This historic building houses one of the most unique and character filled libraries I've ever seen!…read more Every nook & cranny is interesting and filled with over 100 years of West Texas / Ft. Davis History. There's so much to look at & explore in this amazing library! We were greeted by a sweet librarian by the name of Pat. She was happy to tell us all about the library, past & present. The library houses 31,281 volumes & circulates 35,618 items a year. It serves a population of 2,253 residents. The creaky old wood floors & the old tin ceilings added so much charm and character to the experience. There are hidden nooks with nice Comfy chairs to plop down in and enjoy a full day of reading & exploring.....it'll take ya back & take ya away! I wanted to spend the whole day with Pat & read & learn more........=(. I CAN NOT Wait to check into the Limpia Hotel and walk across the way to spend a day at The AMAZING Jeff Davis Library! See ya next time! http://ttpls.tsl.state.tx.us/fortdavislibrary

Walking around town and noticed a small rack of books outside the library for sale. Found a couple,…read morewent in to pay. I asked if they had anymore books for sale and was directed back to an area with hundreds of books for sale. What a cool old building, nooks and crannys, sitting/reading areas. The original heating wood stove is still in place. The day we were there the place was full of kids. That in itself was a great site to see. My husband was outside with the dog when I first went in and one of the kids came out and said that the library was dog friendly, come on in. Stop and talk to the librarian, she will give you a pamphlet about the history of this building. The information also lightly touches on the history of the town as well. Would have loved to been able to spend more time here, you could easily spend 30 minutes to an hour just exploring.

A beautiful historic site that's a great place to stop if you're on a road trip or swinging by the…read moreMcDonald Observatory. The visitor center is great with nice bathrooms and a ton of informative displays, some of them very beautiful! There's also a small shop if you want any keepsakes and if you have a national park passport book, you can also grab a stamp to commemorate your visit. The guy that helped us was so nice, and the pamphlet you get when you buy your pass has a great layout of the fort with explanations. The walk around takes maybe 30-45 minutes, and they've kept so many of the original structures and foundations, and there are plenty of signs that help you identify what you're looking at. With the cliffs behind the fort, it's really a beautiful walk and we enjoyed stretching our legs and learning about this unique and well-tended fort!

As a historic site, this frontier fort is very well packed with information…read more Hidden outside the small West Texas town of Fort Davis you can find the old fort grounds with remnants and renovated parts of the original fort It speaks to the experience of settlers of the area and their skirmishes with bands of native Americans for the little resources that the land had to offer. The 10th Cavalry - Buffalo Soldiers were posted here and made their mark in West Texas. The first bAfrican American to graduate West Point LT Henry Flipper was also posted here. They have a museum in the visitor center, but the entire site is the museum. There are exhibits, interactive activities. Hey, the Junior Ranger program is for everyone, not just kids . For the outdoorsy, the historic site also has some hiking. We took the short hike up the hills to the top to view the down upon the site. It's not a big place, but we spent a good two hours there, and didn't see all of it. There was much more hiking to do, so if I were in the area again I'd be interested in how an undressed (for Xmas) Fort Davis NHS would look Recommended.

The Marfa Lights remain as West Texas's predominant mystery…read more If you gaze towards the Chinati Mountains, you might see them. The Lights are supposedly not like the Aurora Borealis which I have seen. They have been described as glowing orbs. I have heard many unusual and some humorous possible explanations, but there are still only theories... I took my girls with me on 2.16.2025 to try to catch a glimpse. Our luck was non-existent. I encourage you to visit The Marfa Mystery Lights Viewing Area, a few miles outside of Marfa, TX. And I know many folks won't have time to do this, but visit the viewing area during operating hours, then return a bit before sunset for the possibility of a light show. Here's my review of the Viewing Area: https://www.yelp.com/biz/marfa-mystery-lights-viewing-area-marfa?hrid=D5Ko7O4dg7iXuqJ-9-3-zQ&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) Five stars because I love earth's "living museum" plus Marfa is a fun place to visit for a day or two. Happy trails to you...

