Explore the rugged landscape of Texas in our short, yet unforgettable Amarillo to Santa Fe Road Trip
Texas is one of my favorite states to visit in the United States. It’s one of its kind, marking big and bold statements with a sheer amount of diversity. The cultural activities, the rich history and heritage, the outdoor adventures, and dozens of ranches make it incredibly unique for any visitors traveling to the state. If this is your first time, we highly indulge in experiencing the beauty of Texas in this Amarillo to Santa Fe road trip.
Texas is often described as the opportunistic land of the Wild West. A land where you find myriads of opportunities to spend your time how you like. From discovering Western art and culinary traditions to venturing into deserted mountains and picturesque landscapes. The surrounding Panhandle boasts a beautiful mix of western ranches and modern-built houses. It clearly gives you the picture of how the old & new economies have blended in to create a diversified region.
In this guide, we will shed some light on one of the most underrated places in Texas: Amarillo and Santa Fe. These towns are historically important to the state and have recently been a crowd-pulling destination. There’s still a lot to discover in these regions, given that you take a drive and explore. With the help of our Amarillo to Santa Fe road trip, you’ll get a comprehensive idea of the places to visit, things to do, experiences to book, and hotels to stay at. Along with our detailed itinerary, you’ll have a handy pocket-sized guide to plan out a perfect North Texas trip.
About Amarillo and Santa Fe
Amarillo, popularly known for its iconic Route 66 Highway, is considered the cultural capital of the Texas Panhandle region. Back in the earlier days, the town barely had anything to excite visitors who often traveled to this place. It started off as a railroad stagging late in the 80s and then journeyed all its way up to become one of the best places to visit in Texas. Today, the town is humbly proud of its cattle ranching, unique guest houses, and quirky attractions. Amarillo indeed feels like a small town, but it’s packed with numerous experiences that fascinate first-time visitors.
The town of Amarillo is also bustled with museums like Quarter Horse Museum and Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum that bring out the traditional vibes of Old West Texas history. Not only the past delves into its history, but also food that presents a beautiful culinary essence to the state. The city is home to many steak houses that serve mouth-watering American favorites. Not to forget, The Big Texan Steak Ranch, where you can challenge yourself for a steak bite.
Santa Fe, New Mexico, is another charming town set amidst the visual backdrops of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The town is known for its quirkiness which can be seen in all of its attractions, including museums, world-famous art installations, galleries, and modern architecture. The landscape of this diverse region inspired a well-known artist, Georgia O’Keeffe, to portray his inspirations in his paintings. His work displays can be seen in the galleries spread across the town.
Santa Fe is set amidst a beautiful location encompassing desert areas, mountains, and a vivid arroyo-scarred landscape. The local culture, the local food, and many small markets inspire visitors to explore the very-bit distinctive locations. With abundant experiences lying around, you’d often be overwhelmed with the touristic opportunities presented. No matter how you choose to spend your time, the charming town of Santa Fe always welcomes you with an open heart.
Planning Tips for Amarillo to Santa Fe Road Trip
Book your Flights for Texas
One of the most crucial stages of planning any trip is to book cheap flights. We do look for the cheapest to & fro flights when it comes to arranging our holiday. And in the same process, we lose quite a lot of time checking multiple sites and airline prices. However, with Skyscanner, you can be assured of booking the cheapest flight to your holiday destination.
It’s one of my favorite engines to search flights, compare rates from different airlines, and find the lowest fare for a travel destination. The detailed comparison of the rates gives you a comprehensive idea of what to expect, how to budget your trip, and how to fly with the correct airline.
Driving Times for Amarillo to Santa Fe
The journey to reach Santa Fe from Amarillo is pretty short. If you drive directly (non-stop), you can expect a drive time of 4hrs 15mins in normal traffic. Santa Fe is only 450 km away from Amarillo, making it super convenient for travelers to arrange their travel.
To make the most out of your journey, we recommend staying in Amarillo and Santa Fe for a minimum of five days. This is ideally the best duration to explore the surrounding Texas Panhandle. In 3 days, you could easily cover visiting the region’s top attractions, exploring museums and art galleries, and also a few world-class eatery shops.
How to Rent a Car
If you’re driving your own vehicle for this trip, then you’re pretty much sorted to get into other arrangements. Just make sure that your car is in the right condition. The last thing you want is a car that can probably break down mid-way. For visitors without their private vehicle can opt to rent a car. Luckily, it’s much easier for travelers who just want to rent and set out on their journey. I definitely recommend choosing Rentalcars.com for its affordability and service. You can choose various options from their car list to get a suitable vehicle for yourself. You can also check Skyscanner to compare the rates offered by different platforms.
