Flashback Fun: Where You Hung Out as a Lubbock Kid

Where Was Your Favorite Place to Go in Lubbock as a Kid?

I asked that simple question—and the memories came pouring in.

You’ve probably seen the bumper sticker that says, “I’m not from Texas, but I got here as quick as I could.” That’s me. I landed in Texas at 17, so I missed out on most of the local kid fun. My daughter, on the other hand? She soaked it all in.

She was somehow both 10 and 35 at the same time, and her favorite spots in Lubbock were the Skate Ranch and the South Plains Mall—conveniently, both are still around today.

Joyland Still Lives in Our Hearts

Unfortunately, many other beloved places people mentioned are long gone. The most-missed? Joyland Amusement Park, by a landslide.

Right behind Joyland in a near tie were Showbiz Pizza and Pistol Pete’s. Apparently, the combo of pizza and games is unbeatable when you’re a kid.

Next up was Putt Putt Golf & Games. We took several trips there ourselves, and it later morphed into what’s now Adventure Park.

Other favorites included Discovery Zone (or “D.Z.” for the cool kids), the Science Spectrum, and “the arcade at the mall.”

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But here’s what surprised me: One place wasn’t mentioned at all—a spot I expected to be in the top two.

Legacy Play Village.

I thought for sure it would show up, but not a single person brought it up. Maybe us grownups loved it more than the kids did?