Lubbock

Lubbock
Lubbock is the city of big-shoulder people and has a friendly energy going on. Indeed, a wonderful place to roam, from downtown where you can treat yourselves to the eclectic entertainment, fun and excitement, to the meandering and grassy paths. Whether theres blustery cold or humid summer, locals are ever-ready to make a greedy dash for the outdoor festivals, ballparks and beer gardens.

Nestling in the northwestern part of Texas, a region known historically as the Llano Estacado is an American city - Lubbock. It is the county seat of Lubbock County, and is the home of Texas Tech University.

Lubbock has earned a moniker, the Hub City for being the economy, education, and health care hub. As of U.S. Census 2006, the city population was 212,169, making it the 12th largest in Texas. Lubbock lies within a mild, windy, semi-arid climate zone. The city receives hot and relatively humid summers and sunny and relatively mild winters. However, nights in winters are cold.

As of economy, Lubbock is the largest contiguous cotton-growing region in the world. Therefore, the city is heavily dependent on irrigation water drawn from the Ogallala Aquifer.

Attractions and Culture
A large number of outsiders find their way to a diverse variety of eclectic attractions in Lubbock every year. The city certainly has something for everyone. Lubbock features a cultural center named for the rock and roll legend Buddy Holly as it is the birthplace of him. The city previously hosted Buddy Holly Music Festival every year.

Those who have never been to the Buddy Holly Center, make a visit now and experience dynamic exhibits and interactive programs. The Center is known to feature Texas Music and contemporary visual arts. It also collects, preserves and presents artifacts, materials, artworks, and exhibitions of professional museum standards.

Programs are designed to cultivate an atmosphere where art and music collide, producing a creative community. The prime mission of the Buddy Holly Center is to discover art through music by celebrating legacy, culture and community.

Several other notable figures have been the dwellers of Lubbock such as Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock and Joe Ely, Mac Davis, Terry Allen, Lloyd Maines and his daughter, Dixie Chicks singer, Natalie Maines, Texas Tech alums Pat Green and Cory Morrow, and Richie McDonald.

Among other mainstream festivals are the National Cowboy Symposium and Celebration. This is an annual event with a vision to celebrate the prototypical Old West cowboy. The event is a complete pack of art, music, cowboy poetry, stories, and the presentation of scholarly papers on cowboy culture and the history of the American West.

Lubbock also hosts an Independence Day Festival, the 4th on Broadway event. The event is considered the largest free festival in Texas as is entirely free to the public. Be a part of the festival and witness enthralling activities like morning parade, food stalls and live bands, the Early Settlers midday gatherings for food, as well as an evening concert and fireworks program.

Attractions
Lubbock is characterized distinctly for owning world-class museums featuring history in its making. A museum of ranching called The National Ranching Heritage Center is located in the region. The museum features an array of authentic early Texas ranch buildings and a railroad depot with other historic buildings.

You will also witness an extensive collection of weapons on display. The Southwest Collection works closely with the College Baseball Foundation is a precious archive of the history of the region and its surroundings.

An area dedicated to music and nightlife is the Depot District and is located in the old railroad depot area. The Depot District is known for boasting a number of theatres, upscale restaurants, and cultural attractions.

It is also home to several shops, pubs and nightclubs, a radio station, a brewery, a magazine, a winery, a salon, and other establishments. The district is also home to the Buddy Holly Center - a museum highlighting the life and music of Buddy Holly.

Your visit to Lubbock will remain incomplete if not visit Silent Wings Museum and Wind Power Museum. Silent Wings Museum is gathering city wide fame for featuring photographs and artifacts from the World War II era glider pilots.

The city is a home to several well-kept gardens spreading over vast green spaces. Among much-liked parks is the Mackenzie Park which is known for housing Joyland Amusement Park, Prairie Dog town, and both a disc golf and regular golf course. The Brazos River winds through the park making it part of an extensive Lubbock Park system. However this not the end of the story, theres still a lot to explore!