Fantastic opportunity to view art and environment on a large scale. You must book in advance as…read moretime slots sell out fast.

I love living relatively closer to Marfa, Texas. Previously, Marfa was a flight away; now, it's a…read moredrive away. The peak of Maria's hipster frothiness seems to have passed. It appears to have settled into a more predictable groove. Of course, the reason for this town's fame is Donald Judd's Chinati Foundation. I do my infrequent pilgrimage to Chinati for one reason: to see his '100 untitled works in mill aluminum.' I like choosing the open viewing versus the guided tour option because it gives me time to walk among the aluminum blocks undisturbed in relative silence with no time limit. The sun's angle hit different pieces producing different angles of contrast and shimmer. Being in these two buildings is like standing in a mash up of a cathedral and an after-hours machine shop. So many get frustrated with Donald Judd's work. They place demands on what it all means and they walk out dismissively when enlightenment doesn't happen. I toss out my brain and my thoughts. I don't come here to figure anything out. I walk the aisles and just breathe it all in. It's soothing and gratifying; part of the spiritual reset that Chinati and Marfa can do. P.S. Chinati still doesn't allow photography inside their buildings or galleries. I visited once when a rare exception was made. Almost every other art institution in North America allows non-flash photography. It's time for Chinati to allow for the same.

Wow. The proprietor, William "Kim" Thornsburg is a personality to behold. Don't stop here if you're…read morein a hurry, but don't let that necessary dissuade you from coming in. The "museum" is very small and is a collection of his ships, some old articles, and a few unique paintings. Mr. Thornberry is a character you have to meet to appreciate. He has an absolutely wonderful collection of hand built ships, but what he loves to talk about is Jews and the holocaust. He is very passionate about his theories about what happened during and after the war. He claims to have all kinds of documentation but doesn't display or present any of it. Of course there's nothing wrong with this, but some of the stories he spins are a little bit hard to swallow. I am not saying they're untrue because I don't know, but let's just say it's the first time I've heard some of the ideas he presents. Depending on your perspective he could sometimes get a little bit offensive at times, but like I said, he's one of a kind so you have to let that just roll off your back. I walked in unprepared for the presentation, but enjoyed listening to him talk for 30+ minutes without even taking a breath. I really wanted to ask him about his ships and the models he built, but he didn't give me a chance. I wish I had more time because I'm sure we could've had a great conversation if he ever let me ask a question. Take this review as either an invitation or a warning depending upon your mindset. I enjoyed the visit as entertaining.

Brad C.'s review nicely summarizes our experience...a quirky but oddly moving display of one man's…read morefaith and passion. Kim weaves stories of how the represented boats aided or condemned Jewish refugees across generations. Yes, there are claims that may be difficult to substantiate, but a quick search of 'post-war British treatment of Jewish refugees' was an eye opener. Despite the modest nature of the museum, it's our favorite memory from a short visit to Marfa. Cautionary note: not recommended for under 15 years of age...or UK residents.

The Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center was a fantastic stop for my daughters, our dog, and me on…read more2.15.2025. I knew from scrutinizing their website that I would love this place. I love their video tour by David Politzer from 2022. In fact, the only things I didn't love were their map and outdoor displays that needed maintenance or repair. The map lacked key details and was a bit confusing. There were several uprooted signs, at least one overturned bench, and exterior paint wearing. Otherwise, it's a very cool place. Clean women's restrooms. Bottle refill station inside the visitor's center. In 2023, the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center celebrated its 50th year anniversary, so it definitely deserves constant maintenance. Open: Mon. - Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed on Sunday. Very nice lady at the front desk. She only charged me half price since we got there at 4 p.m. My kids and dog were free. Admission Fees ADULTS $6.50 CHILDREN 12 & UNDER FREE MEMBERS FREE SRSU STUDENTS $3.25 DOGS ARE WELCOME FREE My dog loved it here. A little rocky, but not many issues with stickers and weeds as long as you adhere to the trails. No dogs allowed in the Cactus Museum Collection. They're having their succulent sale on March 10, 2025 from 9 am - 5 pm. For more information, go to https://www.cdri.org/

I did not do any hiking here so I can't speak to the trails available. I arrived in the early…read moreafternoon and it was to hot for a long hike. The botanical gardens is very nice with a significant collection of native desert plants. All are very well labeled. Out back of the garden is a "Cactus Museum," a small greenhouse with a great collection of different Cactus. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. Admission is only $7. Definitely worth stopping by.

