Did you know that the city of Lubbock is sometimes referred to as the “live music capital of the world?” This is because the city is home to a large number of live music venues and is also the birthplace of several well-known musicians. But its appeal doesn’t stop there. Lubbock is also home to vibrant arts and culture scene, top-notch dining options, and plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. I toured the city recently and have compiled a list of the 11 Best Things to Do in Lubbock. So whether you’re looking for a fun night out or a day of exploring, be sure to check out these options.
Things to Do in Lubbock, Texas
1. Visit the Robert Bruno Steel House
Can you imagine living in a house made entirely of steel? Well, that’s exactly what you’ll find at the Robert Bruno Steel House. This house was designed and built by Robert Bruno, a businessman, an American artist, and an inventor.
The house is made of steel panels that were welded together and supported by a four steel frame. It’s a fascinating structure, and it’s definitely one of the most unique homes I’ve ever seen. The house is located on a hilltop and offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
The house is not open to the public, but you can see it from the outside. And to be honest, it looks like an alien spaceship. So even if you don’t go inside, it’s still worth a visit just to see this unusual structure.
All in all, the Robert Bruno Steel House is definitely one of the must-see attractions in Lubbock. It’s a unique and interesting place that is worth visiting.
2. Bayer Museum of Agriculture
Next on my list of top things to do in Lubbock is a visit to the Bayer Museum of Agriculture. The Bayer Museum of Agriculture is “dedicated to preserving and interpreting agricultural history and heritage.”
To learn more about the history of agriculture, the museum features interactive displays that take you through the different stages of agriculture, from early methods of cultivation to modern-day practices. You’ll also find a variety of equipment used in agriculture throughout the years, including tractors, plows, and other machinery. In addition, the museum has a room with well and drilling exhibits, over 700 toy tractors, and a seed showcase.
The highlight of the museum, in my opinion, is the 20th-century tool shop. This shop features a variety of tools used in agriculture over the past century. A touchscreen display allows you to learn more about the tools and how they were used. I found this very interesting as I was unfamiliar with many tools.
All in all, the Bayer Museum of Agriculture is a great place to learn about the history of agriculture and see some of the equipment used throughout the years. I would recommend a visit if you’re interested in learning more about the topic.
3. Buddy Holly Center
The Buddy Holly Center is a museum and music venue that is dedicated to the life and career of musician Buddy Holly. Holly was a pioneer of rock and roll who had a brief but successful career in the 1950s. He died tragically in a plane crash in 1959, but his music has continued to be popular.
The Buddy Holly Center has a number of exhibits that focus on different aspects of Holly’s life and career. The exhibits include his musical instruments, stage costumes, and gold records. There is also a theater where you can watch a short film about Holly’s life.
In front of the Buddy Holly Center is a statue of horn-rimmed glasses, which was Holly’s trademark. This is a popular spot for photos, and it’s a great place to start your visit to the center.
J.I. Allison House is also located just beside the main center. This is where Buddy Holly lived and wrote many of his famous songs. The house has been restored to look like it did when Holly lived there and is now a museum. You can tour the house and see Holly’s bedroom, living room, and the studio where he recorded his music.
After a visit to the Buddy Holly Center, I suggest visiting the West Texas Walk of Fame. This is a short walkway that honors the famous people from West Texas. And Buddy Holly is one of the many people honored here.
The Buddy Holly Center is a great place to learn about the life and career of this famous musician. It’s also a lot of fun to walk around and see all the different exhibits. If you’re a fan of Buddy Holly, this center should be at the top of your list of places to visit in Lubbock.
4. American Windmill Museum
You might think that a museum about windmills would be interesting. However, this windmill museum is actually a really fun place to visit. The American Windmill Museum has the largest collection of windmills in the world. And these aren’t just any old windmills. These are massive windmills that were used to pump water and generate electricity.
There are over 200 windmills spread out across 28 acres of land. So there is definitely a lot to see here. In addition to the windmills, there are also a number of other exhibits. One of the most popular exhibits is the 6,600-square-foot model train display. This is one of the largest model train displays in Texas, and it’s definitely worth checking out.
Another popular exhibit is the Garrison Millstone room. This room has a collection of millstones that were used to grind flour. These millstones are massive, and it’s really interesting to see how they were used.
Overall, the American Windmill Museum is a really fun place to visit. If you’re interested in learning about the history of windmills, then this is the place for you. It’s also a great place to spend a day if you’re looking for the best things to do in Lubbock.
5. National Ranching Heritage Center
Another top spot to visit in Lubbock is the National Ranching Heritage Center. This ranch shows the evolution of the ranching lifestyle from the 1700s to the present day.
The National Ranching Heritage Center features about 50 historic structures spread across 19 acres. These structures include homes, barns, outbuildings, and other structures used in ranching. You can tour these buildings to get a glimpse of what ranch life was like in the past. In addition, the ranch has a variety of exhibits that showcase the equipment used in ranching, as well as the animals that were raised on the ranch.
The highlight of the ranch is the museum, which features a variety of artifacts that tell the story of ranching in America. There are also 42 life-sized sculptures of cowboys and ranchers that help bring the history to life. I found the museum to be very informative and well done.
