Marfa

Marfa is a town of 1,600 people (2019) in the Big Bend Country region of Texas. It's known for two things: innovative art and mysterious lights.

By car
Marfa sits at the intersection of US Hwy 67 and 90 and Texas Hwy 17:


 * US 67.svg to Texas_17.svg Highland St/S Highland Ave US Hwy 67 goes south to Presidio and  east to Alpine concurrent along US Hwy 90. It then continues another  northeast from Alpine to Ft Stockton on the I-10 corridor (via Exit 248). Going north of town, Highland Ave becomes State Highway (SH) 17 which goes up another  to I-10 in Saragosa (Exit 209).
 * US 90.svg San Antonio St Coming from the east, US Hwy 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. US Hwy 90 takes in a couple of all-but-ghost towns along the way, as well as the Trans-Pecos crossing and some breathtaking scenery.
 * I-10.svg Travelers in more of a hurry may prefer to take Interstate 10 to US Hwy 67 (Exit 248) from Fort Stockton (or from further east) or US Hwy 90 (Exit 140A) from Van Horn, if coming from the west, straight into Marfa. Likewise one can also exit off at TX-17 from Exit 209 of I-10 from either direction.

By plane
For those flying, the nearest airport is in El Paso, which is roughly west. Midland International Air and Space Port in Midland, Texas is roughly the same distance. Marfa is roughly six to seven hours from Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. Most travelers typically rent a car at the airport and come by car.

Get around
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.

See




Do
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.

Stay safe
The crime rate in Marfa is incredibly low compared to other nearby cities and towns. However, visitors are advised to check into their motels before 10PM as the street lights in Marfa turn off at this time, or carry a flashlight or firearm. Once it gets dark, coyotes and pumas come down out of the Davis mountains looking for prey.

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.

Connect
Verizon AT&T and T-Mobile all have cell phone coverage in the whole town. Sprints coverage only covers the western part. The town is covered by a few broadband internet providers. .

Go next

 * Alpine is the next city to the east of Marfa.
 * Big Bend National Park, with 801,000 acres of land, is a short drive away.
 * Fort Davis, about 30 minutes north of Marfa on Route 67, is home to the McDonald Observatory, which hosts terrific Star Parties after dark.
 * Marathon, east on Highway 90, has a few small art galleries, dusty cafes and a grand hotel, the Gage, giving it the feel of a miniature Marfa.
 * Presidio, an hour south, shares a border with Ojinaga, Mexico.