Local – Lubbocks Home and Family Magazine

Falling For You

Courtney Dietz — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 05:01:00 +0000

Local Date Nights

Kara Hyden

Fall means cooler weather, boots and sweaters, cozying up by a fire, and enjoying things flavored with pumpkin. Fall is also a great time to go out with that special someone to explore all the fun that only the fall season brings. We’ve cultivated a list of local date night activities for you and your date to enjoy.

For fans of local artists, musicians, craftsmen, and locally grown produce, these first few are great places to check out in the open air.

First Friday Art Trail

511 Avenue K, Lubbock

www.lhuca.org/ffat

The First Friday Art Trail is a “free, self-guided art tour in the Lubbock Cultural District held in partnership with a variety of art centers, museums, galleries and businesses.” Visit the website for more information and also download a map of different locations available to tour.

The great thing about this date night idea is that it’s free! There are food trucks each month during the event. The art trail is held monthly, rain or shine, from 6:00pm–9:00pm.

Lubbock Downtown Farmers Market

5th Street & Avenue J, Lubbock

www.lubbockdowntownfarmersmarket.com

The farmers’ market in Lubbock is held every Saturday, May 27th through October 14th. Located in downtown Lubbock, the event was created to “provide Lubbock and surrounding areas with locally grown foods and farm products.” Be sure to check out their website each week to see the different vendors that will be onsite that week.

The market is open 9:00am–1:00pm.

Wolfforth Farmers Market

8924 County Road 7100, Wolfforth

(Located ½ mile west of Frenship High School on West 82nd Street)

www.wolfforthfarmersmarket.com

Another great local market is in Wolfforth. The Wolfforth Farmers Market “provides a conveniently located, year-round, farmers’ market for area residents to purchase quality foods grown, baked, or produced locally, as well as some local handmade crafts, jewelry, and woodwork.”

They are open every Saturday 10:00am–2:00pm.

For those that like a bit more action or using their athletic skills, be sure to check out a few of these places and put those muscles to work. Has anyone tried Axe Throwing? Lubbock has two different businesses to test your skills.

Raider’s Axe Gallery

1408 Avenue F, Lubbock

www.raidersaxe.com

Raider’s Axe has over 70 weapons to choose from, including antique axes, knives, spears, metal cards and more. They have 6 throwing lanes available. Don’t be intimidated to give it a try! They have staff to instruct you on safe and effective throwing techniques.

The cost is $25/person/hour. Make it a double date and share the lane with some friends. Be sure to check out their website for hours and groups rates for 10 or more people.

Grab Axxes

12213 University Avenue, Lubbock

www.grabaxxes.com

This location offers axe throwing, pool tables, darts and other activities. They’re also a great place for live music events, birthdays, or any family-type event. Reservations are required for the axe throwing lanes.

The cost is $27.50/person/hour. Check out their website for hours and reserve your lane.

For couples looking for a unique date night, here are a few places to try…

Bookstores

Lubbock has several bookstores around town. They are great places for perusing books to read together, magazines to check out future vacation spots, or grabbing some warm pumpkin-spiced drinks and just sitting together. A few locations in the Lubbock area to check out are:

Barnes & Noble Bookstore, 6002 Slide Road, Suite 68203, www.barnesandnoble.com

2nd & Charles, 6066 Marsha Sharp Freeway West, www.2ndandcharles.com

2nd Chance Books, 4206 50th Street, www.2ndchancebooks.com

Don’t just think of date nights as the same old dinner and a movie. Get out and explore, try new things, new activities, and make lots of memories. Whether it’s a first date or a 50th date, check out these local businesses and go have some fun!

Local Fall Fun

Courtney Dietz — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 05:01:00 +0000

Lubbock Area Fun

Kara Hyden

The fall season usually brings thoughts of bonfires, football, cooler temperatures, and almost anything made with pumpkin. Whether you’re a sports fan, a carnival fan, or just a fan of hanging with family, Lubbock has something for everyone. We’ve searched high and low to bring you a list of fun things to do in and around Lubbock this fall. Below are activities for fall family fun.

At’l Do Farms

6323 FM 1294

If you like corn mazes, good food and pumpkins, be sure your fall plans include At’l Do Farms. They are celebrating their 21st season this year by hosting the corn maze and many other fun activities for families with kids of all ages. Open September 17 through November 5.

Tickets: $12/adults & kids 5+; kids 4 & younger are free

Visit during the week (Tuesday–Thursday) and tickets are only $8 each.

Admission includes the corn maze and fairy tale trail, the cow train, hayride, pumpkin patch (pumpkins range from $1-$20), pumpkin hollow and the barnyard. They also have food and beverages available for purchase.

Another local favorite is the Panhandle-South Plains Fair. For 2023, the fair is open September 22-30.

Panhandle-South Plains Fairgrounds

105 East Broadway

Lubbock, Texas

(806) 763-2833

www.southplainsfair.com

Every year, the South Plains Fair draws thousands during the nine days they are open; and they truly have something for everyone. Whether you want to gorge on the amazing fair food, get your thrills on carnival rides, check out some great entertainment, or see the sights, the South Plains Fair is the place to be.

Tickets: $10/adults & youth, 13+; $5/kids 2-12; kids 1 & younger are free

Parking: $5/car

Open 8:00am–11:00pm (Sunday–Thursday) & until Midnight (Friday & Saturday).

There is so much to see and do at the fair, so be sure to check out their website for specifics on vendors, carnival times and shows.

Now if you’re a fan of pumpkin patches, homemade goodies and photo booths, stop by the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church Pumpkin Patch, also known as “The Pumpkin Patch Church”.

First Cumberland Presbyterian Church

7702 Indiana Avenue

Lubbock, Texas 79423

(806) 792-3553

www.cpclubbock.com

The 21st annual pumpkin patch opens September 23 and will remain open through October 31, unless they sell out of pumpkins. Pumpkins come from the Navajo Indian Reservation in the Four Corners’ area of New Mexico. Besides pumpkins, church members provide handcrafted items available for purchase. Let’s also not forget about their world-famous pumpkin bread home-baked by the ladies in the church.

Open Monday–Friday 3:00pm–7:00pm; Saturdays 10:00am–7:00pm; and Sundays 12:30pm–7:00pm. No charge to visit the patch or take some great pictures with your friends and family at various photo booths. Pumpkin prices range from $.50 up to $50+, depending on size. The church typically sells between 8,000 to 10,000 pumpkins during this event. Stop by and have some fall fun with your family!

Last, another place for families to visit is the Pumpkin Trail, hosted by the Lubbock Memorial Arboretum. The Arboretum receives various donations of carved pumpkins from different organizations around town.

Pumpkin Trail

Lubbock Memorial Arboretum

4111 University Avenue

Lubbock, Texas

(806) 767-3706

www.lubbockarboretum.org

Open October 26–29 during the day and early evenings. The trail is free of charge, and a place for families to take a leisurely stroll to view pumpkins.

These are just a few highlights of annual events held in the Lubbock area during the fall. Be sure to visit these with your family. Take lots of pictures, eat some great food and make lasting memories. Happy Fall Y’all!