Click Here

X (close)

Marfa

This city’s thriving arts community and fabulous hotels have generated a lot of buzz-West Texas has never been so hip. The classic movie Giant was filmed here in 1955, and if you want to take part in this slice of movie history, arrange to stay in Elizabeth Taylor’s namesake suite at the Paisano Hotel. The newer Thunderbird Hotel is also a great place for a getaway. The Marfa Lights, first documented in 1883, remain a mesmerizing and unexplained phenomenon. This tiny town has become a mecca for artists, poets, designers, and musicians, who have congregated here since Donald Judd created the Chinati Foundation which opened to the public in the mid-1980s. Marfa has 25 economical, 90 moderate, 20 first-class, and 10 deluxe accommodations.

Chinati Foundation

One Cavalry Row, Marfa, 79843
432-729-4362
chinati.org

Created and founded by artist Donald Judd in 1986, Chinati exhibits permanent large-scale installations of contemporary art. Hailed by many as the last important art statement of the 20th century, this art exists in the context in which it was meant to be. The foundation, located on the former site of Fort D. A. Russell at the edge of town, includes works by Judd, Carl Andre, Dan Flavin, Claes Oldenburg, Coosje van Bruggen, and John Chamberlain, as well as temporary exhibitions of other works. Open daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Call for tours.

Marfa Lights Festival

432-729-4942, 800-650-9696
marfacc.com
Aug. 31–Sept. 2, 2007

Who knows why those mysterious desert lights shine? Shoot the breeze and get the lowdown with these friendly folks while enjoying local West Texas cuisine. Stick around and dance the night away on the lawn of one of the most magnificent courthouses in Texas for free. Don’t worry, they’ll leave the lights on for you.

Chinati Open House

432-729-4362
chinati.org
Oct. 6–7, 2007

During this annual festival Chinati opens its collections to the public, features concerts, and sponsors talks. This year’s event will feature the special exhibitions of David Rabinowitch. Work by a resident artist at Chinati will also be displayed. Don’t miss the Saturday downtown dinner and the Sunday-morning breakfast.

Travel Intinerary

Marfa, Alpine, Marathon - 4 Days

Marfa is perhaps best known for its odd Marfa Lights–ghostlike lights, with no clear source, that often appear in the night sky. The annual Marfa Festival celebrates this phenomenon over Labor Day weekend. It’s just one of the attractions in this quaint West Texas town where the movie Giant was filmed.

Explore the Marfa Courthouse, built in 1886–1887 and a wonderful example of the Second Empire style that was the architectural rage in mid-19th-century Europe. A fun lunch spot is FoodShark Marfa, a funky mobile café specializing in Mediterranean food (a Marfalafel, anyone?) that’s usually parked across from the Marfa Book Co. (on Highland Avenue).

Reserve a room at the Hotel Paisano and have dinner at its Jett Grill, which offers a selection of seafood, chicken, and pasta dishes. In the morning, enjoy coffee and the newspaper in the courtyard, with its stunning fountain.

Next it’s off to Alpine. Learn about your final destination in the region, Big Bend National Park, at the Museum of the Big Bend. Get lunch or dinner at Reata, the original location of the famous restaurant named after the ranch in Giant and notable for its “cowboy cuisine,” and check out the live music at Railroad Blues. Visit Alpine’s Apache Trading Post for books and souvenirs before heading to Marathon.

Marathon is known for the historic Gage Hotel, but don’t miss the opportunity to spend a night at Eve’s Garden Organic Bed and Breakfast and Ecology Resource Center, where you’ll find healthy meals made with local and organic ingredients and you’ll stay in a straw-bale adobe house that’s available for groups and families–a classic example of modern living in the Old West.

Before heading off to the park, create your own picnic-to-go at the French Company Grocer (206 N. Avenue D). Established in 1900 as Marathon’s first general store, this place has all sorts of goodies, as well as a covered eating area with wireless Internet access if you want to hang out for a while.

Subscribe Now

ADVERTISING

Featured Travel Destinations

Stockyards Station Stockyards Station exemplifies Texas by providing an exciting blend of old and new with Historic Walking Tours, over 25 unique shops including a winery, art gallery and great restaurants that offer anything from ribs to enchiladas. Check our event calendar to see what’s going on when you’re visiting!

