Cadillac Ranch - assorted color plastic toy lot
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Cadillac Ranch

4.4
·14k reviews·Amarillo, United States

A vibrant, ever-changing graffiti art installation featuring ten vintage Cadillacs half-buried in the Texas soil.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Golden hour (sunrise/sunset)

Magical light for photos

CrowdMedium
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Cadillac Ranch - assorted color plastic toy lot

Cadillac Ranch

Best Time

Golden hour (sunrise/sunset)

Magical light for photos

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A vibrant, ever-changing graffiti art installation featuring ten vintage Cadillacs half-buried in the Texas soil.

4.4
(14k reviews)

"It's a quirky, colorful, and full of character roadside attraction you just can't miss."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎨 Bring Your Own Paint

Save money by bringing your own spray paint cans! Sharing is also common.

📸 Golden Hour Magic

Visit at sunrise or sunset for incredible lighting and photos.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Graffiti-Covered Cadillacs

The Graffiti-Covered Cadillacs

The main installation

Ten vintage Cadillacs buried nose-down, transformed into a vibrant, ever-changing canvas of graffiti art.

Interactive Art Experience

Interactive Art Experience

The entire site

Add your own splash of color! Visitors are encouraged to spray paint the cars, making it a truly participatory art installation.

Iconic Route 66 Stop

Iconic Route 66 Stop

Adjacent to I-40

A quintessential roadside attraction on historic Route 66, offering a unique break for road trippers.

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Planning Your Visit

Bring Your Own Spray Paint (or Buy On-Site)

While you can buy spray paint from vendors near Cadillac Ranch, bringing your own cans can save money and ensure you have your preferred colors. Many visitors share paint, so keep an eye out for opportunities to contribute without buying! TikTokReddit

Timing is Key for Photos & Comfort

Visit during golden hour for stunning photos with the Texas sky as a backdrop. Be prepared for heat in summer and potential mud after rain. TikTokReddit

Best Times

When
Golden hour (sunrise/sunset)
Why
Magical light for photos
Crowd
Medium
When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, more painting space
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Cadillac Ranch in #Amarillo, #Texas! A destination for tourists and locals to get some cool content! #art #OriginalMusic #ToMyBestFriend #hippie
@thiccthighshighvibes
161.8K likes • 926.1K views

🎨 Bring Your Own Paint

Save money by bringing your own spray paint cans! Sharing is also common. TikTokReddit

📸 Golden Hour Magic

Visit at sunrise or sunset for incredible lighting and photos. TikTok

Spray paint lowkey ruined it, but atleast they’re preserved forever. #CadillacRanch #roadsideattraction #texas
@race__greene
6.4K likes • 230.3K views
Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo Texas has got to be one of our all time FAVORITE road side stops! 🚗 🙌And when I say road side, I mean it! Like less than 5 minutes off the highway and on a frontage road! 🚘At the ranch you will find ten Cadillacs buried partway in the ground! Visitors are welcome to come paint on them! (Just be sure to not paint elsewhere outside of the Cadillac ranch!) 🎨Bring your ow...
utahfamilytravels
203 likes • 15.5K views

👟 Wear Old Shoes

You might get paint on your feet, so wear something you don't mind getting messy. TikTok

💧 Be Prepared for Mud

After rain, the area can become a mud pit. TikTok

Let’s check out Cadillac ranch in Amarillo. #cadillacranch #amarillo #texas
selling_712
24 likes • 517 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎨 Bring Your Own Paint

Save money by bringing your own spray paint cans! Sharing is also common. TikTokReddit

📸 Golden Hour Magic

Visit at sunrise or sunset for incredible lighting and photos. TikTok

👟 Wear Old Shoes

You might get paint on your feet, so wear something you don't mind getting messy. TikTok

💧 Be Prepared for Mud

After rain, the area can become a mud pit. TikTok

🚗 Easy Access Off I-40

Located right off the interstate, making it a convenient stop. Instagram

What Travellers Say

4.4
(14k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Cadillac Ranch is a beloved, free roadside attraction offering a unique, interactive art experience. Visitors praise its quirkiness, the freedom to spray paint the iconic Cadillacs, and its convenient location off I-40. While some note the constant layering of paint can obscure older art, most find it a fun, family-friendly stop for memorable photos and a break from driving.

"Great place to kill 15 or 20 minutes and stretch your legs. The kids were clearly having a ball spray painting the cars. Judging by the sweet truck and trailer, selling spray paint on the road side is very lucrative! It's worth the stop to get the kids out of the car if nothing else :)"

Bo Harris

"If you’re driving along I-40, Cadillac Ranch is one of those must-see roadside attractions you just can’t miss. It’s quirky, colorful, and full of character. Ten Cadillacs are buried nose-first in the ground, creating a public art installation that has become an iconic stop for travelers.

One of the best parts? You’re encouraged to participate! Visitors bring or buy spray paint right there and add their own touch to the cars. Layers upon layers of paint tell the story of thousands of people who have passed through. Whether you write your name, doodle something fun, or just splash some color around, it’s all part of the experience.

It’s also a great place to stretch your legs, walk around, and snap some fun, Instagram-worthy pictures. The wide-open Texas sky makes for an amazing backdrop.

Cadillac Ranch isn’t just an art installation—it’s an experience that blends creativity, history, and road trip fun. If you’re ever on I-40 near Amarillo, it’s absolutely worth a stop."

Mrs Ahsan

"GPS shows two different locations. I can't remember which was correct, but we found it on our second attempt during the day. Right off the interstate and easy to access if GPS leads you the right way.

