We’re all familiar with far-West Texas and Amarillo, but what about the space between? The Panhandle’s Northwestern portion is full of eerie ghost towns, charming close-knit communities, and some of our state’s richest history.
This entire road trip takes less than seven hours, making it entirely possible to complete in just one day. If you want to add in an overnight stay or even swap out a few of our destinations for other nearby places, simply click here and customize the pre-planned route.
Google Maps
- Dumas
Flickr/rwwmd Phil Baxter’s “I’m A Ding Dong Daddy From Dumas” was supposedly written about this small North Texas city. Window on the Plains Museum offers exhibits on Moore County and the entire Texas Panhandle, giving travelers a fascinating history lesson when they pass through town.
- Texline
Flickr/blackroompictures Named for its close proximity to the New Mexico border, disputes over which state Texline belongs to have been ongoing for over a century. It’s historically been included in Texas land surveys, so we get the claim to fame until something changes. Just beyond city limits, the Rocky Mountains begin to appear on the horizon and slowly rise as you continue down Highway 87.
- Perico
Wikipedia Once known as Farwell, this ghost town is home to the famous Ben Bezner. It had businesses, a grain elevator, and 16 residents as recently as 1980, but all that remains today are a handful of homes, an old school, and a Catholic church.
- Adrian
Flickr/hisgett Adrian is the official halfway point on historic Route 66, and it capitalized on that title during the highway’s heyday. Midpoint Cafe, a 50s-themed diner and souvenir shop, inspired certain aspects of the movie “Cars.” First opened in 1928, the restaurant is still going strong today and welcomes visitors from all over Texas.
- Glenrio
Flickr/yelpar Unlike Texline, Glenrio is part of both Texas and New Mexico. It was founded in 1903 as a railroad town, but has since dwindled to nothing but dilapidated buildings and forgotten memories. In an effort to preserve some of its history, Glenrio was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.
- Friona
Flickr/cmhpictures Known as “The Biggest Small Town In Texas,” Friona is home to just over 4,000 people - well, other than when the annual Cheeseburger Cook-Off and Festival is being held. It was officially designated the “Cheeseburger Capital of Texas” in 2007 because of this event, but only three businesses in town sell cheeseburgers every other day of the year.
- Hereford
Flickr/cmhpictures Because of a strangely high level of naturally-occurring fluoride in its water supply, Hereford has been given the title “The Town Without a Toothache.” Hereford also has its own brand of cattle and is referred to as the “Beef Capital of the World.” In regards to political donations, it’s the single most conservative town in America, closely followed by several other communities in Texas.
- Muleshoe
Flickr/barbarabrannon Paying homage to the importance of mules to our state’s development, this appropriately-named town was officially incorporated in 1926. A museum shows how big of a role ranching played in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge spans 5,000 acres of land for waterfowl migrating from Canada to Mexico in the wintertime. The refuge also boasts North America’s largest collection of sandhill cranes.
- Littlefield
Flickr/barbarabrannon Given its name and population of about 6,000, Littlefield set high expectations for itself with a motto like “Where BIG Things Happen!” Ironically enough, those shoes have been filled just fine. Not only is it home to Triple Arrow Ranch, a place known for its plethora of historical artifacts, but this sleepy community was also the site of a still-unsolved murder in 1943 that inspired two books.
- Levelland
Flickr/jstephenconn Levelland is most notable for several reported UFO sightings in 1957. A handful of motorists claimed to have seen an egg-shaped object beside the highway emitting a blue glow and causing their vehicles to abruptly shut off. While their claims are likely untrue, the mysteriousness of it all makes the town a quirky place to visit.
Would you take this trip to the secret corner of Texas? What other stops would you make along the way? Let us know in the comments section below.
Google Maps
Flickr/rwwmd
Phil Baxter’s “I’m A Ding Dong Daddy From Dumas” was supposedly written about this small North Texas city. Window on the Plains Museum offers exhibits on Moore County and the entire Texas Panhandle, giving travelers a fascinating history lesson when they pass through town.
Flickr/blackroompictures
Named for its close proximity to the New Mexico border, disputes over which state Texline belongs to have been ongoing for over a century. It’s historically been included in Texas land surveys, so we get the claim to fame until something changes. Just beyond city limits, the Rocky Mountains begin to appear on the horizon and slowly rise as you continue down Highway 87.
Wikipedia
Once known as Farwell, this ghost town is home to the famous Ben Bezner. It had businesses, a grain elevator, and 16 residents as recently as 1980, but all that remains today are a handful of homes, an old school, and a Catholic church.
Flickr/hisgett
Adrian is the official halfway point on historic Route 66, and it capitalized on that title during the highway’s heyday. Midpoint Cafe, a 50s-themed diner and souvenir shop, inspired certain aspects of the movie “Cars.” First opened in 1928, the restaurant is still going strong today and welcomes visitors from all over Texas.
Flickr/yelpar
Unlike Texline, Glenrio is part of both Texas and New Mexico. It was founded in 1903 as a railroad town, but has since dwindled to nothing but dilapidated buildings and forgotten memories. In an effort to preserve some of its history, Glenrio was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.
Flickr/cmhpictures
Known as “The Biggest Small Town In Texas,” Friona is home to just over 4,000 people - well, other than when the annual Cheeseburger Cook-Off and Festival is being held. It was officially designated the “Cheeseburger Capital of Texas” in 2007 because of this event, but only three businesses in town sell cheeseburgers every other day of the year.
Because of a strangely high level of naturally-occurring fluoride in its water supply, Hereford has been given the title “The Town Without a Toothache.” Hereford also has its own brand of cattle and is referred to as the “Beef Capital of the World.” In regards to political donations, it’s the single most conservative town in America, closely followed by several other communities in Texas.
Flickr/barbarabrannon
Paying homage to the importance of mules to our state’s development, this appropriately-named town was officially incorporated in 1926. A museum shows how big of a role ranching played in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge spans 5,000 acres of land for waterfowl migrating from Canada to Mexico in the wintertime. The refuge also boasts North America’s largest collection of sandhill cranes.
Given its name and population of about 6,000, Littlefield set high expectations for itself with a motto like “Where BIG Things Happen!” Ironically enough, those shoes have been filled just fine. Not only is it home to Triple Arrow Ranch, a place known for its plethora of historical artifacts, but this sleepy community was also the site of a still-unsolved murder in 1943 that inspired two books.
Flickr/jstephenconn
Levelland is most notable for several reported UFO sightings in 1957. A handful of motorists claimed to have seen an egg-shaped object beside the highway emitting a blue glow and causing their vehicles to abruptly shut off. While their claims are likely untrue, the mysteriousness of it all makes the town a quirky place to visit.
While you’re up there, definitely consider visiting Palo Duro Canyon. Hiking weather is officially upon us, and there’s no better place to kick off the season.
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