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Unexpected Texas
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Everyone enjoys the First Friday Arts Trail, a fun Fido-Friendly community event.
This High Plains town has big city amenities with plenty of small town Fido-friendly spaces.
Story and Photos By Tamra M. Bolton
WHAT TEXAS CITY IS HOME TO THE STATE’S FIRST
RECOGNIZED CULTURAL ARTS DISTRICT? How about a world class performing arts center or home to the largest, best-selling winery in Texas? I’ll give you a hint…it’s not Austin.
The most surprising aspect of this High Plains treasure is the “small town feel” it manages to maintain in spite of its explosive growth. It is a place in love with its cowboy roots and heritage, but doesn’t shy from the new. It is not unusual to see cowboy boots and jeans, Y2K, ‘60s fashion, or haute couture at local events.
The city also boasts an internationally-recognized university, and if you haven’t guessed already, it is rockabilly legend Buddy Holly’s hometown of Lubbock, Texas! The best part… Lubbock is one of the friendliest and Fidofriendliest I’ve ever visited!
The Cotton Court Hotel is the perfect place to begin your exploration of the area. It is centrally located, just minutes away from the Depot District, Lubbock’s newly revitalized area, complete with boutique shops, restaurants and bars. It boasts an open green space, complete with comfortable seating and fire pits that invite you and Fido to relax with a glass of wine or Lubbock’s signature cocktail, The Chilton.
The Texas Tech University art walk is a great way to start your exploration of Lubbock. It gives you and Fido a chance to stretch your legs and take in one of the top ten public art collections in the USA. Stroll among more than one hundred outdoor displays by some of today’s leading artists. Plenty of benches and shade trees invite you to linger, even on a hot Texas day.
While not pet-friendly, except service dogs, the National Ranching Heritage Center describes the ranching way of life and its development. Dog-lovers can visit virtually through The Ranch Life Learning Center’s on-line podcasts and books. Featuring the popular Hank the Cowdog by John R. Erickson, this five book series explains ranch life to children through the humorous voice of Hank the Cowdog.
After walking through the Texas Tech art collection and visiting the NRHC, you might be ready to try some of Evie Mae’s famous BBQ and gluten-free desserts. Evie’s made the Top 50 Barbeque Joints in Texas list in 2017, and it’s my bet they will make the list again in 2022. Evie Mae’s is in Wolfforth, just outside of Lubbock, and it has plenty of outdoor seating for you and your furry pal…so stand in line, get your food, and enjoy some of the best BBQ in Texas!
Not in the mood for BBQ? Try some delicious fried chicken at Dirk’s on 13th Street. Chef Cameron West also offers fresh Gulf oysters, fine cocktails, and a gluten-free menu.
For a special evening there is no better place to celebrate than The Nicolett, a fine dining destination that showcases the talents of Chef Finn Walter. Drawing from his experiences in Paris, Austin, Napa Valley, and Santa Fe, Chef Walter focuses his elegant menu on High Plains cuisine, paying homage to West Texas culture and highlighting local ingredients.
Of course, no trip to Lubbock would be complete without a visit to the wineries surrounding the area. English Newsome Cellars, McPherson Cellars, and Llano Estacado Winery all have outdoor spaces and patios for you to enjoy with Fido. Llano also offers picnic baskets for guests and their furry friends to enjoy out in the vineyards.
The First Friday Art Trail is one of the best venues for fun with Fido. Held mainly in the Cultural District, this evening event brings together artists and vendors, and features live music as well as many of the museums, galleries, and businesses in the area. Two Dogs Brewery is an Art Trail regular and offers a large outdoor area for you and Fido to sit awhile and soak up the festive atmosphere.
Lubbock may be off the beaten path, but it is well worth considering for your next adventure with Fido!
You will find sculptures of all sizes and materials on the Texas Tech campus where you can enjoy the manicured gardens and shady spots as well.
English Newsome Cellars is one of the many wineries that make outdoor spaces and patios available for you and your furry pal to take a stroll or just sit and admire the view. The Cotton Court Hotel makes everyone feel welcome – especially your furry friends.
A festive atmosphere permeates every section of the Arts Trail with vendors, open spaces to enjoy, live music, and plenty of people and pet watching.
The Texas Tech Public Art Collection is a great place to take Fido for a walk while admiring more than one hundred pieces by leading artists. Senna House COTTON COURT HOTEL Scottsdale is a
Doggie welcome package stylish new hotel welcoming you Limit two dogs per room with a 50 pound weight
and Fido.
limit. Dogs only. $179 - $239 per night with $50 pet fee (per dog) Book a pet package on-line and receive a $10 mini-bar credit. All pet friendly rooms are the Deluxe rooms on the courtyard level and have concrete floors. 1610 Broadway Street Lubbock, TX 79401 www.cottoncourthotel.com
THE BREWERY LBK
Fido friendly sidewalk seating available 1204 Broadway #104 Lubbock, TX 79401 www.thebrewerylbk.com
EVIE MAE’S PIT BARBEQUE
Fido friendly atmosphere with outdoor sidewalk seating 217 Highway 62 Wolfforth, TX 79382 www.eviemaesbbq.com
ENGLISH NEWSOME CELLARS
Fido friendly outdoor patio and spaces 408 E. Woodrow Road Lubbock, TX 79423 www.englishnewsome.com
LLANO ESTACADO WINERY
Fido friendly outdoor patio and spaces, can picnic in vineyard 3426 E. FM 1585 Lubbock, TX 79404 www.llanowine.com
MCPHERSON CELLARS
Fido friendly outdoor patio and spaces 1615 Texas Avenue Lubbock, TX 79401 www.mcphersoncellars.com
