Extremely Small Desert Town with Massive Personality

Traveling to Iceland solo. It was my first time traveling internationally and solo, I felt so liberated not having to adhere to anyone else’s itinerary. It also gave me a ton of confidence being able to navigate travel difficulties. 

Marfa, Texas.

I like to daydream about few places I'm interested in, but I can be pretty spontaneous when it comes to booking a trip. If a friend asks me if I want to go to Mexico or down to the Chinati Hot Springs on a Tuesday, I might be there the next weekend.

Relaxation, art and restaurants with intermittent adventure and exploration.

How I got to Marfa? That's a long story, but I've been working in advertising and started working remotely in 2020. I decided to take the opportunity and make the move to my all-time favorite vacation spot and have never looked back. When else was I going to be able to live in the middle of nowhere?

I've been visiting Marfa since 2013, but decided to make the move in 2023. I've spent a lot of time exploring the desert over the years, from Big Bend to Terlingua. Now that I live here full-time, I try and soak up every opportunity to try or learn something new. A few weeks ago, I spent time volunteering to make adobe bricks for a historic church that's being restored down in Ruidosa and recently enrolled to become a master naturalist, taking workshops, studying native plants and the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem that surrounds me.

Extremely small town with a massive personality.

Prada Marfa.

Bordo sandwiches.

James Dean, Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor stayed at the Hotel Paisano in town while filming the 1956 movie Giant. They have these really lovely large format prints all around the hotel.

The public library is a treasure trove. They have everything you could ever want, from contemporary art and cookbooks to a literal Blockbuster-sized collection of DVDs to a really lovely herb garden where you can cut your own fresh herbs!

While the region requires a vehicle, Marfa is a very pedestrian-friendly town. I tend to ride my bike or walk.

Wide brimmed hats and sunglasses are a must when you're in a 4,698 ft high desert.

It's a 3-way toss up between Bordo's DiSimone sandwich, Margaret's Salmon and Marfa Burritos' giant bean and cheese with pico.

I suggest spending as much time as you can here. A week is great if you can swing it. Makes the drive worthwhile and gives you time to settle into the serene solitude we all enjoy here.

Chinati Foundation and Maintenent for art. Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute for nature or a long bike ride on 2810.

Marfa Burrito, a long-standing staple.

Bordo - go for a sandwich, stay for the sorbet

Margaret’s

Happy Hour! I like a drink by the Hotel Saint George Pool.

Raba