My BF and I are looking to head to Santa Fe this week - leaving from Round Rock tomorrow around noon. I think we are going to head through the panhandle on the way there and back through marfa, etc on way back to houston.

Are there any good places to stay or things that one must do in the south plains / panhandle area. I bought a travel book that indicates a couple restaurants, but thought I would check here.

As for lodging, I would hope to find something that has a little character - not a cheesy days inn, super 8, holiday inn, etc.

As for restaurants, like unique places. I consider myself a foodie and like to enjoy the cuisine of the area (assume here it will be good stakes like at Cagels in Lubbock)....

If you have the time Palo Duro Canyon is a MUST SEE. I try to make it through the canyon several times a year.

Sorry I'm late, but in case you check it one more time...

Depends on how far north you want to swing in the Panhandle. Palo Duro Canyon, Caprock Canyons, Panhandle Plains Museum in Canyon, Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock.

Unless you just want to say you've been there, I'd pass on the Big Texan in Amarillo, as well as the Cadillac Ranch.

In the Santa Fe area, I like the drive through the Jemez Springs area - Los Alamos, and visit the Valles Caldera if you can. Valles is pretty restricted, check before you drive out there and reserve a tour. Also drive up to the Gilman tunnels area.

Go out north of Santa Fe on 285 for Gabriel's Restaurant, and have them make guacamole at your table.

http://www.restauranteur.com/gabriels/

And just as a smart-alec comment in general: I really dislike Santa Fe itself. Lots of other places in New Mexico I prefer.

Which is why, when I'm forced to be in the area, I prefer Jemez or Los Alamos.

There is an old church and train station in Lamy, just south of Santa Fe. Pretty cool to see.

There was no train station in Santa Fe in the 1940s, so all the big names of the Manhattan Project traveled to Lamy and were carried the last 60 dusty miles up to the Los Alamos mesa by car from there.

If you are looking for a neat place to stay, may I suggest 1929 built Hotel Turkey. It has been a B&B for 25 years or more. There is a great restaurant in it as well. The chef cooked in many fine places in the Houston area where he grew up. He married and brought his wife back to the Valley area (Turkey/Quitaque) to meet his cousins. She fell in love with the place so they moved to Turkey. The food is great and the Hotel a landmark. Not to mention that it is in a very beautiful part of Texas.

To get there take Hwy 86 West out of Estelline to Turkey. The next morning take Hwy 70 North to Hwy 256. Turn left and travel up the Caprock to Silverton. Go through Silverton and travel for about 5 miles. Then turn North on Hwy 207 and travel to Claude. Take a left on Hwy 287 to Amarillo.

I promise that you will travel on some of the most scenic country in Texas. The River Road between Study Butte and Presidio has nothing on this stretch of Texas.

And CanyonAg will confirm this to be true.

I was there 3 weeks ago and I had not forgotten the beauty of this country in early summer while it was still really green.

Oh, and when you get to the top of the Caprock, you have to pull over at the rest area and take in the whole Valley a 1000 feet below you.

I promise, whatever time it takes to experience this, it is worth it. The red dirt, white rock, and different green vegetation is truly breath taking.

I took my wife and now she is looking for a house in Turkey.