One of the most popular stops on Route 66 is Cadillac Ranch. These cars, partially buried in the ground at an angle, provide such a unique view on the horizon. So how did this “ranch” come to be? And what in the world is there to do with my toddler? Is it worth my time to stop? All excellent questions. Here’s a bit more information about our visit to Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas.
Location
Cadillac Ranch is located just off of I-40 in Amarillo, Texas. Take Exit 60 and then drive down old Route 66 for a few miles. You should be able to see the Cadillacs in the distance when you get to the I-40 Frontage Road, which you’ll take for about a mile. You’ll see several cars lined up on the side of the road. My suggestion is to keep driving until you see the gate as there always seems to be parking spaces a bit closer. Walk through the gate, down the dirt road, and you’ll run right into Cadillac Ranch. For those of you who like to use a gps, the exact address is 13651 I-40 Frontage Rd., Amarillo, TX 79124.
What is Cadillac Ranch?
Cadillac Ranch is the 1974 creation of Chip Lord, Hudson Marquez, and Doug Michels, a group known as Ant Farm. These San Franciscan architects took an idea from “The Look of Cars,” a children’s book, and pitched it to millionaires for funding. Stanley Marsh III, a wealthy man from Amarillo, agreed to fund the project. He then had ten different Cadillac models delivered to his land. The three architects then took to making their vision a reality by burning the front portion of the cars, keeping the rear in tact. They then buried the cars, in chronological order of when they were made, at an angle, like the Pyramids of Giza. People then started coming to graffiti the cars, both simultaneously creating and destroying art. It wasn’t until 1997, that the cars were relocated two miles west to a cow pasture, which is where they remain today.
What makes this an amazing stop?
In addition to getting a chance to marvel at the feat of angling Cadillacs in the ground, you can also show your creative side. Bring some spray paint, acrylic paint, or any other form of decoration and let loose your inner artist. Choose a car and get to beautifying. (Since Poppy is so young, we opted for using stickers as decoration.) While I thought the cars were really interesting, Poppy’s favorite part was the walk out and back. She spent her time playing in the dirt and jumping from one dirt patch to another.
Our Tips
My biggest tip is to watch the weather and come prepared. There was a big storm right before we arrived, which meant a lot of flooding in the area. This also meant large mud puddles around the cars, making them harder to get to. These were actually so bad the first day that we decided to leave and come back early the following morning. Which brings us to the second tip: the earlier you arrive, the fewer people you’ll have to worry about. Since Cadillac Ranch is open 24 hours a day, you truly can go at any time. Arriving early allowed us to take our time with the stickers, avoid the spray paint fumes, and have a chance to take pictures without strangers in the background.
Our last two tips focus on the decorating. If your little one is doing painting or will be close to the cars, we suggest wearing clothes and shoes you wouldn’t mind throwing away. There’s a high chance they’ll get some sort of paint or mud on them. We changed Poppy at the car and had a bag ready to throw her dirty clothing into. While we didn’t bring clothing to change into, Grandmama and I did bring old shoes for ourselves. Last but not least, make sure to bring your own decorations. We brought stickers, having already discussed paint options. If you decide to spray paint, you can buy some at a truck that’s on site, but it’s triple what you’d pay in the store.
Would we go again?
Absolutely! Our visit to Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, was so much fun, and it really is awesome to see. We’ve already talked about going back when she gets a bit older so that she can paint the cars. I can’t wait to see what she decides to create or how the Cadillacs have changed. And I guess that’s the true intention of Cadillac Ranch: ever-changing art work that excites the viewer.
Want to know more about another rotating art installment we saw while on our road trip? Check out this post on The Plaza Walls Murals – Oklahoma.
Have you ever been to Cadillac Ranch? Let us know your favorite part in the comments!
Leave a Comment