The Milky WayFarer FAQ
Everything you wanted to know about staying in Marfa. And probably a few things you hadn't thought to ask.
Marfa tends to create questions.
How do you get here? Is everything really closed on Tuesday? Can you see the Milky Way from the backyard? Is Prada Marfa actually in Marfa? Can you bring your dog? And why exactly is there a four-hole miniature golf course behind the house?
We've spent a lot of time in Marfa — staying here, building here, wandering around and answering questions from guests.
So we put the answers in one place.
Some are about staying at The Milky WayFarer. Some are about visiting Marfa. A few are about the desert, because the desert tends to make its own rules.
Jump to:
Staying Here · Coffee + Analog Things · Getting Around · Getting to Marfa · First Trip · Stargazing · When to Visit · Food + Practical Stuff · Exploring West Texas · Booking · Questions
Staying at The Milky WayFarer
What is The Milky WayFarer in Marfa, Texas?
The Milky WayFarer is a two-bedroom, two-bath vacation rental on the west side of Marfa, Texas. Built in 2023, the house sleeps up to six guests and was designed around comfort, color, analog experiences and actually spending time together.
There are two king bedrooms, two full bathrooms, an open kitchen and living room, a fully fenced yard, outdoor patios, four beach-cruiser bikes, four-hole mini golf, a record player, books, really good coffee and a lot of sky.
We built it as the kind of place we'd want to stay ourselves.
How many people can stay at The Milky WayFarer?
The Milky WayFarer can accommodate up to six guests. The house has two bedrooms with king beds plus a sleeper sofa in the living room.
Four adults fit very comfortably. A common six-person configuration is four adults in the bedrooms and two kids on the sleeper sofa. Six adults can work too, but it'll naturally be a little cozier.
How many bedrooms and bathrooms does The Milky WayFarer have?
The Milky WayFarer has two bedrooms and two full bathrooms. Both bedrooms have king beds, and both bathrooms have large showers and double vanities.
One bathroom is en-suite to the second bedroom, while the other is across the hall from the first bedroom.
There's also a washer and dryer tucked into Bathroom One.
Is The Milky WayFarer good for families with children?
Yes. The Milky WayFarer is family friendly, with indoor and outdoor amenities that work particularly well for families traveling with children.
There's four-hole mini golf, a vintage Mustang spring rider, games, books, bikes and a large fenced yard with plenty of room to spread out. The sleeper sofa also works particularly well for younger travelers.
We designed the house for adults without forgetting that kids occasionally travel with them.
Is The Milky WayFarer dog friendly?
Yes. The Milky WayFarer is a dog-friendly vacation rental in Marfa with a fully fenced property.
We charge $45 per dog, per stay rather than per night. Dogs need to be crated if left alone, kept off beds and furniture, and you'll need to scoop the poop. We don't currently host cats.
The entire property is fenced — front, back and around the sides — so dogs have room to explore while you have coffee on the patio.
Read our guide to visiting Marfa with dogs →
Does The Milky WayFarer have a fully fenced yard?
Yes. The entire Milky WayFarer property is fenced, including the front, back and sides of the house.
It's one of the features guests traveling with dogs seem to appreciate most.
It's also useful for humans who prefer drinking coffee without wondering where their dog disappeared to.
Does The Milky WayFarer have parking?
Yes. Free parking is available at The Milky WayFarer.
No garages, parking meters, validation tickets or urban parking strategy required.
This is Marfa.
Does The Milky WayFarer have Wi-Fi?
Yes. The Milky WayFarer has fast Wi-Fi throughout the house, making remote work and streaming possible during your stay.
There's also a dedicated workspace.
Whether you should open your laptop while you're in Marfa is a different question.
Does The Milky WayFarer have air conditioning and heat?
Yes. The Milky WayFarer has central heating and air conditioning for year-round comfort in Marfa's high-desert climate.
There's also an electric fireplace in the living room for chilly desert evenings.
Does The Milky WayFarer have a washer and dryer?
Yes. The Milky WayFarer has a washer and dryer available for guests.
They're named Spin Flavin and Donald Suds, because apparently we aren't capable of simply owning appliances.
Meet Spin Flavin and Donald Suds →
Is The Milky WayFarer quiet?
The Milky WayFarer is generally quiet, particularly at night, but Marfa is an active railroad town and trains occasionally make themselves known.
Some guests barely notice them. Light sleepers may want to plan accordingly.
The upside is that when the train isn't announcing itself, West Texas can get remarkably quiet.
Coffee, Books + Other Important Things
What kind of coffee setup does The Milky WayFarer have?
