Things to do in Marfa + Travel Guide

Marfa is a quirky artist’s oasis in the West Texas desert.

It’s home to modern art galleries, unexplained mystery lights, art exhibits in the desert, and unexpectedly gourmet food.

This tiny desert town is unlike anything you’ve seen before.

This post is a complete guide on visiting with all the best things to do in Marfa.

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Things to do in Marfa: What to Know Before You Go

  • Visit on a weekend. The best time to visit Marfa is from Thursday through Sunday. Most restaurants and attractions are closed during the rest of the week (sadly, I know this from experience since we visited on a Tuesday).
  • Cell service is unreliable. You’re in the middle of nowhere, so of course, cell service is spotty. I recommend downloading a map and anything you need (podcasts, shows, etc) before you leave home just in case. Most of all, relax and enjoy the disconnect.
  • Book in advance. West Texas is a popular destination among Texans, especially Marfa. Make your accommodations in advance during busy seasons like summer and school holidays.
  • Pack layers. This is the desert. Afternoons can be scorching with temperatures dropping after sundown.
  • Stay awhile. Stay for at least two nights, ideally three. On our tight schedule, we only had one night and it was nowhere near enough time to do Marfa and its surroundings justice.

How to get to Marfa

The only way to explore West Texas is by car. If you’re driving from elsewhere in Texas it will take 6.5 hours (from Austin) to 8.5 hours (from Houston).

The most convenience airport is in El Paso (check Skyscanner for flights) and from there it is a 3 hour drive, check rental car rates here.

We drove from Austin and chose to drive Highway 90 on the way there, which hugs the border for most of the drive.

We returned via I-10. I-10 was much faster if you’re in a hurry (and I get it, it’s a long drive), but we really enjoyed our scenic pitstops along Highway 90. I highly recommend it.

We drove straight through until we reached Bracketville, visiting Ft. Clark and a Barton Springs like a spring-fed pool. From there we stopped in Del Rio for damn good Mexican food for lunch.

We made our last stop in Langtry to see the Judge Roy Bean Museum (a relic from the truly wild, wild west!).

Marfa Road Trip Resources

There is so much to see in this region of Texas. Take advantage by planning a full on West Texas road trip.

Here are all of my West Texas resources to get the most of your time in Marfa.

Staying at the teepees and retro trailers at El Cosmico are one of the most iconic things to do in Marfa

Where to Stay in Marfa

From yurts to container homes, here are the best places to stay in Marfa.

El Cosmico & Alternatives

The most iconic Marfa accommodation is without a doubt El Cosmico.

They rent out funky renovated trailers, teepees and perfectly decorated yurts in the middle of the desert.

Of course, with Marfa being such a rising star El Cosmico now has its fair share of competition of boutique hotels and rental homes.

Hotel Saint George is a great option right downtown. Wee didn’t stay here but we did visit the lobby/shop area and it is very stylish and modern.

The pool is the best place to spent a hot, desert afternoon and the hotel’s amenities are very hard to beat. Check rates here.

Vacation Homes in Marfa

Due to tighter purse strings this trip, I rented a trailer on VRBO.

You can stay in a classic adobe home like this a stone’s throw from the courthouse or this Instagram worthy studio with the best back patio view for wine and dinner.

Rental homes like VRBO have beautiful properties available for all budgets and needs.

Things to do in Marfa, Texas

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.

Here is what to do in Marfa, how we spent our too short time in this quirky West Texas town.

1. Presidio County Courthouse

300 Highland St

Visit the courthouse downtown and climb to the top of the cuppola for a panoramic view of Marfa and the surrounding countryside. 

This courthouse was built in 1886, take a minute to look around inside before you go.

It has been impeccably restored and maintained and is a beautiful stop for architecture lovers. 

2. Prada Marfa 

14880 US-90, Valentine, TX 79854 

By far, Prada Marfa is one of the most popular things to do in Marfa and it isn’t even in Marfa.

Drive 20 minutes down Highway 90 to tiny Valentine to find this road side art installation. 

It was built in 2005 with the intention of naturally decaying into the natural landscape.

To deter thieves all of the purses inside are bottomless and the shoes are all for left feet. 

3. Marfa Mystery Lights 

Marfa Mystery Lights Viewing Center on Highway 90, 9 miles outside of town in the direction of Alpine 

These mysterious lights have been confounding locals since the 19th century. First reported by Native Americans and ranchers, these dancing orbs of light continue to confuse us Marfa tourists today. 

They appear sporadically in the distance and range in color, reportedly sometimes white, red, or blue. 

Sceptics blame campfires and headlights but eye witnesses will disagree.

The lights sometimes dance and sometimes zoom at unexplainable speed before dissolving into the night sky. 

Visit the viewing center on a clear night. Bring a drink to enjoy as you sit and wait.

There are restrooms here for your convenience. 

4. The Wrong Store 

110 Highland St

The Wrong Store is a quirky art gallery and boutique owned and operated by local artists. 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. 

The building originally served as Marfa’s first church.

The original stained-glass windows were removed and moved with the church but the rest remains. 

The interior of The Wrong Store, a contemporary art gallery/boutique located in Marfa’s first church.

5. The Judd Foundation 

104 S Highland Ave, Marfa 

The art scene that dominates Marfa today is all thanks to Donald Judd. You can visit his permanently installed working and living spaces in downtown Marfa.

Book in advance on their website. 

My personal experience with The Judd Foundation: I honestly didn’t enjoy it.

We visited his home and workspaces.

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).  

