A Guide to the Coolest Things To Do in Marfa Texas in a Weekend

Looking for a guide to the best things to do in Marfa in a weekend? You’ve come to the right place! Read on to discover why this little Texas town is worth a visit.

I don’t remember where or when I first heard about Marfa, but I do remember thinking, “This can’t be Texas.”

An arty hub with a mystical – almost mythical – appeal, it was first made famous when the Elizabeth Taylor film Giant was filmed there. Later, the minimalist artist Donald Judd arrived in the town and set about acquiring buildings and land, which he filled with artwork.

Since then, the dusty desert town of barely 2,000 people has attracted artists, celebrities (Beyoncé-level celebrities), new residents looking for the simple life – and, of course, camera-toting tourists curious to discover this hip little town.

We decided it was the perfect starting point for a West Texas road trip over the Christmas break.

Leaving Dallas on a Friday afternoon, we braved the Christmas traffic and drove west. And drove. And drove. Nine hours later, we were still in Texas, with a crisp sky full of bright stars that city life doesn’t afford.

Over a weekend in Marfa, we ate, wandered and relaxed, and took hundreds of photos. We took it slowly, as the people of Marfa do. This is a town with no schedule, where restaurants and shops don’t particularly care for abiding by their stated hours of operation, or for answering emails or phone calls. Roll with it!

Here’s my guide to Marfa, Texas.

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Things to do in Marfa

You will need to plan ahead for your visit to Marfa, so you don’t miss something because it’s closed.

1. Prada Marfa

Google “what to do in Marfa” and this is the spot that will pop up first.

No, it’s not a real Prada store dropped into the desert, rather, it’s an art installation and now popular selfie-snapping site. About 40 minutes from Marfa, it’s actually located in the small town of Valentine and is probably the top must-do item for most visitors to Marfa.

There are always a tonne of cars pulling up here for photo opportunities, but be patient and it won’t take long to get your own I-was-the-only-one-here-in-this-awesome-deserted-spot photos.

2. Chinati Foundation

No Marfa guide is complete without some art. Book a tour (two or four hours) to Donald Judd’s collection of works at the Chinati Foundation. Donald Judd is the man responsible for first putting Marfa on the map, so to speak, and his influence is everywhere in the town.

If you’re only there to see the large concrete works scattered across the desert (“15 Untitled Works in Concrete”), you won’t need a reservation. Wear comfy shoes because there’s a lot of walking over this huge installation.

3. Ballroom Marfa

A converted dancehall, Ballroom Marfa is an essential place for any art lover. This contemporary art and performance space is free. Exhibitions change regularly and can feature visual art, film and music.

Even if you’re not into art, take a stroll by. It’s a gorgeous building.

4. Marfa Mystery Lights

Car headlights? Campfires? Or UFOs? You decide. The Marfa Mystery Lights have been attracting visitors for decades.

You may not be able to see the lights every night, but it’s worth a try. Take a sweater or blanket (and some wine) as it can get chilly there at night.

READ NEXT: The most fun things to do in Amarillo, Texas

5. Star Party

About 40 minutes from Marfa is the McDonald Observatory, which hosts “Star Parties” every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evenings. This is one of the darkest places in the United States, making it the perfect place to spot constellations. Suitable for the whole family.

Of course, you can’t always guarantee a clear view of the sky (as we found out when we visited on a cloudy night), but the team does a great job of finding alternative activities if it’s overcast.

6. Shop

Head to funky stores like Cobra Rock, Marfa Book Company, Marfa Thrift Store and Marfa Brands for a unique souvenir to take home.

7. Visit Big Bend

You might be pressed for time to squeeze a trip to Big Bend National Park into your weekend in Marfa, but if you can, you won’t be disappointed.

The thing I love about this part of Texas is the wide open spaces, and Big Bend has these in spades. A quick hike for those short on time is the Santa Elena Canyon hike. The short trail leads to spectacular views of the canyon, with the Rio Grande River running through.

