Things To Do in City of Marfa

From its charming downtown to its outdoor adventures, Marfa and its surrounding areas offer plenty of things for visitors to do. Post an Instagram worthy-shot of roadside art, like the Giant Marfa paintings of James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor on the edge of town. Or unplug from your phone in an internet-free environment that allows you contemplation and relaxation. The choice is yours in Marfa, where style meets serenity.

Stay In Starlet’s Suite, a Desert Cabin or a Teepee 

In and around Marfa, the locally owned boutique accommodations aren’t just a place to rest for the night. They’re fascinating experiences. Sleep in a vintage airstream trailer, a Sioux-inspired tepee, or a Mongolian yurt at the cheerfully boho El Cosmico. Opt for the plush Elizabeth Taylor Suite at the historic Hotel Paisano downtown. Rest your head in quiet comfort on Cibolo Creek Ranch, one of Texas’s oldest ranches, a pet-friendly spot where you can enjoy a range of activities coordinated by ranch hands. Reserve an apartment inside historic Marfa House, a renovated two-story adobe, or a cozy cottage inside the charming Corte del Norte. Each option shares the authenticity of the city itself.

Explore The Wild and Wonderful Big Bend Region

Marfa is the perfect launchpad for exploring the surrounding West Texas territory, which includes stunning destinations like Big Bend National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park,   Davis Mountain State Park, the McDonald Observatory and other spots that allow you to see the region’s untamed wonder. Pack a picnic and plan a day-long road trip. Return to Marfa after a fun-filled day and relax on the patio with a margarita or cold beverage.

Take a Gallery Walk

Pick up a Marfa Gallery Guide and visit some of the nearly two dozen galleries and museums sprinkled throughout Marfa. Don’t miss the Chinati Foundation, a contemporary art museum founded by minimalist artist Donald Judd that holds large-scale works created to have a relationship with the surrounding space. Analyze the exhibits at Ballroom Marfa, a contemporary art center that features changing exhibits of both live and fine art. View Andy Warhol’s The Last Supper at the Ayn Foundation. The amount of original art per square foot in tiny Marfa will astound you.

Shop One-of-a-Kind Shops in Charming Downtown

Marfa’s quaint, charming downtown is full of locally owned shops that sell one-of-a-kind finds. It wouldn’t be West Texas ranch country if you couldn’t pick up a new Stetson like the ones sold at Communitie Marfa. Custom leather boots like those from the famed Cobra Rock Boots can also be purchased here. Elsewhere, you’ll find books, fine housewares, clothing for men, women and children, art supplies, cocktail ingredients and more. And while there’s plenty of inspired fashion in Marfa, note that the Prada Marfa, located 26 miles northwest of town, is actually a permanent work of art, not an actual shop, created by Berlin-based artists Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset.

Wine and Dine

Marfa’s lively food and drinks scene is always ready to serve something new. Sample authentic Mexican cuisine, inventive modern dishes, fresh baked goods, luscious coffee, a real Texas saloon, plant-based fare, and juicy burgers. If you enjoy dining al fresco, you’re in luck. Many restaurants and bars feature open air patios for relishing the desert night as you sip, dine, and relax.

Ease Your Mind, Body and Soul

Step away from the stress of everyday life and reclaim a sense of peace in Marfa. Take a yoga class, meditate, book an appointment for aromatherapy, enjoy a massage or a facial and ease your sore muscles in 113-degree naturally occurring springs at Chinati Hot Springs. Accommodations purposely include a wireless-free environment, allowing for a true escape from it all.