Santa Elena Canyon, one of the highlights of the park, awaits visitors at the end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. It’s teeny tiny, with a population of about 1,900, so a day or two is all you need. Pack layers. Skip it and go to The Chinati Foundation instead (where I actually thought I was buying tickets for when I bought the block tour. This West Texas town is a unique blossom of art and creativity in the desert and makes for one day trip unlike any other. No written content or photography may be used without express written permission. Prada Marfa. They are open 7 days a week from 9 am to 8 pm. The interior of The Wrong Store, a contemporary art gallery/boutique located in Marfa’s first church. Inside Presidio’s emergency services building, a high-ceilinged warehouse that usually stores fire trucks and ambulances, hundreds of residents wait hours to get tested for the coronavirus one afternoon in late November. Be sure to bring chapstick and lotion to keep your skin and lips from dehydrating in the desert air. #marfarockshop #moonlightgemstonesmarfa #silverjewelry #marfa, A post shared by Moonlight Gemstones (@marfarockshop) on Jun 3, 2020 at 10:14am PDT. Three women, a man and a bloodhound walk into a bar. If there is something you need that Marfa doesn’t have, Alpine has more resources. I don’t feel like it was worth the hefty price tag so unless you’re a diehard Donald Judd or modern art fan (I am neither but we met a few who had flown to Marfa specifically for it). There are a number of artists who have their art permanently displayed here along with Judd’s pieces. Spend a few hours there, then head to Big Bend via hwy 67 to Presidio then 170 to the Park. This post is a complete guide on visiting with all the best things to do in Marfa. Ballroom Marfa is one of the iconic … Source: Camille Styles. The items for sale are off the wall, ranging from oddly tempting carvings (think ice cream cones and guns) and embroidered vintage shirts to beautiful jewelry. I picked out a guitar pick-shaped agate and flipped through his photo albums of past work to choose a design, then I chose a band and he made my custom ring that very day! But even to the first-time uninformed visitor, a brief drive… Oh Marfa. A few things to note about Marfa… Afternoons can be scorching with temperatures dropping after sundown. This is the desert. Ballroom Marfa is a dancehall turned contemporary art gallery. You’re definitely *one* with the elements (rain, shine, heat, bugs), but the photo ops are fabulous. Drive 20 minutes down Highway 90 to tiny Valentine to find this road side art installation. You’re in the middle of nowhere, so of course, cell service is spotty. Check out their site for current exhibits ranging from film, photography to live music and educational programs. Marfa Itinerary 1 Day: Are you thinking, Is one day in Marfa enough? Regardless of what you’ve read or heard about this tiny Far West Texas town of fewer than 2,000 citizens, there remains a special, often indefinable quality that inspires, expands, and explores creativity. Ok before we even get into this post, it's just gotta be said you're going to probably want to schedule more than a single day in Marfa. Their hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from March 1 through Labor Day, and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from the Tuesday after Labor Day through the end of February. Visit on a weekend. To deter thieves all of the purses inside are bottomless and the shoes are all for left feet. Enjoy all that Marfa has to offer but don’t forget to slow down while you’re there. They rent out funky renovated trailers, teepees and perfectly decorated yurts in the middle of the desert. If you are interested in exploring the quirkiness of Marfa, Texas for more than one day, below are a few hotel suggestions. If you plan on cooking or preparing your own meals in Marfa or simply want a quick snack, get to The Get Go. Spend some time in the park, as stated earlier it will be crazy hot, but if you drive into the Chisos Basin it will be cooler. From Marfa, you take highway 17 and then 118 to get there. The Prada Marfa building is actually located in Valentine, Texas. But Marfa was where I spent the majority of my time in West Texas. One-Day Itinerary: Big Bend is too big to see in a single day, but a great one-day trip to the park might include a trip down the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and a visit to the Chisos Basin.. Shop small and support local business at The Get Go. More Accommodations in Marfa, Texas. The Coolest Pair. The art scene that dominates Marfa today is all thanks to Donald Judd. Ah, Marfa, Texas. Marfa is a quirky artist’s oasis in the West Texas desert. 7.8 Good Check Availability. By Anne Marie Taylor / November 07, 2018. 