Whether you're in town for a visit or catch yourself passing through the largest city in Western Texas, stop and stay a while for Lubbock's historic value and hospitality. After all, Lubbock is the birthplace of rock 'n' roll music pioneer Buddy Holly, and in 1953 KDAV radio began broadcasting what was considered the first all country music format in the country. For those with a recreational spirit, Lubbock has a variety of parks and lakes, is home to an important archaeological site and native prairie dogs. Throughout the "Hub City," a nickname due to the five major Texas highways that surround it, you'll find yourself amongst the modern and the remnants of the past.

Historic Depot District

Lubbock's Depot District is lined with restaurants, clubs, bars, theaters, and wineries, making this the centerpiece of town. Then venture to the Buddy Holly Center and flash back to the 1950s as you visit this art space that not only features a permanent collection of the life and music of Buddy Holly, but also a Fine Arts Gallery. As you catch yourself humming "That'll Be The Day," make sure to stop by the West Texas Walk of Fame to catch a glimpse of the other artists that hail from the area, as well as the Buddy Holly statue. In addition to rock 'n' roll, the depot district offers a fun-filled nightlife with a variety of bars and clubs to choose from, like Cricket's Grill and Draft House. By nightfall you can dance the night away at Indulge, Groove, or the Main Street Bar. In Lubbock, there is always an event or live music spilling out of the Thirsty Turtle or the Cactus Courtyard. For a more relaxed scene, the Cactus Theater features restored 1940s decor, live music, theater, and dance productions. Lastly, La Diosa Cellars offers an exquisite tapas/bistro menu, delicious wine, and displays art from their artist of the month series.

Downtown

After the disastrous 1970 tornado that left behind a crippled city, Lubbock managed to emerge out of the destruction by building the Memorial Civic Center on the site of the tornado. Millions of dollars later, the Memorial Civic Center features the Civic Center Theater, Pedestrian Mall, plus meeting rooms and banquet halls. The Civic Center Theater, with superior acoustics, seats 1,377, and hosts a variety of concerts, theatrical performances, and assemblies each year. Lubbock's downtown continues to develop and undergo improvements to revitalize the Hub City's government, commerce, entertainment, and culture.

Texas Tech Historic District

Texas Tech University was founded in 1923 and continues to be the only major university with a graduate and medical school in Texas. Home of the Red Raiders, Texas Tech has ten colleges, and an internationally known museum. The Museum of Texas Tech University was established in 1929, is free, and features special traveling exhibitions in the main building. The museum also consists of the Moody Planetarium, the Natural Science Research Laboratory, research and educational elements of the Lubbock Lake Landmark, and the Val Verde County research site.

Lubbock Lake Landmark State Historical Park is hailed as one of North America's important archaeological sites as it reveals evidence from the Paleoindian Period. Archaeological findings include geographical stratigraphy (layers of sediments which represent different time periods) extending all the way to the Clovis Period (which began about 13,000 years ago). This physical evidence attests to the presence of humans and animals in this area for the last 11,500 years.

Henry Huneke Park

Continue your flashback here, as you admire the accomplishments of young Commander William Cameron McCool, at the Willie McCool Memorial, located inside the Huneke Park. Commander McCool achieved his lifelong interest and goal to reach space, but upon re-entry in 2003, perished. This memorial is dedicated to his dream that one day we should all observe humanity and Earth the way that he was able to, "without borders and to live as one...in peace." The freedom fountain is another must-see, which overlooks the Willie McCool Memorial. The Lubbock Area Veteran's War Memorial can be found here as well, which commemorates the sacrifices made by war veterans to ensure freedom during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf War.

MacKenzie Park

Mackenzie Park, the largest recreation area in Lubbock, features Prairie Dog Town, Meadowbrook Golf Course, and Joyland Amusement Park on its 248 acres. Prairie Dog Town, established in the 1930s, was the first protected prairie dog colony of its kind. The colony continues to draw crowds in every year as it remains a tourist favorite. In fact, the prairie dog has been deemed the mascot of Lubbock. For family fun the Joyland Amusement Park has over 30 rides and attractions, ranging from thrill rides, like the Tower Drop, to family friendly attractions, like an original carousel from 1900.