Experiences

The Amarillo Depot: A Historic Gem Reborn

The Santa Fe Depot in downtown Amarillo is a unique historic gem that continues to play a central role in Amarillo’s development. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of a group of citizens, it is now being restored and reused as the anchor tenant of a railroad-themed attraction, the Amarillo Depot.

Amarillo Depot Experiences

Destination Amarillo Excursions

Rail-based experiences such as jazz trains, murder mysteries, and dining experiences—all aboard the train. After more than fifty years, Amarillo residents will once again have an opportunity to experience passenger travel by rail.

Santa Fe Historical Railway Museum

Guests will be transported to a bygone era as they explore interactive displays and exhibits that showcase the rich history of rail travel in the Texas Panhandle.

Rail Car Inn

Experience a range of railroad-themed room types, from small rooms for single travelers to spacious family suites to large luxury suites. In addition, there are plans to have an array of tiny houses for guests looking for an extended stay.

Fred Harvey Eating House

Guests can enjoy a variety of dining options at the depot. The Lunch Counter will offer a limited prepared food menu, while the Dining Room will have a traditional dining experience. Both will offer cuisine options taken from historic Amarillo menus.

Roundhouse Theater

This new event venue will be an intimate 200-seat outdoor performance space nestled in a natural courtyard between the REA building and the Depot. It will be available for many types of event, from weddings and lectures to concerts and plays.

Harvey Girl Experience

A niche hotel with a unique cultural bent. Guests can experience life as a Harvey Girl—young women who were able to support themselves and live adventurously in the early twentieth century thanks to the Fred Harvey Company and ATSF.

The Art & Design of Santa Fe

A gallery space located in the former postal sorting facility on the south side of the Amarillo Depot. The gallery will showcase rotating exhibitions of exceptional industrial design and artwork alongside the work of local artists.

About Amarillo’s Santa Fe Depot

The depot was built in 1910 and served as Amarillo’s primary passenger train station for many years. It is a beautiful building in the Mission Revival style, with stucco walls and red-tiled roofs. The depot’s interior is just as impressive, with high ceilings, large windows, and ornate woodwork.

The depot is a significant part of Amarillo’s history. Once a central hub for travel and commerce in the Texas Panhandle, it continues its vital role in the city’s development. It also serves as a reminder of the rich railroading history of the Southwest.

The team working on the restoration is passionate about preserving the depot’s history and making it a vibrant part of the community. They are committed to creating a space that people of all ages will enjoy. Current plans call for eight distinct elements, each coordinating with and operating under the structure of the Amarillo Depot development.

Please join us in our effort to preserve history and create a vibrant future for Amarillo.