Map of Amarillo to Santa Fe Road Trip
Here’s a route map for your reference:
Amarillo to Santa Fe Road Trip Stops
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro Canyon is one of Amarillo’s most picturesque state parks. It is home to the second largest canyon, which is referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Texas.” Despite its overall landscape and natural beauty, Palo Duro Canyon State Park is an underrated attraction in Amarillo, TX. In fact, you won’t find many tourists venturing into this place due to its isolated location. And it’s a good thing if you want to explore this place early morning, for a quick hike or stroll.
Palo Duro Canyon boasts thrilling hiking trails and a massive 120 miles of wild, rugged-rocky canyons. Given the location, you’d find visitors indulging in all sorts of experiences an adventure enthusiast will do. From mountain biking and horse-riding to bird-watching and camping nights, there are plenty of things to do at Palo Duro Canyon State Park.
If you’re looking to hike the canyon around, then I recommend taking the Juniper/Riverside Trail. This flat surface track is best suited for all age groups and winds down 2.2 miles across the Spanish rock formations. For a challenge, you could also try taking on the Rock Garden Trail, which is a relatively harder version of all the other trails. It’s a 5-mile stretch that runs down through zig-zag paths and giant boulders.
The Big Texan Steak Ranch
Feeling hungry? Want to savor the best of Texas food? Head straight to The Big Texan Steak Ranch to try their famous 72-ounce steak challenge. There’s no restriction whatsoever to making an entry to take on this challenge. Just hop to this restaurant and get your appetite-game strong!
Visiting the Big Texan Steak Ranch doesn’t require you to try their meal challenge. You can totally skip it and enjoy the delicious food of your choice. They have some great varietals on their menu, and it’s worth trying their Mountain Oysters and Giant Fried Chicken.
Visit Cadillac Ranch
Cadillac Ranch is one of the most visited places in West Texas. Located alongside Route 66, this psychedelic art installment has been a massive crowd puller for travelers passing by. Cadillac Ranch is often mistaken by its name, as it is not a ranch. It’s rather an impressive set of 10 Cadillac cars buried inside the desert sand. What’s more pleasing is that all these cars have been painted with vibrant spray colors. And they even encourage you to bring your own spray paint to color them.
Cadillac Ranch has been featured in many films, Hollywood series, and music videos. Today, it’s one of the trendy instgrammable places to snap stunning photos. What’s more? It’s absolutely free to visit!
Explore the Iconic Route 66
One of the best things to do on our Amarillo to Santa Fe road trip is to pay a visit to the legendary highway, Route 66. This old-time, nostalgic charm that runs through cities like Chicago, Kansas, Oklahoma, Winona, and Los Angeles has its own piece of heart in Amarillo. Check out this map of historic Route 66 to know the connectivity better.
There are plenty of photogenic spots covering the signboards of the iconic Route 66 Highway. Most of these signs are lined up between 6th Avenue between George and Western streets. This entire stretch is commonly referred to as the ‘Route 66 Historic District‘. Plenty of antique shops, restaurants, cafes and small energetic clubs line up across the street, and you’ll get to hear more fascinating stories and past timelines. One particular place which I felt is worthwhile is Alley Katz Antique Emporium. You’ll find all sorts of vintage toys, artifacts, sports memorabilia, and locally made condiments.
Explore Amarillo Downtown
Before heading out to Santa Fe, explore the historic churches and buildings in Amarillo Downtown. The region is not only home to iconic structures but also public art pieces that hold significant importance. Most of the Downtown tourist attractions depict Amarillo’s early history and tales. If you’re a history buff, you’d love to spend some time here.
Furthermore, you can also book a stay Downtown to explore nearby attractions. Some of the best places to visit include the Amarillo Museum of Art, American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum, Wonderland Amusement Park, and Amarillo Botanical Gardens.
Visit Meow Wolf Santa Fe
Well, if being ordinary isn’t your type, then you’d probably love exploring cool stuff on this Amarillo to Santa Fe road trip. One such place that’s mind-blending, immersive, and electrifying in every sense is Meow Wolf Santa Fe. Weird name, isn’t it? But visitors themselves get lured by its quirky name.
Meow Wolf Santa Fe is an original, interactive multimedia experience that features impressive art installations and a mysterious narrative for all age groups. It’s one of the coolest, funky things to do in New Mexico, especially if you’re a first-time visitor. With vibrant colors and neon shades flowing in at every corner, touring the Meow Wolf in Santa Fe is indeed a special experience.
What’s more interesting is that the center’s flagship attraction, House of Eternal Return, is based right in Santa Fe. Exploration of this particular place is purely vivid, making you feel like you’re in a parallel universe.
I highly recommend visiting the Meow Wolf Santa Fe for at least 90 minutes. This gives you ample time to explore important rooms, interactive spaces, and treasure hunt challenges.
