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10 Top Things To Do In Lubbock, TX
As the 10th most-populous city in Texas, Lubbock has plenty to offer! From institutions of higher education and unique shopping destinations to incredible attractions and restaurants you won’t find anywhere else, Lubbock has top-notch cultural offerings. Our team is local, and we want to share what we love most about Lubbock with you! Check out the five attractions and local restaurants below to enjoy the best that Hub City has to offer.
TOP 5 PLACES TO GO IN LUBBOCK
There’s always something fun happening in Lubbock, as well as places you’ll want to visit when living here. Below is a brief round-up of some of the most exciting local attractions in the area. There truly is something for everyone in Hub City!
If you love wine, seeing where the grapes grow and where winemakers turn them from fruit into a tasty drink can be a fun experience. English Newsome Cellars has a charming facility where you can tour, sip, and shop! They proudly make multiple wines with only Texas High Plains grapes! They also prioritize sustainable agriculture to limit the impact their operations have on the local environment.
They sell various types of wines produced by Steven & Cindy Newsom Vineyards, ranging from Viognier and Rosé made from local Mourvèdre grapes to a sparkling Picardan with plenty of bubbles to delight you! Take a tour where you can sample the wines currently aging in barrels and see the vines that produce their grapes. You’ll leave with a newfound appreciation for Texas wines!
As a satellite facility owned and operated by the Museum at Texas Tech University, Lubbock Lake Landmark is an educational preserve well-maintained by experts in archeology and natural history. This incredible facility, including the Bob Nash Interpretive Center, is free and open to the public.
The facility sprawls over 336 acres and preserves incredible evidence of human and natural history going back 12,000 years! The Lubbock Lake Landmark sits on the site of a 1930s dredging project that uncovered animal bones and spear points. There are over four miles of walking trails for self-guided tours. Check out the bronze sculptures of Ice Age animals, which are life-size and allow for impressive selfies. Explore active research and excavation sites, or learn more about local history at the interpretive center.
Located just 11 minutes from Hunter’s Way Apartments, Mackenzie Main City Park has long been one of the most popular free parks in the area. This massive park has 691 acres with numerous facilities for different activities. The park was previously the home of Joyland, a local amusement park that closed in 2022. It is still home to many other incredible features, including the beloved Prairie Dog Town, where colonies of black-footed prairie dogs dig, scurry, and entertain visitors.
If watching for prairie dogs isn’t on the agenda, you have plenty of other options. Tee up at the Meadowbrook Golf Club or push for your personal best at their disc golf course. There’s an enclosed dog park, as well as picnic areas, a playground, and baseball fields. There’s even a seasonal concession area if you need snacks during your visit! /p>
Want to get active, enjoy music, and maybe indulge in a little nostalgia? Nothing says fun quite like a trip to the roller rink. When you live at Hunter’s Way Apartments, you are only minutes from Skate Ranch, a local roller rink serving Hub City since 1967. They have unique events throughout the week, from early cheap skating sessions on Thursday afternoons to adults only skate time in the evening afterward.
Every admission includes skate rentals. You can also plan a public party during open skate time or a private party where you have the whole facility to yourself. If you get hungry while cruising on hardwood floors, Skate Ranch has you covered! Their snack bar offers all the comfort food classics you’d expect, including hot dogs, pizza, soda, and candy.
Looking for a fun evening or hoping to join a local league because bowling has long been a favorite pastime? South Plains Lanes is where you want to be! With 40 lanes, they have space to accommodate everyone. They host both youth and adult leagues, allowing you to hone your skills and build bonds with other bowlers. They also have open bowling time seven days a week!
Friday and Saturday nights are special, as they turn the lights down for Cosmic Bowling. Enjoy music, glow-in-the-dark features, and drinks from the 11th Frame Lounge. They also serve up pizza, burgers, chicken strips, and other sandwiches. Their appetizers dominate the menu, with everything from fried pickles and mushrooms to nachos and egg rolls. You’ll love beating your high score or just goofing around with friends at South Plains Lanes!