Royal Sonesta Savor the best of the city with a Bourbon Street location, live entertainment, authentic New Orleans dining, and a tranquil poolside refuge. Our French Quarter Fling starts from just $99 per night and includes a complimentary bottle of champagne upon arrival.

Albuquerque CVB The true Southwest awaits you in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Come immerse yourself in our rich culture and heritage, rooted in centuries of history. Breathe in the high desert air scented with sage and piñon, and you’ll understand why Albuquerque, NM is a destination like no other.

Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission Lafayette is a flavorful combination of spirited festivals, savory cuisine, outdoor activities, breath-taking scenery, and a rich history. Our culture, like our dialect, is seasoned with a taste of Cajun French and Creole. Experience the distinct joie de vivre that is Lafayette.

Gunnison-Crested Butte Our cool 1880s Rocky Mountain towns offer “inspiration included vacations.” See the USA’s largest aspen tree grove in shades of gold and red! Enjoy Colorado’s best outdoor recreation, one-of-a-kind dining and shopping, museums, the arts, and diverse lodging. We may even provide $350 to pay for your gasoline!

Beaver Creek/Vail Resorts Beaver Creek Resort, the ultimate family ski vacation. A luxurious village with award winning dining, perfectly groomed runs and exceptional guest service. It’s a place where the staff are trained to not just provide what guests want, but to anticipate it.

Santa Fe Convention & Visitors Bureau Santa Fe County-—Explore dramatic history, unique culture, wonderful world-class spas, dining, golf, hiking, art, Native American pueblos and Old West mining towns. Discover the unexpected in Santa Fe County —Itʼs No Place Like Home! 800-548-8272 •SeeSantaFe.org

Grand Junction Awe-inspiring natural beauty and a dramatic red rock landscape. Exhilarating outdoor adventures and stunning golf courses. Peaceful places to reflect and unwind and a charming downtown full of great shops, restaurants, galleries and more. This is Grand Junction, Colorado’s Wine Country.

Angel Fire Resort With our cool summer temperatures, colorful alpine meadows and brilliant autumn foliage, Angel Fire makes a beautiful year-round destination. Come up for world-class mountain biking, a round of golf—and a whole lot more. 800-633-7463 angelfireresort.com

Colorado Springs Experience the heart of Colorado adventure, with breathtaking mountain scenery, exciting attractions, wonderful accommodations, and more at the foot of Pikes Peak. Experience Colorado Springs. Visit www.ExperienceColoradoSprings.com or call 1-888-368-4748 for your free Visitor Guide.

Kerrville Convention & Visitors Bureau Fall in Love with Kerrville, an ideal base for exploring the treasures of the Texas Hill Country. Upcoming fall events include: The 8th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show and the 88th Annual National Watercolor Exhibition.

Historic Royal Gorge Route Railroad Climb aboard Colorado’s oldest scenic railroad and cruise through the scenery of the Royal Gorge. Built in 1879, the train provides passengers the ultimate experience of this spectacular canyon. Choose from Coach, Vista Dome, Lunch, Dinner, Murder Mystery, and Wine Trains. Located in Canon City, Colorado.

Durango Area Tourism Office Durango is the kind of town you dream about. Friendly locals, a magnificent mountain setting, limitless activities, and 300+ days of sunshine. Endless ways to relax, refresh, and reinvigorate, and our scenery is awe-inspiring. Perfecting the good life in Durango, Colorado.

La Fonda On The Plaza Historic La Fonda on the Plaza introduces the Texas 2-Fold Package: 2-night stay and dinner for 2 in La Plazuela Restaurant starting at $449! 2-step to live music nightly in our lounge. Sip a margarita in our Bell Tower Bar with the best sunset views in town.

New Mexico Fiber Arts Trails Support creativity at its source! Your guide to 250 fiber artists and their creations at more than 60 rural destinations along the Trails. Travel and explore.

New Braunfels CVB New Braunfels will revive your senses and quench any visitor’s interest. Nestled in the Texas Hill Country, New Braunfels is a premier family vacation destination. Relax, shop, dine, float, dance, and stay a while to soak up this historic “burg.”

San Antonio From the stones of the Alamo to the meandering paths of the River Walk, San Antonio provides a vibrant, authentic journey. Today, this 17th century Spanish colonial outpost is alive with contemporary venues and accommodations, while maintaining old world charm. 800-The-Alamo or visitsanantonio.com

Granbury Convention and Visitors Bureau Granbury – an unexpected jewel located just 35 miles southwest of Fort Worth. Enjoy shopping in more than 40 unique shops and boutiques on the charming historic downtown square. Upscale restaurants, unique hotel or bed & breakfast inns, live music venues and riverboat cruises – Get Away Today.

Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso Experience luxury without bounds at the Mayan Riviera’s most exclusive all-inclusive. Iberostar has spared no expense in creating this opulent playground reserved exclusively for adults. Discover a new definition of pampering at Iberostar’s Grand Hotel Paraiso. Call 888.923.2722 or visit www.iberostargs.com.

Port Royal There is water as far as the eye can see, from our famous lagoon pool to the Gulf of Mexico. Dive right in or enjoy the view and the balmy breezes from your balcony. And our family-size condos with complete kitchens make us a great value beach vacation.

Lubbock, TX Home of Texas Tech, Buddy Holly, unique shopping, dining, and legendary ranching and music heritage. Come celebrate 100 years in Lubbock, the Texas you’ve always dreamed of.

Quail Run Texans enjoy sophisticated accommodations at one of the Southwest’s most luxurious resorts. Quail Run offers exceptional accommodations for vacation and business travelers, just minutes from the Plaza. Impeccable condominiums are complemented by a private health club, golf course, spa, and restaurant.

Waxahachie CVB The picture-perfect place for your next visit! Experience the charm of historic downtown with unique restaurants, boutiques, and entertainment venues. Beautiful historic lodging and motels will complete your visit! Upcoming Events: SCREAMS Halloween Park and Texas Country Reporter Festival.

Northshore - St. Tammany Parish Tourist Commission Feast on life in St. Tammany Parish. Great fun, great food, and the great outdoors await you on Louisiana’s Northshore. Bike the Tammany Trace. Pet a giraffe and ravish a pile of crawfish. Play hard and rest easy in St. Tammany Parish.

South Padre Island Convention & Visitors Bureau Located on the tropical tip of Texas, South Padre Island is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and the Laguna Madre Bay. An abundance of activities such as water sports, dolphin watching, fishing, birding and golf await every visitor. 800-SOPADRE • sopadre.com

Abilene Convention & Visitor's Bureau In the heart of the Texas frontier, the West lives on! Stroll downtown galleries and shops or plan your visit during a world-class exhibit. Feed “the Tallest Texan” on the frontier at the Abilene Zoo or savor the flavor of a juicy rib-eye. 800-727-7704 • abilenevisitors.com

Fredericksburg CVB Your closest friends, distinctive shopping, regional cuisine, winery tours, spa treatments, and live Texas music. This is Fredericksburg. The ultimate destination for a girls’ getaway weekend. So much fun, you’ll almost feel guilty . . . almost.

Corpus Christi CVB Beachcombers Wanted. Give them a trip they’ll cherish for a lifetime. Playing in the sand for hours. Chasing crabs. Eating mountains of fresh seafood. Exploring the flight deck of the USS Lexington and experiencing the Gulf from the bottom up at the Texas State Aquarium.

League City League City, in Houston’s Bay Area, is home to the luxurious South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center. Enjoy Clear Lake dinner cruises, water activities, golf, festivals, the Kemah Boardwalk, NASA, and Galveston, only five to fifteen minutes away.

Ruston-Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau Experience a weekend adventure in north Louisiana. Ruston is just four hours due east of Dallas, offering the perfect blend of home cooking mixed with eclectic shopping, historic attractions, and unique outdoor fun.

El Paso Convention & Visitors Bureau El Paso. More than you imagined. Experience 400 years of history, a quick trolley ride to Mexico or one of our newest attractions: golf at Tom Fazio’s newest public golf course or shopping at the newest outlet in the Southwest. El Paso’s got it all.

Santa Fe County The desert road curves between towering rock formations and opens to a vista where you’ll feel life is more mysterious than you could have imagined. Santa Fe County—unique and captivating. It’s No Place Like Home! FREE travel guide.

Bishop's Lodge This Santa Fe resort offers a tranquil retreat with the award-winning SháNah Spa, luxurious ranch-style accommodations, outdoor heated pool, horseback riding, trap and skeet, kid’s camp, workout facility, hiking trails, and more! Celebrate 90 years of hospitality with us!

Utah Ski Homes Ski free at Snowbasin and/or Powder Mountain ski resorts. Lodging includes 2 ski passes per night. Utah boasts the “Greatest Snow on Earth”. Call today about real estate and lodging between Snowbasin and Powder Mountain ski areas.