The Milky WayFarer has a dedicated coffee setup featuring our custom-roasted Desert Drip coffee and multiple brewing methods.
Guests can make pour-over, French press or conventional drip coffee. We provide a grinder, scale and instructions if you'd like to go full desert barista.
Or you can push the button on the coffee maker.
We don't judge.
What is Desert Drip coffee?
Desert Drip is The Milky WayFarer's custom coffee roast, created specifically as part of the guest experience at our Marfa house.
It started because we wanted coffee at the house to feel less like an amenity and more like a ritual.
Guests can brew it while they're here, and if you become attached, you can take some home.
Can guests use the record player at The Milky WayFarer?
Yes. The record player and vinyl collection at The Milky WayFarer are there to be used.
Put something on. Make some coffee or pour a drink. Sit down and stay awhile.
We think analog things deserve to be used.
Does The Milky WayFarer have books guests can read?
Yes. The Milky WayFarer has a curated library built around a simple idea: take a book, leave a book.
Find something you want to read? Take it. Finish a book while you're here and want someone else to discover it?
Leave it.
The library changes as people move through the house, which is precisely the point.
Read about our take-a-book, leave-a-book library →
What outdoor amenities does The Milky WayFarer have?
The Milky WayFarer has a large fenced yard with an outdoor sectional, string lights, fire pit, charcoal grill, four-hole miniature golf course, four beach-cruiser bikes, Mölkky, roping dummies and a vintage Mustang spring rider.
It's a good place for morning coffee, afternoon games and doing absolutely nothing.
The main attraction arrives after dark.
Look up.
Getting Around Marfa
Is The Milky WayFarer within walking distance of downtown Marfa?
Yes. The Milky WayFarer is on the west side of Marfa and is within walking or biking distance of restaurants, shops, galleries and much of central Marfa.
The Water Stop and Bordo are nearby, and much of town can be explored without getting back into your car.
Marfa isn't large. Part of the fun is leaving the car behind and wandering.
Does The Milky WayFarer provide bikes?
Yes. The Milky WayFarer provides four beach-cruiser bicycles for guests to use while exploring Marfa.
They're great for breakfast runs, gallery hopping or riding around town without any particular destination. Helmets are available too.
Do you need a car when visiting Marfa?
You don't necessarily need a car to explore central Marfa, but having one is strongly recommended for getting to Marfa and exploring the surrounding West Texas region.
Much of Marfa itself can be explored on foot or by bike. McDonald Observatory, Fort Davis, Alpine, Prada Marfa, Big Bend and most other regional attractions require driving.
Things that look close together on a Texas map often aren't.
Getting to Marfa
What is the best way to get to Marfa, Texas?
Driving is the most practical way to reach Marfa. Visitors who fly typically arrive through El Paso or Midland/Odessa, rent a car and drive the remaining distance.
There isn't a commercial airport in Marfa.
That's either inconvenient or one of the reasons Marfa still feels like Marfa.
Read our complete guide to getting to Marfa →
What is the closest commercial airport to Marfa, Texas?
El Paso International Airport and Midland International Air & Space Port are the two major commercial airports commonly used by travelers visiting Marfa.
Both require a substantial drive to reach Marfa, so renting a car is generally the most practical option.
Neither is particularly close.
Welcome to West Texas.
How far is Marfa from Alpine, Fort Davis, Prada Marfa and Big Bend?
Marfa is roughly 30 minutes from Alpine, 25–30 minutes from Fort Davis and about 30 minutes from Prada Marfa near Valentine. Travel time to Big Bend National Park varies considerably depending on where in the park you're headed.
West Texas distances deserve a little respect. What appears nearby on a map can easily turn into an afternoon.
Fortunately, the drives are often part of the experience.
Read our West Texas distance guide →
Planning Your First Trip to Marfa
How many days should you spend in Marfa?
Two to three nights is a good amount of time for a first visit to Marfa. That gives you time to experience the art, food, desert landscape and night sky without scheduling every hour.
You can get a taste of Marfa in about 36 hours. We know because we've tried it.
But an extra day gives you room for something particularly important here: time when absolutely nothing is scheduled.
That matters more than it sounds.
Read our 36 Hours in Marfa guide →
What should you do on your first trip to Marfa?
A first trip to Marfa should combine a few planned experiences with plenty of unstructured time to explore the town.
Consider choosing one or two anchors — The Chinati Foundation, a Judd Foundation tour, McDonald Observatory, Prada Marfa or the Marfa Lights — and leaving room around them.
Have coffee. Walk somewhere. Sit outside. Follow something that looks interesting.
Marfa tends to reward curiosity more than itineraries.
Why is Marfa, Texas famous?
