5 Hidden Gems in Lubbock Perfect for the Fall

Home to fascinating history, a hot culinary scene, spectacular sunsets, and, oh yeah, adorable prairie dogs, Lubbock is one of the Lone Star State’s most interesting destinations. Known as the Hub City and situated two hours from Amarillo and Midland, it’s the kind of place where you can savor award-winning barbecue and sip award-winning local wines in the same day. Fall is an especially nice time to check out Lubbock’s hidden gems, from a massive corn maze with an intricate design change each year, to a pumpkin trail with a couple-thousand hand-carved jack-o-lanterns. Unlock an unforgettable autumn getaway in lovely Lubbock.

Every fall, locals and visitors alike can’t wait to get lost—and found again— in the annual At’l Do Farms Corn Maze. With a fresh maze design each season, it’s anyone guess what it’ll look like—and what it’ll take to find your way through. Held September 14th through November 9th, the family-friendly event also features the Fairytale Trail, a smaller maze for younger visitors, as well as barnyard visits, a cow train ride for the young’uns, family hayrides, campfires, and, of course, yummy fall snacks like kettle corn and roasted corn. Enjoy live music each week and be sure to snap some pictures in the sunflower patch. Visit the farm at dusk to catch stunning sunsets over the prairie. When night falls, stroll through Pumpkin Hollow and its many elaborately carved pumpkins. It sure feels like fall at At’l Do Farms!

Wine lovers, this one’s for you. Sample fine Texas-produced wines amid the cool fall temps at the Llano Escatado Grape Day held Saturday, October 26th from 12 pm to 6 pm on the bucolic grounds of Llano Escatado Winery. The Panhandle winery was established in 1976 and is the largest, best-selling premium winery in Texas. General admission tickets to Grape Day include four drink tickets, allowing you to sample some of the many award-winning, world-class wines produced here in the Texas High Plains, so established for excellent regional winemaking that it has its own appellation. Along with tastings, the afternoon event includes live music, delicious food, and vineyard tours.

Throw it back a few generations and experience an authentic slice of Americana at Lubbock’s Stars and Stripes Drive in Theatre. This local institution is one of the top-rated drive-ins in the nation, and the crisp fall is the perfect time of year to experience it. Watch from the comfort of your car or flatbed—don’t forget to bring the blankets! Or bring some folding chairs. Just like the old days, tune into the designated radio station to hear the movie. As you watch current releases, enjoy your own picnic supper or snacks, or take advantage of the onsite 50s Café, a snack bar and restaurant with plenty of tasty options.

Sink your teeth into the storied “Ay Chihuahua” sandwich, two crispy corn tortillas holding homemade chili meat and pimento cheese, and served a side of shredded cabbage, onions and jalapeno pepper. Family friendly and reasonably priced, this beloved destination is something you won’t want to miss.

Yes, you can get your fair share of Texas staples in Lubbock, like real pit barbecue and fiery Tex-Mex. But the Hub City’s evolving food scene also makes it a fantastic place to satisfy your sweet tooth with something out of the ordinary. Plan a stop at the family-owned Brulee Bakery, known for handmade indulgences like birthday cake batter pop tarts, cookie butter sweet rolls, and honey apple hatch chile galettes. Head for Ninety-Two Bakery & Café for a cup of artisan coffee and small batch sweets like triple berry poundcake, fresh scones, and chocolate croissants. Wash them down with a s’mores latte, which might just be the perfect fall coffee drink.

Don’t miss a visit to the downtown Cast Iron Grill, known for its West Texas menu and fresh baked pies. Select from around two dozen pie flavors (an impossible choice, we know), that include blueberry banana split, coconut cream, Texas lemon, Jack Daniel’s pecan, and the famed “sawdust” pie with coconut, pecan, and crumbled graham crackers. Sample a slice at the famed restaurant and take a few whole pies home for the holidays.

There’s just no telling what sort of carved jack-o-lanterns you might see along Lubbock’s annual Pumpkin Trail in Clapp Park, where close to 2,000 hand decorated fresh pumpkins dazzle visitors with their craftsmanship. Stroll along to see these spook-tacular displays of creepy creativity, a surefire way to get you in the Halloween mood. The free event is open Thursday, October 17th to Sunday, October 20th and is stroller and wheelchair accessible. Enter at Lubbock Memorial Arboretum or Lubbock Municipal Garden and Arts Center. Enjoy both daytime and nighttime hours.

It’s hard to beat Lubbock in the fall. Plan your visit today and discover all sorts of hidden gems that offer big fun and unexpected twists. The Hub City’s range of accommodations offer something for everyone, from traditional hotels to bed-and-breakfasts and RV parks. Get ready to make some memories this fall in unforgettable Lubbock.