An Overnight in Amarillo, TX with Toddlers
When we began our full-time RV adventure, our goal was to make it to Arizona as quickly as possible to spend precious time with our aging grandmother. This meant a fast-paced journey along I-40 from South Carolina to Arizona. Along the way, we planned a two-night stop in Amarillo, TX, to take a breather and give our toddlers, a chance to stretch their legs.
I’ll admit, my expectations for Amarillo were pretty low. Growing up, I had a quick overnight stop here during a family trip, and it didn’t leave much of an impression. However, this time around, we were pleasantly surprised! Amarillo offered a few delightful experiences that made our short visit enjoyable and toddler-friendly. If you find yourself passing through, here are some highlights that we loved:
Amarillo Botanical Gardens
We didn’t expect to find such a beautiful and tranquil oasis in Amarillo! The Amarillo Botanical Gardens are a wonderful spot to let toddlers roam safely while enjoying a peaceful stroll for yourself. Our kids loved the little pond area, feeding the fish and greeting all the statues, while we appreciated the chance to relax and enjoy the scenery (my husband even laid in the grass under the large oak tree). If you’re looking for a bit of calm amidst a road trip, this is a must-stop!
Medical Center Park
While we didn’t personally visit Medical Center Park, it came highly recommended, and we made a note of how convenient it was to the Botanical Gardens. The playground equipment looked brand-new, and the park seemed like a great spot to let kids burn off some energy with open spaces and fun features. If we’d had more time, this would have been next on our list to check out! If you’ve been there, let us know in the comments how you liked it.
Cadillac Ranch
No stop in Amarillo is complete without a visit to the iconic Cadillac Ranch! This quirky art installation, featuring old Cadillacs half-buried in the ground, is fun for adults and kids alike. We had no idea spray paint was part of the experience, so we arrived empty-handed. But it turns out there’s plenty of leftover paint lying around from other visitors, so our kids still had a blast getting creative.
Our daughter insisted on writing her name on one of the cars (classic toddler milestone, right?), and of course, she chose the spot right next to where someone had spray-painted “wet farts”. Needless to say, we had a good laugh and had to capture the memory with a photo.
While our visit was brief, Amarillo proved to be more than just a quick pit stop. These simple, family-friendly activities were the perfect way to break up our journey and make some fun memories along the way.
If you’re planning a stop in Amarillo, I’d love to hear your favorite places to visit! Drop your recommendations in the comments or share your own experiences—it’s always great to learn about hidden gems along the road.
Safe travels!
