Skip the sterile meeting rooms in Anytown, USA, and give your guests a meeting they’ll never forget by hosting your next gathering in Lubbock. Located in the heart of West Texas, Lubbock is known for its one-of-a-kind museums, restaurants and wineries, as well as an assortment of unique spaces perfect for hosting groups. Planners can have a reception in a museum filled with vintage tractors, or kick off a weekend event with a wine tasting on-site at a local winery.  Check out six of Lubbock’s unique venues for groups.

American Wind Power Center

What’s more unique than having your guests drive up and see rows and rows of historic windmills in immaculate condition? At the American Wind Power Center, some of the 170+ windmills date back to the 1850s and remain well-preserved. Guests are educated on the history and the importance of windmills and wind power. The traditional space is 6,000 square feet and can hold up to 300 guests. It also features the 6,000-square-foot “Legacy of the Wind” mural, which took an impressive four years to create! The center’s newest building, the Wind Energy Experience, also offers a small board room for meetings and more exhibit space to browse. After the meeting, encourage your guests to go on an hour-long guided tour to see the windmills up close and get a true sense of its impressive history.

Find out more details on what an event at the American Wind Power Center looks like here.

Bayer Museum of Agriculture

If you want a venue you can’t find anywhere else, then plan an event at the Bayer Museum of Agriculture, which houses more than 70 tractors and vintage farm machinery equipment. The 5,200 square feet of meeting space includes a patio that overlooks downtown Lubbock and can hold up to 300 people in The Plains Cotton Growers Conference Center. Meeting planners are given fixed rates depending on group size and catering preferences. Once the meeting ends, attendees are free to roam the museum to learn about the history and future of farming and the impact on the “Hub City.” Also on-site is Grace’s General Store, a one-stop-souvenir-shop for guests to stock up on local goods (think John Deere hats, children books on farming and t-shirts).

Read more about the Bayer Museum in this venue spotlight.

Cagle Steaks

The best way to capture the hearts of your guests might be through their appetite, and you’re guaranteed to do just that at Cagle Steaks, where meeting planners can choose from eight of its private rooms for meeting space and catering. Cagle Steaks is located on a large ranch property featuring a unique old-time Texas town feel. Cagle’s rooms are great for small gatherings with less than 50 guests and also for large groups that can hold up to 375 guests.

“We’re a family-owned business, which gives us a little flexibility,” says owner John Cagle. “We have a definite West Texas flair.”

The star of the show at Cagle Steaks is certainly the steaks—but the cool Texas ambiance is a close second.

Read more about Cagle Steaks and other unique catering options here.

Hilton Garden Inn

Lubbock recently welcomed its newest hotel, The Hilton Garden Inn, where comfort meets luxury. This modern hotel has a minimalistic and clean atmosphere with 113 guests rooms, a cocktail lounge and several rooms for meetings, from small, intimate board rooms to a ballroom large enough to accommodate 200 guests. When your group is hungry, the hotel’s chef can help you plan a menu to meet your guests’ needs.

The hotel opened in August 2016. Read more about it and other new offerings in town here.

McPherson Cellars

Add some flavor and culture to your next meeting at McPherson Cellars. The winery is located in a former Coca-Cola bottling plant, and much of the industrial interior was maintained. The winery has been a mainstay in the Lubbock area for over 40 years and made it into The Daily Meal’s list of best wineries in the U.S. Guests will love this unique venue when you host your next event in the meeting space (can hold up to 250 guests) that’s decked out with cool exposed beams, brick walls and an industrial feel. The winery is also known for its funky outdoor patio with art installments and a rock garden. After the meeting, your guests can put their taste buds to the test and try out a selection of reds, whites and rosés.

Find out more about this Lubbock favorite here.

Lubbock Memorial Civic Center

At the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, meeting planners have two choices: hosting the event indoors or out. The 300,000-square-foot center is designed to hold large meetings and conventions. Its convenient location downtown makes it easier for your guests to commute from hotels and other prominent Lubbock landmarks like the Buddy Holly Center, Depot Entertainment District and more for entertainment. During warmer days, meeting planners can opt for the outdoor amphitheater. For smaller groups, there are designated meeting rooms and banquet halls available for rent.

See how one group planned a large event at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center here.

This is just a snapshot of many of the great meeting venues throughout Lubbock. For a complete list of venues in the area check out our meeting venues page and a few of Lubbock’s top catering services can be found on our blog.