The farthest west town in Texas is the high desert boomtown of Marfa. A stopover on the way to the Big Bend National Park, Marfa is bursting with art and life. It has a vibrant arts community and several interesting attractions. Here are a few must-sees. Read on to find out more. The Town of Marfa is an ideal destination for travelers who appreciate a little bit of culture and history.
One of the first things to do when you get to Marfa is tour the movie location. There are many historic buildings to explore, including the James Dean movie Jett’s Grill, which has a lobby decorated in the style of the movie star. You can also visit the film museum in the Marfa Marriott. The hotel also has a museum dedicated to Giant, which is based on the novel by Edna Ferber. The George Stevens picture won 10 Academy Awards.
A great place for stargazing is the McDonald Observatory. Located a mile high, the observatory is a fascinating day trip from Marfa. Another option for a fun outing is the 1.3-acre Balmorhea State Park, which features a spring-fed swimming pool. The water in the pool is up to 25 feet deep and spreads across an area of 1.3 acres. The pool is fed by the San Solomon Springs.
You can also explore the town’s art scene. Marfa is home to some of the world’s most important figures in American Minimalist Art, including Donald Judd. A Judd Foundation Tour gives you a chance to see Judd’s personal living spaces and artwork firsthand. The Chinati Foundation is another great place to visit. It features an outdoor thrift shop. You can find more than a few interesting galleries and shops while in Marfa.
For those interested in contemporary art, you must visit the Chinati Foundation. It was established by Donald Judd, who was an influential figure in remaking Marfa as an arts community. Judd’s work is displayed here, which is a perfect example of his interest in art as bound to space. Located in the former fort D. A. Russell, this museum offers large scale installations of Judd’s work.
For a gastronomic adventure, there are many dining options in Marfa. The Thunderbird Hotel, which opened in 1929 on the site of a demolished hotel, has 55 rooms and picturesque views of the area. Warner Brothers made Marfa the setting for Giant in 1955 and the cast of the movie used the hotel as their headquarters. The hotel has been locally owned since 1959. It has a swimming pool, a courtyard, and an interior courtyard.
Marfa is renowned for its mysterious Marfa Lights, also called the Marfa Mystery Lights. These lights are awe-inspiring phenomenon that attracts visitors from all over the world. Founded in 1883 as a water stop on the railroad, the town grew to become a tourist destination. It is now home to more than 20,000 visitors each year. The Marfa Lights Festival is held every Labor Day Weekend. The festival includes live music, street dances, and arts and crafts booths.