Skip to main content
Lubbock

Lubbock travel guide

City in Texas, United States

Best time to visitMarch and October
Nearest airportLBB · 6 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC−5
Population257,141

About Lubbock

Lubbock is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the county seat of Lubbock County. With a population of 257,141 at the 2020 census, Lubbock is the 10th-most populous city in Texas and the 84th-most populous in the United States. The city is in the northwestern part of the state, in the Great Plains region, an area known historically and geographically as the Llano Estacado, and ecologically is part of the southern end of the High Plains, lying at the economic center of the Lubbock metropolitan area, which had an estimated population of 367,109 in 2024.

Places to visit in Lubbock

  1. Buddy Holly Center

    Buddy Holly Center

    Museum

    A museum honoring Lubbock's rock and roll pioneer, with his trademark glasses, guitars and memorabilia. The center also includes a gallery space for art exhibits.

  2. National Ranching Heritage Center

    National Ranching Heritage Center

    Museum · 2 mi from centre

    A museum and outdoor park of historic ranch structures, relocated from across the region. Walking paths connect the homes, barns and windmills, showing ranching life over time.

  3. Museum of Texas Tech University

    Museum of Texas Tech University

    Museum

    A museum on the Texas Tech campus with natural history, art and anthropology collections, including dinosaur fossils, regional art and a planetarium. A varied and worthwhile indoor stop for visitors of all ages.

  4. Lubbock Lake Landmark

    Lubbock Lake Landmark

    Historic · 4 mi from centre

    An archaeological preserve with evidence of thousands of years of human occupation. Trails, an interpretive center and active dig sites reveal ancient life on the Southern Plains.

  5. American Windpower Center

    Museum

    A museum displaying a large collection of historic windmills, both indoors and out. It tells the story of how windmills shaped settlement of the Great Plains.

  6. Silent Wings Museum

    Silent Wings Museum

    Museum · 5 mi from centre

    A museum devoted to the military glider program of World War II, housed at the former Lubbock airport terminal. A restored combat glider and personal accounts tell the story of the pilots who trained nearby.

Where to stay in Lubbock

Popular hotels in Lubbock, out of 78 properties you can book.

See all hotels in Lubbock

Best time to visit Lubbock

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Lubbock is March and October, when average daytime highs are around 71–81°F and rain falls on about 3 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 27° – 49° 5
Feb 36° – 62° 2
Mar 45° – 71° 4
Apr 52° – 77° 8
May 60° – 84° 7
Jun 69° – 92° 5
Jul 71° – 92° 6
Aug 73° – 95° 3
Sep 63° – 86° 4
Oct 58° – 81° 2
Nov 44° – 67° 4
Dec 38° – 62° 1

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Lubbock weather forecast

  • Wed 21 Oct 81° 52° 2%
  • Thu 22 Oct 78° 62° 0%
  • Fri 23 Oct 76° 62° 4%
  • Sat 24 Oct 70° 59° 34%
  • Sun 25 Oct 66° 60° 47%
  • Mon 26 Oct 66° 58° 38%

Know before you go

Currency
United States dollar (USD)
Language
English
Calling code
+1
Driving
On the right
Time zone
America/ChicagoUTC−5
Capital
Washington, D.C.

Upcoming public holidays in United States

  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Presidents DayWashington's Birthday

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Lubbock

These are the airports closest to central Lubbock. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • LBB Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport6 mi (9 km) from the city centre
  • REE Reese Air Force Base11 mi (18 km) from the city centre
Search flights to Lubbock

Getting around Lubbock

Lubbock is developed along a large scale grid. North-south streets are labeled A-Z Downtown and progress to city and state names moving west. East-west streets are numbered from 1 to 150 or so. Streets north of Downtown follow the names of colleges and universities, while those east of Downtown are flowers and trees. Block ranges, house numbering and street names are consistent throughout the city and most follow alphabetical order.

By bus

The city's public transit authority, Citibus, operates fixed bus routes throughout the city. The system relies on a pulse-based schedule which originates at the Downtown Transfer Plaza. A one-way trip is $1.75, and a day pass is $3.50. The drivers operate electronic fare boxes and do not carry change. Most routes pass through Texas Tech University and the two medical centers. The city is quite large so using the transit may be inconvenient.

By taxi

The city's only taxicab service, Yellow Cab, is very reliable and offers reasonable fares. Reserving pick-up times is recommended. Plan your trip before calling, as the dispatchers are often extremely busy. It is best to offer your mobile phone number when arranging a pick-up. Drivers will phone you when they are a few blocks away. Yellow Cab also carries several thousand contract passengers everyday so be prepared to wait up to 45 minutes in the late afternoon or early morning.

Lubbock travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Lubbock?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Lubbock is March and October, when average daytime highs are around 71–81°F and rain falls on about 3 days a month.

What is the weather like in Lubbock?

August is usually the warmest month in Lubbock, with average highs of 95°F (35°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 27°F (-3°C). The wettest month is typically April, with about 71 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Lubbock?

Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB) is the closest airport, about 6 miles (9 km) from the centre of Lubbock. Other nearby airports include Reese Air Force Base (REE, 11 mi).

What time zone is Lubbock in?

Lubbock uses the America/Chicago time zone (currently UTC−5). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Lubbock?

Lubbock is developed along a large scale grid. North-south streets are labeled A-Z Downtown and progress to city and state names moving west. East-west streets are numbered from 1 to 150 or so. Streets north of Downtown follow the names of colleges and universities, while those east of Downtown are flowers and trees.

What are the best places to visit in Lubbock?

Top sights in Lubbock include Buddy Holly Center, National Ranching Heritage Center, Museum of Texas Tech University and Lubbock Lake Landmark. A museum honoring Lubbock's rock and roll pioneer, with his trademark glasses, guitars and memorabilia. The center also includes a gallery space for art exhibits.

Where should I stay in Lubbock?

Popular areas for hotels in Lubbock include Lubbock Area. Well-reviewed options include Hyatt Place Lubbock and Embassy Suites Lubbock.

How many hotels can I book in Lubbock?

Destina Holidays currently lists 78 properties in and around Lubbock, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.