Amazing spot. Enjoyed my visit and glancing in to the far beyond. Was welcomed by a nice staffer.read more

If you have some time, I would definitely recommend paying $10 a person for a tour of the…read moretelescopes. The tour was about an hour and a half long. My husband and I learned so much about Big Bend, its dark skies, and the history of the McDonald Observatory! Our tour guide, Ryan, was very informative and engaging! He was very passionate about his work and you can tell through the tours he gives! Loved seeing the science happening behind the scenes in the dark skies of Big Bend when the country is asleep!

Very cute little art exhibit. It's hard to miss it if you don't know where to look. It's right…read moreoutside the Lincoln Hotel.

The yellow phone is at The Lincoln hotel in Marfa. Swifties this is for you! Not a working phone,…read morehowever it continuously plays "shake it off"

Planet Marfa is a must if you're visiting! It's a beautiful, spacious bar, with plenty of seating…read moreand activities. The teepee at the entrance is gorgeous and has a ping pong table, a side table, and lots of chairs. The bar has plenty of seating around it and the bartender was super friendly. Our group of 8 ordered food and drinks and we were delighted with our orders! There is a large stage area for live music, a back house with pool and board games, and an old bus with seats and a table. Didn't get to take pics of the bus, but it was awesome. Extremely happy with our experience here and would definitely recommend adding this to your itinerary when visiting Marfa, Texas!

Planet Marfa is one of my favorite beer gardens. Their margaritas are always delicious and have a…read morerefreshing lime flavor. I wished I had one now.

If you're looking to tap into a little turn-of-the-19th Century Texas spirit, Prude Ranch is the…read morekind of place where you can hang your hat and feel right at home. This isn't just some dressed-up attraction, it's a genuine working ranch that blends hospitality with a healthy dose of outdoor adventure. I brought my daughter and her friend along so they could experience what it's like to saddle up proper, just like I did as a kid. There's nothing quite like learning to mount, settle into the rhythm, and take the reins of a horse that's got a mind and personality of its own. Set just outside Fort Davis, the ranch sits on land that's nothing short of breathtaking with wide-open spaces, mountain views, and that quiet kind of stillness you only find out in the country. From check-in to hitting the trail, the staff were as knowledgeable as they were Texas-friendly, the kind of folks who make you feel welcome before you even swing into the saddle. And the horses? Fine animals, well cared for, even-tempered, and each with their own quirks. Mine, for instance, had a habit of moseying toward every patch of snack-worthy greenery along the trail... felt a bit like looking in a mirror at a buffet line. With a soft spring breeze rolling through, the ride felt easy and peaceful, the kind that makes you slow down and take it all in. Though we didn't stay overnight, it was clear plenty of families had settled in for Spring Break, and the main house was serving up hearty, satisfying grub that smelled as good as it looked. Even in a short visit, Prude Ranch delivered a true taste of ranch life that is unpretentious, scenic, and just the right amount of cowboy charm to leave you grinning long after you've ridden off into the sunset.

We were visiting the Marfa/Fort Davis and wanting to do horseback riding. We looked all over and…read morefor the value and views (Mountains!) we choose Prude Ranch. We were not disappointed! It was my wife and son with me for a 2 hour ride. Our guide was Jake and he was awesome. Kind, knowledgeable and thoughtful when it came to us and the horses. We couldn't have imaged a better ride. This was our first trip to the region and ranch but won't be our last. This is a must do when visiting the area.

This place is super cool. I don't drink and generally don't hang out in bars, but this is one I…read morefeel comfortable at anyway. I wouldn't call it a dive, it's pretty nice. The food is surprisingly good for bar food and the diet coke is diet coke. Bartenders are pretty cool and remember your order after a couple times. There's always something going on there, lots of live music, chess club, various meetups. It's a cool old restored hotel with a dog friendly patio and friendly people. Somehow there's always an old man in a cowboy hat standing around the porch outside welcoming you in. I approve.

Ambiance: The Ritchey is a cool dive bar in town. Plenty of seating inside and outside. There are…read moreboard games for patrons to play with and a stage for live music. Service: The bartender was friendly. Prices were fair. EDIT! Food: there is food on the menu and plenty of beer and cocktails.