As another reviewer mentioned, the actual Marfa Lights Viewing Area is not located inside the city…read moreof Marfa and the address for this Yelp entry is wrong. To get to the actual viewing area, go East from Marfa on US-90 and you'll see it off the highway on the right. There's a nice roadside building with a parking lot, bathrooms, a few signs on the strange history of the lights, and a nice viewing platform with some built-in binoculars. There's plenty of space for people to stand or sit, some people even sat out camp chairs, but it is open air so be prepared if it's cooler or windy (we were freezing over New Year's with the wind gusts)! The Marfa Lights are such a cool mystery in West Texas and I'm so glad we stopped here on our way back from the McDonald Observatory's star party, even if we didn't get to see the mysterious lights for ourselves... "I want to believe!"

Pinto Canyon Road is a scenic HIGH-CLEARANCE vehicle route from Marfa, TX to Ruidosa, TX. You can…read moreGoogle for pics and more info. It's darn pretty, and there's some especially scenic bits. It is definitely an adventure. Marfa to Ruidosa will take about 2.25 hours (53 miles, but 2/3 on dirt.). Perhaps earlier if you want to return the same way. After dark, you might prefer returning to Marfa through Presidio on easy, paved roads (FM170 to 67N.) Important practical advice (I've driven it!) If you're doing this for the first time, I recommend the road down rather than up. Leave with plenty of daylight (about 3 hours or more.) Anything other than a HIGH-CLEARANCE vehicle is potentially asking for trouble. Attempting it in a low-clearance vehicle is just stupid. AWD/4WD drive is highly recommended if coming up it. Caution is recommended for front-wheel drive even going down (sandbags in the back of your truck might be advisable.) From the center of Marfa, take 90W. A little bit before the western edge of town, you'll see Hoover St. Make a left onto Hoover, which turns into FM2810. The FM2810 portion of the route is paved for a good while heading southwest out of Marfa. After awhile, it will turn into a private road with a marked (open) gate. Pinto Canyon Road crosses private ranchland (but is open to public access with rules such as no hunting) and is a DIRT road. It is very steep and rocky in places, although there are not a lot of ruts. It is fairly well traveled. In the rainy season, there may be flooding in some dips/crossings. Know when and how to yield to traffic on this (often steep) dirt road. Some stretches are only one car width. Once you hit the dirt section you'll average about 20 mph depending on your driving skill. You'll be on dirt for maybe 70-90 minutes. Wave to any cars you pass. Most folk here are friendly and like knowing that you are, too. You will pass other cars, but not many. There is no cell reception on Pinto Canyon, no gas, and no AAA. The nearest town is a long way away, and I've no idea IF they'd come get you or when. For any serious issue (beyond a flat) odds are you'd be hitching a ride and leaving your vehicle behind for a good while. So start with plenty of gas and a vehicle in good working order. Ruidosa has no services, and your next gas is Presidio (left at Ruidosa.). Ruidosa to Presidio is paved. BONUS Local Flavor tip: Chinati Hot Springs is 6 miles off Pinto Canyon Road a little while before Ruidosa (more slow-moving dirt road.) You can also get to CHS by going from Marfa to Presidio to Ruidosa (67S to FM170W - all paved highway - and then do only 7 miles of dirt road.) CHS requires reservations for both day and overnight use, so call ahead. You must also bring in anything you wish to eat; they have a common kitchen. High clearance also recommended for either route to CHS.

This is a beautiful drive! It is recommended for high clearance vehicles, but we had no trouble in…read moreour Traverse. We saw mule deer, javelinas, and antelope the morning we drove through.

I think you can learn a lot about a community by its libraries or lack thereof. Whenever traveling,…read moreespecially somewhere new, I hit up the library. This one did not dissapoint. I didn't see a sign outside clearly marking it but I may have missed it. However, as soon as I opened the door I was transported to that peaceful, calm world that only libraries can bring me. Yes, there were books, lots of aisles of books. What I was transfixed by however, was the peripheral details- the community flyers on the aisle ends, the transformation of every cubby hole, the pride in their small historical archive room, the themed decoration of their displays, a computer lab, a chess ser, and a number of interactive activities to enjoy. They had bracelets you can make, puzzles, a dinosaur "sandox", a kids reading area, seed sharing, and even a 3D printer! I wish I had more time to sit, read, and absorb it all but I was able to stroll. Stroll, wonder, and appreciate. Then I stumbled on their courtyard. A long, serene, covered patio, some garden boxes, a water feature, and a small stage with a gravel area in front. I believe there was also a room towards the back for yoga or other activities. It was lovely. There was one young lady at the counter while I visited and she was super friendly. My thanks to her. If you really can learn about a community by its libraries, then I learned that I could live happily in the Marfa Public Library.

