Planning a trip to the high desert landscapes of the Big Bend region is all about balancing wide-open adventure with slow-paced relaxation. Distances between destinations are bigger than many first-time visitors expect, and there is far more to see than can comfortably fit into a quick overnight trip. Staying in Alpine gives you a central home base for exploring Big Bend National Park, Marfa, Fort Davis, Balmorhea, and the surrounding region without constantly packing up and changing hotels. This three-night itinerary was designed to help you experience many of the places that make this region so memorable while still leaving time to slow down, breathe, and enjoy the journey itself.
Adventure in the Big Bend of Texas!
Just a quick local tip before you plan your days: the Big Bend region operates on a slower and sometimes less predictable schedule than many visitors are used to. Some restaurants are only open a few days a week or for limited hours, and seasonal attractions occasionally close temporarily for maintenance or weather. We always recommend double-checking current hours and operating days for restaurants, shops, parks, and attractions before finalizing your day-to-day plans.
Day 1: Historic Alpine Charm, Murals, and West Texas Stars
Afternoon: Welcome to Your High Desert Haven
A doe at the fountain
After the long stretches of highway that come with traveling through Far West Texas, arriving in Alpine feels like a chance to finally slow down and settle in. Shaded by large, mature trees and anchored by an expansive wraparound porch, Alpine Bed and Breakfast is the kind of place where it feels natural to grab a chair, pour a drink, and stay a while. Some guests head out to the porch with a cup of coffee or glass of wine, while others find a place at the fire pit to watch the deer and hummingbirds that regularly wander through the property. We always keep our dining room stocked with complimentary fruit, coffee, soft drinks, and juice, and we also offer a selection of wine for purchase if you’d like to unwind after your travels.
If you’d rather keep your first evening simple after a long drive, we also offer packages like our Cheese & Wine board and house-made shrimp cocktail. Guests can add them while making their reservation or simply give us about 72 hours advance notice before arrival. Whether you enjoy them out on the porch before going to town or decide to stay in for the evening and enjoy the atmosphere, they make an easy start to your time in Alpine.
Late Afternoon: Exploring Downtown Alpine
Cruising Big Bend by Tom Curry
If you’re ready to start exploring after checking in, downtown Alpine is an easy walk from Alpine Bed and Breakfast. Alpine has well over 60 murals scattered throughout town, and we keep an official mural map right here at the B&B to help guests find them. Spend the late afternoon wandering through downtown Alpine, where colorful murals, historic storefronts, and mountain views are part of everyday life. Along the way, you can browse local spots like Wassermann’s and 5th Street Gallery before the evening’s dinner or live music plans begin. As a certified Music Friendly Texas Community, Alpine also has a very active live music scene with performances happening all over town. Depending on the night, you can catch local acts at indoor and outdoor venues like Alcove Social or The Ritchey.
Dinner: West Texas Steakhouses, Cocktails, and a Night Out
For dinner, Alpine has everything from classic West Texas steakhouse fare to craft cocktails and outdoor dining. Reata Restaurant is a longtime local favorite known for its pepper-crusted tenderloin and West Texas-inspired menu, while Alcove Social is well known for its house-infused liquors, handmade bitters, craft cocktails, and dog-friendly patio. Depending on the night, you may also run into live music, karaoke, or local events around town before heading back to spend the evening beneath the stars in the dark desert skies.
Night: Stargazing from the Yard
The Milky Way, taken at Alpine Bed and Breakfast
You don’t have to drive miles into the desert to experience the dark skies. After dinner, head out to the fire pit, where we keep reclining lawn chairs set up for guests to lean back, relax, and stargaze from the yard while listening to the nearby great horned owl and the distant sound of trains rolling through the high desert at night.
Day 2: The Big Bend National Park Bucket List
Early Morning: Breakfast Before the Trails
Summer in the Chihuahuan Desert means one thing: start early to beat the heat. To help guests get an early jump on the day without sacrificing a good breakfast, we offer an Early Morning Menu with homemade yogurt, overnight oats, fresh fruit, breakfast biscuits, and other easy grab-and-go options that can be prepared ahead of time with about 24 hours’ notice.
Breakfast is ready!
Guests who prefer a slower start to the morning can instead relax and enjoy our full 9 a.m. breakfast service before heading into the park later in the day. Breakfast is ordered from a menu that includes rotating specialties like Blueberry Quesadillas or Chorizo Frittatas alongside local scrambled eggs, homemade breads, jams, avocado toast, fresh fruit, and more. Whether you’re heading into the mountains before sunrise or easing into a slower morning in Alpine, a fresh cup of coffee and a good breakfast make a pretty great start to the day.