1711 PR 4468, Sonora, Texas 76950 It’s truly a gem! The Wrong Store is a quirky art gallery and boutique owned and operated by local artists. They barely had time off. Hike the Window trail on a nice day … Marfa. A day in Marfa? He rushed to make it for me in time, since we were leaving for Argentina the next morning, But I recommend allowing him more time or having him ship the finished product to you back home. Cell service is unreliable. This courthouse was built in 1886, take a minute to look around inside before you go. Hotel Saint George is the #1 rated hotel in Marfa on TripAdvisor. Photos Anne Marie Taylor & Stephane Timonier. You can visit his permanently installed working and living spaces in downtown Marfa. I found the guide books that Visit Marfa put in our rental car to be excellent! (Flickr) The hermetic sensibility is buoyed by Marfa’s changing demographics. See Marfa MARFA. Pick up the ones that best suit you. 1 of 28 The Prada Marfa art installation has become an iconic tourist stop. Marfa Mystery Lights Viewing Center on Highway 90, 9 miles outside of town in the direction of Alpine. But, we're historically bad at planning things (literally don't know what's for dinner and it's 6 p.m.) so we only had a day. Visit the viewing center on a clear night. Talking in hushed tones while looking at the horizon for the mystery lights and stargazing at the Milky Way overhead were experiences I will never forget. There are restrooms here for your convenience. Big Bend National Park—an hour and a half outside of Marfa, but it is a MUST for nature lovers. The lights sometimes dance and sometimes zoom at unexplainable speed before disolving into the night sky. If you’re driving from elsewhere in Texas it will take 6.5 hours (from Austin) to 8.5 hours (from Houston). You’ll find high quality, curated ingredients and food stuffs. Best Hotels in Marfa for 3 Day Trip. Their big vacation was a three-day break for Christmas. Alpine. We even gave you a second chance, but you disappointed us. Moonlight Gemstones specializes in West Texas agate and Graybeal has been collecting them since 1985. A recent family trip led us to the stark beauty of West Texas and the trendy town of Marfa. It houses the fall 2005 Prada collection but really serves as a piece of art itself. We wanted to love you, we really did. New Turquoise, rhodochrosite and Marfa agate pendants available on our website. The name itself evokes intrigue, mystery, misconception, and debate. Heroine City Guide: One Day in Marfa. Make your accommodations in advance during busy seasons like summer and school holidays. I recommend downloading a map and anything you need (podcasts, shows, etc) before you leave home just in case. They have a memorabilia room where you can learn all about Elizabeth Taylor’s stay here as well as art exhibits. All rights reserved. These are the most preferred hotels by fellow travelers to stay on 1 day trip to Marfa. In this post, we share information about our trip to Marfa and some tips to help you plan one too. My personal experience with The Judd Foundation: I honestly didn’t enjoy it. Situated 200 miles from El Paso, Marfa is a little burg in west Texas with a population of 2,200 and a thriving community culture steeped in modern art and architecture. Take advantage by planning a full on West Texas road trip. Experience Hollywood history at this Spanish colonial style hotel downtown. Terlingua Ghost Town: This tiny ghost town is the gateway to Big Bend. It’s home to modern art galleries, unexplained mystery lights, art exhibits in the desert, and unexpectedly gourmet food. You’ll be surprised at just how small Marfa is. While there are enough boutiques, art galleries, and bars to fill your weekend with non-stop things to do in Marfa, if I’m being completely honest, my favorite activity was doing nothing at all. The original stained-glass windows were removed and moved with the church but the rest remains. I hope this city guide to small town Marfa helps you plan your time out west! It is located approximately 195 miles South-East from El Paso, approximately 430 miles West … The most convenience airport is in El Paso and from there it is a 3 hour drive. Book in advance on their website. It was amazing and complete unexpected in the middle of nowhere Texas. Looking for the best advice on where to go and what to do? Oct 11, 2017 - How we spent our day in Marfa, the quirkiest, artsy town in the West Texas desert, from mysterious lights to Prada in the desert. We stayed in Marfa, TX the entire time and drove the 2.5 hours to Big Bend and 2.5 hours back in one day, but if you plan to do two days in Big Bend like this guide suggests, we recommend staying even closer to Big Bend for part of the trip. As Marfa went from a quiet water stop in Far West Texas to a bustling tourist town, Mando’s, it seemed, was a constant. Because of Marfa’s location in the high altitude of the Chihuahuan desert, the city sees temperature ranges of 30 degrees in a day, dry air and hot sun. Santa Elena Canyon vs. … If you are