Four miles south of town, the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center exhibits the region's flora in gardens and on trails. Take a 2-mile hike down into a canyon, watch butterflies flitting around wildflower gardens, check out a permanent exhibit on mining or visit the cactus greenhouse.
Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center
West Texas
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
14.75 MILES
The hottest ticket in West Texas? A reservation for one of the thrice-weekly Star Parties at McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis. Located on Mount Locke…
20.33 MILES
As you step inside the historic artillery shed, with its enormous windows, sweeping desert views and sun-dappled aluminum boxes, the Marfa hoopla suddenly…
19.55 MILES
Be sure to find out what’s happening at Ballroom Marfa, a nonprofit art space located in a former dance hall. The focus is on offbeat, interesting…
Fort Davis National Historic Site
5.07 MILES
Established in 1854, this well-preserved, beautifully sited frontier fort was named for then–Secretary of War Jefferson Davis. Staffed exclusively by…
6.86 MILES
For majestic sunrises and sunsets, this remote park rivals any we've seen – and we've seen plenty. This wonderful place is just 3 miles northwest of Fort…
Marfa Mystery Lights Viewing Area
18.72 MILES
Ghost lights, mystery lights…call them what you want, but the Marfa Lights, flickering beneath the Chinati Mountains, have been capturing travelers’…
19.59 MILES
The Judd Foundation maintains and preserves the living and work spaces of minimalist artist Donald Judd, who founded the Chinati Foundation Museum. Two…
16.41 MILES
Behind Sul Ross State University, a trail leads up the dusty slopes of Hancock Hill. As well as offering fine views of the area, the hill holds some…
Nearby West Texas attractions
4.93 MILES
Pioneer doohickeys and Old West thing-a-majigs are on display in the former home of early settler Nick Mersfelter, located right along the stagecoach…
5.01 MILES
Snakes, spiders, scorpions…all the things you should check your boots for before you put them on can be seen on display at this funky little museum. Sure,…
3. Fort Davis National Historic Site
5.07 MILES
Established in 1854, this well-preserved, beautifully sited frontier fort was named for then–Secretary of War Jefferson Davis. Staffed exclusively by…
6.86 MILES
For majestic sunrises and sunsets, this remote park rivals any we've seen – and we've seen plenty. This wonderful place is just 3 miles northwest of Fort…
14.75 MILES
The hottest ticket in West Texas? A reservation for one of the thrice-weekly Star Parties at McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis. Located on Mount Locke…
16.41 MILES
Behind Sul Ross State University, a trail leads up the dusty slopes of Hancock Hill. As well as offering fine views of the area, the hill holds some…
16.47 MILES
On the campus of Sul Ross State University, this great little museum holds exhibits on locally found marine fossils, Native American pictographs, Spanish…
8. Marfa Mystery Lights Viewing Area
18.72 MILES
Ghost lights, mystery lights…call them what you want, but the Marfa Lights, flickering beneath the Chinati Mountains, have been capturing travelers’…