Nestled in the heart of the Texas plains, Lubbock is a surprisingly creative city, characterized by cowboy charm, street art, and music. I spent three days in Lubbock, and in this article, I’ll show you my favorite spots that you shouldn’t miss.
The Heart of the High Plains
Lubbock is located in northwestern Texas, in the so-called High Plains. This region is characterized mainly by vast landscapes and huge fields. On our road trip through Texas, we drove through such sparsely populated areas that it really felt to me as if we were in a Hollywood road movie: The sky here seems bigger, the light clearer, the horizons farther. Lubbock itself sits at an elevation of about 1,000 meters and has a dry, sunny climate—perfect for early summer.
Geographically speaking, you’re far away from the big cities like Austin or Dallas. But that’s exactly what makes Lubbock so appealing: Life moves at a slightly slower pace here, and you have the chance to get to know the real Texas, away from the tourist spots.
Lubbock & Music: Where Rock ’n’ Roll Began with Buddy Holly
Lubbock is deeply associated with Buddy Holly, one of the earliest iconic rock’n’roll stars. Born there in 1936, Holly influenced countless musicians with his unique style and signature glasses. His legacy remains evident in the city, notably at the Buddy Holly Center, which celebrates his life and music.
The music scene is still very lively today. Live concerts take place regularly, especially around Texas Tech University, with everything from country and jazz to indie. In the evening, it’s well worth stopping by one of the small bars or music lounges, where local artists often take the stage — many of them still true hidden gems.
What Else Is Lubbock Known For?
Did you know? Lubbock is one of the world’s largest cotton-growing regions and agriculture has shaped the area for decades, leaving a lasting mark not only on the landscape but also on the local culture. In the fall, when the cotton harvest begins, white fields glow across the region — a truly fascinating sight.
At the same time, the region has begun to diversify in recent years: winegrowing, new technologies, and creative start-ups are emerging around the university. I found this blend of tradition and fresh momentum especially striking in Lubbock — down-to-earth and unmistakably Texan on one hand, young and progressive on the other.
Hotel tip: The Cotton Court Hotel* combines the tradition of cotton growing with modern design. Very aesthetic, quite trendy and there is even a large pool in the courtyard where you can cool off on hot summer days.
What to See in Lubbock
You can easily spend a relaxed day exploring Lubbock. As in many U.S. cities, the best way to get around is by car, since the main sights are fairly spread out and public transportation is limited. Uber is also available if you’re heading out in the evening and want to enjoy a drink.
National Ranching Heritage Center
The National Ranching Heritage Center is a large open-air museum where you can take a short journey through Texas history. Over fifty original buildings from the 18th to early 20th centuries have been reconstructed on the site.
Here you can wander through historic ranch houses, stables, log cabins, and saloons — and suddenly feel as if you’ve stepped right into a Western movie. What makes it especially fascinating are the authentic furniture, tools, and little details, which give you a real sense of just how tough and demanding life in this region once was.
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Pottery course at LHuca
Right in the heart of downtown Lubbock lies the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts, or LHuca for short—a creative organization that, with its open studios, exhibitions, and workshops, seems completely out of place in this remote region of Texas. I highly recommend the Clay Studio, where pottery classes are held regularly.
I probably won’t become a passionate ceramicist in this lifetime — I’m simply not very gifted in that area — but I still found the creative atmosphere there really warm, welcoming, and inspiring. So if you’ve ever wanted to try pottery, or you enjoy discovering new creative experiences while traveling, this is a lovely place to give it a go!
Wild Honey Hats
Actually, I usually feel a bit awkward imitating local fashion when traveling abroad — but cowboy culture is simply too en vogue right now not to bring home a little souvenir.
If you want to get yourself a real cowboy hat, Texas is definitely the place to be. You’ll find high-quality, classic styles at places like Cavender’s, a large Western-wear chain that is especially popular across Texas and the southern United States.
If your Texas road trip takes you to Lubbock, I’d recommend saving your hat shopping for a little detour to Wild Honey Hats. There, you can create your very own DIY cowboy hat with accessories like vintage matchboxes, patches, playing cards, ribbons, and scarves in every style imaginable. And don’t worry — you don’t need to be crafty yourself. The lovely team at Wild Honey Hats will put it all together for you live on site.
A super cute idea that not only leaves you with a unique Texas souvenir, but also supports a small business founded by young, creative women.
