Marfa Lights Viewing Center
On US. 90, 9 miles E of town, (432) 729-4772. Open 24 hours. Free. Pets ok.
Marfa is famous for its elusive lights. A viewing platform at the Marfa Lights Viewing Center outside of town marks the best spot to view the phenomenon. Bring a portable chair and some wraps for warmth at night. Here, looking toward the Chinati Mountains, the mysterious mostly-colored orbs sometimes appear at night. There is no rhyme or reason to which nights or at what time. For more than 100 years--they were first reported in 1885--they have inspired much speculation and legend as to their origin and remain unexplained. The night I visited, several locals shared stories about how they had seen the lights in the past and what their experience was like. The lights are described as splitting apart, melting together, disappearing, reappearing, and more. Once we determined that some lights we were seeing were car lights from the highway, and started looking in the right direction, we still didn’t manage to see those Marfa Lights. However, this is all validated because the story has been told on TV’s “Unsolved Mysteries.” The next week, when I visited San Antonio, I did, finally, see the Marfa Lights--or what I imagine they look like. Restrooms, picnic tables, and campsites are available.
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| Marfa Lights Viewing Center in Marfa, Texas |
Marfa is famous for its elusive lights. A viewing platform at the Marfa Lights Viewing Center outside of town marks the best spot to view the phenomenon. Bring a portable chair and some wraps for warmth at night. Here, looking toward the Chinati Mountains, the mysterious mostly-colored orbs sometimes appear at night. There is no rhyme or reason to which nights or at what time. For more than 100 years--they were first reported in 1885--they have inspired much speculation and legend as to their origin and remain unexplained. The night I visited, several locals shared stories about how they had seen the lights in the past and what their experience was like. The lights are described as splitting apart, melting together, disappearing, reappearing, and more. Once we determined that some lights we were seeing were car lights from the highway, and started looking in the right direction, we still didn’t manage to see those Marfa Lights. However, this is all validated because the story has been told on TV’s “Unsolved Mysteries.” The next week, when I visited San Antonio, I did, finally, see the Marfa Lights--or what I imagine they look like. Restrooms, picnic tables, and campsites are available.
More things to do in Marfa.
Itinerary for road trip through West Texas.
Things to do in El Paso.
Great ideas for travel adventures in the U.S.
Itinerary for road trip through West Texas.
Things to do in El Paso.
Great ideas for travel adventures in the U.S.
images ©2020 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
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