spend the whole afternoon there, it%26#39;s right on Highway I40 so you%26#39;re just a 10 minute drive from the shopping malls or the downtown area. It%26#39;s a 15 minute drive from the Cadillac Ranch.

Have fun!

Hi

Depends what you like, we have been to Amarillo several times from the UK and have made good frineds out there which is why we return. Amarillo is no more dangerous than any town, you get good and bad bits all over the world.

Scottys shack is SUPERB for fish (dont be put off by the appearance). The Big Texan has to be done and the food is normally good and plentiful. If you want to drink then call them up and they will send a Limo to collect you and tehy drop you back later. So many places out there to eat way to much choice.

There are plenty of Hotel/Motels out there so unless something really big is going on no need to book. We always stay out of town to the East at a little place called the 3B off Pullman Road a few minutes drive from the airport, but oh so peaceful and not too many $$ for cabs as my daughters were introduced to Midnight Rodeo by some of the friends we have made out there.

Have Fun we are going back again next year.