The updated price for visiting Meow Wolf Santa Fe is $18 for Adults, $16 for senior citizens, and $12 for a child (12 and under).
Tour the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is another museum you should check out in Santa Fe. Honestly, this museum should be on your bucket-list experiences of places to visit in Santa Fe. The place is loved by all and is often frequently visited by travelers from across the globe.
The museum is dedicated to one of America’s most renowned artists, Georgia O’Keeffe. Her work truly depicts the enigma of passion she had for art. The portraits and the displays in this museum rightly showcase the love she had for America. Currently, 3,000 of her paintings house the museum with a special collection of contemporaries.
If you’re short on time and only want to visit the museum’s highlights, then book a 90-minute guided tour. This will get you direct access to important attractions in the museum, such as Georgia O’Keeffe’s bedroom, black patio door, and storeroom (where she had all her paintings kept). Visiting the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum costs $18 for adults and free for children aged 0 to 17
New Mexico Museum of Art
One of the best things to do in Santa Fe is to experience the artwork installed across state museums and art galleries. And there’s no better place than exploring the Nex Mexico Museum of Art in Santa Fe. It’s the oldest art museum run by the state and is home to around 20,000 pieces of art displays. These paintings have been drawn by notable artists like Maria Martinez, Luis Jimenez, and T. C. Cannon.
The exploration of the New Mexico Museum of Art isn’t only limited to paintings, photographs, a unique collection of artifacts, and displays such as prints and textiles. Furthermore, the exhibits held at this museum are far more dynamic than any other in New Mexico. The New Mexico Museum of Art occasionally welcomes special exhibits featuring impressive presentations. Given the museum’s size, it’s incredible to note the variety brought in to attract tourists.
The New Mexico Museum of Art is open from 10 am to 5 pm and costs $12 for adults.
Marvel at the Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is one of the most stunning natural attractions of Santa Fe. It’s an impressive sight to marvel at and is also one of the best places to stop between Amarillo and Santa Fe. Rio Grande is almost 1,900 miles in length, connecting the borders of the U.S and Mexico. It stands to be the most important river in North America today.
The highlight of touring the Rio Grande is its landscape. The region has been blessed with rivers, long valleys, dense bushes, and old settlements. Moreover, the site is a paradisical land for all water adventure lovers. With world-class river rafting opportunities, you could just find your sweet little adventure in the Rio Grande. You can directly book your seat for this ride or pre-book before you enter the Rio Grande. For non-adventure enthusiasts, Embudo could be a perfect picnic spot. The Embudo Station is a historic site in the Rio Grande and serves as an excellent chilling spot for all families.
Amarillo to Santa Fe Road Trip Itinerary
Now, let’s help you plan a perfect itinerary to Amarillo and Santa Fe. The below-suggested plan includes the destinations listed above and is only a summary of how you can spend your time. Please do feel free to include or exclude any attractions from the below plan.
Itinerary for Amarillo and Santa Fe
Day 1: Explore Amarillo Downtown (Museums, Art Galleries & Amusement Park)
Day 2: Full-Day Excursion to Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Day 3: Explore Cadillac Ranch & Historic Route 66 District
Day 4: Drive from Amarillo to Santa Fe (Rest of the Day for Leisure)
Day 5: Explore Art Galleries of Santa Fe
Day 6: Spend a Day Relaxing at the Rio Grande
Day 7: Depart Santa Fe
The above-suggested itinerary is for 7 days. However, you can squeeze it and make 4-5 days depending on your preference. Ideally, we suggest spending a minimum of 5 days in Amarillo and Santa Fe. This way you won’t get to miss any important attractions or experiences.
Accommodation for Amarillo and Santa Fe Road Trip
Known for its vast open plains, western culture, and historic Route 66, Amarillo and Santa Fe are both excellent destinations to book a stay. The Texas Panhandle is known for its international chain of groups, branded hotels, restaurants, and modern activities, ultimately giving travelers what they want. The entire region has some really good accommodation options best suited for all budget groups. What makes the accommodation in the Texas Panhandle more unique is its proximity to attractions. With museums, art galleries, historic buildings, and Palo Duro Canyon State Park nearby, you can easily book an accommodation of your choice.
We suggest checking out hotels using Tripadvisor, as they tend to give you a better comparison price chart. This ultimately becomes a deciding factor as to which booking partner offers the cheapest room rate for the selected date. You can browse the choice of your hotels, compare the rates, check amenities, and book as per your travel arrangements.
Further Readings & Resources
Alaska – 7 Day Alaska Itinerary: How To Spend A Week in Alaska
California – 10 Day California Road Trip: One Epic California Itinerary
Sedona – Phoenix to Sedona: Top Things to Do + Sedona Itinerary
Yellowstone – Yellowstone Itinerary: How to Spend an Ideal Time in Yellowstone
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