Nice little park south of Marathon. Looks like 1 road in and out. Good for a jog or a bike ride…read more Nice well maintained park. Little pond with ducks. Also looks like there was a pool at some point. Plenty of space for picnics or a little BBQ.

This hidden gem of a historic public park lies just 5 miles south of tiny Marathon, Texas…read more(population 430). Camp Peña Colorado (today simply known as "Post Park") was the site of a U.S. military encampment around the spring-fed Peña "Colorada" Creek in the late 1800s and now serves as a perfect little picturesque picnic stop on your way out of Big Bend if you're headed back to Austin. If you're lodging in Marathon or otherwise have the time, the nearly deserted scenic road (southbound Avenue D, aka Post Road, the only one to cross the railroad tracks) out to the park is ideal for running, walking, and biking; bicycles can be rented from the Gage Hotel. Located in the middle of the Combs Ranch and generously donated to the county by the family in 1935, the land was converted from the ruins of the old cavalry post to a public park by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Brewster County now maintains the place, which is surrounded by the Los Caballos Novaculite Mountains. If you're from around these parts, you have likely attended many a public event at Post Park, such as the long-running annual 4th of July Dance, the summer Chili Cook-Off, and the West Fest Cabrito Cook-Off in September. Check the Marathon, Texas tourism page https://www.marathontexas.com/events for details on upcoming events. The park features several educational historic markers and interpretive nature plaques, a few picnic tables & grills, some covered tables, a couple of cinder-block restrooms, a large concrete slab/dance floor, tons of cottonwood shade trees, and a dammed up portion of the creek that is often home to several species of birds and any other critters seeking a free drink. Wildlife such as deer, javelinas, turkey, jackrabbits, quail, and the occasional fox can be seen in the early morning or around sunset. Fishing is allowed. A weathered old wooden sign suggests that camping *could* be an option with a permit, but it's not clear how one would obtain such a permit. You might try calling Brewster County offices to check on that. More info about the park site's history: http://texasmountaintrail.com/plan-your-adventure/historic-sites-and-cities/sites/post-park

We heard about and found a map published by the Fort Davis CofC online before our visit to Fort…read moreDavis in mid-May 2019. We picked up a couple of sandwiches, some chips and soda before heading out of Fort Davis for the 2 hour Scenic Loop Drive with a plan to stop and enjoy a picnic along the way at one of the picnic tables along the loop. What a beautiful afternoon we spent weaving our way through the majestic Davis Mountains region! Thank you so much for embracing your regions natural resource and planting stops along the way so that visitors could discover the beauty of God's country up close and personal. MUST SEE/DO!!

Ah, The Gateway to Big Bend! We pass through Alpine every couple of years when heading to Marfa…read more We don't just pass through, we actually stop and spend time shopping at antique stores and grabbing a bite to eat. This high-desert town is home to Sul Ross State University. Like many West Texas desert towns, Alpine was once a railroad hub. Now, the streets are lined with boutiques, vintage shops, galleries, restaurants, and museums. The Museum of the Big Bend is located here. Great little town.

And the Road Goes on Forever! Literally out here there is not a lot of anything between towns…read moreincluding people and cars. So when you come up on Alpine and feel what seems to be back in civilization,it can feel disappointing. Only from the standpoint of more people and some traffic. However. Alpine is quickly redeemed when you realize there are interesting things to explore and do. Walking into a small shop I unexpectedly ran into a well-known artist that was down to earth, welcoming and a breath of fresh air. When hunger struck again, family owned and operated long lived cafe served me up some great food alongside the Sheriff, Border Patrol, prominent area rancher, and construction guys. Really. I havent been in a place like this in decades. The food was knock your socks off good and one of those places the cook brings your food to the table occasionally, as he did my killer hamburger. When I commented on how great it looked he just looked at the burger with a slight smile and nodded. Like you have no idea. Im sold on Alpine and its one of those places you say to yourself,"I could live there". if driving thru stop and check it out. Worth it times 10