Marfa is internationally known for contemporary art, Donald Judd and The Chinati Foundation, its West Texas landscape, the mysterious Marfa Lights and its unusual mix of ranching, architecture, art and culture.
Marfa began as a railroad town, became part of the mythology of the American West, hosted Hollywood during the filming of Giant, and eventually became one of the world's most unusual destinations for contemporary art after Donald Judd arrived in the 1970s.
Today ranchers, artists, architects, travelers, filmmakers, stargazers and people who aren't quite sure why they're here all coexist in a very small town.
Somehow it works.
Read how Marfa became one of the world's most important art towns →
Who was Donald Judd and why is he important to Marfa?
Donald Judd was an influential American artist who came to Marfa in the 1970s and began creating permanent spaces where art, architecture and the surrounding landscape could be experienced together.
His work eventually contributed to the creation of The Chinati Foundation, while the Judd Foundation preserves and provides access to his living and working spaces and other aspects of his legacy.
His arrival fundamentally changed Marfa's trajectory.
Understanding a little about Judd makes much of what you see around town make considerably more sense.
Is Prada Marfa actually located in Marfa?
No. Prada Marfa is an art installation near Valentine, Texas, about 26 miles northwest of Marfa along U.S. Highway 90.
The installation was created by artists Elmgreen & Dragset and opened in 2005.
So here's the first trick Marfa plays on visitors: Prada Marfa isn't actually in Marfa.
And no, you can't buy shoes.
What are the Marfa Lights?
The Marfa Lights are mysterious lights that have been reported on the desert horizon southeast of Marfa for generations.
Proposed explanations range from atmospheric effects and distant vehicle headlights to considerably more colorful local theories.
Our recommendation isn't to decide what they are before you go.
Drive to the viewing area after dark, look east across the desert and see what happens.
Worst-case scenario: you spend an hour underneath an extraordinary West Texas sky.
Read The Marfa Lights Aren't the Mystery — Marfa Is →
Stargazing in Marfa
Can you see the Milky Way in Marfa, Texas?
Yes. The Milky Way can be visible from Marfa on clear, dark nights when weather, moonlight and seasonal conditions cooperate.
Marfa's remote West Texas location and dark skies make the region an excellent destination for stargazing.
No telescope required.
Can you see the Milky Way from The Milky WayFarer?
Yes. The Milky Way can be visible from The Milky WayFarer when weather, moonlight and seasonal conditions cooperate.
You don't necessarily have to go anywhere.
Turn off the outdoor lights, give your eyes some time to adjust and look up.
There's a reason we gave the house its name.
Read our Marfa stargazing guide →
When is the best time to see the Milky Way in Marfa?
The best conditions for seeing the Milky Way in Marfa generally occur on clear nights with little moonlight, particularly around a new moon when the sky is darkest.
The visibility and position of the Milky Way's brightest regions also change throughout the year.
If stargazing is a major reason for your trip, check the lunar calendar and weather conditions when choosing dates.
Then hope the desert cooperates.
Is McDonald Observatory worth visiting from Marfa?
Yes. McDonald Observatory is one of the region's best astronomy experiences and is particularly well known for its public Star Parties and telescope programs.
The observatory is in the Davis Mountains near Fort Davis and makes an easy addition to a Marfa trip.
If a Star Party is on your list, plan ahead. Tickets can sell out.
When to Visit Marfa
What is the best time of year to visit Marfa, Texas?
Marfa can be visited year-round. Spring and fall generally bring comfortable temperatures and more events, winter can be cold, quiet and beautiful, and summer brings warmer days moderated somewhat by Marfa's elevation.
There isn't really a wrong season.
They're just different.
Is Marfa, Texas hot in the summer?
Marfa is warm during summer, but its roughly 4,700-foot elevation gives it a different climate from many lower-elevation Texas and Southwest desert destinations.
Expect warm days, strong sun and generally cooler mornings and evenings.
It's still Texas. And it's still a desert.
But Marfa isn't quite the summer inferno people sometimes imagine.
Read Marfa Summers — Cooler Than You Think →
What should you pack for a trip to Marfa?
Visitors to Marfa should pack layers, comfortable walking shoes, sun protection and clothing suitable for changing temperatures between daytime and evening.
Even when afternoons are warm, mornings and evenings can surprise you.
You'll probably walk more than expected.
And yes, jeans work remarkably well here.
Read our guide to what to pack for Marfa →
Food + Practical Marfa Stuff
Does Marfa have good restaurants?
Yes. Despite its small population, Marfa has a surprisingly varied food and drink scene that includes coffee shops, casual restaurants, food trucks, bars and more ambitious dining experiences.
