Lubbock is the perfect place for a weekend getaway for wine lovers, hikers, and foodies

Although Lubbock was never on my radar growing up in the DFW area, my recent exploration of the city has shown me its hidden gems. I am excited to share with you some of the incredible places I discovered!

THINGS TO DO IN LUBBOCK

Check out the Buddy Holly Museum

Learn all about Buddy Holly and his incredible impact on the music industry. Buddy Holly was an American singer, songwriter, and musician who was a central and pioneering figure of mid-1950s rock and roll. The Buddy Holly Center collects, preserves, and interprets artifacts relevant to Lubbock's most famous native son, Buddy Holly, as well as to other performing artists and musicians of West Texas. Learn more about this cool museum here.

Watch a show or ballet at the gorgeous Buddy Holly Hall

The Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences is a regional, multi-purpose performing arts center dedicated to enriching the lives of those who live in Lubbock, the South Plains area, and beyond. We saw Cinderella while visiting over the weekend and it was lovely! I grew up going to the ballet in DFW and this really felt like I was back in Dallas. It was a lovely experience and the performance hall was stunning! I highly recommend checking out their calendar before planning your trip to Lubbock to see if you’re able to see a performance. See the calendar here.

Check out Texas Tech University

I love touring universities while visiting new cities because they’re all so uniquely different. Texas Tech is right downtown and a great spot to walk around after enjoying lunch at any of the various spots nearby.

Road trip to Palo Duro Canyon State Park or Caprock Canyon

While in Lubbock you’re only an hour from one of Texas’ hidden gems, Palo Duro Canyon State Park. It is the second-largest canyon in the country and an absolute must-visit while in the area. The canyon offers incredible hiking, biking, horseback riding, and more! This trail was truly one where all the hiking and climbing were WORTH IT! The views were absolutely beautiful and didn’t even feel like Texas. No reservations are required for this trail in Palo Duro Canyon State Park but it’s highly recommended to go EARLY! Like 6/6:30 am to avoid crowds and have the place to yourself. The trail is fairly flat the entire time until you’re right before the lighthouse. Once you get to that point I would rate it moderate because of the climbing and hills. Overall, not too bad! The total hike is about 5.7 miles round trip and definitely worth it.

EXPLORE THE WINERIES & VINEYARDS LUBBOCK HAS TO OFFER

EXPERIENCE TEXAS WINE AT BURKLEE HILL VINEYARDS

Upon entering Burklee Hill Vineyards, one is instantly transported to a chic, modern, and welcoming atmosphere reminiscent of a lush bistro in Uptown Dallas. Situated in the Historic Knesset Building in downtown Lubbock, this beautiful winery is an ideal location for a picture-perfect moment or a delectable lunch with friends. Their salads and sandwiches are truly superb and if you like brussels sprouts at all, order these because they are amazing!

SIP WINE AT ONE OF THE OLDEST WINERIES IN TEXAS AT LLANO WINERY

Did you know the second oldest winery in Texas is in Lubbock?! The Texas Panhandle is actually home to more than two-thirds of the grapes grown in Texas. I had no idea🤯 Llano Winery is necessary while exploring historic Lubbock, TX. Enjoy some delicious charcuterie paired with even more delicious wine when you visit this incredibly gorgeous tasting room — it’s great for a girl’s day, date, or family outing. It’s about a 15-minute drive into the countryside of Texas and well worth it for its delicious wine and charcuterie board.

POP INTO MCPHERSON CELLARS WHILE DOWNTOWN

In the earliest days of Texas grape growing, the founder of McPherson, Dr. Clinton ‘Doc’ McPherson championed an industry that existed only in his dreams. The vines he planted were some of the first to yield true Texas wines. Forty years later, the McPherson family proudly carries on his legacy through farming and winemaking inspired by the world yet deeply rooted in the High Plains. This was the first wine we tried when we arrived in Lubbock and it was the most perfect place to start. The tasting room was absolutely lovely and cozy and the wine was great! We loved tasting high plains wine in the actual Texas high plains. Most of the wine in Fredericksburg, TX actually comes from their vines in the high plains so it was lovely to actually BE in the place the grapes grow. Overall, be sure to put McPherson Cellers on your list of places to visit while in Lubbock.

PLACES TO EAT IN LUBBOCK

START YOUR DAY AT MONOMYTH COFFEE

Looking for a spot to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee, matcha, and pastries? Monomyth Coffee is the perfect destination! Whether you're in the mood for a morning meal or a midday boost, this cafe has got you covered. Brothers Trenton and Randall Jackson founded Monomyth Coffee in 2019 with the intention of placing people at the forefront of their stories. The word "monomyth" means "one story," referencing the "Hero's Journey" which is a story that repeats itself everywhere, despite differences in names, interests, and backgrounds. We all embark on a journey, facing obstacles, and overcoming them with the help of friends or the strength within us. Their mission is to provide encouragement on their customer’s journey, to serve as a source of rejuvenation and support as they confront challenges day in and day out, and to celebrate victories, whether big or small.

GRAB DINNER AT RAVE ON BEFORE SEEING A PERFORMANCE AT BUDDY HOLLY HALL

Before heading to a fabulous show at Buddy Holly Hall, grab dinner at Rave On. I still have dreams about their corn crème brûlée… I mean have you ever heard of that before? It’s what dreams are made of, that’s for sure! Everything we had was fabulous, from the salmon to the potatoes and crab cakes, it was all so lovely.

TASTE THE HIGH PLAINS CUISINE AT NICOLETT

The Nicolett is a new fine dining destination for West Texas, from Chef Finn Walter. With a focus on High Plain's cuisine, the elegant menu is rooted in showcasing ingredients that are natural to the region with techniques that reflect Walter’s experience in Paris, Austin, Napa Valley, and Santa Fe. Dine in the most beautiful greenhouse at The Nicolett. Do yourself a favor and order the bread! It was heavenly as well as everything else. This is an absolute must-visit while in Lubbock! The food was delicious, and inventive, and had such a vibe while in the greenhouse at sunset. If you want a table in the greenhouse definitely call for reservations as there are only about 4 tables in this area. However, the other tables are in beautiful areas as well. Overall, it’s a wonderful dining experience and I highly recommend the homemade biscuits!

ENJOY TAPAS AT LA DIOSA CELLARS ACROSS FROM MCPHERSON CELLARS

This cutie bistro offers its take on classic Spanish and Mediterranean tapas, inspired cuisine from the owner’s Spanish background. We loved sippin’ on their famous sangria and enjoying all different types of light bites! They offer live music making it truly a place to sit & stay a while. La Diosa is within walking distance from McPherson Cellars making it the perfect place to pop into after a wine tasting. This is a great place for a date night, girls night out, or whatever brings you out of the house!

WHERE TO STAY

If you’re planning a trip to Lubbock, you can’t go wrong with Cotton Court Lubbock. This accommodation is conveniently located near excellent coffee shops, wineries, and restaurants that you can easily walk to. One of the best things about this place is the many outdoor areas where you can relax, hang out, and even make s’mores over a fire. Despite its large size, Cotton Court has a cozy aesthetic that makes you feel right at home.

Growing up in Texas, I had never considered Lubbock to be anything special. However, upon visiting, I discovered a city bursting with culture, art, cuisine, and wine. Its rich history only adds to its charm. Have you visited Lubbock before? What did you think?

XOXO

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