17+ Amazingly Fun Things To Do in Lubbock, Texas

Lubbock is a city in Texas that has slowly been reinventing itself from a small, quiet town to a vibrant city with lots to do.

Music is important in Lubbock, and this cool city offers more live music platforms per capita than any Texas city. Most of the trendy and intimate venues are tucked away in the Depot District. History lovers, airplane buffs, archaeologists, and outdoor adventurers will find plenty to do here.

Here are 17+ things to do in Lubbock, Texas, that we know you’re going to love.

COOLEST PLACES TO STAY IN LUBBOCK

Best Downtown Option. Cotton Court is boutique downtown hotel in the city of Lubbock that offers an “authentic Lubbock experience.” This new gem is on Broadway just one mile from Texas Tech University and close to the Depot District and its shops, restaurants, bars, and nightlife.

Best for Families. Staybridge Suites Lubbock is rated great for families, and includes kitchenette/suite options, a pool and buffet breakfast. And it’s only a 0.5 miles from downtown.

Best Budget Option. Microtel Inn and Suites by Wyndham Lubbock is a highly rated accommodation at a very low price. It’s 1.8 miles from city center. Families like this one too!

THE BUDDY HOLLY CENTER

The Buddy Holly Center celebrates Lubbock’s most loved son, Buddy Holly. Buddy Holly was an American rock-and-roll icon in the 1950s, who died in a plane crash.

The Buddy Holly Center is found in the Depot Entertainment District of the city. You will catch a glimpse into the impressive musical career and life of Buddy Holly.

Memorabilia from his earlier childhood all the way to his days of fame can be found here. Be on the lookout for his personal belongings, like his horn-rimmed sunglasses, records, guitars, and more. Some of the memorabilia seen here was collected from the debris of the fatal crash.

Bring your camera and take pictures with the larger-than-life Buddy Holly immortalized in a sculpture. After your pic session, take a walk on Texas’s Walk of Fame right behind the statue.

NATIONAL RANCHING HERITAGE CENTER

The National Ranching Heritage Center, or NRHC, extends a remarkable 16 acres, hosting  49 historic buildings. The structures date back to the 1780s, all the way to the 1950s, and are arranged chronologically.

NRHC has preserved history, and one gets to learn about the evolution of ranching and western architecture. Learn about cowboys, chuckwagons, cattle rustling, and more!

A vintage trolley is available to take you through the various areas of interest at the ranch. NRHC is a place that deserves more than one visit.

SCIENCE SPECTRUM MUSEUM

The Science Spectrum Museum and Omni Theater is an incredible and fun place, especially for the young and young at heart.

With over 250 permanent exhibits, there is a lot to do. Interact with all sorts of exotic critters — the Science Spectrum museum is the only place in Lubbock with an aquarium.

Learn more about chemistry and electricity at the science show. The physical science show teaches about physics and about the animals of Texas.

The Omni Theater shows many great films on a giant screen. It is perfect for both adults and children, as all get some important questions answered here.

BOLEN WINERY VINEYARDS

Bolen Winery Vineyards is a limited production boutique winery that allows you to try all their newly released wines. Their winery is focused on Merlot, Malbec, Mourvèdre and Tannat vines.

Join their wine club, or join their exclusive wine tasting events.

SILENT WINGS MUSEUM

The Silent Wings Museum is found within a remodeled airport terminal in Lubbock.

History and World War II buffs always get a kick out of visiting here. Learn all about glider parts and their role in WWII. You’ll also find memorabilia and photographs from the past here.

Get an authentic feel of a typical warzone of that time. Admire the rarity that is a WACO CG-4A, which is in mint condition.

Other military equipment like jeeps, footlockers, and bulldozers can also be seen here. The low entrance fee makes the Silent Wings Museum a popular place to visit.

PRAIRIE DOG TOWN

Prairie Dog Town is the perfect spot for lovers of these cute little animals. It is basically a small meadow surrounded by a small wall that encloses the cute critters. You’ll find Prairie Dog Town inside Mackenzie Park.

Prairie Dog Town was founded in the 1930s by a couple who loved these adorable animals. They started with just four prairie dogs and two burrows. Now, it’s become an amazing tourist attraction, and one you’re not going to want to miss.

Here you’ll find a pavilion and viewing area, interpretive signage, sidewalks, and more. Watch the prairie dogs and see them play out in the open, free of charge.

AMERICAN WINDMILL MUSEUM

The American Windmill Museum, also known as the American Wind Power Center, is a unique museum created by Billy Wolfe as a labor of love. Billy dedicated her life to preserving windmills and their cultural value.

After thirty years, she bought hundreds of windmills, and in 1998 she opened a museum just for them. Now, it’s the largest windmill museum in the world. Discover more than 200 windmills of different colors, sizes, shapes, and origins. The windmills fill over 33,000 square feet, and if the walk proves to be too much, you can take a fun train that moves all around the museum.

Relax as you take in the leafy landscapes and grassy hills. All this while you gain an understanding of wind power for human civilization.

And believe it or not, this museum isn’t just all about windmills and trains — there’s a large collection of miniature houses found here too.

MUSEUM AT TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY

The Museum of Texas Tech University was planned as a research and educational domain. It is open to the public and free to visit.

Public presentations and programs enable many interactive and informative ways to discover new things about the state. Areas of anthropology, history, paleontology,  sciences, clothing, textiles, and fine arts are covered here.

Make a stop at The Natural Science Research Laboratory with its awe-inspiring exhibition of mammals, invertebrates, birds, and more.

