What to do and see in Plainview, Texas (TX): The Best Things to do

Reviewed By JoanW230 - Green Valley, United States

Llano Estacado (Spanish for "high plains") Museum is located on the campus of Wayland Baptist University and is like visiting two museums in one. The Llano Estacado section traces the geological development and growth of the area. There are over 80 exhibits including exhibits on Indians of the southwest plains, buffalo soldiers, and replicas of store fronts from a typical old town. The second part of the museum just opened on Sept. 28, 2016 and features the life of Jimmy Dean who was born in Plainview. It has 24 minute film on his life which I enjoyed. Jimmy Dean and his second wife planned and funded the museum (unfortunately he passed away before it was completed) and it is wonderful. You learn all about his entertainment career and his sausage making company. I could have spent hours just listening to his music, watching commercials he did, learning about his movies, and even seeing some of the flamboyant clothes he wore in his Las Vegas Shows. While the Jimmy Dean part would probably be of more interest to those of us who remember Jimmy Dean (1928-2010), the Llano Estacado section is colorful, has no filmstrip, and there is not much narrative to read so I think kids would enjoy just looking at the huge exhibits. There is no fee and everything is accessible (accessible parking and entrance are on the west side of the building). I spent about two and a half hours here, probably more than average, but I wanted to see everything.