For a town this small, there's an almost unreasonable amount of good food.
The catch is that this is still Marfa.
Are Marfa restaurants and businesses open every day?
No. Many restaurants, galleries, shops and other businesses in Marfa operate limited schedules, with closures particularly common early in the week.
Hours can also change seasonally, so check current hours directly with a business before building your day around it.
And keep a backup plan.
Marfa rewards flexibility.
What restaurants are near The Milky WayFarer?
The Milky WayFarer is within walking or biking distance of several places to eat and drink, including The Water Stop and Bordo, with additional restaurants and coffee shops around town.
One of our favorite parts about the location is being able to walk out the door and go find something to eat without turning it into an expedition.
Can you buy groceries in Marfa?
Yes. You can buy groceries and basic supplies in Marfa, so you don't need to arrive with an SUV full of provisions.
The Milky WayFarer also has a fully equipped kitchen if you'd rather cook, make breakfast or assemble something after discovering that the restaurant you wanted to visit decided Tuesday sounded like a good day off.
What should first-time visitors know before visiting Marfa?
The most useful thing first-time visitors can know about Marfa is to leave some flexibility in their plans.
Business hours can be unconventional. Distances around West Texas are larger than they appear. Temperatures can change considerably after sunset. Reservations are smart for certain restaurants, tours and events.
And you don't need to fill every hour.
Some of the best parts of Marfa happen between the things you planned.
Visiting for the first time, we wrote about that too.
Exploring West Texas from Marfa
Can you visit Big Bend National Park from Marfa?
Yes. Big Bend National Park can be visited as a day trip from Marfa, but plan for substantial driving and dedicate most or all of the day to the trip.
Big Bend is enormous.
Different destinations inside the park can add considerable travel time after you've technically arrived.
So don't treat Big Bend like something you're going to squeeze in between brunch and dinner.
Give it the day.
Read our West Texas distance guide →
What towns and attractions can you visit near Marfa?
Popular destinations near Marfa include Alpine, Fort Davis, McDonald Observatory, Valentine, Prada Marfa and Big Bend National Park.
Together they make Marfa an excellent base for exploring the Big Bend region of West Texas.
But don't make the mistake of spending your entire Marfa vacation driving away from Marfa.
Leave at least a day for the town itself.
Booking The Milky WayFarer
Can you book The Milky WayFarer directly?
Yes. The Milky WayFarer can be booked directly through our website as well as through major vacation-rental platforms.
Booking directly saves at least 15% compared with the major booking platforms, gives you a direct line to us and includes a bag of Desert Drip coffee to take home.
Same house.
Same beds.
Same stars.
Check Availability + Book Direct →
Is The Milky WayFarer available on Airbnb and other booking platforms?
Yes. The Milky WayFarer can be booked through Airbnb and other major vacation-rental platforms in addition to booking directly through our website.
If you prefer the familiarity of a platform, that's completely fine.
If you book directly, you'll generally save on platform fees and get a few direct-booking perks.
What time is check-in at The Milky WayFarer?
Check-in at The Milky WayFarer begins at 4:00 PM.
The house uses self check-in, and guests receive access information before arrival.
No front desk. No lobby. No awkward conversation while someone looks for your reservation.
What time is checkout at The Milky WayFarer?
Checkout at The Milky WayFarer is at 10am.
This gives our cleaning team enough time to reset the house before the next travelers arrive.
Can guests check in early or check out late?
Early check-in or late checkout may be available when The Milky WayFarer's booking calendar and cleaning schedule allow.
If we can make it work, we'll do our best.
Ask us.
Does The Milky WayFarer have a minimum stay?
Minimum-stay requirements at The Milky WayFarer vary depending on the dates. One-night stays may occasionally be available midweek, while weekends and major Marfa events generally require longer stays.
The booking calendar will show the requirements for your specific dates.
What is The Milky WayFarer's cancellation policy?
The Milky WayFarer's cancellation policy depends on how the reservation is booked.
Direct reservations follow the cancellation terms presented during direct booking. Reservations made through
Airbnb or another platform follow the applicable terms shown by that platform.
Check the policy shown when booking, and holler if anything is unclear.
Still Have a Question About Marfa or The Milky WayFarer?
What if my question isn't answered here?
If you have a question about The Milky WayFarer or planning a trip to Marfa that isn't answered here, send us a note.
We built this FAQ around the questions travelers ask us most often, but Marfa has a way of producing new ones.
We're happy to help.
Reach Out → · Check Availability →
And if you're already headed this way: drive safely, bring layers, don't overschedule yourself and look up when it gets dark.
We'll leave the light on.
Well, not too many lights.
Dark skies and all.