Morning: Trails, Mountains, and Canyon Views
80° at the top of Lost Mine Trail, July 7, 2021
Drive south down State Highway 118 straight into Big Bend National Park, where the scenery shifts from wide-open desert to dramatic mountain landscapes and deep canyon views. Spend the morning hiking the Lost Mine Trail in the Chisos Mountains, taking the easier walk into Santa Elena Canyon along the Rio Grande, or combining both into a full day of exploring some of the park’s best-known landscapes.
Santa Elena Canyon
Lost Mine Trail is one of our favorite hikes for several reasons. Thanks to the higher elevation and scattered shade along parts of the trail, temperatures can sometimes feel surprisingly comfortable even during the warmer months. Mountain weather in Big Bend can vary a significant amount from one day to the next. We once hiked Lost Mine Trail on July 7, 2021, and the temperature never climbed above 80 degrees the entire day. One of the best things about the trail is that you don’t have to hike all the way to the top to enjoy the views. There are scenic lookouts all along the route, so you can hike as far as you like before turning back and still feel rewarded by the experience.
At Santa Elena Canyon, the experience is completely different. A short walk takes you down to the Rio Grande and into the base of the canyon, where massive limestone walls rise dramatically above the river on both sides. It is one of the most photographed and recognizable spots in Big Bend National Park.
Afternoon: Prehistoric Giants and a Stop in Marathon
Deinosuchus – the apex preditor in Big Bend
On the way back through Marathon after a day in Big Bend National Park, the Fossil Discovery Exhibit north of Panther Junction makes a great stop on the drive back north. This open-air pavilion showcases over 130 million years of prehistoric desert history and offers a shaded break from the afternoon sun. You can stand beneath a massive flying pterosaur replica with a thirty-six-foot wingspan, examine enormous fossil casts, and get a completely different perspective on the landscape surrounding Big Bend today.
One of the most fascinating parts of the exhibit is learning that the region was once home to Deinosuchus, a gigantic prehistoric crocodilian that ruled the swamps and waterways of ancient Big Bend long before modern humans ever arrived. Some fossils discovered in the region even show evidence of encounters between these massive predators and dinosaurs that once roamed the area.
As you continue north, Marathon makes a great stop for a late lunch, early dinner, or cold beer before heading back to Alpine. One of our favorite spots is Brick Vault Brewery and BBQ, known for its smoked barbecue, house-brewed beer, and small-town atmosphere after a long day in the park.
Evening: Cool Mountain Air and Hot Tubs Under the Stars
After a long day exploring Big Bend National Park, one of the best surprises for many visitors is how much cooler Alpine feels once the sun starts to set. Thanks to Alpine’s roughly 4,500-foot elevation, evenings in the high desert often cool down dramatically compared to much of Texas, even during the summer months.
Beat the Heat in the Desert!
When you get back from the park, head to our outdoor hot tubs and soak beneath the stars while enjoying the cool evening air. We keep the water set to a comfortable 100 degrees during the summer so guests can soak after a long day of hiking without overheating. On cooler nights, it is also the perfect excuse to light the fire pit and settle in for another evening under the dark desert skies.
Day 3: Scenic Drives, Small Towns, and High-Desert Discoveries
Morning: Breakfast Before Hitting the Open Road
After a full day exploring Big Bend National Park, Day 3 usually becomes a little more flexible. Some guests spend the morning exploring more of Alpine before heading out, while others get an earlier start toward other corners of Far West Texas.
Join us in the dining room for breakfast before heading out to explore the mountains, small towns, scenic drives, and desert landscapes that make this part of Texas so memorable. In the mornings, the smell of bread pudding baking or bacon sizzling in the kitchen will drift through the house before breakfast service even begins and the house slowly comes to life for the day.
Late Morning: Museums, Shops, and Exploring Alpine
Before leaving town, this is a great opportunity to experience anything you may have missed earlier in your trip. Spend more time wandering through downtown Alpine, browsing local favorites like Big Bend Saddlery, or stopping by the Museum of the Big Bend on the Sul Ross State University campus to explore exhibits on regional history, western art, and the culture of Far West Texas.
If you feel like stretching your legs before another scenic drive, Hancock Hill offers a short local hike with panoramic views overlooking Alpine and the surrounding mountains.
