I had the opportunity to take a road trip through West Texas and I finally had the chance to stay in a city that I’ve always been attracted to, Marfa! With only 1,700 residents, Marfa is internationally known as a small Texas town with a quirky, artistic atmosphere. It draws thousands of travelers every year, and has been featured in tons of films and TV shows, like Amazon’s newest, I Love Dick.

I’ve put together a great guide for all of you lady travelers who want to visit this iconic city. Check it out below!

Where to Stay

I was so ecstatic to stay at the historic Hotel Paisano during my stay in Marfa. Hotel Paisano opened in 1930 and was the home of the film, Giant, in 1955. Stars like Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean stayed in this hotel for the first few weeks, and today, there’s a cute Giant memorabilia store on-site.

Hotel Paisano is a charming hotel with a cute front courtyard where you can have a drink or meal from the restaurant and bar. I especially loved the atmosphere of their outdoor pool. Plus, it’s in the center of downtown Marfa which makes it easy to walk to most shops and restaurants.

Where to Eat

I had some fantastic meals during my stay in Marfa. The Food Shark, a trendy food truck open for lunch Wednesday through Saturday was my favorite. I don’t even like Mediterranean food that much, but I had the tastiest kebab, homemade hummus and pita bread, and a Greek salad and I loved it all. They have a really cool bus-turned-seating area and an outdoor awning that fills up quickly with locals and travelers.

There was also Mando’s Restaurant & Bar which had the best chili relleno I’ve ever had in my life. The white cheese melted in my mouth. They also had great spicy salsa, delicious rice (trust me, I’m very picky with rice), and homemade enchiladas that were to die for.

What to Do

Beyond live music and cool boutique shops, there’s three things you must do during your stay in Marfa.

First, drive to the Prada Marfa. It’s located in Valentine, Texas, just a 30-minute drive from Marfa and is an art installation that looks like a Prada store, complete with window displays of purses and shoes. Don’t forget to leave your mark behind at the Prada Marfa. Walk around the building to the back fence where visitors have left locks on the chain-link fence and their names and dates written on the locks.

Second, as Marfa is an artsy town, you can’t miss a visit to the Chinati Foundation. They are host to chic and unique art installations and shows. They are probably best recognized for Donald Judd’s untitled 15 works in concrete. This free outdoor art installation is over half a mile long and is free to explore. It’s so fun to take pictures next to these larger-than-life sculptures!

Last but not least, when the sun sets on the desert horizon, drive about 15 minutes east of the town to the Marfa Lights Viewing Area. Hop out of your car and join other tourists who are on the lookout for the mysterious lights of Marfa. Lights appeared from far away and seem to hover then disappear. Some have claimed to see them dart in random directions, change colors, or split apart. During my visit, I brought a glass of wine, some local cheese from the grocery store, and crackers. I had a fantastic time watching the mysterious lights in the dark desert night.

Have you ever been to Marfa, Texas?! What are you favorite places to eat, things to do, and places to stay? Be sure to comment below. I hope I encouraged you to add Marfa to your travel bucket list!