El Dorado Hotel & Spa Every great city has its premier place to stay. Discover the Four Diamond landmark just off the historic Plaza . . . with pampering treatments at Nidah spa, elegantly appointed guest rooms, and dining at the city’s most celebrated restaurant, The Old House.

Village Of Ruidoso Ruidoso, New Mexico; the high-altitude sanctuary in the Sacramento Mountains welcomes you with casual sophistication, world-class gaming, and exhilarating outdoor adventures. Seasonal highlights include Ski Apache, Spencer Theater, Boutique shopping. 877-784-3676 • MyHighGround.com

Colorado Tourism Office Spend a day hiking or biking through the mountains or go horseback riding at a dude ranch. If it gets your heart pumping, we’ve got it. Enter for your chance to win 1 of 3 Colorado vacations!

Falcon Point Lodge Falcon Point Lodge is a 20,000 square foot luxury lodge with all the features and amenities you’ve come to expect from the most exclusive resorts in the world. Twelve luxurious guest suites offer world-class accommodations. Enjoy fine gourmet dining, kayaking, exotic game reserve, private meeting facilities, and more.

Ghost Ranch O’Keeffe Loved Ghost Ranch – You Will Too! B&B, group facilities, and summer getaways. Join us for an overnight stay to paint, hike, explore, or just relax.

Silver City / Grant Chamber of Commerce Escape to Silver City, New Mexico, where there is always something unusual to enjoy! We have art galleries, museums, unique shops, fine restaurants, friendly people, beautiful scenery, and a touch of old west history. 800-548-9378 • www.silvercity.org

Grand Hyatt San Antonio Welcoming rooms with flat-panel LCD televisions and our ultra-comfortable signature Hyatt Grand BedTM. WiFi everywhere. A 24-hour Stay Fit gym with heated outdoor pool. Plus unique bars and restaurants like our Achiote River Café, with its fresh pan-Latino menu.

Hot Springs CVB Soak away the day in thermal waters followed by shopping and sightseeing. Explore a woodland garden, art galleries, and lakes. Wind down with dining and gaming. Hot Springs has so much to do—all year long.

Amarillo Amarillo is the gateway to Palo Duro Canyon, the Grand Canyon of Texas, and camping, hiking, biking. See these great events: Tri-State Fair (September), WRCA World Championship Ranch Rodeo (November), Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association World Finals (November), NCHA World Championship Finals (February).

McKinney CVB McKinney’s upscale shopping, distinctive restaurants, and special events offer visitors a first-class experience just 30 miles north of Dallas. Upcoming events like the return of Dinosaurs Alive!, Oktoberfest, Nationwide Golf Tour, Dickens of a Christmas, and Holiday Tour of Homes make McKinney truly Unique by Nature!

Arkansas Parks & Tourism The six distinct regions of The Natural State provide travelers with many unique destinations—from thermal spas along Hot Springs National Park’s famous bathhouse row, to the charming Victorian village of Eureka Springs.

New Mexico Unsurpassed in natural beauty, New Mexico is a state of fascination, where scenic grandeur, exotic cuisine and unleashed spirit provide an endless flow of experiences; and the sweet scent of piñon, the enticing aroma of roasting green chili and brightly-colored balloons linger in the dazzling blue skies.

La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa La Posada’s $6 million restoration brings you a more lavish RockResorts Spa; a redesigned AAA Four Diamond Award-winning Fuego restaurant; and enhanced guestrooms and public spaces. Visit the new La Posada and discover all the magic and charm of Santa Fe.

Plano CVB Plano, Texas—close to everything, far from ordinary. Just minutes north of Dallas, Plano offers something for everyone—great accommodations, world-class shopping, fantastic cuisine, a historical downtown district, and many attractions such as the world famous Southfork Ranch and the Plano Balloon Festival held in September.

Rockport-Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce Fall In Love with Rockport-Fulton! You’ll find seafood, art galleries, shopping, sailing, harbors, history, Texas’ only Blue Wave Beach, lots of fishing and amazing birdwatching! www.rockport-fulton.org Call 1-800-242-0071. You’ll love it!

Hilton Buffalo Thunder Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino combines the magic and mysticism of Native American culture with world-renowned Hilton hospitality to create the most magnificent resort in Santa Fe…opening August 2008!

Food Anthology
Click Here