Sightseeing
Gorgeous National Park! About a 2 hour drive from Marathon. Wonderful hikes of different difficulty. Always worth a visit any time of year.
26 locals recommend
Big Bend National Park
Gorgeous National Park! About a 2 hour drive from Marathon. Wonderful hikes of different difficulty. Always worth a visit any time of year.
Sweet little town. We have always loved going to the Fort Davis National Historic Site. It’s an old Buffalo Soldier Fort and the site is really well conceived and informative about a very interesting and little know aspect of the old West.
The Davis Mountains are also a wonderful drive.
13 locals recommend
Fort Davis
Sweet little town. We have always loved going to the Fort Davis National Historic Site. It’s an old Buffalo Soldier Fort and the site is really well conceived and informative about a very interesting and little know aspect of the old West.
The Davis Mountains are also a wonderful drive.
A wonderful place, both in a historic and contemporary sense. Home to the world famous Chianti Foundation, a must see for all modern art lovers. The classic film “Giant” was filmed here and Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean all stayed at the historic Marta Hotel. Great things to do there. Art, restaurants, bookstores, gem stores.
19 locals recommend
Marfa
A wonderful place, both in a historic and contemporary sense. Home to the world famous Chianti Foundation, a must see for all modern art lovers. The classic film “Giant” was filmed here and Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean all stayed at the historic Marta Hotel. Great things to do there. Art, restaurants, bookstores, gem stores.
Would really recommend an evening sky party. The will have telescopes for you to look at the stars and guides to help you know what you’re looking at. These sometimes sell out months in advance so make sure to buy your tickets sooner rather than later. Also, the Twilight program and daytime Solar viewing are great, too.
22 locals recommend
McDonald Observatory
Would really recommend an evening sky party. The will have telescopes for you to look at the stars and guides to help you know what you’re looking at. These sometimes sell out months in advance so make sure to buy your tickets sooner rather than later. Also, the Twilight program and daytime Solar viewing are great, too.
A world renown art museum founded by Donald Judd. Featuring works of other artists as well, such as Dan Flavin and Robert Irwin. Definitely worth a visit. It’s fairly minimalist and somehow makes sense in the vast plains that surround Marfa. Or you can feel like my son who looked at some of the art and said, “it’s a box”.
57 locals recommend
Chinati Foundation
1 Cavalry RowA world renown art museum founded by Donald Judd. Featuring works of other artists as well, such as Dan Flavin and Robert Irwin. Definitely worth a visit. It’s fairly minimalist and somehow makes sense in the vast plains that surround Marfa. Or you can feel like my son who looked at some of the art and said, “it’s a box”.
Just half an hour west of Marathon. Home of Sul Ross University (only place in the country you can get a rodeo degree) and where the Amtrak train stops. This town has the charm of a college town and the must have extras of being the largest town in the area, such at an Ace Hardware store, Porter’s Thriftway (a larger grocery store).
14 locals recommend
Alpine
Just half an hour west of Marathon. Home of Sul Ross University (only place in the country you can get a rodeo degree) and where the Amtrak train stops. This town has the charm of a college town and the must have extras of being the largest town in the area, such at an Ace Hardware store, Porter’s Thriftway (a larger grocery store).
Marfa Lights - or the Marfa Mystery Lights- are an unexplained phenomena that have been documented since the 19th century. Sourceless lights appearing the distance, sometimes moving, sometimes different colors, but no one knows their origin. Nice to have unexplainable mysteries to ponder.
35 locals recommend
Marfa Lights Viewing Area
U.S. 90Marfa Lights - or the Marfa Mystery Lights- are an unexplained phenomena that have been documented since the 19th century. Sourceless lights appearing the distance, sometimes moving, sometimes different colors, but no one knows their origin. Nice to have unexplainable mysteries to ponder.
Gage Gardens
106 1st StRight in Marathon. This is a sweet garden oasis.
Terlingua
This is a rugged and beautiful spot. Especially known for it’s dark sky. Perfect for star gazing!
40 locals recommend
Big Bend Ranch State Park
21800 Farm to Market Road 170This is a rugged and beautiful spot. Especially known for it’s dark sky. Perfect for star gazing!
Food scene
This cozy bar in the Historic Gage Hotel is a terrific place for a cocktail and light eats.
10 locals recommend
White Buffalo Bar
102 NW 1st st Hwy 90wThis cozy bar in the Historic Gage Hotel is a terrific place for a cocktail and light eats.
This is an amazing BBQ spot. Recently listed by Texas Monthly as one of the best new BBQ restaurants in Texas.
Brick Vault Brewery and Barbecue
102 Northwest 1st StreetThis is an amazing BBQ spot. Recently listed by Texas Monthly as one of the best new BBQ restaurants in Texas.
Great place to get coffee and breakfast or lunch. Nice gift shop attached next door.
7 locals recommend
V6 Coffee Bar
109 NE 1st StGreat place to get coffee and breakfast or lunch. Nice gift shop attached next door.
12 Gage Restaurant
102 NW 1st st Hwy 90wFabulous food in a beautiful, historic hotel.
Big Bend Pizza
900 US-90Great pizza to take out or eat in.
Great restaurant in Alpine. If you’re feeling adventurous try the calf fries!
27 locals recommend
Reata Restaurant
203 N 5th StGreat restaurant in Alpine. If you’re feeling adventurous try the calf fries!
Railroad Blues
504 W Holland AveGreat small music scene. Worth a stop.
Oasis Cafe
113 NE 1st StWhere the locals eat.
Groceries
Our local grocery store. Has great selection of regular and organic food. Also, sandwiches to go for those heading to the park.
8 locals recommend
French Co Grocer
206 Avenue DOur local grocery store. Has great selection of regular and organic food. Also, sandwiches to go for those heading to the park.
Taste and See Bakery
116 N 5th StGood bakery!
Shopping
Black Cat Vintage
108 N 5th StBig Bend Saddlery
2701 US-90Murphy Street Mercado
210 W Murphy AveFront Street Books
121 E Holland AveKiowa Gallery & Custom Framing
105 E Holland AveSweet art gallery with regional art for sale.