Heading out Sunday on a solo trip with just my pup for company for 4 or 5 days of down time. There was a thread here a while back, but it seems to have scrolled off.

Ideas for a bite to eat and a couple of things to look at would be appreciated.

Check out the very friendly and charming Holland Hotel in Alpine....I didn't take a room....but enjoyed the lovely lobby and conversations with staff...plus the very graciously offered coffee. Also found a good donut shop on a side street behind the hotel. The town is worth exploring.

McDonald Observatory

I went there and spent a weekend a few months ago... Loved it. The best food I found was at the Fort Davis Drug Store... they have a ribeye that was ranked very high by Texas Monthly and their burger is amazing.

I mostly drove around the whole time... that's what I enjoy doing... I drove all through the back roads. I did go to a Friday night star party at the mcdonald observatory and it was cool... time well spent. I stayed at the Best Western there in Alpine.

I also ate lunch at La Casita there in Alpine on Saturday that weekend and it was really good Mexican food... it's stuck back in a neighborhood fyi...

The market there in Fort Davis is like a little whole foods store.... that's a great community... Fort Davis. I would love to live there.

The Gage Hotel in Marathon is iconic and worth a stop to eat and browse. The loop through the Davis Mnts is one of the prettiest drives in Texas.

Thanks to all for the information. Heading out shortly. I will definitely check out the stuff ya'll have mentioned.

Joe

You'll have a great time. I spent a few days out there in March. I love Fort Davis.

Great area your headed. Love it.

If you travel during the week Lunch at Mrs Allen's in Sweetwater is great, good and a lot of fun eating at family table & eating "Family Style". Was $8 a person last time I was there and it included drinks as well.

You might have to leave your little dog in the car but maybe not. It's just that kind of place.
https://plus.google.com/1152478031860479...gl=us&hl=en

Got my Masters at SRSU...used to eat at the Riata, it was great. Eek, this is post 666, Zombie time!

Starlight Theatre, Terlingua. Finger linkin good chicken fried antelope!

Take FM2810 from Marfa through Pinto Canyon to Chinati Hot Springs. Spend the night. Great fresh water pool and hot springs. 4WD recommended.

Star party at Observatory...awesome. They bring out 6 smaller scopes besides the 3 large ones on good nights. Book before showing up this time of year.

Big Bend NP. A nice hike followed by a dip in the hot springs.

Terlingua Ranch...cute cabins, restaurant, great pool.

Fort Davis Historic site....well worth a morning or afternoon.

Paisano Hotel in Marfa. Holland in Alpine. Both cool. Great places to stay on the cheap...Marathon Motel in Marathon (duh) and Antelope Lodge in Alpine.

Gage is nice, overpriced, but worth a meal. JP Bryan did a wonderful job restoring and reinvigorating Marathon.

Reata in Alpine......

Thanks to all, just got back in and it was an excellent trip...just me and my mut.
Passed on Reata this time since I was solo and the wifey would have....we she would have, but I/we have eaten in the one in Alpine as well as Fort Worth.
In Fort Davis,
Eats,
Cueva De Leon - solid Mexican food albeit a different from Tex Mex.
Fort Davis Drug Store - great ribeye, excellent chopped steak and a good chicken fried steak.
Stayed - at Crow's Nest Ranch - cabins are basic with comfortable beds, clean with a modest kitchen. The owner's are 4th generation Fort Davis ranchers who have a small camp ground on the ranch. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to chat length with Roxa, what a treat not to mention a kind and gracious lady. They give "salt of the earth" a higher definition. 3 cabins, a few RV sites and some limited tent camping. 15 miles out of Fort Davis on the scenic loop with the camp group backing up to a mountain. Highly recommended if you are out that way and want peace and solitude, if you are looking for fluff and puff accommodations there are some nice places in Fort Davis.

Scenery....well worth the drive and then some.

Awesome man, thanks for taking time to write this.... I plan to go back soon!

hey riverdog, what do they charge to stay in those cabins?

$65.00 per night tax included, Roxa is picky, it is not about the money...she told me "I liked your voice on the phone and you seemed be good folks." Be nice, respectful let her know you are an outdoor person that will respect the land, and that you are not expecting bed and breakfast accommodations, but understand these are camping/fishing cabins.

Window unit gets the job done, no microwave, limited pots/pans/and dishes...she warns about the limited cooking stuff. Beds, pillows and linens comfortable and nice. Bring you own grill is the best bet for grilling, no microwave, nice coffee maker.

One room cabin, with separate bath w/ plenty of hot water, towels furnished...bring your own soap, 2 queen beds in the main room, a futon, 2 chairs, kitchen table with chairs...no TV yeah!!! good cell phone, no internet yeah.....You can hear yotes, doves and owls off and on in the evening...good hiking and you know the scenery.

FtWorth...if you want any more info let me know...I am headed back before too long.

Mondos in marfa is good. spelling is probably wrong

greatness, thanks man.... sounds perfect