Suggestions for going to see the Marfa Lights?

[mikemorvan]

Don’t get too hung up on the marfa lights. If you’ve never been to this part of Texas, the lights will be the least of what you will enjoy. Beautiful country, friendly laid back people and outstanding night sky. That part of Texas is somewhat like stepping back in time. Stay in the USA, I would not recommend a trip to Mexico. I was assigned to the federal drug task force there and would not cross that border for any reason.

There will be no forays into mexico.

[Junkers88]

We lived in Alpine for six years and loved it. If I was picking a best time it would be when the college is having a rodeo, Cowboy Poetry Gathering is happening, Fourth of July fireworks in the park, or Christmas for the live nativity. Check out Fort Davis, watch for elk between Alpine and Marathon. Walk down Alpine Main Street at night. Eat at the Gage and Reata! Have a blast and enjoy the cool nights and stars!


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Man that post brought back a pile of memories. Spent a few years there at Sul Ross and would happily live there when I retire.

Richard

[chuckc.]

If you care to, have a beer at Railroad Blues, cool place.

[Pedernal]

Big Bend Brewing Co. Try the Tejas Negra!!

[Tx_Wader]

The Maverick Inn in Alpine is pretty decent and reasonable . The Gage Hotel in Marathon is very nice.

True but the Gage is historic and cool and the food ain't bad or it was great the last time that I was there.

We've seen the Ghost Lights every time we've gone down 90 to look at them except when it's hazy.

[W-O]

Don't overlook staying in Fort Davis at the Indian Lodge (state park motel) or making a trip to Terlingua.

I have only been able to stop at the observation station once at night. It was in the 20's with a strong wind and light snow falling. I watched for about10 minutes and saw a couple of lights in the distance. That satisfied my curiosity that cold night and I moved on. I would like to go back under better conditions. My favorite part of the state.

[Brazman]

I’ve been to the viewing station a dozen times. The only time we saw the actual Maria lights was the first time. The rest of the times, all we saw were the headlights from the highway that comes up and over the mountains in the distance. When you see “them”, you’ll know it.

But as mentioned, come out to check out Ft Davis, Maria, and Alpine, and swing by the lights in the evenings. Beautiful country.

[RifleBowPistol]

I'm going to try to take the wife to see the Marfa Lights. Suggestions on best time of year to go? Things to take or do to make the best of the experience? I assume there's limited places to stay, but lodging suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Not sure when is the best time of the year to see the Marfa lights. I am betting that smoking some weed or dropping some acid, will help you see the lights. We went out there one night, looked for a long time. The only lights we saw were on a road in the mountains to the west, way off. Every time a car was north bound and going around a mountain, where the front of their car was pointed towards us. There would be a bunch of people taking pictures of the head lights, with their cameras, they all had the flash on, to make sure those pictures came out good. After a while of watching that stuff, we called it a night and went back to our hotel.


From what I understand from reading the information posted out there the lights should be to the south, but the only lights we saw were from car head lights to the south west or west. I have had people argue with me that there's not a road to the west. I have looked at multiple maps, there is, even without a map it was obvious we were looking at car head lights miles away.

[mikemorvan]

Thanks to all for the info and suggestions.

[curtintex]

Stay at the Gage Hotel in Marathon or the Hotel Paisano in Marfa. Both are amazing hotels with tons of history. The lights are an attraction, but there is so much more to do. Jennie and I took a road trip out there last summer and the highlight of the trip for both of us was the scenic drive along River Road. Some of the most beautiful sights in Texas. Stop in Lajitas for a cold beer and bad service (at least in our experience). Head up to Fort Davis and check out the old fort. Go into Alpine and take in a game at Kokernot Field or have some supper at the Reata. That's big country out there and lots to do.

[mikemorvan]

Stay at the Gage Hotel in Marathon or the Hotel Paisano in Marfa. Both are amazing hotels with tons of history. The lights are an attraction, but there is so much more to do. Jennie and I took a road trip out there last summer and the highlight of the trip for both of us was the scenic drive along River Road. Some of the most beautiful sights in Texas. Stop in Lajitas for a cold beer and bad service (at least in our experience). Head up to Fort Davis and check out the old fort. Go into Alpine and take in a game at Kokernot Field or have some supper at the Reata. That's big country out there and lots to do.

This is one of the things i want to do.

[wloftis]

Hotel Paisano in Marfa, if you decide to stay a night in Fort Davis you could stay at Hotel Limpia or Harvard Hotel (I have not stayed at either, but heard they are decent). Personally if I was going to stay in Fort Davis I would make the drive up the mountains and try to stay at the Sproul Ranch - easy commute to check out the observatories as well from here.

[Hunting4fun]

They are just car lights with an added illusion effect due to temperature changes.

[chuckc.]

I didn’t want to give away the car lights because I wanted it to be whatever they imagined it to be, but I was always pretty sure that’s what they were. The story does date back to pre vehicles, so who knows! The trip to that area is still well worth it even without the mystic of the lights. Sure makes me miss living there. Best place ever to raise kids.


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