+12 Things to Do in Lubbock without a car

People always ask age-old questions.

Is there anything that you can do in Lubbock?

The answer is a resounding yes!

The city of Lubbock is home to a rich cultural scene. It is also rich in the arts and boasts delightful musical acts.

The city has a hospitable and friendly atmosphere and provides guests with excellent fine dining options.

It is also full of numerous points of interest that tick the boxes for a great destination.

Which of the various options should you visit?

There are museums, parks, art galleries, and a lot more. And what makes it worthwhile is that these attractions are always close to each other.

You’re right. There is no need to make that long drive to visit a tourist attraction.

Anyway, here are 12 of my favorite spots in Lubbock.

1. National Ranching Heritage Center

Known as one of the most beautiful spots in the U.S., the National Ranching Heritage Center is one of the affordable sites to visit in Lubbock.

It is also a much-loved destination in the city.

It opened in 1976. At the time, it was a park of multiple structures that provided its guests with an informative peek into the history of ranching and architecture in the West.

The property has about 49 different structures. Some are from the 1780s. The most recent of these structures date back to the 1950s.

Because of deterioration, the oldest building is already a replica. All others are original structures. All of these were painstakingly moved from different countries.

A concrete path connects one structure to the next. The arrangement is in chronological order, which allows guests to experience the evolution of ranching over the years.

Every 30 minutes, a trolley appears.

The trolley takes you on tour on wheels. Although it comes with a fee, it is not that expensive.

The whole property is about 19 acres. The main building sits at an area of about 44,000 square feet.

Throughout, the property covers a wide array of different topics. There is an area for cattle rustling, another for cowboy boots, and many more.

Aside from its displays, there are also stunning sculptures that you can find at the front of the building.

These are well-crafted and life-sized, which makes them all attractive.

The Center holds a special event every April called Ranch Day.

It has cowboys, horses, and chuck wagons to complete the feel.

2. Silent Wings Museum

Are you aware that the city of Lubbock used to be a training ground for glider pilots?

Now, you know.

During World War II, Lubbock trained all the glider pilots that served the country. And this is why we have this museum.

The Silent Wings Museum provides its guests with a fascinating look at the men who served the country as American Glider Pilots. Here, you get to learn more about the history of the Glider Program.

A series of engaging exhibits within the museum show guests this part of our history.

The highlight of the museum is the C-47 plane on display. There is also a theater inside and an antique glider used during the Second World War.

3. CapRock Winery

A few minutes outside the Lubbock center is the CapRock Winery.

The winery is famous for its beautiful architecture. Of course, it is also renowned for its vineyards.

You will choose from a wide array of red and white wine varieties when visiting. The winery was founded in the early 1990s. When I tell you that they know what they are doing when it comes to the production of wine, they do.

Do you know what I love here?

It is the tasting room.

Here, you can sample the latest blends. You can take the bottle with you as a souvenir or as something to open on special occasions. You or anyone can take a bottle or two (or three) to bring home.

If you do not have a car, buses travel daily from the city center to the winery. You can take a cab, too.

4. Caviel Museum of African American History

The Caviel Museum of African American History is one of the newest in the city.

With this in mind, you can swing by the museum when you have the time. It would be a fantastic opportunity for visitors to learn more about the region’s African-American history.

The museum aims to retell the story of the African-Americans in the area. Through its wide array of exhibits that include artwork, artifacts, and antiques, you can learn more about such parts of the history of Lubbock.

There are permanent exhibits at the museum. Some displays show guests the stories of famous personalities who helped push for the welfare of the African-Americans in Lubbock.

5. American Wind Power Center

Billy Wolfe was a home economics teacher and a local.

He was also responsible for creating the American Wind Power Center in Lubbock. And it was all done with love.

Billy Wolfe located, researched, and photographed several windmills throughout her adult life. She also delved into the research on preserving windmills, discussing their importance and cultural significance.

Wolfe worked for almost thirty years. In this period, she was able to purchase hundreds of these windmills. The aim was to open a museum specific to windmills one of these days.

And that is now the American Wind Power Center, a museum specific to windmills.

The museum opened in 1998. It expanded in 2001.

As of this time, it houses more than 200 windmills of different kinds, colors, shapes, origins, and sizes.

As you can see, windmills played an essential role in the survival of the people during the prairie days.

The American Wind Power Center tells us these stories.

The Center also emphasizes its importance.

There are reconstructed windmills. There are educational displays and information available.

The Center stretches across a wide field.

When in Lubbock, drop by as this is one of the most fun destinations.

The Center lies east of the city center and is accessible by bus. Buses pass by the area every day. You can also spot the Center from the road.

