Exploring Local Amarillo Attractions With Kids

When it comes to finding stuff to do in Amarillo, the thought of museums always crosses my mind. With the ongoing closure and structural debates surrounding the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum down in Canyon, our local museum options have narrowed—but thankfully, hope is far from lost.

Finding Alternatives to Canyon's Closed Museum

Recently, my granddaughter's daycare took a trip to the American Quarter Horse Museum off I-40 in Amarillo. It's a shame to say I have never been there before.

My daughter went several times growing up, but for whatever reason, in all my years of living here, I have never gone. I was going to fix that when my granddaughter went. I decided to be sort of a chaperone. I got to spend time with Laila and her friends and do a little work while there.

A First-Timer’s Perspective on the AQHA Museum

Armed with my camera on my phone, I watched the kids have a blast and realized just how silly it was that I'd never explored this local treasure on my own before.

Fun for the Kids: Stick Horses and the Education Gallery

It's a cool place to take the kids. They have a great Education Gallery where the kids can play. Of course, there are horses to take care of and ride. There are opportunities to learn about horses in the gallery and throughout the museum.

We started the day in the theater watching a film about horses. The kids, after that, got to ride stickhorses along their tour. They got to ride along and check out the Hall of Fame Exhibits, which were neat to see.

Welcoming Travelers and Tourists Off I-40

While we were there, we saw plenty of other guests experiencing the Quarter Horse. While some visitors were locals from right here in Amarillo, many were road-trippers passing through, including a couple from Phoenix who arrived right alongside our group

It was wonderful seeing that kind of tourism traffic flowing through, celebrating a massive part of Amarillo's identity that took me way too long to appreciate. If you haven’t been, or if you're looking for a great way to spend a morning with the kids or grandkids, don't wait as long as I did. Saddle up and check it out!