Art and Adventure in Far West Texas

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Advisor - Samantha Pappas
Curated By

Samantha Pappas

  • USA

  • Texas

  • Road Trip Travel

  • Arts & Culture

  • Domestic Travel

  • Nature Escapes

  • Off-the-Beaten-Path Travel

  • Weekend Getaways

  • Desert

  • Local Art

  • Outdoors

An art installation of a black and white abandoned Prada store on a side of a highway in west Texas.
Curator’s statement

At the doorstep of the most underrated national park in the United States, Big Bend, West Texas is a hidden gem that everyone should travel to at least once in their lifetime.

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Where to stay in Far West Texas

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Things to do in Far West Texas

A giant art installation in Marfa, West Texas of a man with a green shirt and jeans holding a brown gun next to a yellow car and brown house.

Marfa

Many art galleries, such as The Wrong Gallery.

Marfa lights. 

Ballroom Marfa.

Shopping, including Marfa Brands, Freda, Garza Marfa, Mano, Ashley Rowe, El Cosmico Gift Shop, Community, Paisano Gift Shop, Mirth.

Marathon

Target Marathon: An art installation.

James H. Evans Gallery.

Terlingua

Boquillas del Carmen Crossing: Cross over the Rio Grande on a boat to Mexico and visit the town of Boquillas del Carmen.

Santa Helena Canyon.

Boquillas Hot Springs. 

Golfing at Lajitas. 

St. Agnes Chapel. 

Chisos Mountains. 

Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.

Hikes: The Window Trail (easy), Lost Mine Trail (moderate), South Rim (strenuous), Emory Peak (strenuous).

Far Flung Outdoor Center for all your river, hiking and fishing guides!

Eat & drink in Far West Texas

Four men in a band on stage with yellow string lights hanging from a tree playing guitars and drums for a crowd.

Marfa

Stellina: Small sophisticated dinner spot.

Planet Marfa.

Capri: Unique dinner spot with live music.

St. George: Hotel with a good cocktail bar.

Cochineal: Possibly one of the nicest restaurants in Marfa. 

Marathon

The French Grocer: Petite grocery store with fresh produce and snacks. 

V6 Coffee Shop.

Brick Vault Brewery and BBQ: Some of the best BBQ in Texas – a must stop!

12 Gage Restaurant: Delicious lunch and dinner spot. Located at the Gage Hotel.

Terlingua 

Taqueria el Milagro: Casual dinner spot. All outdoors. Great fajitas and guacamole. 

Starlight Theatre: Dinner and a show! Wonderful music and food. An iconic spot in Terlingua. 

Lajitas Resort Bar.

Chili Pepper Cafe.

High Sierra Bar and Grill. 

The Study Butte. 

Need to know

  • Closest airports: Midland/Odessa Airport: Roughly 4 hours away. El Paso: Roughly 4 hours away.

  • American Airlines and JSX have seasonal flights into Lajitas (next to Terlingua).

  • You will need to rent a car if you're flying into any airports, and the best way to get there is to drive. 

  • I have found the best way to do West Texas is staying one night in Marfa, one night Marathon and the rest of your time in Terlingua, as it is at the gateway to Big Bend – there are a lot of day trips to go on from here!

  • West Texas is a remote place. Make sure you always have water on you and that your vehicle has plenty of gas.

Advisor - Samantha Pappas

Travel Advisor

Samantha Pappas

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