You won’t get lost.

6. Cactus Theater

First of all, this is not a theater that shows the plant.

The Cactus Theater has a Texas-themed name. But it certainly is not a theater for the plant.

The theater is a historic landmark that opened during the 1930s. It was, at the time, the first theater of its kind in Lubbock.

Over the years, it deteriorated. It was only painstakingly restored around the 1990s. After several years of closure, the theater eventually reopened.

These days, the theater is famous for its many performances. You can see Broadway shows here. There are also musicals, live theater, and concerts.

If you are in Lubbock, you can drop by and see what is showing.

7. Ballet Lubbock

Since 1969, Ballet Lubbock has been one of the city’s top cultural experiences.
The Center is famous for its yearly performance of “The Nutcracker,” a show that goes out during the holidays.

For the rest of the year, Ballet Lubbock produces a variety of shows and performances. Whether during the holidays or not, be sure to check them out when you are in town.

8. Bayer Museum of Agriculture

Also known as the American Museum of Agriculture, the Bayer Museum of Agriculture has its focuses on the strong history of farming in Lubbock.

The museum has a wide variety of displays. The exhibits range from being recent installations to antiques. When visiting, you will take a step back to the years when agriculture was just getting started in Lubbock.

When in the museum, you have to see the old-fashioned pedal tractors. There is also a model of a blacksmith’s studio that dates back to the 1920s.

Aside from these, the museum also houses galleries dedicated to the history of cotton production in the city. There are exhibits, most of them interactive, that can educate you and your friends when it comes to the history of agriculture in Lubbock.

9. FiberMax Center for Discovery

Speaking of agriculture, Texas is not as famous as the other states in the industry.

But Texas played a significant role in agriculture over the years.

If you want to know more about this role, you can head to the FiberMax Center for Discovery.

The Center provides its visitors with an educational tour in a fascinating way.

It is also here that you can learn about the growth and the development of the agriculture and farming industries.

The Center has a variety of displays available for its visitors. Most of these displays are interactive. The collections discuss equipment, farming methods, tools, and other interesting facts about agriculture and farming.

Most of these displays show how farmers worked in the fields. There are also displays that show how blacksmiths designed tools.

And speaking of tools, one of the most exciting exhibits is in the tool shop. The tool shop is an area in the Center that displays genuine 20th-century tools.

Here, hundreds and hundreds of different little tools are on display, intricately arranged.

What I like about this part of the museum is the ease with which information is accessible. A touch screen can walk you through each tool and its uses.

There is also a drilling exhibit that contains more than 700 toy tractors. There is a showcase of seeds.

And the highlight of your visit should be the Cotton Harvesting Simulator.

Be sure to check that out.

10. Charles Adams Gallery

The Charles Adams Gallery is a gallery you can find in the Lubbock Cultural District.

It’s also one of the best and ideal locations to go to in town if you’re interested in culture and the arts.

A vast range of static and revolving collections can be found here. The galleries showcase a wide range of art pieces from local, foreign, regional, and even foreign artists.

Before, the gallery also used to feature works of famous American artists like Andy Warhol.

When in town, be sure to check this place out.

11. Legacy Play Village

The Legacy Play Village is your perfect destination if you want to learn more about the history of the South Plains.

The goal of Legacy Play Village is to educate the younger generation about this specific period in history.

Built by the locals of Lubbock, the village has a wide range of pavilions and picnic areas. It’s also a fantastic place for kids to play and explore while learning about Lubbock’s history.

12. Mackenzie Park

Sitting in an area of about 248 acres, the Mackenzie Park in Lubbock is the largest of its kind.

The park offers its visitors different activities to enjoy. Such activities include a newly-installed and fully-serviced golf course.

If you are familiar with Joyland Amusement Park, you are also in for a treat because you can find the amusement park here.

There are more low-key ones for the other activities if you prefer them.

A disc golf course is available, and a Prairie Dog Town, where you may witness these adorable prairie dogs in their natural environment.

There are several equestrian trails available. You can also hike here. And if you are into equestrians, you can certainly do that at the park.

The park offers its visitors several activities, including a relaxing afternoon picnicking in its delightful gardens. There are many of these gardens that dot the area.

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Lubbock may not be the first city that comes to mind when you think of Texas.

Perhaps, it is because it may not be as popular as the other cities in the state.

But if you give the city a chance, it will never disappoint.

Lubbock has art galleries, dining establishments, museums, parks, etc. The city is home to some of the kindest and warmest individuals you’ll ever meet, to top it off.

If you are in Lubbock, check these tourist attractions out.

Have you been to Lubbock?

Let me know if there is another tourist destination you want to include on the list.

We can talk about that.