visiting Marfa in next few days these are the perfect itineraries for you. Photo by Martin Robles on Unsplash. Bring a drink to enjoy as you sit and wait. Get your customized free Marfa itinerary ready quickly. Source: Yelp. Face palm moment). West Texas is a popular destination among Texans, especially Marfa. Presidio County Courthouse. Explore these recently created itineraries which include latest attractions, trending hotels & experiences by visitors. The Chinati Foundation is an open-air contemporary art museum in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert. For such a tiny town, there are a ton of things to do in Marfa, from modern art galleries and contemporary art installations in the desert to gourmet restaurants and mysterious lights in the night sky. We fell in love with this entire region, from Big Bend to Marfa, and can’t wait until we can return! I was surprised at how incredible the art and food scene is for such a small place. Which you will probably be seeing several posts about in the next few weeks. Alpine serves as the “big” town for Marfa. Design your own custom silver jewelry at Moonlight Gemstones by silversmith Paul Graybeal. We spend our evenings drinking chilled wine outside our trailer watching the sunset turn the desert sky countless shades of pink. Visit the courthouse downtown and climb to the top of the cuppola for a panoramic view of Marfa and the surrounding countryside. Cibolo Creek Ranch is a luxury resort located inside the crater of an extinct volcano in the Chinati mountains on 30,000 acres 30 miles south of Marfa. Check out the hotels that suit you and add them to your trip plan. Just a thirty minute drive from Marfa, the building sits on the side of highway 90 as an art exhibit. But, look, we're comi Explore, plan and enjoy a day trip to Marfa like a local with these free 1 day Marfa itineraries created by fellow travelers. Copyright 2017-2020 Sol Salute. Enjoy this piece of West Texas paradise and disconnect. These are some of the hotels added in the past by our travelers to their Marfa itinerary 3 days. This ultra mod b + w stationery suite by Bare Ink Co. so stylishly contrasts the desert setting + black tie vibe. I had a falafel wrap with bacon, jalapenos, and pickles, my husband ordered lamb and a couple melon agua frescas. We drove into Marfa, TX on March 8, 2012, not knowing what to expect despite our thorough investigations of everywhere we go. These are the most viewed and most customized itineraries for Marfa, choose one to make the best out of your 1 day in Marfa. All Marfa. First Look in Marfa. On my first visit to Marfa in the summer of 2014, I had a week to burn — obviously too long a visit for a town that’s only 1.6 square miles. Most restaurants and attractions are closed during the rest of the week (sadly, I know this from experience since we visited on a Tuesday). 300 Highland St. Visit the courthouse downtown and climb to the top … The Get Go was our saving grace when wandering on a hot summer afternoon when most shops had shut their doors for an impromptu siesta. Things to do in West Texas: Everything you have to see on a West Texas road trip. During Luke and my road trip this spring we got the chance to spend a day and night in Marfa. Then join the best Argentina Travel Tips Group on Facebook to get first hand advice from me along with fellow travelers, tour guides, expats and locals in Argentina. We visited his home and work spaces. It was more than half the price and equally cool. Check the special events for special sunset or sunrise viewings. Sceptics blame campfires and headlights but eye witnesses will disagree. Here is what to do in Marfa, how we spent our too short time in this quirky West Texas town. It was built in 2005 with the intention of naturally decaying into the natural landscape. The best time to visit Marfa is from Thursday through Sunday. Let’s head to Marfa: Black + White Out. This tiny desert town is unlike anything you’ve seen before. Spend the night camping or the day hiking and taking in the breathtaking views. Reserve your tickets online here ahead of time as space is limited. Preferring adventure and outdoor activities, we opted to stay at the Cibolo Creek Ranch. Book in advance. Visit Big Bend National Park: This is Texas’ most stunning national park and a must visit if you’re in the area. If you travel to Marfa, one of the best reasons to go is so that you can be immersed in a place where you have time: time to take in the landscape, time to waste, time to spend with old friends and new. The Basics: Marfa has an estimated population of 1,714. Boquillas del Carmen: How to spend a day in Mexico while in Big Bend. Most of all, relax and enjoy the disconnect. The 170 drive is one of the best in the state. What could be a joke was our reality; we’d been driving in a tiny Audi from New York City to Los Angeles on an epic road trip with our sights set on our next stop in