Located in the heart of the Texas Panhandle and nicknamed “the Yellow Rose of Texas,” Amarillo combines the beauty of the Llano Estacado Plains with modern industry and old-fashioned rodeo fun. The city traces its roots back to the waning years of the Wild West when the cattle-shipping industry took off. Native grasslands and yellow wildflowers inspired its name, which means “yellow” in Spanish. Over the past century, Amarillo has been an industrial powerhouse for cattle, meatpacking, agriculture, helium, oil and even aircraft and nuclear weapons assembly. Today, the Amarillo Meat Packing Plant is one of the largest meatpacking factories in the United States. Pantex, the country's only nuclear weapons assembly and disassembly facility, is another major employer. It is the most populous city in the Texas Panhandle, with over 200,000 residents, and Amarillo’s vibrant agricultural and industrial economy continues to draw new residents each year. “It’s a growing population because a lot of high-paying jobs are coming to Amarillo,” says Blake Goldston, Amarillo native and a local publisher for Stroll Magazine. “Amarillo is home to the Pantex plant; about 80% of the nation’s beef comes from us, and we are the helium capital of the world. They’re doing a lot lately to plan for the future.”
Avondale located just 2 miles from downtown, allows residents to enjoy a convenient lifestyle.
AmTech offers pathways to industry certifications and future career opportunities.
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World-famous rodeos and paint-streaked Cadillac Ranch
Amarillo is known for its year-round rodeos, which George Strait immortalized in his song “Amarillo by Morning.” The Tri-State Fair and Rodeo is the largest event, with cattle shows, exhibits and carnival rides arriving every September. In addition to its rodeos, the most popular sporting events are courtesy of the Sod Poodles, the city’s minor league baseball team. Amarillo also has professional arena football, soccer and hockey teams.
The city has more than sports and cattle shows. In 2016, the Texas Commission on the Arts officially designated the Amarillo Cultural District. “Because it’s the largest city between Dallas and Denver, Amarillo pioneers had to create their own culture,” says Beth Duke, executive director for Center City of Amarillo. “That spirit extends to the arts with our own symphony, opera, ballet, art museum and a growing public art collection.” The symphony, opera and ballet all perform at the Globe-News Center on Buchanan Street in downtown Amarillo. Amarillo College houses the free-of-charge Amarillo Museum of Art on Van Buren Street, which displays Pan-Asian art, Georgia O’Keeffe watercolors and an outdoor sculpture collection. Cadillac Ranch, one of the area’s most recognizable art installations, rises from the bluffs along Interstate 40. The 10 half-buried Cadillacs have lined up along Route 66 since 1974, and visitors bring spray paint to make their mark on the installation.
Amarillo hosts several annual events, including the Tri-State Fair and the famous Rodeo.
Stop by the Cadillac Ranch for your photo op in Two Deer Creek.
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The Grand Canyon of Texas
Over 50 parks and community centers are spread throughout Amarillo. Thompson Memorial Park on Dumas Drive is one of the biggest parks in the city, with a disc golf course, dog park and even a small zoo. The family-owned Wonderland Amusement Park leases 10 acres of Thompson Memorial Park. Its 43 rides make it the largest amusement park between Dallas and Denver. Between Amarillo’s large hospitals, Medical Center Park on Wallace Boulevard is most recognized for the Amarillo Botanical Gardens. It also has large lakes and the Don Harrington Discovery Center, a children’s museum. Palo Duro Canyon State Park — nicknamed “the Grand Canyon of Texas” — is 25 miles south of town. Miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails weave through the canyon’s landscape, including its famous Lighthouse rock formation.
Palo Duro Canyon offers hiking trails and more for residents of River Falls.
Tradewinds residents can take a short drive for a fun day at the Wonderland Amusement Park.
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Shopping along I-40 or Route 66
Amarillo’s largest shopping centers, such as Westgate Mall, are just off I-40. It is one of the city’s most well-known malls, featuring over 100 stores and restaurants. Down the interstate, Wolflin Square and Wolflin Village have dozens of clothing stores and food markets. While Route 66’s heyday was between the 1920s and 1950s, the tourist attraction remains a hub for small businesses. Cafes and antique shops operated out of original 1920s buildings and eateries like Golden Light Café, the longest-running restaurant in Amarillo, all line Sixth Avenue in the Route 66 Historic District. Other noteworthy local restaurants include The Big Texan Steak Ranch on I-40, known for its 72-ounce steak challenge, and Drunken Oyster on Southwest 45th Avenue, a fine-dining speakeasy operated by celebrity chef Rory Schepisi.
Lawndale residents can head to a local favorite, Coyote Bluff Cafe, for steaks and burgers.
Westgate Mall serves as Saturn Terrace residents' go-to destination for shopping and dining.
