You should think about visiting more of the Lone Star State during your summer and spring vacations. From the northernmost tip to the southernmost tip, the state of Florida is full of exciting adventures.
Cheap Things To Do In Lubbock TX, we’ve teamed up with R We There Yet Mom? to highlight family-friendly spots all over our great state to give you an idea of what’s out there. Lubbock, Texas, here we come!
Lubbock is in the southern part of Texas, on the High Plains, about 300 miles from Dallas/Fort Worth and 320 miles from Albuquerque. Here’s a rundown of some of the free activities in Lubbock that families can enjoy together.
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20 List Of Cheap Things To Do In Lubbock TX Today
1. National Ranching Heritage Center
There is a free museum and historical park dedicated to ranching history at Texas Tech University called the National Ranching Heritage Center.
This 16-acre property features 48 original buildings from the 1700s that have been painstakingly restored and furnished to reflect the period. Additionally, there is a building on the premises that hosted President Theodore Roosevelt back in the 1830s.
The center portrays the lifestyle of North American ranchers through events and tours held all year long. Candlelight at the Ranch, held every December, and Ranch Days, held every April, are two such events.
2. First Friday Art Trail
Visit the many downtown galleries along The First Friday Art Trail by hopping on one of the five free First Friday Trolleys. Free and open to the public, this monthly art event takes place on the first Friday of the month from 6-9 pm.
3. Lubbock Lake National Historic Landmark Night Hike
Lubbock Lake National Historic Landmark Night Hike, this Lubbock landmark was recently named by Smithsonian Magazine as one of the top five places to see indigenous peoples’ artifacts. There is proof of human habitation here dating back 12,000 years!
Night hikes are a regular event at this internationally renowned archaeological and natural history preserve, which is located in the beautiful Yellow House Canyon and is about three miles in length.
Beginning in March and continuing through October, Landmark After Dark will be held monthly. Take along a bottle of water and some closed-toe, comfortable shoes. If the weather is good, we’ll go on a night hike.
4. Prairie Dog Town
In the early 1930s, Mackenzie Park’s Prairie Dog Town became the world’s first designated sanctuary for prairie dogs. There is no better place in all of Lubbock to observe these tiny creatures in their element.
All year long, parkgoers can visit the green space without paying a dime. Bonus: Mackenzie Park is also home to the FINA/ALON USA Crossroads in Time Sculpture Garden.
5. Legacy Play Village
The 30,000 square-foot wooden playground is the showpiece of McAllister Park’s 272 acres. The 3-story castle at Legacy Play Village has twisting passageways leading up through the levels and long, curved slides for a rapid descent.
Every child, regardless of age, will love playing in this magical forest. Plus, there’s a skate park at McAllister Park, which is always a plus.
6. Lubbock Cemetery
Many people pay their respects at Buddy Holly’s gravesite in Lubbock Cemetery. Respectful strolls through the beautifully landscaped park are encouraged as visitors pay their respects to the musician.
7. Mackenzie Park
In addition to equestrian trails with statues, prairie dog habitat, and a disc golf course, Mackenzie Park also features a small amusement park called Joyland Amusement Park. There are 248 acres in the park.
8. Lubbock Lake Landmark
Lubbock Lake Landmark, part of the Museum of Texas Tech University, is widely regarded as the oldest continuously inhabited area in North America, with archaeological evidence indicating 12,000 years of human occupation. Visitors can learn about the area’s rich history on either a guided or self-guided tour.
9. Buffalo Springs Lake
In 1955, Buffalo Springs Lake was built so that locals would have a place to go for recreation. The lake supports activities including fishing, family reunions, camping, wakeboarding, and running.
10. Silent Wings Museum
You can get some great information about WWII gliders at the Silent Wings Museum. Visitors can view a restored WACO CG-4A glider and a British Horsa glider in the process of restoration, as well as watch a 15-minute documentary.
11. Museum of Texas Tech University
The Museum at Texas Tech University is comprised of several different buildings and institutions, such as the main museum, the Natural Science Research Laboratory, Lubbock Lake National Historic Landmark, and the Moody Planetarium. Over five million items make up the general museum’s permanent collection.
12. The Buddy Holly Center
The Buddy Holly Center has artifacts and a 20-minute documentary dedicated to the musician. The Lubbock Fine Arts Gallery displays works of art, and the Texas Musicians Hall of Fame holds concerts in the center’s courtyard.
13. Science Spectrum Museum
There are several interactive play spaces at the Lubbock Science Museum for kids over the age of five, including a Vet Clinic, Market Place, Music Room, and Water Works. The Crawl Around Corral is for infants aged 6 months to 1 year, and the Under 5 Playground is 400 square feet of fun for the little ones.
14. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
When you go to the movies at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, you’ll have access to a lot of great amenities. In addition to having a full bar and food service available, the auditoriums also feature state-of-the-art digital projection systems.
15. Louise Hopkins Underwood Art Center
Five galleries, a clay studio, a small theater, and a multi-purpose studio all come together at the Louise Hopkins Underwood Art Center to foster an environment conducive to learning about and appreciating the visual arts. Art classes are available at the Center in addition to regional, national, and international exhibitions.
16. Lubbock Premiere Cinema
The Premiere Cinema of Lubbock is a first-run movie theater that focuses on bringing in big crowds. In addition to showing movies on the IMAX screen, the theater also hosts private screenings for special occasions like kids’ birthday parties.
17. American Museum of Agriculture
The American Museum of Agriculture gathers a large collection of farm equipment, such as combines, tractors, drills, and plows, to preserve and celebrate the role that agriculture played in the early development of Lubbock County.
18. Jones AT&T Stadium
The Texas Tech Red Raiders play their home games in the college stadium Jones AT&T Stadium. The stadium features a 38 x 100 foot video board where visitors can watch close ups from the game.
19. Premiere Cinema 16 & IMAX
Premiere Cinema + IMAX – Lubbock, a movie theater with an IMAX auditorium, shows first-run movies in digital 3D. There are D-BOX motion seats, high-back love seats, party rooms, and a concession stand at this theater.
20. South Plains Lanes
South Plains Lanes is a bowling alley and pro shop serving leagues and casual bowlers in the local area. The alley features cosmic bowling with glow-in-the-dark pins on the weekends.
FAQs Cheap Things To Do In Lubbock TX
What is Lubbock best known for?
Lubbock, Texas is well-known as the home of Texas Tech University, numerous well-known musicians, and High Plains wineries. All of that, plus the cultural, culinary, and family-friendly attractions of the Hub City, is why we decided to pay it a visit.
Is Lubbock worth visiting?
Located in the heart of West Texas, this university town is a cultural mecca and a lot of fun to explore. Lubbock brags that it has more live music venues per person than any other city in Texas, with hip and intimate venues spread out all over the city but especially concentrated in the Depot District.
Does Lubbock have an aquarium?
The Lubbock Aquarium, adjacent to Adventure Park, is West Texas’s only view of the ocean. Visitors can get an up-close look at the wide variety of animals that call the world’s oceans home thanks to the wide variety of species on display.
