Welcome to our Small Town Travel series! Just because a city isn’t big, doesn’t mean it doesn’t have plenty to offer. We’ve found so many small towns across the world with lots to do, and we want to take the opportunity to highlight them! Sometimes, these places are a great spot along your road trip route - an easy stop for lunch, or maybe even to spend an afternoon. But for others, they’re well worth a weekend! We want to highlight both, and hopefully shed light on some lesser known areas for your travels.
Well, Marfa definitely packs a punch for a weekend escape, especially if you’re willing to put in the effort to get there!
I’ll be honest. For me, personally, Marfa isn’t worth the effort it takes to get there.
I think the town is awesome, but for us, we could get anywhere in the US by plane (including airport time) in less time than it takes to get to Marfa.
BUT, I know so many people who make the trip out there frequently and love it, so just because it’s not for me, doesn’t mean it’s not for you! I’m still going to give you all the great information I have about the area, and let you make that choice for yourself!
The drive to Marfa is...uneventful? If you've never been before, the Texas mountains are surprisingly beautiful, but there’s really not much along the way.
If you’re coming from El Paso, you will pass by Prada Marfa! The exhibit has welcomed visitors for almost 20 years, and is one of the iconic art installations for anyone visiting the area.
You might not expect this of Texas, but because of its elevation, Marfa is great for visiting, weather wise, year round! If you’re looking to miss the busiest travel times and maybe score a deal on a hotel room, Fall is your sweet spot.
The town thrives off its art-driven tourism industry, and the handful of available restaurants know that. If you find yourself in town Monday-Thursday, food options are limited, at best. I’d recommend a flight on Thursday that lets you pick up dinner in El Paso before starting your drive, and a flight out later Sunday to enjoy a full weekend of unwinding.
There are a few places to stay directly on the main street of Marfa: Hotel Saint George, Hotel Paisano, and The Lincoln. To me, the Hotel Saint George has a really nice, exclusive pool area, which would make it my pick of the three! If you’re in for a more unique stay, try El Cosmico, or one of the many great Airbnbs in the area. Your best budget option is the Riata Inn, a really comfortable motel right on the edge of town.
Food options are limited, but still really great! It’s a little hard to run through recommendations without listing every single place, so I’ll just highlight a couple of our favorites.
First thing I’ll say, and no matter how many blogs you read this on, you have to experience it to believe it: life moves at its own pace in Marfa, TX. Food service can sometimes be slow, so just expect it, and enjoy it!
For breakfast, I really enjoy Do Your Thing Coffee. Their pour over is one of my favorites I’ve had anywhere, and their toasts are all made on their homemade bread! Another great spot for coffee, lunch, and cocktails is The Sentinel. Still operating as a press for independent local news, the menu changes every day featuring fresh, local ingredients. They only serve food until they run out, but also feature a great cocktail menu for later in the day.
For dinner, Para Llevar serves up some killer pizza (significantly better than the Hotel Saint George’s restaurant), and is also a little bodega if you’re looking to grab some snacks to have with you throughout the day! And I would be remiss to not mention Marfa Burrito and Food Shark, but make sure you check their hours before you try to go.
Art is what put Marfa on the map, and if you’re visiting, that’s exactly where you’ll want to spend your time! Visit Marfa does a great job at keeping up with the exhibits around the city, and for us, the best launching point was just walking in and out of the galleries right on the main street!
If you’re up for a day trip of great hiking, Big Bend National Park is about an hour and a half from Marfa! Grab some snacks for the day from The Get Go, make sure you’ve got a full tank of gas, and head out to the Chisos Mountains for a great day of hiking. If you don’t want to make the drive back that day, stay in one of the bubbles at Basecamp Terlingua just outside the park, but be warned, these book out months in advance!
Right at dusk each night, make your way just outside of Marfa to the Marfa Mystery Lights viewing area. For centuries, accounts of these sourceless dancing lights have captivated visitors and locals alike, and anyone you ask will have a different story to their source. Search online for some up close and personal encounters people have had with them - they’re bizarre to read! Personally, I’d like to believe it’s definitely the work of aliens.