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Homes in historic Wolflin or modern Sleepy Hollow
The median home price in Amarillo is $250,000, below the state median of $340,000. According to Coldwell Banker First Equity, there was a 1.5% decrease in home sales between 2023 and 2024. This rate was lower than the 2.5% decrease statewide and the 4.2% decrease nationally. One of the most in-demand neighborhoods is Wolflin, right next to downtown. It's one of the city’s first neighborhoods and appears on the National Register for Historic Places. Other sought-after communities include City View and Sleepy Hollow, two modern neighborhoods with new homes and a fast commute to the Medical District.
A unique blend of home styles are spread out around Wolflin.
Residents of Sleepy Hollow enjoy a quiet neighborhood.
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Orchestra and athletics at Potter County’s top schools
The Amarillo Independent School District (AISD) earns an overall A-minus from Niche and is the top school district in Potter County. It's in the Top 30 districts in Texas for athletics, with over a dozen sports programs. Amarillo ISD is also the only school district in the state with an orchestra program that begins in fifth grade. Students from any of the district's four high schools can spend part of their school day at AmTech Career Academy, which offers programs ranging from animal science to culinary arts to medicine. All AISD high schools offer dual-credit courses through the University of Texas at Austin, and AISD graduates who meet specific requirements are eligible for the Thrive Scholarship. The scholarship pays for books, fees and up to 60 hours of tuition at Amarillo College. The college was a co-recipient of the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence for 2023.
Amarillo Museum of Art is located in the Amarillo College campus near Martin Road.
The Amarillo Public Library near Saturn Terrace provides a wealth of knowledge.
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Extreme weather in the Texas Panhandle
Generally, Amarillo has hot summers and cold, snowy winters. The Panhandle's weather can be unpredictable and is prone to extreme conditions. Spring tornadoes, summer thunderstorms and winter cold fronts — sometimes called "blue northers" — are all common occurrences. The city provides residents with "Weather Readiness" instructions for blizzards, thunderstorms, high winds, tornadoes, wildfires and flooding. Warning sirens sound at the local Pantex plant during weather emergencies as well.
FBI data reflects significantly higher reported property and violent crime rates in Amarillo than in Texas or the U.S. as a whole. Between 2022 and 2023, there was a nearly 6% decrease in part 1 violent crime rates and a 13% drop in part 1 property crime rates, according to the Amarillo Police Department’s 2023 annual report.
Tierra Grande residents can play disc golf with friends at Thompson Memorial Park.
Medical Center Park has great fishing year round.
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Driving on Route 66
As the regional hub for the Texas Panhandle, Amarillo is a major highway junction between neighboring states. It is an equal distance between Oklahoma City and Albuquerque, about 250 miles away and 500 miles from Denver and Austin. Locals regularly drive on the famous Route 66, along with I-40 and I-27. While most residents drive, Amarillo City Transit (ACT) buses are another way to get around. The Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport, named for the Amarillo-born NASA astronaut, is on the city's east side off I-40. This airport is also home to the Texas Air & Space Museum, which displays antique civilian and military aircraft.
The Drunken Oyster offers craft cocktails and more to residents of Two Deer Creek.
GoldenLight Cafe & Cantina near San Jacinto provides delicious handmade burgers for locals.
An 8th Generation Texan. I have, since 1989, personally owned and operated farm & ranch, rental and commercial property in addition to flipping numerous properties, and has extensive sales experience in farm & ranch, recreational, residential & country homes, as well as rental and commercial properties. As a real estate lender, I have closed thousands of agricultural and commercial loans, including hundreds of real estate loans in fifty-eight (58) counties across Texas. Real Estate loans include farms, ranches, hunting & recreational property, home mortgages, new residential construction, hotels, new hotel construction, rental property and commercial property. I have made many contacts throughout Texas, including lenders, real estate brokers, title companies, inspectors, appraisers, surveyors, attorneys and insurance agents. I have the skill, the contacts and the commitment to bring buyers and sellers together on a deal that works for everyone involved.
The Professional REALTORS® at Chad Holland Real Estate have been selling Farm & Ranch, Hunting & Recreational, Residential, Country & Luxury Homes, and Vacant Lots as well as Commercial properties and Small Businesses throughout Texas, since 2003.
For the serious, well-qualified Buyer, my brokerage offers Buyer Representation, for the purchase of all types of properties, including those listed For Sale by Other Real Estate Brokerage Firms or those properties listed For Sale by Owner (FSBO).
We also list Residential and Commercial properties For Rent or For Lease.
In addition, Professional REALTOR® Camie Holland, offers Property Management services in certain situations.
The Professional REALTORS® at Chad Holland Real Estate have all built their careers upon a passion for real estate and a foundation of love for their communities and this area. They all pride themselves on knowing the region, the school systems and their community.
Whether you are selling, buying your next property with cash, financing your next purchase, or simply need a rental property, we have the experience to assist you in achieving your real estate goals.
Be sure and contact myself, or andy one of the Professional REALTORS® at Chad Holland Real Estate today!
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
