Coming from the east, Highway 90 makes for an interesting, scenic drive to Marfa. Plan your fuel stops wisely, as it's possible to go almost 200 miles between cities. Highway 90 takes in a couple of all-but-ghost towns along the way, as well as the Trans-Pecos crossing and some breathtaking scenery. Travelers in more of a hurry may prefer to take Interstate 10 to Highway 67 (from the east) or Highway 90 (from the west) straight into Marfa.
The nearest airport is in El Paso, 190 miles west.
Visitors will need their own transportation to reach most of the sights in Marfa, although many of the art galleries and restaurants are within walking distance of each other on the main drag in town, between the Presidio County Courthouse and the Marfa post office.
The Chinati Foundation, 1 Cavalry Row, ☎ +1-432-729-4362, [1]. Wed - Sun. The Chinati Foundation is a museum founded by the artist Donald Judd, presenting large-scale, permanent installations by twelve artists: Carl Andre, Ingolfur Arnarrson, John Chamberlain, Dan Flavin, Roni Horn, Donald Judd, Ilya Kabakov, Richard Long, Claus Oldenburg and Coosje Van Bruggen, David Rabinowitch, and John Wesley. The museum also presents one or two special, temporary exhibitions each year. Fifteen outdoor concrete sculptures by Donald Judd are accessible Monday through Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM. The rest of the collection is seen by guided tour; several options are offered throughout the day Wednesday through Sunday. Reservations are recommended and can be purchased on-line at www.chinati.org. $10 - $25. edit
Gallery 111 West, ☎ 5126953168, [2]. Studio and Gallery of Marfa-Based Artist and Photographer Leana Clifton.edit
Inde/Jacobs, 208 E San Antonio, ☎ 432.386.0044, [3]. Th-Sa noon-5PM. Exhibits works on paper and limited editions by Donald Judd and Dan Flavin. This provides additional insight into the artwork of these two great artists. In addition, the inde/jacobs represents Nelleke Beltjens, David Hirschi, Hadi Tabatabai and Erik Tillinghast. Exceptional artwork in the minimalist aesthetic-reductive style.edit
Visitors should consider planning their trip when the town is most active - between Wednesday and Saturday, when many local shops, restaurants and attractions are open.
For many visitors, the mysterious Marfa Lights are the main attraction. There is a viewing platform several miles east of the city on Route 67. After dark, the famed lights may appear...or they may not. Theories have been put forward as to their origin, but none have been conclusive; there is no way to predict whether they will appear on any given night. Visitors determined to catch a glimpse of the eerie, dancing orbs may have to set aside a couple of nights and wish for luck.
Jett's Grill, ☎ +1-432-729-3838, [4]. M-Th 5:30PM to 9:00PM, later on Fr-Sa.. Attached to the Hotel Paisano (see below), is named for James Dean's character in "Giant".edit
Pizza Foundation, ☎ +1-432-729-3377, [5]. is located at the intersection of Route 67 and Route 90, across from city hall. They serve big slices of thin-crust pizza ($1.75 a slice or $12 for the whole pie) with a wide range of toppings. The menu also includes limeades and salads.edit
Grande Dame Marfa, ☎ 5126953168, [8]. Majestic Marfa adobe for vacation rental.edit
Hotel Paisano, ☎ +1-432-729-3669, [9]. A grand dame of a hotel, beautifully kept. It shows the James Dean film Giant in a screening room off its lobby all day, seven days a week; the cast of the movie, which also included Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor, stayed at the hotel during the filming in 1955.edit
El Cosmico, 802 S. Highland Ave; Marfa, TX 79843, ☎ (432) 729-1950, [11]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: Noon. Camping, restored and furnished vintage trailers, dutch tubs.$20-125. (30.317525,104.023414)edit
STAY marfa (Nightly Apartment Rentals), 200 E San Antonio, ☎ 888 Marfa Go, [12]. checkin: 3PM; checkout: 10AM. Provides a hotel alternative. Kitchens, patios, Wi-Fi, satellite TV in most units.Studio $79, 2 bdrm/2bth $139. edit
The crime rate in Marfa is incredibly low compared to other nearby cities and towns.
Law enforcement is provided by the Presidio County Sheriff's Department and the Texas Highway Patrol, after the disbanding of the Marfa Police Department in 2010.
This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!