There is a trolley that takes you around the ranch, which is a great way to see all the different buildings and exhibits. The trolley ride is scheduled to run every 30 minutes at a small fee. So you can spend as much or as little time as you want at the ranch.
6. Prairie Dog Town
I know you are probably thinking, “A prairie dog town?” I mean, how interesting could it really be to see a bunch of prairie dogs running around? But I promise you; it is actually quite fun and interesting.
Prairie Dog Town is a protected area for the endangered black-tailed prairie dog. Prairie dogs are a type of rodent native to the Great Plains of North America. They are social animals and live in burrows that they dig themselves. These creatures are interesting to watch as they go about their daily lives. You’ll see them playing, eating, and digging holes.
Prairie Dog Town is located in Mackenzie Park, which is a large city park with many other activities to enjoy. In addition to the prairie dogs, there are hiking trails, a playground, and a pond. So you can easily spend a few hours here exploring all the different areas of the park.
A visit to Prairie Dog Town is definitely one of the best things to do in Lubbock. It’s a great activity for the whole family and a unique way to learn about these fascinating creatures.
7. Lubbock Lake National Historic Landmark
Do you like history and archaeology? If so, then you’ll love the Lubbock Lake National Historic Landmark. This landmark is an archaeological and nature preserve that is dedicated to the history of the Llano Estacado region.
Here, you can find evidence of human occupation that dates back 12,000 years. The site has been excavated, and you can see the remains of the ancient people who lived here. You can hike the 4.5 miles of trails and see the different areas of the site. There is also a Visitor Center where you can learn more about the history of the area.
In addition to the archaeological remains, this historic landmark holds special events throughout the year. One of the most popular events is the Archeology in Action nights. This event allows you to see actual archaeological excavation and learn about the process.
8. Museum of Texas Tech University
If you’re looking for free things to do in Lubbock, then I recommend a visit to the Museum of Texas Tech University. This museum is located on the campus of the same name and features a wide variety of exhibits that focus on different topics. These include exhibits on natural history, paleontology, anthropology, textiles, fine art, and other exhibitions.
The main highlights of the museum are the huge dinosaur skeletons that are displayed. These are replicas that are based on real fossils that were found in the area, and they are very well done. The museum also has a number of other exhibits that focus on different aspects of natural history. These include a mammoth skeleton replica and a number of displays on different animals and plants.
In addition, fine arts are also represented at the museum. The Diamond M Gallery Wing features a changing exhibition of contemporary art. This gallery is one of the best in the city and features a wide variety of artwork by a number of western artists. Changing exhibitions ensures that there is always something new to see.
9. Silent Wings Museum
If you’re interested in learning about the history of military aviation, then I recommend a visit to the Silent Wings Museum. This museum is dedicated to preserving the history of World War II aviation and the courageous pilots who flew the glider missions during the war.
The museum is located in a former airport terminal and has a number of exhibits that focus on different aspects of the glider program. The walls and photographs in the main hall chronicle the training of the pilots and their missions. There is also a small theater where you can watch a short film about the glider program.
In addition to the main hall, several other exhibits focus on specific topics related to the glider program. These exhibits include a small glider, equipments that were transported by gliders, and components of a glider.
One of the museum’s highlights is the restored CG-4A glider on display. This glider was used in a number of missions during the war, including the D-Day invasion of Normandy.
I enjoyed my visit to the Silent Wings Museum as it was interesting to learn about a little-known aspect of World War II. The museum does a good job of explaining the training and missions of the glider pilots. The restored glider was also impressive, and it was fascinating to see all the military equipment that could be transported by these gliders.
10. Joyland Amusement Park
Having fun and spending time with family is important, and there’s no better place to do that than at Joyland Amusement Park. This park has been a Lubbock tradition since 1946, and it’s a great place to enjoy some old-fashioned fun.
The park has a number of rides for all ages, including a Ferris wheel, carousel, train, and much more. There are also a number of games and arcades. And, of course, no visit to an amusement park would be complete without some cotton candy or other sweet treat.
In addition to the rides and games, Joyland also has special events throughout the year. These events include concerts, Halloween parties, and holiday celebrations. So there’s always something fun going on at the park.
So if you have kids and are looking for the best things to do in Lubbock, you definitely need to check out Joyland Amusement Park. It’s a great place to create lasting memories with your family and friends.
11. Wine Tasting at Caprock Winery
Lubbock is located in the Texas Panhandle, which is known for its agriculture. And one of the crops that is grown in this area is grapes. So it’s no surprise that there are a few wineries in Lubbock.
One of the best places to go for a wine tasting is Caprock Winery. This winery is located on a working ranch and has a beautiful setting. The vineyards are surrounded by rolling hills, and there are wonderful views of the surrounding countryside.
At Caprock Winery, you can sample a variety of red and white wines. The staff is very knowledgeable and can help you find the perfect wine to suit your taste. They also have a gift shop where you can buy bottles of wine to take home with you.
So if you’re looking for fun things to do in Lubbock during the afternoon, I highly recommend wine tasting at Caprock Winery. It’s a great way to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Texas Panhandle.
In summary
Getting bored in Lubbock is not an option. From enjoying the great outdoors to learning about Texas history, to visiting a winery, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy. And with this list of the best things to do in Lubbock, you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy.
