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Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, TX

Photo: Richie Diesterheft from Chicago, IL, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingIconicQuirky FunFree

Cadillac Ranch

13651 I-40 Frontage Rd · Amarillo, TX

Why you should go…

Cadillac Ranch is a public art installation created in 1974 by the Ant Farm collective, Chip Lord, Hudson Marquez and Doug Michels, with backing from Stanley Marsh 3. Ten Cadillacs from model years 1949 to 1963 stand half buried nose-first in a field beside Interstate 40 west of Amarillo. You park on the south frontage road, step through the gate and walk about 100 yards across the pasture. Graffiti is allowed, so the cars wear fresh layers of spray paint from visitors.

  • #roadside attraction
  • #route 66
  • #public art
  • #photo spot

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Cadillac Ranch, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    Don Harrington Discovery Center

    Under $25

    Interactive science museum and planetarium in Amarillo with hands-on exhibits for all ages.

    4.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    Bill's Backyard Classics

    Under $25

    A family-owned museum in Amarillo showcasing more than 100 restored classic and vintage cars and trucks.

    8.1 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Visit Amarillo

    Free

    Official visitor bureau for Amarillo, gateway to Route 66 and the Texas Panhandle.

    8.5 mi awayMore like this

  • Eat & Drink
    Foodie Favorite

    The Big Texan Steak Ranch

    Free

    Order a hand-cut steak in a western-themed dining hall off I-40, or watch someone take on the 72-ounce steak challenge.

    13 mi awaySwitch it up: Eat & Drink

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Palo Duro Canyon State Park

    Under $25

    Hike, bike or ride horseback past the red-rock layers of the Texas Panhandle's big canyon, out to the Lighthouse formation.

    21 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor