Marfa Recs and Visiting Marfa

First and foremost: do not speed anywhere near the Big Bend area/Marfa. It’s Highway Patrol central out here.
A drive in ANY direction is absolutely gorgeous and epic.
Also remember drive times out here: To the Big Bend it’s a good 2 hour drive. The Gage/Marathon to Marfa is 1 hour.
Bring hats, plenty of sunscreen and a jacket because we are nearly a mile high.
Our very own homegrown public radio is Marfa Public Radio at 93.5. Tune in! It’s loved!
Pick up a Big Bend Sentinel or check out Big Bend Now for what’s happening. We love our weekly newspaper.
Need a ride or anything:  Marfalist.org is the go to site.

During regular business hours, plan to climb to the top of the courthouse and see the edge of town in all directions. It’s a real treat.

Food and booze:

We have the sweet Get Go Grocery and it’s wonderful.
For a great dinner: call Cochineal for dinner reservations: 432.729.3300. Lovely restaurant and lovely owners. We love this place. You must order the date pudding for dessert. They serve breakfast too.
Definitely hit the Food Shark for lunch. It’s downtown and you can’t miss it. It’s a Marfa jewel and loved by all. Open Tues – Friday.
The Pizza Foundation is an institution. The best pie anywhere. Sorry, closed May-August 2012 due to renovation.
For morning coffee or an ice cream or a load of laundry, check out FRAMA next to Tumbleweed Laundry. Great couple in town who are working their asses off to provide anything and everything the town might want/need.
Tacos del Norte is authentic Mexican food. West side of town.
Maiya’s: sit at the bar and have a drink. You should make reservations too. We recommend the Mexican Martini.
Jet’s Grill: eat the chicken-fried steak. The margaritas are rockin’! Sit in the courtyard.
Padre’s:  Everyone loves their burgers and they have a full bar. They serve lunch and dinner and kids are fine. It’s a former mortuary!
Q Cafe & Wine Bar : corner of Austin and San Antonio. Hang out on the front porch and have a beer.
Lost Horse Saloon for b-b-q (sometimes!) and beer.
Food Shark Grilled Cheese:  Friday and Saturday nights 9:30 p.m. to whenever.
El Cosmico’s bar. We recommend staying at El Cosmico. It’s fun. Great staff and great vibe. Nice, little gift store too.
Squeeze Marfa:  their great chocolates are great gifts. Good sandwiches and great location by the courthouse.
Saturday mornings:  Farm Stand Marfa, 9:30 a.m. Go to Alicia’s table and buy a jar of her green chile/salsa. Amazing.

Museums/galleries/artists:

Most definitely a tour at Chinati Foundation (they are the reason!) — 432.729.4362 to make reservations. The tour is 10-noon and 2 – 4, Wed-Sun. Different stuff so the full tour is recommended.
Judd Foundation:  you gotta do the Block tour.
Ballroom Marfa: 432.729.3600. Great staff.
Drop by our place, absolutely. The Do Right Hall. Get a tour of Camp’s studio in the oldest church in Marfa. Get married here.
Arber and Sons: on the railroad tracks facing the Food Shark location. He’s a master printer and she’s an artist. Their space is great.
2D Gallery: lovely gallery space and such a sweet owner.
Inde/Jacobs Gallery: across from Ballroom.
Marfa Book Co: always a great exhibition here.
Gene Binder Gallery: if he’s here.
Galleri Urbane
Don’t miss a Lannan reading at the Marfa Book Co. Always good and attended by a lovely, local crowd.
Marfa and Presidio County Museum

Shopping:

Hit Moonlight Gemstones Rock Shop — west side of town on the main highway. It’s the best rock shop ever!
Hit our mini-mall: our store the Wrong store, Velvet Antler, Cobra Rock and Wild Woolies.
Marfa Book Co: Buy a book from one of the most wonderful independent bookstores in the country. Please. Oh, we love the Bookstore.
MUD. Located behind the Thunderbird office on Summer Street.
Tienda M:  edited beautifully. You can leave with something from Oaxaca or Dosa.
Marfa Stuff
Sweet gift shop at the Thunderbird Hotel.

More:

For tours, assistance with planning a trip to Marfa, there’s no one better than these two:  Site Specific Marfa.
Take a walk or run on FM 2810 or go to the North End of Austin for the Dixon Water roads/trails. Gorgeous views.
We have the most beautiful gym. Alan’s Iron Heart Fitness is a gift. Southeast corner of town. Ask.
Get sick in Marfa? Bee sting? Go to Marfa Country Clinic.
Open an account at the best bank ever. Our bank President Chip Love is loved by all.
Make a record at Marfa Recording.