READ NEXT: The coolest things to do in West Texas

Where to stay in Marfa

We checked into El Cosmico, a chic Marfa glamping spot. Take your pick of teepees, safari tents, yurts or – as we did – a restored trailer.

We stayed in the Royal Mansion trailer and it had everything we needed for a comfortable stay: comfy bed, stove, fridge, a heater and a great deck to hang out on. Showers are outdoors, and only for the brave in winter (I used up all the hot water and my husband wasn’t happy!).

El Cosmico has a provisions shop with snacks and souvenirs and friendly staff who’ll even heat up the outdoor wood-fired hot tubs. Bonus: it’s dog-friendly.

Even if you’re not staying here, one of the fun things to do in Marfa is to stop by El Cosmico for a visit.

Other Marfa hotels

If you’re not into outdoor showers, other Marfa hotels include the minimalist-chic Thunderbird Hotel, which has a cool vibe, or the Hotel Saint George, which has several modern rooms. Read reviews of the Thunderbird Hotel and Hotel Saint George.

Also try the Hotel Paisano where you can sleep in the rooms in which Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean slept. Stop by here for drinks in the sunny courtyard. Read reviews of Hotel Paisano.

If your preferred Marfa hotel is all booked up and you can’t find anywhere else to stay in Marfa, the nearby towns of Fort Davis (21 miles) and Alpine (27 miles) are nearby towns to consider staying.

Marfa Airbnbs

There are also several Airbnb properties in the area. My picks would be:

• This gorgeous Adobe home with two bedrooms
• This stylish house with plenty of living areas
• This cute 100-year-old Adobe that’s close to the centre of town
• For groups, this Airbnb looks amazing! It has an outdoor fire pit, a tub in the bedroom and super stylish furniture

Take a look at more Airbnbs in Marfa online here. If you’re a first-time Airbnb user, sign up here and you’ll get up to $50 off your stay!

READ NEXT: How to go tubing in New Braunfels, Texas

Where to eat in Marfa

Be warned: Marfa runs on its own schedule. Not everything is open when its supposed to be, so don’t be disappointed if you roll up for lunch at a cool food truck only to find its doors firmly closed. Marfa is best experienced on the weekends when you’ll have a better chance of ticking those Instagrammable food places off your bucket list.

Here are the best Marfa restaurants to add to your weekend itinerary.

Do Your Thing

Serving coffee, toast and magic, Do Your Thing is a cool little coffee shop. It’s located in an old lumberyard and has a cozy fire inside for cold days, or outdoor seating when the sun is shining. They top homemade sourdough toast with enticing sweet and savory ingredients. Run by super-friendly ladies, this is a must-visit when in Marfa.

Address: 201 E Dallas St
Phone: 432 701 0501

Frama

Another popular coffee shop, you’ll also find small bites at Frama to sustain you as you meander around town. Plus it has a very Instagrammable mural out the front.

Address: 120 N Austin St
Phone: 432 295 2469

Marfa Burrito

Literally served out of Ramona’s kitchen, you’ll be ordering these huge burritos in Spanish. Marfa Burrito is a must-visit.

Address: 104 E Waco St
Phone: 325 514 8675

READ NEXT: Download the ultimate road trip packing list

Food Shark

Famous from Beyoncé’s photos, Food Shark serves up Mediterranean bites and daily specials like jalapeño pulled pork burritos. Sit outside or in the converted dining bus.

Address: 909 W San Antonio St

Bad Hombres / Boyz 2 Men

Burgers, tacos, BBQ, grilled cheese… what don’t they serve here? The Boyz 2 Men truck was closed when we were in town, but Bad Hombres was serving up late-night snacks.

Address: 300 W San Antonio St

Pizza Foundation

Also closed when we were in town, Pizza Foundation is known for its delicious thin crust pizzas and wine nights.

