Turkey: West TX Adventures

West Texas Adventures are back for the spring/summer season! We love to showcase towns around the 806 that are a short drive from Lubbock and offer a bit of history, food, shopping, hiking, and adventure! This is a great way to get out of town on a budget and support local businesses in our region. Our adventures are not sponsored by any businesses, and all opinions are honest and our own. #notanad

Turkey is about 90 minutes from Lubbock. It’s a very small town with lots to see, and everything is a walkable distance. If you take the Plainview route, be sure to check out our Plainview: West TX Adventures feature.

1. Hotel Turkey: The two-story, prairie school-designed hotel opened in 1927. The train depot was nearby which brought it many salesmen & guests to the community. The hotel became a social center with dances & dining. 97 years later, the hotel is STILL a social hub & a West Texas gem. It has such a classic feel. It’s non-pretentious with people from all walks of life.
   Our Experience in the Container: We stayed in the containers outside of the hotel, but you can also stay in the actual hotel. The containers were really unique & added to the experience. They fit two people perfectly & come equipped with a queen bed, futon sofa sleeper, AC units, full bathroom, smart TV, mini fridge, & more. Very trendy interior! We loved the record player. Each container has a patio which is awesome & our container had a rooftop patio as well. We loved that we still felt a part of the action with the restaurant, outdoor patio and stage area right nearby.
   Our Experience in the Restaurant/Live Music: The cantina bar opened at 4:00pm, so we got there a little after. We started with the green chili margarita (beer & wine options available) which was delicious. Dinner service began at 6:00pm and live music at 7:00pm, but we were glad we got there early… people start getting the good tables early! There is covered patio seating, but those spots do fill up. Appetizers started around 5:30pm. The bottomless chips green & red salsa & queso was perfect. The dinner menu ranges from steak to sandwiches to pizza. We had a hamburger & chicken tenders. Both were delicious! The live music was on the back patio and the incredible musicians played for three hours. The outdoor area also has cantina seating, rooftop seating, and a large yard area with cornhole and plenty of room to spread out.
2. Turkey Creek Winery: This was the perfect spot for lunch. We enjoyed a pizza & chicken salad sandwich with a red & white wine. Don’t miss the charcuterie boards & wine slushies. In the gift shop,
   they offer homegrown olive oil & wines from their homebase in Victoria, TX at J Welch Farms, plus a variety of home decor and accessories.
3. Lacy Dry Goods: A 5th generation-owned department store (since 1916) with a variety of women’s, men’s, & children’s clothes, candles, home decor, hats, jewelry, purses, and so much more.
4. Murals: There are murals EVERYWHERE. Take a walk down Main Street & snap some photos.
5. Bob Wills Museum: Learn more about legendary western swing singer & leader of the Texas Playboys band. Much of Wills’ childhood was in & around Turkey. Open Monday-Friday 9-11:30, 1-5. Don’t miss the annual Bob Wills Day festival in April!
6. The First Phillips 66 Gas Station in Texas: Check out the restored station! You will also see the red Bob Wills bus. Great photo opportunities and a little bit of history.
7. Stuff We Missed: We didn’t have time to stop everywhere, so look forward to checking out the Turkey Roost Museum, Tona’s Mexican Kitchen, Letty’s Cafe, Tony’s Ice Cream, Turkey Tracks Coffee, Tea, & Tees.
8. Caprock Canyons State Park: A quick 20 minute drive from Turkey are beautiful canyons with hiking/biking trails, scenic drives, overlooks, bison, turkey, a visitor’s center & more.
9. Around the Area: There is lots to see within a 60 mile radius of Turkey including the Charles and Mary Ann Goodnight Ranch State Historic Site, Comanchero Museum in Quitaque, follow the arrows on the Quanah Parker Trail, Adair Museum in Clarendon, & the Creamery in Plainview.