The mammoth skeleton replica should not be missed. They also boast amazing dinosaur skeleton replicas here too.

MACKENZIE PARK

Mackenzie Park a great (free!) place to visit in Lubbock. Sitting on 248 acres, Mackenzie Park is loaded with lush leafy grounds and a range of activities. It is the most extensive parkland here.

Golfers have access to two championship-level golf courses. Horseback riding trails allow the wannabe cowboys a trot about on their noble steeds.

Lay back in nature with a pretty picnic, enjoy interviews of the Brazos River, or just walk and explore the gardens and varied terrains that Mackenzie Park offers her visitors.

Joyland Amusement Park is within Mackenzie Park, and it deserves a mention because of its awesomeness.

Joyland Amusement Park is a retro kind of park, loaded with old-school thrills and nostalgic rides. It also has classic activities, and outstanding amusement park events.

The Little Coaster, bumper cars, and carousel attract the younger crowds. Teens and adults go for roller coasters, and thrill rides to get their hearts pumping.

You’ll find rides like The Mad House and Date Devil Drop, and arcade games too. Ready for a bite to eat? There’s plenty of food stands here that sell classic snacks and food.

The amusement park gets even better when all the rides are lit up at night.

CAVIEL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY 

Opened in 2015, the Caviel Museum of African American History is the first African American museum in west Texas.

The museum teaches visitors about the history of African-Americans. Artwork and exhibits tell their tales, stories, and narrative.

Fun fact: The Caviel Museum of African American History is set within the very first pharmacy run and controlled by an African-American couple in the United States, Alfred and Billie Caviel.

LUBBOCK LAKE NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK

Lubbock Lake National Historic Landmark stands in Yellowhouse Draw.   This incredible archaeological and natural history preserve shows proof of human existence from 12,000 years ago!

This landmark sprawls on 336 acres of land, offering many trails for biking and hiking. Time your visit to action nights when you can watch an actual dig on the site. Budding and practicing archaeologists will be in for a treat.

ENGLISH NEWSOM CELLARS AT CAPROCK WINERY

English Newsom Cellars at Caprock Winery is a quick drive from the center of Lubbock, Texas. The winery is famous to wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs.

Running since 1988, Caprock Winery is internationally acclaimed, giving France and Italy a run for their money.

The spectacular grounds of the English Newsom Cellars at Caprock Winery, fused with impressive architecture, make a grand impression when you arrive. Take a trip to the tasting room and sample both red and white wine…you won’t regret it!

HOLLY HOP ICE CREAM

An ice cream parlor may not usually scream “must-see local attraction,” but Holly Hop Ice Cream makes the list for good reason.

The retro shop is one-of-a-kind and straight from the 1950s. Bright red-striped booths and a working jukebox create a fun, vibrant atmosphere for the whole family.

Grab a signature milkshake, an ice cream sundae, a yummy sandwich, or a banana split while you’re here. They even have a vegan milkshake!

LOUISE HOPKINS UNDERWOOD CENTER FOR THE ARTS 

The Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts is a non-profit organization started in 1997. It is largely spread across four blocks, giving visitors many places to visit and a flurry of activities to do.

The Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts is devoted to connecting, funding, and nurturing artists of all levels of skill and fame. The center has revolving exhibits that allow for different artists, both local and international, to show their work.

The Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts is part of Lubbock city’s art crowd. Art lovers, those more inclined to the theatre, painters, sculptors, and more will all enjoy their visit here.

LUBBOCK MUNICIPAL GARDEN AND ARTS CENTER

Lubbock Municipal Garden and Arts Center is the surest way to get a piece of the local life and scene. The center was founded in 1960 and continues to serve its purpose today.

The creative communities are offered an avenue to express themselves here. The center has competitions, shows, and exhibitions for local talent. There are also classes taught by master craftsmen offered here at all times.

FIRST FRIDAY ART TRAIL

First Friday Art Trail is a self-guided art happening for the public, and it’s absolutely free. The art trail is one of the reasons Lubbock is seen as a leader in the Texas art scene.

The First Friday Art Trail is held on every first Friday of the month — no matter the weather. Collectors, artists, and friends of the community come together for an evening of fun in art and music.

Grab a map and follow a trail to examine what it has in store for you, or take a load off and board a trolley to take you to all exhibitions in downtown Lubbock.

Come party and dance to live music, enjoy grub from food trucks, and examine art from local, national, and international artists all in a day!

DAY TRIP TO DALLAS

It’s only 4 to 5 hours to Dallas from Lubbock, making it the perfect place for a day trip.

With a thriving arts district, parks, outdoor activities, museums, landmarks, amazing dining, and a fun nightlife — Dallas is the perfect place to visit when you’re in Lubbock.

Whether you’re looking for activities for the kids, or a fun night out on the town — there’s something for everyone in this thriving metropolis. Visit Reunion Tower or the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. Catch a concert at House of Blues Dallas or see the Cowboys play at AT&T Stadium. No matter what kind of trip you’re looking for, you’re sure to find plenty to do in Dallas.

THINGS TO DO IN LUBBOCK FAQ

MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO TEXAS

• SAN MARCOS: 15 Fantastic Things To Do In San Marcos, Texas
• KID-FRIENDLY GETAWAYS: 11 Amazing Kid Friendly Weekend Getaways In Texas
• HOUSTON WITH KIDS: 22 Amazingly Fun Things To Do In Houston With Kids

WHERE TO STAY IN LUBBOCK