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Marfa, Texas
Marfa, Texas
PO Box 787
Marfa, TX 79843
(432) 729-4772
www.visitmarfa.com

Attractions in City of Marfa

Marfa Lights

When the sun goes down, head nine miles east of town to experience a true bucket list item, the natural phenomenon known as the Marfa Lights. Mysterious and beautiful, the Marfa Lights viewing area draws visitors from around the globe for a chance to see naturally occurring lights in shapes, colors, and movements you simply don’t see in other places. Accounts of the strange spectacle began during the 19th century, and the source of these unusual accounts remains unexplained.

The “mystery lights” are sometimes red, blue, or white and they usually appear randomly with no relationship to season or weather. Observers have documented multicolored starbursts or linear patterns of white lights that whoosh across the sky. While doubters attribute the phenomenon to car lights or campfires, enthusiasts point out that the area is nearly uninhabited and difficult to reach. No matter your perspective, hit the road for what could be one of the most breathtaking natural phenomena you’ve ever seen.


Chinati Foundation

Peer off into the distance and spot a stark industrial complex with a galvanized cylindrical roof. It’s the Chinati Foundation, an internationally known contemporary art museum and once the home and workspace of minimalist artist Donald Judd, who was instrumental in Marfa’s transformation as an arts community. The museum embodies Judd’s interest in art as bound to the land and space in which it is situated, which is why you find world-class installations in what looks like an unlikely spot. The museum is on grounds of Fort D. A. Russell, a decommissioned Army outpost, which Judd bought and transformed into his residence and studio. Today, it exhibits large scale installations by both Judd and select contemporary artists. Chinati offers self-guided walking tours and guided tours of the collection are by reservation only.


The Hotel Paisano

Step in the storied grandeur of the historic Hotel Paisano in downtown Marfa, designed in the late 1920s to be an elegant getaway for travelers between El Paso and San Antonio. The hotel is best known as the gathering place for the cast and crew of the 1956 film, Giant, James Dean’s last film, which also starred Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and Dennis Hopper. Take your pick among rooms and suites named for these Hollywood legends, pick up a 10-gallon hat, beautiful housewares and clothing in the retail gallery, lounge by the pool and enjoy fine dining. Detailed tile work, exposed beams, and mounted longhorns and buffalo create a manor house vibe.


Judd Foundation

Get to know more about the transformational work of minimalist artist Donald Judd with a visit to the Judd Foundation, a non-profit organization that facilitates public access to Judd’s living and working spaces in Marfa. See studios installed with early works by Judd, libraries and living quarters that reflect the diversity of Judd’s work. Guided visits are available daily with tours of different local spaces.


Marfa and Presidio County Museum

Marfa and Presidio County have a fascinating history that includes serving as a railroad water and freight stop, a military outpost, the heart of ranching country, the setting for big-name movies and becoming an internationally known arts hub. Get to know the area at the Marfa and Presidio County Museum. The museum, founded in 1980, is in the 1880s-era Humphris-Humphrey’s house and includes nine galleries that reveal the history of this beguiling corner of the country.


Chinati Hot Springs

Situated in the Chihuahuan Desert in the nearby town of Ruidosa, Chinati Hot Springs is a rustic experience where visitors can rent cabins and relax in naturally occurring warm mineral springs. Once owned by minimalist artist Donald Judd, the property attracts global travelers for a one-of-a-kind restorative experience. Private cabins are designed with spartan comfort and include a TV- and internet-free environment so visitors can focus on relaxing. Bring your own food and interact with like-minded new friends in the group kitchen. Along with the hot springs on site, enjoy 650 acres of hiking trails and paved biking routes. Take a scenic drive eastward and enjoy hiking, horseback riding, paddling and other activities in Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas’ biggest state park.


Ballroom Marfa

A contemporary art space in a converted dance hall, Ballroom Marfa features exhibits and experiences that are never the same. See exhibitions, attend classes, watch films, and hear presentations all devoted to the exploration of contemporary art and culture. Ballroom Marfa is one of several historic spaces downtown that have been converted for modern use.

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Contact Information

Marfa, Texas
Marfa, Texas
PO Box 787
Marfa, TX 79843
(432) 729-4772
www.visitmarfa.com

Instagram Twitter