Image via Flickr by Kyle M Lease
Amarillo, Texas, is a hub of art and culture. Indeed, you may be surprised by the number of museums, landmarks, and galleries in the area. Check out these six impressive destinations, including Combine City and Ozymandias on the Plains, in lovely Amarillo.
Combine City
Some of the most popular art attractions in Amarillo are outdoors. For example, Combine City is a collection of colorful broken-down combine harvesters partly buried in the sand. The project is the work of a local farmer. The attraction is on the southern outskirts of the city off Route 66 above Lake Tanglewood.
Cadillac Ranch
Combine City is actually an homage to this famous art attraction in Amarillo. Cadillac Ranch is a public art installation featuring a row of Cadillacs half-buried in the dirt. The display is unique, however, because guests are allowed to walk among the vehicles and paint them. If you look closely, you’ll see people’s names and important dates painted on the Cadillacs. They’re also popular pallets for graffiti artists. Cadillac Ranch is west of Amarillo off Interstate 40.
Ozymandias on the Plains
Another iconic outdoor attraction outside the city is called “Ozymandias on the Plains.” This is a pair of giant legs — one that stops at the knee and the other midway up the quadricep — frequently seen wearing a pair of painted-on socks. The socks, however, are an addition that local vandals painted on the sculpture and promptly replace whenever they’re cleaned off. You can see the towering legs south of Amarillo via Interstate 27.
Amarillo Museum of Art
Amarillo Museum of Art is a popular gallery known for its four Georgia O’Keeffe watercolors and collection of regional 20th-century art. You can also browse a large display of pan-Asian art. The museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Standard and enhanced tours are available.
Amarillo Museum of Art is close to downtown near the intersection of I-27 and I-40. Pick a hotel in this part of Amarillo to enjoy easy access to the museum and other attractions in town, including some of the best restaurants and shopping spots in the city.
Sunset Art Gallery of Amarillo
Another top attraction in the city, Sunset Art Gallery of Amarillo displays the work of numerous contemporary artists. The gallery is a top stop along Amarillo’s art walk. Visit to meet local artists at work in their studios and admire the pieces on display.
Cerulean Gallery
Cerulean Gallery originally opened in Dallas, but it closed and reopened in Amarillo in 2015. Today you can find it north of I-40 off South Taylor Street. The gallery focuses on contemporary fine art. It’s open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Many people drive through Amarillo on their way to Oklahoma or New Mexico without realizing how much culture they’re passing by. The next time you’re in the area, plan a stop so you can check out these art attractions in Amarillo.
