West Texas, USA
A road trip through Marfa, Big Bend, Terlingua, and Marathon.
Marfa, TX
For all of the international recognition it receives, Marfa is smaller than you could possibly imagine. You don’t need to stay here long to see it all, but it is certainly worth a stop and even a night or two.
Day 1
Stay: MOTEL
Shop: Wrong Marfa
Eat & Drink: Bordo’s
Shop: Garza
Indulge: Marfa Spirit Co.
Shop: Raba Marfa
Eat & Drink: Margaret’s
Dance: The Pony Marfa
Coffee: The Sentinel
Shop: Stop & Read
See & Do: The Chianti Foundation
Eat & Drink: Para Llevar
Shop: Moonlight Gemstones
Day 2
If you’re a fan of James Dean & Elizabeth Taylor’s movie Giant, or if you just want a more traditional hotel experience, Hotel Paisano is the place to stay. Designed in the 1930s by the famed Texas architect, Henry Trost, you can tell Hotel Paisano hides lots of stories within its walls.
Big Bend National Park
See & Do: South Rim Trail (12.5 miles)
There are many different ways to tackle the South Rim Trail. I recommend hiking up the Laguna Meadows Trail at daybreak and packing lots of water and a great lunch to eat on the South Rim. If you’re up for an extra challenge, tack on Emory Peak. Otherwise, take the Boot Canyon and Pinnacles Trails on the way down.
Day 2
Stay: Chisos Basin Campground
Reservations for the Chisos Campground are available on rec.gov. The best sites are posted 14 days in advance. For the most privacy and best views, I recommend campsites 52 and 60.
See & Do: Lost Mines Trail (4.8 miles)
Day 3
See & Do: Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
After a long day of hiking, you deserve a rest.
See & Do: Santa Elena Canyon Trail (1.6 miles)
Take a short hike into this massive canyon and enjoy lunch on the banks of the Rio Grande.
See & Do: Window View Trail
Head to this viewpoint for sunset.
Day 4
Day 5
See & Do: Window Trail (5.6 miles)
Before packing up camp, take one last hike right from the campground down to the mouth of the Window you’ve been staring at from afar.
Boquillas, Mexico
See & Do: Boquillas Border Crossing
Yes, pay for the “row boat” across the Rio Grande and the donkey to ride into town. Don’t even question it.
Drink: Margaritas at Jose Falcon
Shop: Everywhere
Today is the day to splurge. This community relies on tourism. Bring cash to take home some souvenirs for friends & family and bring candy to give out to the children who will run up to you the moment you walk into town.
Eat: Goat Tacos at Boquillas Restaurant
Drink: Final cervezas at the Bark Bar
Re-entry into the US closes at 4pm.
Day 5 (continued)
Terlingua, TX
Stay: The Summit at Big Bend
See & Do: Terlingua Ghost Town
Eat & Drink: Starlight Cafe
Shop: Terlingua Trading Company
Do: Big Bend Stables
Indulge: Milky Way Treats
Day 6
To really experience Terlingua, you need to visit during the first weekend in November, when two Chili Cookoff Competitions with a heated rivalry take over the entire town.
Marathon, TX
Stay: Los Portales at The Gage Hotel
Eat & Drink: The French Grocer
Shop: V6 Collection
See & Do: The Gage Gardens
Eat & Drink: The White Buffalo Bar
Indulge: The Gage Spa
Eat & Drink: Brick Vault BBQ
Day 7
You can’t come to Marathon and miss The Gage. Built by Henry Trost in 1926, the hotel was a refuge for ranchers traveling through West Texas. Today, the luxury hotel & spa feels is an oasis in the desert for travelers headed to and from Big Bend.