The
U.S. Route 83
Travel Page
U.S. Route 83
Travel Page
North Texas — The Panhandle to Abilene
As a highway that runs from its northern most border to the southern tip of Texas, it’s no surprise that Highway 83 at 897 miles is the longest highway in any state. (Interstate 10 in Texas is longer but Interstates are not highways.) It has been designated the Texas Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. The northern stretch takes travelers through the Llano Estacado, the Spanish for “Palisaded Plains,” through several scenic river valleys to the one of the largest cities on the highway, Abilene.Museum of the Plains — Perryton, Texas
There are many fine regional history museums along Highway 83. One of the best and largest is the Museum of the Plains just 
north of Perryton. A highlight is the leopard skin barber chair. Now there’s something you don’t see every day. Museum Of The Plains - 1200 N. Main, Perryton, Texas 79070.
MON - FRI: 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. SAT: 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. SUN: 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Phone: (806) 435-6400.
From the north, the first town on Highway 83 in Texas is Perryton. The “Wheatheart of the Nation” is surrounded by fields of grain and oil and gas fields.
Some of the most friendly and most resolutely patriotic folks on the highway are found in Perryton. Every year in March, motorcyclists from all over the nation begin a state-long ride from here to Brownsville to honor Vietnam Veterans. For more details, link HERE.
Canadian, Texas
The Canadian River valley and the town of the same name is a beautiful area. The town has some nice antique stores and wonderful views of the valley.
Just north of town, pull off in the city park and take a walk over the bridge which once took traffic over the Canadian. Unlike the rivers of Southern Kansas and the Oklahoma Panhandle, this one actually has water in it.
Routes 66 & 83
Shamrock, Texas, is where historic Routes 66 and 83 meet. The old
Conoco Station at the corner of these two great highways is now a Chamber of Commerce tourist information stop and gift shop. Much of old Route 66 has been replaced by Interstates, a fate that happily has not befallen 83.
For those who want to sample some Route 83 history, the building south of the intersection where Cicero’s Green Frog Pizza now does business has been serving travelers meals in one iteration or another since the two roads came into existence in the 1920s. Stop in for a pie.
The Red River Plunge of Bonnie and Clyde
This is the bridge south of Shamrock and north of Wellington that was under construction when the notorious Clyde Barrow, Bonnie Parker and their lackey W.D. Jones missed a detour sign and flew into the Salt Fork of the Red River ravine. A nearby family came out to pull them from the wreckage and for their efforts were briefly held hostage by the Barrow Gang. The family was released when they nabbed two police officers and fled north with them as hostages to Oklahoma. Sadly, this old truss
bridge is slated for demolition.
Good Eats
Paducah’s town center has fallen on hard times, but one pair of determined businesspeople have opened an old fashioned soda fountain and pizza parlor on the corner of the square and Highway 83. The ice cream counter and fountain date back to the 1930s. No fried foods here says co-owner Cathie Ross. “If we can’t bake it, we don’t make it.” The Highway 83 Travel Page recommends the root beer float.
Highway 83 circles the town square in Anson. The Opera House, a Texas Historical Landmark, was built in 1907.
Abilene, Texas
Just a few blocks to the east of Business 83 is historic downtown Abilene. The highlights are the Paramount Theater. Built in an art deco style, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It still shows classic films. Check the schedule HERE. The Grace Cultural Center, located in the former Hotel Grace at 102 Cypress Street, has a small history museum on the top floor, but is better known for its art exhibitions and children’s museum.Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The museum is open free to the public every Thursday 5 to 8 p.m.
Travel Tip
Highway 83 splits east or west as a beltway around the city. To stick with the legacy road, take Business 83, which is called Treadaway Street as it passes through town. There is some fine road dining here. Larry has owned Larry’s Better Burger since 1968, and one some days you can still find him there serving up takeaway food. The stand dates back to the 1950s, though. They don’t make burger joints like this anymore.
For a sit-down meal, Stumpy’s Café at 820 South Treadaway has good diner food and daily specials.
Click on the state to check out the other U.S. Route 83 Travel Pages.
North Dakota.
South Dakota.
Nebraska.
Kansas.
Oklahoma.
Central Texas
Rio Grande Valley