I went with three of my daughters, ages 11, 17, and 19. We all had so much fun! I was expecting a lot of profane designs but we saw no swear words and only one giant "member" which was so large it was hard to notice. I mention that to say this is a family friendly place that seems to self regulate with visitors who are there for good, clean fun.

It's free and unique. I'd highly recommend a visit! Make sure to bring lots of spray paint."

H C

What People Like

Free admission
Interactive art
Iconic roadside stop

What People Dislike

Muddy terrain
Paint layers obscure older art

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Cadillac Ranch is conveniently located just off I-40, west of Amarillo, Texas. Take Exit 60 and follow the frontage road. It's a very easy stop for any road trip. Instagram

Yes, Cadillac Ranch is accessible 24/7. You can visit at any time, even in the early morning hours, though visibility might be an issue without flashlights. Reddit

You can visit Cadillac Ranch at night, but it will be dark. Bringing flashlights is recommended for navigating the area and seeing the art. Reddit

Yes, there is free parking available near the installation. The walk from the parking area to the Cadillacs can be a bit bumpy. Reddit

Absolutely! It's a perfect spot to stretch your legs and take some fun photos, typically taking only 15-20 minutes. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Cadillac Ranch is completely free to visit and participate in! The only cost would be if you choose to buy spray paint on-site. Reddit

No tickets are required for Cadillac Ranch. It's an open public art installation that anyone can visit at any time. Reddit

Yes, spray painting the Cadillacs is highly encouraged and a core part of the experience! It's a rite of passage for visitors. TikTokInstagram

You can bring your own spray paint or purchase it from vendors located near the attraction. Many visitors also share their paint. Reddit

While encouraged to be creative, most visitors avoid offensive language or imagery, and the site tends to self-regulate. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography & Art

The golden hours around sunrise and sunset offer the most dramatic lighting for photos. The wide-open Texas sky provides a great backdrop. TikTokInstagram

Yes, Cadillac Ranch is generally considered family-friendly. Visitors often create positive and clean art, and it's a fun place for kids to express creativity. Reddit

Created in 1974 by the art collective Ant Farm with eccentric billionaire Stanley Marsh, it features ten Cadillacs buried nose-down, symbolizing the American dream and industrial progress. TikTokInstagram+1

The art is constantly evolving as new layers of spray paint are added by visitors. Older layers are often covered, making it a dynamic, ever-changing art piece. TikTok+1

With layers upon layers of paint, finding specific older art can be challenging, but you'll see countless messages, names, and doodles from past visitors. Reddit

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Cadillac Ranch is a fantastic, free stop for families on a road trip! Kids will love the freedom to spray paint the cars and leave their creative mark. Reddit It's a great way to break up long drives and let them burn off some energy. The interactive nature of the art makes it engaging for all ages, and it's generally a positive and self-regulating environment. Just be mindful of the terrain and potential for paint on clothing. Reddit

🚗 Road Trippers & Budget Travelers

For anyone cruising along I-40 or Route 66, Cadillac Ranch is a must-see, budget-friendly attraction. It costs nothing to visit, and you can easily spend 15-30 minutes here stretching your legs and snapping unique photos. Reddit Bringing your own spray paint or participating in shared cans keeps costs down, making it an ideal stop for those watching their wallets. It's the quintessential quirky roadside stop that defines the American road trip experience. TikTokInstagram

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Art and Evolution of Cadillac Ranch

Cadillac Ranch is more than just a collection of old cars; it's a dynamic public art installation that has been evolving since 1974. Conceived by the art collective Ant Farm and funded by eccentric millionaire Stanley Marsh III, the original idea was to create a monument to the American dream and the automotive industry. Ten Cadillacs, dating from 1949 to 1963, were buried nose-first into the Texas soil at a 60-degree angle, mimicking the posture of the Great Pyramids. TikTokInstagram+2

What makes Cadillac Ranch unique is its participatory nature. Visitors are not just observers; they are collaborators. Armed with spray cans, travelers are invited to leave their mark on the Cadillacs, creating a constantly changing tapestry of color and messages. This interactive element means that no two visits are ever the same. The art is temporary, with new layers of graffiti covering older ones, reflecting the transient nature of road trip memories and artistic expression. TikTokReddit+1

Over the years, Cadillac Ranch has become an iconic symbol of Route 66 and a beloved roadside attraction. It has inspired musicians, filmmakers, and countless road-trippers. While some might lament the 'ruining' of the original cars, the spirit of Cadillac Ranch lies in its continuous reinvention and the collective creativity it fosters. It's a testament to how art can be accessible, interactive, and a reflection of the journey itself. TikTok+2

Planning Your Visit: Practical Tips from Travelers

When planning your stop at Cadillac Ranch, consider the practicalities shared by fellow travelers. The site is easily accessible right off I-40, making it a convenient detour for cross-country journeys. Instagram Many visitors recommend bringing your own spray paint to save money and ensure you have the colors you want, though vendors are available on-site. Reddit It's also wise to wear old shoes, as paint can easily get on your footwear, and the ground can be uneven or muddy after rain. TikTok+1

For the best photographic opportunities, aim for the golden hours around sunrise or sunset. The vast Texas sky provides a stunning backdrop, and the light can make the vibrant graffiti pop. TikTokInstagram While the attraction is open 24/7, visiting during daylight hours is recommended for visibility and safety, especially if you plan to paint or explore thoroughly. Reddit Remember that while the area is generally family-friendly, the terrain can be a bit challenging for those with limited mobility, so be prepared for a slightly bumpy walk from the parking area. Reddit

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