The Best Small Town Getaway In Texas: Best Things To Do In Alpine
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Tori Jane
Author
It’s not every day, week, or even year that you come across a small town that’s completely unlike other towns nearby (or even in the rest of the state). Sometimes, you find an amazing Small Town Getaway that your heart will forever long for, and one of those places might just be Alpine, Texas, once you’re finished with this article.
Alpine is a stunningly beautiful small town in Texas with BIG things to see and do. It’s an awe-inspiringly historic town with an outdoorsy edge, as there are literally dozens of awesome things to experience in the great outdoors nearby. So, do yourself a favor – check out our awesome two-day itinerary for your escape to Alpine, TX and tweak it as you see fit. After all, it’s your adventure – we’re just here to give you the best possible ideas!
Do you love visiting and learning all about America’s small towns? Take our interactive quiz to discover which Small Town Getaway you should take this year.
Is Alpine Worth Visiting?
Between 1878 and 1882, cattlemen lived and managed their herds here; in the spring of 1882, railroad workers and their families arrived. In November of 1883, the town was officially platted as Murphyville. This name would obviously not last; the town’s name was changed to Alpine in 1888 and has stayed as such ever since.
While exploring around town, you’ll find a few plaques – give them each a read. They tell the story of this beautiful town in little bits and pieces, and its history is rich. You’ll find at least two! The town is a gateway to so many amazing outdoor attractions in Texas, including the amazing Big Bend National Park and plenty of shops, eateries, and more! A trip to Alpine will not be a trip forgotten any time soon.
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How To Get To Alpine
You can use several highways to reach town; Highways 90, 67, 118, and 17 are all easy ways to get here from Marfa, Fort Stockton, Terlingua, and Fort Davis, respectively. Amtrak also offers a Sunset Limited train straight to town, and a Greyhound bus station is also located in town.
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Getting Around Alpine
It just so happens that Alpine is one of the best, most walkable towns in Texas. Should you not want to walk, no worries – there are taxis, public buses that run to various other towns and back, tour companies, and vehicle rentals in town.
Best Time To Visit Alpine
There’s always something awesome going on each and every season of each and every year. It’s not easy being the perfect day trip destination AND the perfect seasonal escape, but Alpine makes it look easy. In the spring, there’s the awesome Alpine Gem & Mineral Show, which is fun even for folks who aren’t all that into geology. In the summer, the Viva Big Bend Music Festival fills the air with amazing music and the smell of festival foods galore; the Big Bend Ranch Rodeo is another summertime must-do. In the winter, there’s always the famed Christmas in Alpine event. You can’t go wrong with any season – every season in Alpine is the best season to be in Alpine.
Where To Stay In Alpine
403 N 8th St, Alpine, TX 79830, USA
2800 US-90, Alpine, TX 79830, USA
But in the event that you can’t stay for terribly long, no worries – there are lots of wonderful places to stay in Alpine, Texas to get you through. A couple of the most notable options are the old Quarter Circle 7 Hotel, which features stunning master suites and gorgeous queen rooms with a western twist and amazing views. Another fan favorite is the cozy Alpine Bed and Breakfast (pictured above), which is known for its wonderful hospitality and its historic edge, having been built between 1887 and 1889.
And now, the fun part: a two-day itinerary for exploring Alpine, Texas. Are you ready to head out to Alpine, Texas, and explore for a weekend? Great plan. Feel free to follow this two-two itinerary (and change anything you need to best suit your hopes and needs) and let us know how it goes! Photos are always appreciated!
Day One
Magoo's Place, 905 E Ave East, Alpine, TX 79830, USA
It offers traditional breakfast fare and, of course, breakfast dishes with a south-of-the-border twist. Come find out why it’s a favorite spot among the locals (hint: you can’t go wrong with a single menu item)! It’s one of those awesome little holes in the wall that you’ll never find anywhere else – and you’ll be dreaming of whatever it is you ordered long after you return home.
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You can find the map and all the stops – as well as information about each – on the official Alpine Historical Association website. This can take as long – or as little – as you’d like. Pace yourself and stay hydrated always, but especially during the warmer months. Lead yourself to some notable historic buildings including the old Ritchey Hotel, the Valadez House, Granada Theatre, the American Legion Building, and many more (should you do the whole thing, there are 44 total stops on the tour).