Caprock Canyons State Park
If you’re heading north from Lubbock on your road trip (for example, to Amarillo), you should definitely plan a detour to Caprock Canyons State Park. Located just about 90 minutes from Lubbock, the park features a spectacular landscape of red sandstone cliffs, sprawling canyons, and even bisons roaming freely.
The Scenic Drive Route in the park takes you through dramatic rock formations, past viewpoints and small hiking trails where you have nature all to yourself. A real natural highlight – especially in the early hours of the morning or at sunset.
Where to Eat in Lubbock
Brulee Bakery
The Brulee Bakery is a great place to start the day. Here you will find fresh pastries, croissants, scones and cinnamon buns. The selection changes often and the coffee comes from Monomyth Coffee, a local coffee roaster.
Evie Mae’s Pit BBQ
For vegetarians, Texas is definitely a more challenging destination. A real barbecue with plenty of meat is simply part of an authentic culinary experience in Texas. Evie Mae’s, near Lubbock, is considered one of the best spots in the state. The restaurant is located a little outside of town in Wolfforth, but it’s definitely worth the trip.
Juicy brisket, spicy roast turkey, and spare ribs so tender they practically fall off the bone: If you love barbecuing, you’ll feel like you’ve arrived in barbecue heaven here. This meat-lover’s feast is rounded out with sides like mac ’n’ cheese, jalapeño grits, or green beans.
By the way: The meat is smoked and grilled right next door —where it’s slowly cooked for hours to give it that signature smoky barbecue flavor and tender texture. You can also just watch the barbecue pros at work, just like we did—and since Texans are so warm and open, if you’re interested, you’re sure to get a little private introduction to the secrets of smoking.
Open from 11am until everything is sold out – so plan Evie Mae’s for lunch.
La Diosa Cellars
If you’ve been traveling around Texas for a while and need a little break from the very barbecue-heavy Texas cuisine, then I recommend La Diosa Cellars. The location alone—in an old warehouse in an industrial park —is extraordinary, but the interior is also colorful, creative, and simply unique.
Culinary-wise, the cuisine falls somewhere between Mediterranean and Latin American. The food is served in tapas-sized portions, so you can sample the truly delicious dishes as you like.
La Sirena
Tapas aren’t necessarily everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you’ve already gotten used to those huge Texan portions (and that can happen faster than you’d like to see on the scale!).
La Sirena is a wonderful alternative for an equally atmospheric dinner: elegant, with excellent cuisine, yet relaxed. The cuisine has Mexican influences but with a modern twist: fresh ingredients are creatively combined and carefully plated. And the cocktail menu is just as well-curated.
Cast Iron Grill
If you’re looking for a typical Texas breakfast, I recommend the Cast Iron Grill. They serve generous portions, the service is warm and friendly, and they have nonstop hot coffee fresh from a glass spherical coffee pot—just like in the movies.
In addition to the usual brunch dishes like pancakes, biscuits & gravy, bacon, eggs in all their variations, and French toast, you should definitely try the homemade cakes here. These creamy treats are made fresh every day according to a secret house recipe and are the cornerstone of the Cast Iron Grill’s success. But be careful—one slice is easily enough for three people 🙂
Where to Stay in Lubbock
In my opinion, a trip often stands or falls on the accommodations. If Lubbock hasn’t won you over yet, then maybe this charming boutique hotel will: The Cotton Court Hotel* is an absolute feast for the eyes and, on its own, is worth a stop in Lubbock. Finding good—and affordable—boutique hotels isn’t easy in some parts of the U.S.!
The rooms at the Cotton Court Hotel* are designed to reflect Lubbock’s history as a center of cotton farming. The high wooden ceilings are reminiscent of the large barns where the harvest was stored, and the small vintage details transport you back to the era of the cotton boom.
On hot days, you can cool off in the refreshing pool on the spacious patio; in the evenings, the hotel bar also features live music —just as you’d expect in Lubbock as a music mecca.
Best Time to Visit the High Plains
The best months to visit Lubbock are spring (March through May) and fall (September through November). During these months, temperatures are pleasant, the air is dry, and there are numerous events—from wine festivals and music series to historical reenactments at the National Ranching Heritage Center.
Summer can be hot, with temperatures well above 35 degrees, while winter is cool but mostly dry and sunny. Rain is rare overall.
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Note: Travel Texas invited me on this trip for research purposes.
