A trip to Marfa, Texas can be daunting. First, there is the logistics of getting there (with El Paso as the closest airport, then a 3 hour drive!). And let’s not forget how difficult it is to find a hotel (luckily the tiny town of Alpine, just 30 minutes East typically has more availability). But then there is the actual planning part!
Kevin and I pose at Marfa’s famed Prada store/art installation.
Below you’ll find an itinerary if you just have a few days in Marfa. It’s perfect for the long weekend getaway. I recommend spending most of your time in Marfa on the first day, then exploring further afield to Big Bend National Park. It’s a fantastic combo of art, food and activity. And as you’ll see, we did a lot! But you can always scale this back for your own pace. But one thing is sure, you definitely won’t be bored. Check out our journey.
Day 1 on your A Must-Do Marfa Itinerary (Friday)
- Arrive in El Paso, Texas (the nearest major airport); Pick up rental car (we found so many great deals online for rentals at the airport. Shop around. We’re talking like $20 a day).
- 3-hour drive to Marfa, Texas (or Alpine, Texas where we stayed since there were no more rooms in Marfa).
- Check into your hotel: We enjoyed the Holland Hotel in Alpine, Texas. $150 a night.
- Other hotels options? In Marfa, I’d recommend the Hotel Paisano or St. George, book early! I’m talking months in advance. There aren’t a lot of hotels in Marfa.
On the flight to El Paso and getting ready for our trip to Marfa
Tippy toeing around the hotel in Alpine, Texas – a late arrival around 3 AM!
Day 2 (Saturday), More Marfa Time And Art
- 9 AM, Wake up and explore downtown near your hotel. It will likely be a late night on Friday, so we really appreciated a late start.
- 11:30, Take a 2-hour walking tour at The Chianti Foundation – it’s incredible and what put Marfa on the map (a must!). Advance reservations are essential. Book right away and reserve your tour.
Checking out the massive cultures at the Chianti Foundation
- 2 PM, Lunch at the Food Shark Truck (full disclosure: we tried eating here, but they ran out of food! Something that is totally common for Marfa). If this is the case, I’d recommend going to Buns and Roses. I mean, how can you beat a restaurant name like that?
- 3-4 PM, Visit the coffee shop and get caffeinated at Do Your Thing (open until 4 PM); afterward take in some nearby art galleries like Marfa Ballroom or shopping at Tienda M or the Marfa Book Company (open until 8 PM)
- Late afternoon, head over to the Hotel Paisano to see some old-movie memorabilia from Giant, starring James Dean, Rock Hudson and a young Elizabeth Taylor. We enjoyed lounging around the comfy hotel bar full of couches (as well as the grand fountain in the courtyard).
- 8 PM (or whenever it’s around sunset), head out to the Marfa Lights Viewing Platform. This is the best time to see the sunset and best chance to see the Marfa lights. And you’ll be asking, is it a UFO? Or car headlights? We were baffled.
- Late night Snack: Check out the Museum/Late Night Grilled Cheese Parlor (9:30 pm-12:30)
It took about 45 minutes to get 1 grilled cheese, but at least it tasted good
People are transfixed by the trippy restaurant Late Night Grilled Cheese Parlor
Day 3 (Sunday): We Love a Road Trip, A Day in Big Bend National Park
- 9 AM, It’s time to mix things up! Start your drive towards Big Bend National Park.
- 10 AM, Stop in Marathon, Texas to see the Gage Hotel (basically the main draw in town). You can feel the old school vibe before you even walk inside.
- While in town, there are some great art galleries and coffee shops are within walking distance of the Gage Hotel. Our pick? The French Co Grocer. While not particularly French, this tiny store has some delicious chocolate chip cookies and open very late (for the return drive back)
Historic Gage Hotel in Marathon
- 11 AM, Arrive at the Big Bend National Park main gate (stop by the visitors center just inside)
- 12 PM, Arrive at main hike, the Lost Mine Trail (4.6 miles out and back)
At the very top of the trail – we made it!
- 3 PM, Explore more, then drive back towards Marfa.
- 6 PM, Dinner reservations at Cochineal (best meal in town). We recommend grabbing a seat at the counter. Make sure you call ahead and snag a spot!
- 9 PM, Wrap dinner, you’re in for a long haul here.
- 9:30 PM, Movie nearby hotel in Alpine at the Ranga Theater.
The date pudding with caramelized rum sauce at Cochineal in Marfa – top notch
Day 4 (Monday): Last Day, We Don’t Want to Leave!
- 8 AM, Depart hotel in Alpine
- 8:30 AM, Coffee stop at Buns N’ Roses in Marfa. You know we love our Buns N’ Roses!
- 9:15 AM, Check out the Prada Marfa store for the last minute photo opps. This spot is on the outskirts of town so best to visit either on your way in or out of Marfa. We arrived late, so it was already dark. So keep that in mind for your trip.
- We continued back towards El Paso airport from here.
The photo we’ve been waiting for – the Prada in the middle of nowhere!
- 10:15 AM, Quick stop in Van Horn, Texas at Margie’s Bakery (the burritos and cookies are amazing and just a few bucks each. Incredible.)
We loved this tiny spot along the way to Marfa — Margie’s Bakery and so cheap
A burrito ranges from $1.05 to $3.50 at Margie’s Bakery, just 1 hour along the way from Marfa to El Paso
- 12:15 PM, Arrive back in El Paso, Fly home. You made it!
Looking for other travel advice on Marfa? You’ll want to check out our essential first-time visitor guide on what to expect in Marfa. It’s a weird (and wonderful) place. But it will give you the lowdown on what to expect. Interested in seeing all the Marfa celebrity hot spots? Check out the places where Beyonce and other celebs hang out in Marfa. Finally, for all you hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, Big Bend National Park is just around the corner. Be sure to read our feature on Big Bend, and the best hikes and stops for a classic road trip adventure.
We made it! Hopefully we won’t need to reach anyone because there is no cell signal.
[…] preparing for this trip, I had read some other itineraries to get an idea of what to do. One blog called out a place called Buns and Roses for breakfast, and, hey, who could resist a place called Buns and […]