Don’t feel like walking it? No worries – you can drive it, too! Check out this driving tour of Alpine, TX in gorgeous 4K:
Don’t feel like walking it? No worries – you can drive it, too! Check out this driving tour of Alpine, TX in gorgeous 4K:
The breathtaking Highway 118 Scenic Drive is 155 miles long, and you can do all of it or just part of it – it's up to you. It runs from the northern side of Big Bend National Park to Kent, and then through Study Butte, Alpine, and Fort Davis. Again, this is a task you can make as long as or as quick as you’d prefer and would also make an excellent day trip in Texas.
708 E Gallego Ave, Alpine, TX 79830, USA
Head over to Alicia’s Burrito Place for some of the best Mexican food in Texas. It’s got countless rave reviews for a reason: it’s simply awesome. The burgers are great, too, so there’s something for everyone. The breakfast burritos are to die for, so feel free to turn this one into breakfast should you feel the urge. There are even vegan and veggie-friendly options – everyone's palate is welcome here.
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Front Street Books, 121 E Holland Ave, Alpine, TX 79830, USA
Catchlight Art Gallery, 117 W Holland Ave, Alpine, TX 79830, USA
Gallery on the Square, 115 W Holland Ave, Alpine, TX 79830, USA
There are no other small towns in Texas quite like Alpine. There are many shops and galleries to browse, but a few of them do definitely stand out as some of the best things to do in town. If you’re a fan of antiques, you can’t miss a trip to The Cheshire Cat, which might just be one of the best antique shops in Texas. Fancy an amazing bookstore? Check out Front Street Books, which is one of the coolest little bookshops in the state. For Gallery aficionados, there’s the Catchlight Gallery and Gallery on the Square – both of which are worth looking into.
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The Holland Hotel, 209 W Holland Ave, Alpine, TX 79830, USA
With 27 gorgeous guest rooms and suites, you’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time. There’s a restaurant on-site – the Century Bar and Grill – and it offers up bistro cuisine as well as beer, wine, and cocktails. There’s also an on-site spa called Mendias & Co at the Holland. Call (432) 837-2800 or book online. Just beware of the otherworldly guests...
Big Bend Ranch Rodeo, US-67, Alpine, TX 79830, USA
No worries – stargazing in Alpine is made easy by numerous dark-sky places nearby, like Big Bend Ranch.
Day Two
Judy’s Bread & Breakfast Bakery Cafe, 113 W Holland Ave, Alpine, TX 79830, USA
This is a cute little mom-and-pop place that’s known for its excellent, friendly service and absolutely amazing food. It specializes in breakfast and lunch, so you know it gets it right. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a local that doesn’t agree. If the delightful pun in the name isn’t enough to make you smile, nothing will be.
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There are an amazing number of things to do at this amazing place; you could easily spend much more than just one day. This incredible park is proof that Texas is so much more than just flat oil fields and plains. Oh, and did we mention that this National Park is heaven for hikers? With 150 amazing miles of hiking trails, you’ll never get bored. In a pinch? Hike the Lost Mine Trail, a moderately challenging 4.8-mile adventure you’ll love (as long as you stay hydrated). Need something a little shorter? Consider the awe-inspiring Santa Elena Canyon Trail, which is just 1.7 miles in length.
Big Bend National Park, TX, USA
Do the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. Be sure to stop at the totally amazing overlooks like Sol Vista, Mule Eats, Tuff Canyon, and the Castolon Historic Campground. At just 30 miles in length, it’s perfect for a short jaunt or for making a much longer event out of it.
It’s a little place known as Chisos Mountain Lodge and, like everywhere else on this list, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. From soups and sandwiches to burgers and other popular lunch fare, Chisos has something for everybody. Oh, and the service is super-fast, too!
Embark upon the 2.2-mile trail called the Balanced Rock Hike, which is excellent for geology fans. There’s also the awesome Langford Hot Springs Trail, which leads to exactly what it sounds like it should: the Langford Hot Springs. This trail is 1.2 miles long and also easy.
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This amazing adventure allows visitors to travel through time in a way, going back through millions of years of history in an awesome hands-on experience that is unlike any other, and you’ll only find it here (if not for obvious reasons). The geological (and archaeological... and paleontological) history of the Big Bend area is absolutely fascinating – after all, it became a National Park for many reasons, one of which is its historical significance in numerous fields.
And if you love Alpine, Texas, you’ll absolutely adore all of the other amazing weekend trips in Texas you can do. When it comes down to it, Alpine, Texas, might be a small town, but it’s got a huge heart and soul, and we suspect you’ll fall in love with it on day one! What are some of your other favorite small towns in Texas? Let us know.
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Alpine, TX, USA