Major city · United States
PampaPampa, Texas
Stop for half a day, not a night: museums on Cuyler Street, a prairie-dog town, then drive on to Amarillo or Borger.
Pampa is a small High Plains town of about 17,000 people on US-60, an hour east of Amarillo. Its draw is a compact downtown of free or cheap local museums — pioneer ranching, a WWII air base, Woody Guthrie's first guitar — plus a prairie-dog colony and two summer rodeos. There is no public transport and no reason to base here for more than one night.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (35 °C (95 °F)+ afternoons), winter ice stormsavoid Jul–Aug (95 °F (35 °C)+ afternoons), winter ice storms
- Airport
- AMA
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Pampa911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Poison Control1-800-222-1222
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Pampa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyPampa is a quiet small town and violent crime is low; the real risks are long empty drives, summer heat…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 1-800-222-1222 Poison Control
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportAMA Rick Husband Amarillo International (About 1 h by car west on US-60; the practical gateway.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Sit-down mealSteak dinner$20–35
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$9–15
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (several are free)$0–5
- Budget bedIndependent motel room, a night, per roomUS$60
- Mid-range bedIndependent motel room, a night, per roomUS$85
- High-end bedIndependent motel room, a night, per roomUS$120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- AMA Rick Husband Amarillo International (About 1 h by car west on US-60; the practical gateway.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Aug
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest May (8 rain days), driest Jan (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pampa: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
4 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
4 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
5 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Jul
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
5 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
4 rd
Dec
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. There is no public transport in Pampa; downtown sights are a 5–10 minute walk apart, but the prairie-dog town and the Little Red Schoolhouse are on the edge of town and need driving.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
US-60 west by car
Bigger base with more beds, food and the Cadillac Ranch stop.
Borger
goDoor to door: About 30 min
TX-152 northwest by car
Oil-town history and the gateway to Lake Meredith.
McLean, Texas
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
TX-273 south, then I-40 east
Route 66 relics; a short stop, not a day.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
US-60 east, then TX-152 south
Small town square; combine with a wider loop.
Vega, Texas
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
US-60 west, then I-40 west
Route 66 town west of Amarillo; only as part of a drive.
Adrian, Texas
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 45 min
US-60 west, then I-40 west
Midpoint of Route 66; a photo stop on a longer day.
Shamrock
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
US-60 east, then I-40 east
Restored 1930s Route 66 buildings; best as a drive-through.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Perryton Parkway (north side)
Chain motels on TX-70 at the north end of town; easiest for a car and a one-night stop.
Downtown / Cuyler Street
Closest to the museums; very few beds, mostly older independent motels.
RV parks (west Kentucky Ave and Hwy 60 East)
City-run and private RV sites; no reservations needed at the city parks.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain hotel room (breakfast included)1 × 1 night × US$130 | US$130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$60 · check | US$60 |
| Fuel, 200 km of driving1 × US$20 | US$20 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$48 |
| Trip total≈ US$264 per person per day, bed included | US$528 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Diner breakfast | $9–15 |
| Chili dog and a shake | $6–10 |
| Mexican plate at a local restaurant | $12–18 |
| Steak dinner | $20–35 |
| Museum entry (several are free) | $0–5 |
| Water-park day pass | $5 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No public transport: without a car you are stuck.
- Summer afternoons regularly top 35 °C (95 °F); carry water.Summer afternoons regularly top 95 °F (35 °C); carry water.
- Rattlesnakes in the grassland areas south of town — watch your step off-trail.
- Some downtown museums keep short, volunteer-run hours; call or check before driving out.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Poison Control
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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PampaPampa, Texas
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Can you take me to this address?To this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Poison Control1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No consulates in Pampa; nearest consulates-general are in Dallas and Houston, embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Amarillo → Pampa, US-60 by car: about 1 h, roughly $10 of fuel (check)
- Pampa → Borger, TX-152: about 30 min
- In-town drive, one end to the other: under 10 min
Say or show
- Where's the museum at? — Where is the museum?
- Do you take card? — Can I pay by card?
- Thanks, appreciate it — Thank you
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Pampa. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (35 °C+ afternoons), winter ice storms · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for AMA: last rental-car desk hours, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster for downtown Cuyler Street with museum hours and rescue anchors.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (White Deer Land Museum, Woody Guthrie Center, Freedom Museum USA) and eat pages with last orders.
- Rodeo and storm-season fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialCity of Pampa
- officialWhite Deer Land Museum
- officialWoody Guthrie Folk Music Center, Pampa
- officialTop O' Texas Rodeo
- secondaryWikivoyage: Pampa, revision 5240410 (CC BY-SA 4.0)