A Red Raider’s Guide to Lubbock

Alright, Red Raiders you did it. You were accepted into college, survived orientation, move in, and now, you’re on your own in a new city. This may be your first time away from home; not to mention, you’re juggling classes, campus involvement, social events and more. To help you adjust to your new change of pace and life as a Lubbockite, we’ve put together a ‘Red Raider’s Guide to Lubbock’ just for you.

Quick Facts

• Lubbock County was founded in 1876. Our name is owed to Thomas Saltus Lubbock, a former Texas Ranger who was brother to Francis Lubbock, the governor of Texas during the Civil War.
• Geographically, Lubbock sits on the Llano Estacado which is the southern end of the High Plains more specifically called the South Plains. (You’ll see the reference to the South Plains throughout the city.)
• With more than 250,000 people, Lubbock is the 83rd most populous city in the U.S. and 11th in the Lone Star State.
• Lubbock’s nicknamed “Hub City” because it’s surrounded by five major highways. If you look at it on a map, it gives the appearance of a hub on a wagon wheel.
• As the “Hub City, “Lubbock is the center for shopping, health care, education, agriculture and other points of interest for the region.

How do I get around town? 

• Lubbock is set up like a grid! The roads are set up numerically running east to west and alphabetically running north to south, so you can always figure out where you’re going. Also, the city is surrounded by Loop 289, making getting around town quick and efficient!
• The bus system is a great thing to take advantage of, and the app is handy too! It’s called Double Map and shows you each bus route and the location of each bus stop.
• If you need a ride at your leisure, Lubbock offers both Uber and Lyft.
• Note: Check out the newest way to get around town with Bird, a reliable last mile electric scooter rental service. Just download the Bird app and locate a scooter near you.

What is there to do in Lubbock?

Don’t be fooled into thinking there’s not much to do! Lubbock is a city that appreciates the arts, music and good food. When you have the chance to get off campus, go explore, make memories and see for yourself why we #livelovelubbock. 

Music
As we like to say the ‘Original Live Music Capital of Texas,’ Lubbock is a stage for numerous influential musical legends including Buddy Holly, Dixie Chicks’ Natalie Maines, Pat Green and Josh Abbott. On any given night, you can follow the rhythm of live bands jamming to classic rock, jazz, country, rap, dubstep or even a tribute to the oldies right into the heart of Lubbock’s nightlife. With more live music venues per capita than any other city in Texas, the wide open spaces are known to inspire creativity and discovery. Check out these popular music venues:

• The Blue Light
• Cactus Theater
• Charley B’s

Don’t miss some of the upcoming performances like Texas Tech’s very own Josh Abbott at the annual JAB Fest and country music star, Pat Green, this October.

Art
For all the art lovers, Lubbock’s art scene is diverse and engaging. Whether it’s touring public art on Texas Tech’s campus or meeting artists at First Friday Art Trail, there is an experience for both art aficionadosand novices out there.  A few galleries to consider include:

• LHUCA 
• Texas Tech University’s Public Art Collection
• Lubbock Moonlight Musicals
• Lubbock Symphony Orchestra
• 5&J Gallery
• Charles Adams Gallery
• Texas Tech University Museum
• Tornado Gallery

History & Heritage
Known as pioneers of the West, settlers of Lubbock were resilient problem solvers. From the largest collection of windmills in the world to 50 authentically-restored ranching structures, you will learn about the history of the region and the people. Learn more about Lubbock’s heritage here:

• National Ranching Heritage Center
• American Windmill Museum
• Bayer Museum of Agriculture
• Silent Wings Museum
• Buddy Holly Center
• Lubbock Lake Landmark 

 Local Eats
One of the hardest parts of moving away from home is missing your favorite places to eat. Luckily, Lubbock has no shortage of good food. Whether you love a classic cheeseburger or the perfect bowl of pho, every Lubbockite comes to find their favorite spots around town. Check out these local eats:

• Cast Iron Grill
• Triple J Chophouse & Brew Co.
• Pho Cali
• La Diosa Cellars
• Evie Mae’s – (Tip: Get there right when they open at 11 a.m. to avoid the line)
• Taqueria Jalisco
• Spanky’s

Adventure
For a little adventure, hike the second largest canyon in the U.S., enjoy a little nostalgia at a drive-in theatre and try your swing at a premier golf entertainment destination! Grab a few of your friends and explore these unique spots:

• Stars and Stripes Drive-in Theatre
• 4ORE! Golf
• Alamo Drafthouse
• Whitewood Lanes Bowling
• Trapped! Escape Room
• Palo Duro Canyon – 1.5 hours north of Lubbock, the second largest canyon in the U.S.
• Seasonal Favorites
  • Corn Maze – Saturday, Sept. 15 – Saturday, Nov. 10
  • South Plains Fair – Friday, Sept. 21 – Saturday, Sept. 29
  • Al’t Do Pumpkin Patch
  • Nightmare of Nineteenth

For the shopaholics, check out our  Guide to Back-to-School Shopping in Lubbock.

The best thing to do in a new city is to explore, so go explore! This is just a short list of what all Lubbock has to offer. Check out other postings on our blog or our event calendar for what is happening around town and welcome to the “Hub City!”