Address: 305 S Spring St
Phone: 432 729 3377

Stellina

Stellina is a classy Mediterranean restaurant with a huge bar that doubles as communal seating. Come here for wine and small bites in the stunning Art Deco building.

Address: 103 S Highland Ave
Phone: 432 729 2030

Capri

This cool cocktail bar serves lunch and dinner and has a gorgeous outdoor seating area. The Capri is in the Thunderbird Hotel.

Address: 603 W San Antonio St
Phone: 432 729 1984

La Venture

This upscale Marfa dining venue is inside the Hotel Saint George. La Venture has plenty of seating in the large dining room, but it’s best to make a reservation.

Address: 105 S Highland Ave
Phone: 432 729 3700

The Get Go

Probably the hippest supermarket I’ve ever set foot in. If you’re self-catering, stop by The Get Go. It’s pricey, but it has most items you’ll need. If you’re on a budget, it’s worth bringing supplies with you to save money.

Address: 208 S Dean St
Phone: 432 729 3335

Where is Marfa?

Marfa is located in far, far west Texas. It’s only 100 kilometres (62 miles) to the Mexican border from here.

How to get to Marfa

Be warned: any plans to travel to Marfa, Texas will involve a lot of time on the road.

We chose to drive to Marfa and (with a pit stop for dinner) it was a long nine-hour drive from Dallas along the I-20. From Austin to Marfa, it’s about 6.5 hours (429 miles), 8.5 hours from Houston to Marfa (597 miles) and 6 hours from San Antonio (404 miles).

You can fly into El Paso or Midland and rent a car, but you’ve still got a three-hour drive ahead of you. Marfa is far, far away from everywhere. But totally worth the drive.

READ NEXT: The best places to visit in Texas

Best time to visit to Marfa

If you’re wondering when to visit Marfa, no matter the time of year, it’s the weekend. The weekend is the only time to fully experience the town. Restaurants, galleries and bars close Monday and Tuesday, and it’s quiet during the rest of the week. While opening hours can still be sporadic on the weekend, you’re guaranteed to find more places open than during the week.

The months of April to June and August to October are the best times to visit Marfa to avoid either the extreme heat or extreme cold. We visited in December (over Christmas) and were lucky to have beautiful sunny days, but the nights were bitterly cold. Just after we left, it snowed.

You might want to consider timing your visit to Marfa around one of the many annual festivals like Marfa Myths (organised by Ballroom Marfa), the Trans-Pecos Festival of Music + Love (held at El Cosmico) or the CineMarfa Film Festival. Book well ahead as accommodation fills up quickly in advance of these Marfa events, although El Cosmico can accommodate a lot of camping sites.

Things to know before you visit Marfa

• In the busy months (summer), book ahead for accommodation. There are limited options.
• Bring cash – there are only a couple of ATMs in town.
• It’s the desert out here, so keep that in mind. You’ll probably find your skin and hair a little drier, and feel a little thirstier than usual, so stay hydrated.
• Mobile phone coverage can be spotty, to say the least. But you’re here to get off the grid and enjoy the local vibe, right?

So, there you have it, my Marfa travel guide with what to do, where to eat and where to stay. Enjoy your visit!

VISIT MARFA – YOUR TRIP ESSENTIALS

• If you’re flying into an airport near Marfa, book your flight through Skyscanner, Kayak or Momondo. I usually check all the sites to find the best deal.
• You can also rent a car online with Skyscanner or RentalCars for the drive to Marfa.
• Book your hotel in Marfa through Booking.com or find an Airbnb property.
• Grab a Lonely Planet Guide to Texas if you want to extend your trip and visit Texas’s other incredible destinations.
• Coming from overseas? Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! I use World Nomads to cover me on my travels.
• Follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to keep up with my travels!

Have you made the trip to one of the coolest Texas destinations? What are your favourite things to do in Marfa? Let me know in the comments below.

 

This post was originally published in January 2018, and was updated in May 2020.

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