Skip it and go to The Chinati Foundation instead (where I actually thought I was buying tickets for when I bought the block tour. Facepalm moment). 

6. The Chinati Foundation  

1 Cavalry Row, Marfa 

The Chinati Foundation is an open-air contemporary art museum in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert. 

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.  

There are a number of artists who have their art permanently displayed here along with Judd’s pieces.  

Reserve your tickets online here ahead of time as space is limited. Check the special events for special sunset or sunrise viewings. 

The Chinati Foundation

7. Food Shark 

909 W San Antonio St, Marfa 

Get lunch at the Food Shark food truck, serving up in Mediterranean cuisine with a West Texas flair. 

I had a falafel wrap with bacon, jalapenos, and pickles, my husband ordered lamb and a couple melon agua frescas.

It was amazing and complete unexpected in the middle of nowhere Texas. 

Food Shark is right next door to Moonlight Gemstones, next up on the list, so make sure to save time post-lunch treasure hunting!

8. Design your Dream Jewelry at Moonlight Gemstones 

1001 W. San Antonio St

Design your own custom silver jewelry at Moonlight Gemstones by silversmith Paul Graybeal. 

Moonlight Gemstones specializes in West Texas agate and Graybeal has been collecting them since 1985. 

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! 

He rushed to make it for me in time, since we were leaving for Argentina the next morning,

I recommend allowing him more time or having him ship the finished product to you back home.  

9. Hotel Paisano  

207 Highland St

Experience Hollywood history at this Spanish colonial style hotel downtown. Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean called Hotel Paisano home in 1955 while filming their famed film Giant. 

Today it still operates with 41 historic rooms and a welcome pool for hot summer days.

They have a memorabilia room where you can learn all about Elizabeth Taylor’s stay here as well as art exhibits. 

Dine at the property’s restaurant Jett’s Grill or simply stop by for one of Marfa’s best margaritas at their happy hour. 

10. Ballroom Marfa 

108 E. San Antonio St

Ballroom Marfa is a dancehall turned contemporary art gallery.

It is free to the public (donations optional) with no reservations required. 

Check out their site for current exhibits ranging from film, photography to live music and educational programs. 

11. The Get Go 

208 S. Dean St

The Get Go is the best supermarket in town, not only for its unique stock of local goods but for its hours.

They are open 7 days a week from 9 am to 8 pm.  

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. 

Shop small and support local business at The Get Go. You’ll find high quality, curated ingredients and food stuffs.

If you plan on cooking or preparing your own meals in Marfa or simply want a quick snack, get to The Get Go. 

12. Restaurant Cochineal 

107 W. San Antonio St. 

For a West Texas fine dining experience make dinner reservations Cochineal downtown.

The award-winning chef, ever-changing menu, and modern design would easily fit in in New York City rather than small-town Marfa.  

13. Watch the Sunset & Go Stargazing

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.

We spend our evenings drinking chilled wine outside our trailer watching the sunset turn the desert sky countless shades of pink.

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.

Enjoy all that Marfa has to offer but don’t forget to slow down while you’re there.

Enjoy this piece of West Texas paradise and disconnect.

Things to do in Marfa

I hope this city guide to small town Marfa helps you plan your time out west!

We fell in love with this entire region, from Big Bend to Marfa, and can’t wait until we can return!

Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or if I missed your favorite thing to do in Marfa!

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12 thoughts on “Things to do in Marfa + Travel Guide”

  1. It sounds like West Texas it’s pretty awesome. My husband and I spent about four months in Texas this year exploring and being tourist. We were able to explore the north west and North East and southeast part of Texas. For some reason we never made it out West.

  2. I was born and raised near Austin and Houston but I had never been to West Texas until this year either! I’m hooked now, I already want to go back again next time I’m home visiting. Hopefully you’ll make it out there someday!

  3. thank you! Very well written article. And fantastic photos as well. My husband and I and our 3 year old standard poodle are leaving for Marfa on Wednesday morning. Looking forward to trying some of the spots you went to as well as finding some new ones! And yes we’ll be hoping for the Marfa lights as well 🙂

  4. Thanks for reading and I hope it helped you plan. You’re going to love Marfa! It was such a cool, funky little town. I’m sure you’re going to find some cool spots.

  5. The link to the trailer seems to lead to another Airbnb. Could you please reshare? I’m super interested.

  6. hey there! thanks for all of this great info!!!! we are heading WEST here in the next day or so and considering that western trek down through TX… the one question my mind keeps asking is with towns way down there near the border, is there any safety precautions down that way.. we are headed to big bend, marfa, along the border areas, etc… all cool for safety down that way..?. any advice or wisdom on that…? thank you!!!!!! ~jg!

  7. Love your article! It was so helpful. Hint of our own. Check out The Lincoln hotel. We found it walking by. It’s right on the courtyard square in the center of town, it has a soak pool, fire pits and all these secret garden type courtyards. Very romantic and charming. Met the owners who live on site. Very fucking cool. We extended our stay to move over there and wish we could have spent the whole trip in #10. http://www.thelincolnmarfa.com

  8. thank you for you article, it saved our lives. Our grand kids moved to el paso and we always dread staying there. after reading your article we have decided this is going to be our home base when we visit. Already told kids we are grabbing grand’s and they are welcome to come as well.LOL It looks as if Marfa is dog friendly, we have 2 older labs that we travel with, did you find that to be true? thanks again

  9. Well I’m glad you’ve got an alternative now! All of West Texas is stunning, you can also visit Terlingua, Alpine, and Marathon for cute old western towns! I think most of the area is very dog friendly, you’ll have a great time.

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