What's between Denver and Austin?

February 21, 2010 2:35 PM

Planning a possible roadtrip from Denver, CO to Austin, TX in late May. Anything we should stop and see along the way, or just off of the way?

If we go, we're already planning to stop by the Great Sand Dunes. But we know nothing of possible sights to see in Northern Texas. Anything scenic, or quirky, or delicious, really anything worthwhile.

posted by moonroof to travel & transportation (12 answers total)

I think the usual thing to see in northern Texas is Cadillac Ranch. Roadside America (same website) has other suggestions.
posted by lukemeister at 2:44 PM on February 21, 2010

Also, supposedly the best barbecue in Texas is an hour's drive east of Austin at Snow's, but only on Saturday.
posted by lukemeister at 2:52 PM on February 21, 2010

If I were doing to do this - I would drive down 25 to 10 and stop in West Texas to see the McDonald Observatory. I would plan my trip to coincide with a star party.

I also wouldn't be able to resist stopping in Roswell (UFO kitsch) and Carlsbad (beautiful caverns!) along the way.

And I'd stop for BBQ every 10 miles or so.
posted by greekphilosophy at 3:36 PM on February 21, 2010 [2 favorites]

Quirky and somewhat amusing. Waco is the birthplace of Dr. Pepper and they've got a museum out there. There's a Texas Ranger museum also somewhere in that area. And the Hindu temple in Temple is really pretty.

If you happen to be coming down I35 from Dallas/Ft. Worth, stop in West at the CzechStop and load up on kolaches! You definitely won't regret it.
posted by MuChao at 4:31 PM on February 21, 2010 [1 favorite]

Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo perhaps.
posted by allelopath at 4:44 PM on February 21, 2010

If you happen to be coming down I35 from Dallas/Ft. Worth, stop in West at the CzechStop and load up on kolaches! You definitely won't regret it.

But if you can, don't come down I35 from Dallas/Ft. Worth. You won't regret it.
posted by bwanabetty at 5:14 PM on February 21, 2010 [1 favorite]

If you're already planning to go a bit west of the direct route, to visit the Great Sand Dunes, and if you want to stay on a west-ish route to see the McDonald Observatory as suggested, then there's a few interesting sights in New Mexico along your way. Bandelier National Monument is my favorite, and Carlsbad Caverns is amazing to see for the first time. The Sandia crest is cool but probably too far west. There's some quirky museums in Roswell and an interesting one in Pecos, TX that would be on your way. And at that point you'd be approaching Austin from the west... I don't know of anything interesting for a long stretch after Pecos, but there's touristy stuff in Fredericksburg, and after that Hamilton Pool would be pretty near your route.
posted by roystgnr at 6:05 PM on February 21, 2010

1. If you google around, there's a dude in Abilene who will give you tours of a government surplus missile silo he bought.
2. Capulin Volcano in extreme NE New Mexico.. you can drive to the top.
3. Awesome BBQ in Llano. Forgot the name of the place but Google will bring it up... they're legendary.

All on the way from DEN-AUS.
posted by crapmatic at 7:21 PM on February 21, 2010

I would plan my route through Clayton, NM so that I could stop at the Dairy Queen and see the bizarre and gruesome photo display of the hanging of Thomas Black Jack Ketchum during which his head popped off. We traditionally order strawberry Sundaes to enjoy while reviewing the display. Truly one of the odder things I have encountered on a road trip, we make it a point to stop there every time we pass through. (And personally, I don't care for Dairy Queen).
posted by tcskeptic at 7:48 PM on February 21, 2010

Awesome! Thanks everyone!
posted by moonroof at 9:00 PM on February 21, 2010

3. Awesome BBQ in Llano. Forgot the name of the place but Google will bring it up... they're legendary.

Coopers. If you get there early enough, some days they have cabrito. But generally I prefer Kreuz Market.
posted by mattbucher at 7:23 AM on February 22, 2010

The Big Texan and their offer of a free 72 oz steak is pretty quirky. It's fun to visit even though I live in Amarillo.
posted by the biscuit man at 9:44 AM on February 24, 2010