TOP 5 AMAZING PLACES TO EAT IN LUBBOCK
While the kitchens at Hunter’s Way do include a stove and built-in microwave to make cooking simple, sometimes you don’t have time to make a meal. Other times, you may want to try something new or turn a meal into a memorable experience. There are many local eateries in Lubbock that can offer take-out for busy nights and exciting dine-in experiences. The five below are some of the best nearby options.
Hot & Spicy Cajun Seafood & Bar
Cajun, Seafood
Cajun seasoning can take the most basic meal and upgrade it to something memorable. The punch of flavor and deep color provided by Cajun seasoning can elevate seafood and simple veggies to a craveable dish. At Hot & Spicy Cajun Seafood & Bar, you can enjoy rich flavors and sizeable portions.
Their seafood boils are the main attraction. You can order a number of seafood combinations that come with two pieces of corn and three potatoes. The types of seafood available include snow crab, shrimp, crawfish, black mussels, lobster tails, King crab, sausage, and boiled eggs. They also serve noodles, rice dishes, rich soups, and plenty of fried appetizers. You’ll find yourself waiting for your next visit!
50th Street Caboose
Restaurant, Diner, Comfort Foods
If you want dinner out to include entertainment options, then the 50th Street Caboose might be the right place for you! This diner has a full menu, a bar, and arcade games. They offer Tex-Mex and American comfort foods in a lively sit-down environment, complete with a raucous arcade. From pool to skee-ball, there are plenty of games to enjoy while waiting for your meal or sipping a drink.
The most popular dishes here include their fajitas and burgers, although their boneless chicken wing “zingers” are also a great choice, especially when sharing with a friend! Locals also know about the secret “underground” menu. If you ask, the kitchen can make you a 7-Layer Dip, chicken fried steak turned into “steak fingers,” or caboose quesadilla stuffed with green chiles and bacon bits.
The Funky Door Bistro Wine Room
Restaurant, Grill, American
If you want a nice sit-down meal with drinks in a truly unique atmosphere, consider checking out The Funky Door Bistro Wine Room. Wine lovers will admire the extensive wine collection from all over the world. You can order your hard-to-find favorites or rely on the staff to recommend something that pairs well with your meal. This upscale option is the perfect place for a memorable night out on the town!
Their food typically features local ingredients and modern takes on popular dishes. For example, they add Havarti cheese to their fried pickle appetizer and serve them egg roll style with a spicy ranch for dipping. They have a reputation for serving incredible steaks, like their Millionaire ribeye. Don’t pass up a chance to try the Pear & Pecan Salad, which features pears poached in a rosé wine! If you want something to share, consider ordering
Dario’s Pizza and Calzones
Restaurant, Pizza, Calzones
If you find yourself craving pizza, you’re in luck! Dario’s Pizza and Calzones is just over 10 minutes from Hunter’s Way. This eatery has a devoted local following for good reason! People swear they’ve never had a calzone as good as the ones made here. Regulars warn that you must resist temptation at first, as they come out of the oven so hot you’ll burn your mouth.
However, once it’s cooled off a bit, you’ll enjoy the incredible crust brimming with toppings, tangy sauce, and melted cheese.
If you can’t pick what toppings you want, you can’t go wrong with a Dario’s Original, which has pepperoni and sausage buried in a bed of sauce and cheese. Dario’s calzones are big enough for most people to have leftovers for another meal. The pizzas here are also flavorful, with a pleasantly chewy crust and plenty of topping options. They also happen to be more affordable than many popular chains.
Red Zone Cafe
American, Restaurant, Diner, Breakfast
Looking for a traditional diner for lunch or a greasy spoon for breakfast? Look no further than the Red Zone Café. This busy sit-down restaurant is only a five-minute drive from Hunter’s Way Apartments, and they offer all of the standard breakfast staples, as well as a robust lunch/dinner menu!
The omelets here are famous for having more fillings than eggs, although they make them with three eggs (many places only use two eggs). If a sweet breakfast is more your style, you can order up a short stack of pancakes, waffles, or French toast. Their lunch and dinner menu includes all of the diner staples, such as chicken fried steak, pork chops, and burgers. Many people also come here for their liver and onions. You can even order Frito Pie if you’re in the mood for Tex-Mex! Come hungry, and expect fast service in a bustling space!