Marfa, Texas. Airbnb in Marfa has beautiful properties available for all budgets and needs, check the link for this beautiful trailer above! These mysterious lights have been confounding locals since the 19th century. For a West Texas fine dining experience make dinner reservations Cochineal downtown. Here are all of my West Texas resources to get the most of your time in Marfa. The building originally served as Marfa’s first church. From Marfa Public Radio:. First reported by Native Americans and ranchers, these dancing orbs of light continue to confuse us Marfa tourists today. It requires a long and dusty trek across the desert to reach Marfa,Texas. Get lunch at the Food Shark food truck, serving up in Mediterranean cuisine with a West Texas flair. The Get Go is the best supermarket in town, not only for its unique stock of local goods but for its hours. By far, Prada Marfa is one of the most popular things to do in Marfa and it isn’t even in Marfa. Hotel Paisano This is where Giant starring James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, and Rock Hudson was filmed. In particular, they have guides broken down by day trips that you can take if you are basing yourself in Marfa, Texas. Where To Shop. Staying at the teepees and retro trailers at El Cosmico are one of the most iconic things to do in Marfa. They appear sporadically in the distance and range in color, reportedly sometimes white, red, or blue. It’s based on the Donald Judd’s ideas that art is fragile and should be permanently installed and never moved again to preserve its integrity. Have a look at this collection of popular day trips to Marfa created by fellow travelers. Today it still operates with 41 historic rooms and a welcome pool for hot summer days. The most iconic Marfa accommodation is without a doubt El Cosmico. Do you have any particular questions about your upcoming trip or move to Argentina? We visited Marfa, an acclaimed artsy town 20 minute drive from Ft Davis and 25 minutes from Alpine, on a Wednesday midday and a Thursday late afternoon. During the week, El Cosmico is pretty chill. Stay for at least two nights, ideally three. We spent our nights at our trailer instead of spending money in town, watching the sunset with a bottle of wine all by ourselves in front of our trailer in the desert. Food Shark is right next door to Moonlight Gemstones, next up on the list, so make sure to save time post-lunch treasure hunting! Our one day in Marfa sadly came to an end. Stay a while. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or if I missed your favorite thing to do in Marfa! It is free to the public (donations optional) with no reservations required. Sol Salute may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you. Quick note: This post contains affiliate links to products & services. On our tight schedule we only had one night and it was nowhere near enough time to do Marfa and its surroundings justice. There are a lot of quirky vacation homes in Marfa, find yours here. There is so much to see in this region of Texas. It has been impeccably restored and maintained and is a beautiful stop for architecture lovers. The award-winning chef, ever changing menu and modern design would easily fit in in New York City rather than small town Marfa. Dine at the property’s restaurant Jett’s Grill or simply stop by for one of Marfa’s best margaritas at their happy hour. On weekends, there’s a bit more people and activity—dogs running around, live music, etc. Check out reviews on Trip Advisor. Stop by almost any time and you might find Mark and Liz working in the kitchen in hairnets and aprons together. The best place we could find to stay is in Marfa - kind far, I know, but it's what we could afford and still have a kitchen to cook in (we're vegan and I know how limiting food options are in these parts). During the week, El Cosmico is pretty chill. So....I'm trying to decide for our one day in BB. The first few days in Marfa were spent making day trips to some small towns nearby: Alpine, Marathon and Fort Davis. Ballroom Marfa. The small town of about 2,000 residents has achieved almost mythic status in the past five years thanks to an influx of art institutions, stores, and … Hotel Saint George 16 Reviews. The only way to explore West Texas is by car. But I know we’ll be back eventually, as it’s just a hop, skip and a jump from one of our new found favorite places in the world: Big Bend National Park. If you want to craft better itinerary, enter the date and follow simple steps in our planner. For example: One day excursion from Marfa to the south – Pinto Canyon by FM 2810. Due to tighter purse strings this trip, I wanted the El Cosmico vibe on a budget so I found this beautiful trailer on Airbnb just outside town (photo below). - Amanda Dameron's Two Days in Marfa, Texas design collection on Dwell. 108 E San Antonio St, Marfa, TX 79843, map. 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