Taking a weekend trip with the lady friend, and this will be both our first time driving I 10 and Marfa. Any food suggestions or things to do/see would be greatly appreciated!

Pretty much zero to do on the interstate. Are you staying in Marfa? If suggest another 20 minutes to Ft Davis. Cool town with a couple of places to stay and you can walk to the old-style malt shop that opens in the morning for a killer breakfast. Marfa lights, Fort Davis exploration/hiking, McDonalds Obsevatory star party are a few to-dos for out there

We are staying at El Cosmico, which is a nomadic hotel. Not sure what we are getting ourselves involved in, but thanks for the advice and we look forward to the adventure.

Thought of one more thing: if you're looking for a nice dinner, the Reata in Alpine (20 min from Marfa) is a VERY nice outing. It's a small place that requires a reservation and is pretty expensive but it's a big-town restaurant that is somewhat shocking to find in Alpine. I strongly recommend. It also has a nice bar if you wanted to go early and have a few drinks before your table is ready.

Man the Reata killed our business at the little upscale restaurant I was working in at the time they opened. Brings back memories.

In Marfa eat at Jett's Grill located in The PAISANO Hotel. Really good. In Fort Davis go to the Drugstore for an old fashion fountain drink. Don't know what the food is like there. Has been 3 years since we ate there. Go to a star gazing party at McDonalds Observatory and try to see the Marfa lights one night (between Marfa and Alpine).

I live in Marfa. I'm the principal of the 357-student PK-12 public school there. Here are some quick suggestions for Marfa, Fort Davis, and Alpine:

+ for breakfast, 'Marfa Burrito', located on the opposite side of Highway 67 from El Cosmico. It's open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The burritos are authentic, Chihuahuan Tex-Mex, so a little different from most of the Tex-Mex in Houston/Austin/San Antonio/Dallas, but also really good. They're $5 each.

+ there are two nice but expensive restaurants in Marfa– Cochineal on West San Antonio St (Hwy 90) and Maiya's, on North Highland Street (Main St). Reservations probably required on the weekends.

+ for nightlife, Padre's, located on the near west side of town, one block south of the railroad tracks. Live music on the weekends, rarely a cover, and a Big Bend Brewery special of $1 and $2 pints on Thursday nights.

+ The Marfa Lights. Ten miles east on Marfa. My wife and I have tried to see them three or four times and we have never had any luck but I hope you do!

+ Alpine and Fort Davis are each nice. I guess you know about the McDonald Observatory. Davis Mountain State Park is on the road out to the observatory. There are some nice, accessible trails there, including ones that lead to the Fort Davis National Historic Site. Marfa is known for its art, of course. The Chinati Foundation hosts tours on the weekend. Clint Moore gives the tour on Saturday morning at around 9:00 or 10:00 a.m. He's an Aggie, class of '95, and also a Marfa ISD teacher.

+ if you want some sports action while y'all are out here, my Marfa Shorthorns will tangle with our rivals, the Fort Davis Indians, in Fort Davis on Friday at 6:30 p.m. (varsity girls) and 8:00 p.m. (varsity boys). Driving up from Marfa takes 20 minutes. The FDISD gymnasium is on the left as you're entering town– can't miss it.

I hope y'all enjoy your visit. If you have any other questions, look me up on the Marfa ISD website www.marfaisd.org and send me an email.

Gig'em!
Ross '94

Ross, that's really cool (at least to me) that a fellow Aggie is the principal in Marfa. I love that region and dream about moving back pretty regularly. When I lived out there, most kids didn't have a lot of ambition after high school. I lived in Alpine, Ft Davis, and Marfa during my high school days, although I was home schooled. I know, I'm one of those...

Anyway, do you see change at all in that regard? Are kids in rural west Texas more motivated to attend college? Every one of my friends that attended college, ended up back in Alpine or Marfa after a semester or two. I didn't know a single kid from Ft Davis that even went to college out of HS.

Thank you all very much for your insight and advice. I'll be creating a travel itinerary based off of these recommendations.

Take SH 290 (not US) between Ozona and Stockton. It passes Fort Lancaster. Even if you don't visit the Fort, the view going down, or up, is impressive. You will come back to I10 at Sheffield.

quote:

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Even if you don't visit the Fort, the view going down, or up, is impressive

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This.

I remember going out with my horse for a Living History event and was amazed at the views!

Shoot, most of the views going into Ft.Davis and Alpine are good too!