Mid-Day: Marfa, Desert Art, and the Open Highway
Prada Marfa, photo by popmortem
From Alpine, head west on US Highway 90 toward Marfa, one of the region’s best-known small towns for art, food, and eclectic desert culture. Spend some time exploring galleries, local shops, and historic sites around town, including the Hotel Paisano, where the 1956 movie Giant still plays continuously in the lobby as a tribute to the famous film and the cast members who once stayed there during production.
West of Marfa, many travelers continue toward Valentine to visit Prada Marfa and the Giant Marfa Mural, two roadside art installations that have become popular roadside stops along the open desert highway.
For lunch, Bordo is one of our favorite stops in the region for Italian sandwiches and pasta. Chef Michael Serva was recently recognized as a James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: Texas, and the restaurant has earned a loyal following throughout the area. If Bordo is packed or you would prefer indoor dining, the Saint George Hotel also offers a great lunch option right in the center of town before continuing into the Davis Mountains.
Afternoon: The Fort Davis Loop and Mountain Scenery
From Marfa, continue into the Davis Mountains for one of the most scenic drives in Texas. The Fort Davis Loop lets people tailor the afternoon to whatever sounds most appealing that day.
Fort Davis TX
You can visit Fort Davis National Historic Site, stop at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center to explore its walking trails and impressive cactus greenhouse, or take an easy-to-moderate hike through Madera Canyon near the McDonald Observatory. We also keep physical maps of the scenic loop at the B&B and can help guests choose routes based on how much driving, hiking, or sightseeing they feel like doing that day.
Dinner: Returning to Alpine Before the Star Party
Because McDonald Observatory Star Parties often continue well into the night during the summer months, many guests prefer returning to Alpine for dinner and a little downtime before heading back up the mountain after dark. Alpine’s dining scene offers far more flexibility later in the evening than some of the smaller towns in the area.
Casa Guame has quickly become a local favorite for authentic Mexican food, while Lucia offers a creative menu, vegetarian-friendly options, and a small but excellent wine list for a laid-back final-night dinner before the observatory program.
Evening: Stargazing at McDonald Observatory
Star trails at the McDonald Observatory (courtesy of McDonald Observatory)
As darkness settles across the Davis Mountains, make the drive back toward McDonald Observatory for an unforgettable West Texas experience. Their famous Star Parties allow visitors to experience some of the darkest skies in North America while viewing planets, galaxies, and constellations through large telescopes. Reservations should be made online well in advance, especially during summer travel season and holiday weekends.
Bonus Day 4: Swimming in the Middle of the Desert
If you can stretch your trip into a fourth day, Balmorhea State Park is one of the most unexpected experiences in West Texas. Located about an hour north of Alpine, the drive takes you through the scenic landscapes of Limpia Canyon before arriving at one of the most distinctive swimming spots in Texas.
Balmorhea State Park
Fed entirely by San Solomon Springs, Balmorhea’s massive spring-fed pool stays between 72 and 76 degrees year-round, even during the hottest parts of summer. More than 15 million gallons of crystal-clear water flow through the pool every single day, creating an oasis in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert where visitors can swim, snorkel, float, or simply cool off beneath the cottonwood trees.
Unlike a traditional swimming pool, Balmorhea feels more like a natural spring with wide-open desert and mountain views surrounding the water. Bring goggles or snorkel gear if you have them because you will almost certainly find yourself swimming alongside desert fish, turtles, and underwater plant life in the crystal-clear spring water.
During the summer months especially, reservations for Balmorhea State Park should be made online in advance, as the park frequently reaches capacity. Many visitors are surprised by how long they end up staying once they arrive, especially after several busy days of hiking, driving, and exploring throughout the Big Bend region.
Ready to Experience the Big Bend Region for Yourself?
Three nights is enough time to experience the dramatic landscapes, small towns, dark skies, mountain drives, local food, and slower pace that make the Big Bend region so memorable. Staying in Alpine gives you a comfortable central home base for exploring it all without constantly packing, unpacking, and changing hotels along the way.
Guests who book three or more nights at Alpine Bed and Breakfast directly through our website automatically receive 20% off their stay, making it even easier to spend more time exploring Far West Texas at your own pace.
Check availability and book directly to start planning your trip.
Come stay with us!
Contact Us
For more information or to inquire about availability, please contact us at:
Phone: (432) 538-7032
Email: innkeeper@alpinetxbnb.com
Website: www.alpinetxbnb.com
We look forward to welcoming you to Alpine Bed and Breakfast, where unforgettable memories are made.
Sharon & Tom
Alpine Bed and Breakfast
