Valentine TexasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Valentine, Texas.
1. Prada Marfa
ICONIC DESERT ART INSTALLATION
Prada Marfa is a world-famous art installation that has become a must-see attraction near Valentine, Texas. Created by two Scandinavian artists in 2005, this pop architectural land art project features real Prada products displayed inside, though visitors cannot enter the structure. The installation has become a cultural landmark in the desert, attracting tourists who often pull over to the side of the highway to take photographs.
2. Valentine Post Office
LOVE STATION OF TEXAS
The tiny, adobe-style post office serves as the heartbeat of Valentine, an isolated ranching community in Jeff Davis County. Known as the 'Love Station of Texas,' this small post office handles the famous Valentine's Day postmarks that many send their cards through. The post office represents the center of community life in this small town of fewer than 100 residents.
3. Valentine Bar
LOCAL WATERING HOLE
The Valentine Bar is the aptly named local establishment serving as a gathering spot in this tiny West Texas community. Despite its mysterious name, the bar provides a genuine Texas small-town experience for locals and visitors alike. It represents one of the few businesses operating in this community of less than 100 people.
4. John Cerney's Giant Highway Art
ROADSIDE FILM TRIBUTE
John Cerney's Giant Highway Art features colorful billboard installations depicting James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, and Rock Hudson from scenes in the classic West Texas film, Giant. Located on the drive toward Prada Marfa, these striking roadside artworks create a delightful surprise for travelers passing through the area. This installation is one of many created by Cerney across the United States, though one of the few found in Texas.
5. Valentine in Valentine Party
LEGENDARY LOCAL CELEBRATION
The Valentine in Valentine party is a legendary local celebration that has gained significant attention despite the town's small size. This event has inspired musicians like The Panhandlers to write songs about it, cementing its place in regional cultural lore. The celebration represents the community spirit that thrives in this tiny West Texas town.
6. Valentine Independent School District
TEXAS' SMALLEST PUBLIC SCHOOL
Valentine Independent School District holds the distinction of being the smallest public high school in Texas. This educational institution serves the children of Valentine and surrounding ranching areas, providing personalized education in an intimate setting. The school represents an important community fixture in this isolated desert town.
7. Marfa Mystery Lights Viewing Area
UNEXPLAINED NATURAL PHENOMENON
The Marfa Mystery Lights Viewing Area offers visitors a chance to witness the famous unexplained light phenomena that appear in the desert near Marfa. Located approximately 37 miles from Valentine, this official roadside park provides telescopes and educational information about the mysterious glowing orbs that have fascinated visitors for generations. Nighttime viewing sessions often turn into impromptu social gatherings as travelers from around the world gather in hopes of spotting the elusive lights.
8. The Chinati Foundation
MINIMALIST ART MUSEUM
The Chinati Foundation is a contemporary art museum founded by artist Donald Judd that showcases large-scale installations in a former military base. Located in Marfa about 37 miles from Valentine, the museum features permanent collections with works by Judd himself as well as other prominent artists like Dan Flavin and John Chamberlain. The expansive 340-acre compound creates a unique environment where art, architecture, and the desert landscape interact in harmony.
9. Presidio County Courthouse
HISTORIC DESERT LANDMARK
The Presidio County Courthouse stands as an impressive pink stucco landmark in downtown Marfa, approximately 37 miles from Valentine. Built in 1886 in the Second Empire style, this historic building features a striking copper dome and clock tower visible throughout the small desert town. Visitors can explore the beautifully preserved interior and climb the stairs to the cupola for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
10. Blue Origin Launch Site
COMMERCIAL SPACEFLIGHT FACILITY
Blue Origin's Launch Site is a commercial spaceflight facility located 'just up the road' from Valentine where the company conducts its suborbital space tourism flights. Founded by Amazon's Jeff Bezos, this futuristic complex serves as the departure point for paying customers experiencing minutes of weightlessness aboard the New Shepard rocket system. The facility represents the cutting edge of private space exploration in the remote West Texas desert.
11. Guadalupe Mountains National Park
HIGHEST PEAK IN TEXAS
Guadalupe Mountains National Park preserves the world's most extensive Permian fossil reef and contains Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas at 8,751 feet. Located to the north of Valentine, this stunning wilderness area features more than 80 miles of trails through diverse ecosystems including rugged canyons, lush springs, and high desert terrain. The park offers exceptional hiking, camping, and stargazing opportunities in one of the most pristine natural environments in Texas.
12. Big Bend National Park
MAJESTIC DESERT WILDERNESS
Big Bend National Park encompasses over 800,000 acres of dramatic desert landscapes where the Rio Grande carves a massive border between the United States and Mexico. Located south of Valentine, this international biosphere reserve contains diverse ecosystems ranging from Chihuahuan Desert to mountain woodlands supporting extraordinary biodiversity. Visitors can explore scenic drives, hiking trails, river trips, and enjoy some of the darkest night skies in the continental United States.
13. Fort Davis National Historic Site
FRONTIER MILITARY OUTPOST
Fort Davis National Historic Site preserves one of the best surviving examples of a frontier military post in the American Southwest. Established in 1854, this remote outpost protected mail coaches, freight wagons, and travelers along the San Antonio-El Paso Road from Apache and Comanche raids. Visitors can explore more than 20 restored historic buildings with period furnishings and exhibits that tell the story of Buffalo Soldiers and frontier life in the late 1800s.
14. McDonald Observatory
WORLD-CLASS ASTRONOMICAL RESEARCH
McDonald Observatory is a world-renowned astronomical research facility perched atop Mount Locke in the Davis Mountains, a short drive from Valentine. Home to some of the largest telescopes in the world, including the 10-meter Hobby-Eberly Telescope, this University of Texas facility conducts groundbreaking research while offering public programs and star parties. The observatory takes advantage of the exceptionally dark skies of West Texas to provide visitors with unparalleled views of planets, stars, and deep space objects.
15. Balmorhea State Park
DESERT OASIS SWIMMING POOL
Balmorhea State Park features the world's largest spring-fed swimming pool, a 1.3-acre natural oasis in the desert that remains a constant 72-76 degrees year-round. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, this remarkable pool holds more than 3.5 million gallons of crystal-clear water and is home to numerous fish species, including the endangered Comanche Springs pupfish. Visitors can swim, scuba dive, and picnic at this refreshing desert retreat located within driving distance of Valentine.
Valentine Restaurants
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Valentine Beaches
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