City Spotlight: Marfa
Located just 26 miles from the nearest town and nearly 200 miles from a major airport, the silent and serene journey that takes visitors through the high desert hills and windy highways to Marfa is all part of the experience of visiting this quaint Texas town.
Marfa is home to just 2,000 residents, but this petite destination is regularly the center of attention in two big (and unexpected) industries — art and fashion. Marfa, named after a character in a Jules Verne novel, was founded in the 1880s as a railroad town, and is home to an eclectic offering of boutique hotels, quirky restaurants, and modern art displays.
Bright Lights, Small City
This small town has made some big headlines over the years, in-part for being the training base for U.S. Army pilots during WWII and acting as the setting for award-winning films like Giant and No Country for Old Men, but it is still best known for its famously elusive Marfa Lights.
The lights are a rare astronomical phenomenon that are visible on certain clear nights in the sky between Marfa and the Paisano Pass. Although they are unpredictable as to when they will appear, crowds gather each night at the viewing station just nine miles east of town on US 67 to try and catch a glimpse of the dancing lights.
For more daytime experiences, the Chinati Foundation offers a great look into the life and work of artist Donald Judd, while the Prada Marfa art display, located just 30 minutes out of town, remains one of the most Instagrammed spots in the area.
Sample the Marfalafel from Food Shark’s Middle Eastern food truck or opt for a fresh latte and made-from-scratch toast with homemade jelly at art shop/coffee house Do Your Thing restaurant.
Hitting the road for a weekend getaway in the Lone Star State? Check out our road trip checklist to ensure your vacation runs smoothly.
© 2017 Texas Farm Bureau Insurance
