Cadillac Ranch: West Texas with kids


Colorful Cars and West Texas Wind: Visiting Cadillac Ranch with Kids

On a recent road trip, our family made a quick stop at Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas—and it ended up being one of those spontaneous, quirky moments that we’ll remember for a long time.

Cadillac Ranch is one of those places that sounds a little strange when you first hear about it: ten vintage Cadillacs buried nose-first in the ground in the middle of a field, open for the public to decorate with spray paint. But once you see it in person, especially with kids, you realize—it’s just plain fun.

A Little Bit of History

Cadillac Ranch was created in 1974 by a group of art hippies from San Francisco known as the Ant Farm, and funded by Amarillo millionaire Stanley Marsh 3. The installation was meant to showcase the evolution of the Cadillac tail fin, from 1949 to 1963. Over time, it became an interactive art piece—visitors were encouraged to bring their own spray paint and add to the ever-changing masterpiece.

It’s loud, colorful, windy (very windy!), and totally unforgettable.

Why It’s Great for Kids

Even though we chose not to spray paint—because let’s be honest, four little kids + cans of aerosol paint didn’t seem like the best idea—our girls still had so much fun running up and down the row of Cadillacs, inspecting the layers of paint, and watching other families create their own marks. A sweet family even offered us their extra cans, which was such a thoughtful gesture. That kind of travel kindness is always appreciated!

The best part? It’s totally free. Just park on the side of the road, walk a short path into the field, and let the kids explore. They can touch, climb, and get a little dirty—which, let’s be honest, is a win in their book.

Where We Stayed

While in Amarillo, we stayed at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Amarillo, and I cannot recommend it enough for families. We booked their 2-bedroom suite, which gave us space to spread out and get a good night’s sleep (every mom’s dream after a day of travel). There was a full kitchen, a cozy living area, and two bathrooms—such a blessing when you’re traveling with a large family!

So if you’re heading through West Texas, plan a quick detour to Cadillac Ranch. Pack some wipes (it’s dusty!), bring a few snacks, and don’t stress if you skip the spray paint. Sometimes, just being there is the memory.

Have you ever been to Cadillac Ranch or found a fun offbeat roadside attraction? I’d love to hear about it!

Connect with me on Instagram at @ministry.of.mothering for more homeschool travel ideas, encouragement, and a whole lot of grace for the journey. 💛



#CadillacRanch
#AmarilloTexas
#TexasRoadTrip
#HomeschoolTravel
#Roadschooling
#FamilyTravelFun
#HomeschoolFieldTrip
#TravelWithKids
#MinistryOfMotherhood
#ChristianHomeschoolMom
#EducationalAdventures
#ArtInTheWild
#HiltonHomewoodSuites
#LargeFamilyTravel
#KidsWhoTravel
#MakingMemoriesTogether
#FamilyRoadTrip
#OffTheBeatenPath
#HomeschoolOnTheGo
#MotherhoodUnfiltered

Comments

  1. A Page of HappyMay 5, 2025 at 5:51 AM

    Super fun! I plan on checking those out out on our next trip thru Amarillo!

    ReplyDelete

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