• Restaurants + Bars
  • Entertainment
  • Arts
  • Society
  • City Life
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • Real Estate
  • Home + Design
  • Innovation
  • Travel
  • Sports
  • THE TOP 100
  • City Guide
  • Events
  • Charity Guide
  • Subscribe
  • Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
culturemap logo
  • Restaurants + Bars

    THE LATEST

    Eric Sandler: Anthony Bourdain-approved Houston BBQ joint fires up  new to-go location in Pearland
    feel the burns
    Anthony Bourdain-approved Houston BBQ joint opens new Pearland bistro
    By Eric Sandler
    Eric Sandler: Finally! Chris Shepherd opens new location of his signature steakhouse
    a bigger, better georgia james
    Finally! Chris Shepherd opens new location of his signature steakhouse
    By Eric Sandler
    Eric Sandler: New wine shop and tasting room uncorks boho charm and eclectic pours in The Heights
    Doin' it in Texas
    New Heights wine shop and bar uncorks boho charm and eclectic pours
    By Eric Sandler

    SPONSORED BY

  • Entertainment

    THE LATEST

    Alex Bentley: Minions: The Rise of Gru finds the fun again by going back in time
    Movie Review
    Minions: The Rise of Gru finds the fun by going back in time
    By Alex Bentley
    Craig D. Lindsey : Houston's best 4th of July celebrations, from carnivals and concerts to fireworks and flag-waving fun
    independence day 2022
    Houston's best 4th of July celebrations, from carnivals to concerts
    By Craig D. Lindsey
    Alex Bentley: Cynical filmmaking brings down stars Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson in The Man from Toronto
    Movie Review
    Cynical filmmaking brings down Hart & Harrelson in Man from Toronto
    By Alex Bentley

    SPONSORED BY

  • Arts

    THE LATEST

    Holly Beretto: Holocaust survivor's compelling artwork paints familiar themes in new Houston museum show
    Never forget
    Holocaust survivor's art paints familiar themes in new Houston exhibit
    By Holly Beretto
    Eric Sandler: Houston's Alley Theatre home to change name following historic $25M anonymous gift
    game-changing donation
    Alley Theatre's home to change name following $25M anonymous gift
    By Eric Sandler
    Holly Beretto: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston showcases powerful, never-before-seen images in rare Gordon Parks exhibit
    Black Powered
    MFAH showcases never-before-seen images in rare Gordon Parks exhibit
    By Holly Beretto

    SPONSORED BY

  • Society

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Tilman Fertitta parties with Bruno Mars, The Chainsmokers, and more at his LA steakhouse opening
    tilman on melrose
    Fertitta parties with Bruno Mars and more at his LA steakhouse opening
    By Steven Devadanam
    Steven Devadanam: Haute Houston TV stars and magnificent moms rock the runway in fab fashion event
    moms rule
    Haute Houston TV stars + magnificent moms rock the runway in glam show
    By Steven Devadanam
    Steven Devadanam: Chic crowd stylishly steps out for $345,000 fundraiser at Houston Polo Club
    doing it for bo
    Stylish crowd steps out for $345,000 fundraiser at Houston Polo Club
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • City Guide

    THE LATEST

    : Stages
    Entertainment
    Stages
    : PH Design Shop
    Shops
    PH Design Shop
    : Westin Oaks Houston
    Hotels
    Westin Oaks Houston

    SPONSORED BY

  • Events

    THE LATEST

    : Color Factory
    7.1.22 | 9:00 am
    Color Factory
    : Candytopia
    7.1.22 | 10:00 am
    Candytopia
    : Holocaust Museum Houston presents "Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg"
    7.1.22 | 10:00 am
    Holocaust Museum Houston presents "Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg"

    SPONSORED BY

  • SportsMap
  • Subscribe
  • City Life

    THE LATEST

    Hannah J. Phillips: H-E-B establishes $10 million donation to rebuild Uvalde's Robb Elementary
    H-E-B for Uvalde
    H-E-B establishes $10M donation to rebuild Uvalde elementary school
    By Hannah J. Phillips
    Steven Devadanam: 'Devastated' widow of ZZ Top legend Dusty Hill speaks out after recent estate sale she says she never authorized
    charleen hill responds
    'Devastated' widow of ZZ Top's Dusty Hill decries recent estate sale
    By Steven Devadanam
    John Egan: This Houston neighbor weighs in as the healthiest county in the region, says U.S. News
    Taking the temperature
    Houston neighbor weighs in as the healthiest county in the region
    By John Egan

    SPONSORED BY

  • Fashion + Beauty

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Gucci fashions fur babies with new pampered pet line now available in Houston
    what's gucci?
    Gucci fashions fur babies with new pet line now available in Houston
    By Steven Devadanam
    Steven Devadanam: Fierce and flowy Australian fashion label struts into River Oaks District with first Houston boutique
    from down under, with love
    Fierce and flowy Australian fashion label opens first Houston boutique
    By Steven Devadanam
    Steven Devadanam: Sophisticated NYC fashion brand brings effortlessly chic looks to Houston
    nyc vibin'
    Chic NYC fashion brand brings effortlessly chic looks to Houston
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Real Estate

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: New master-planned community coming to wealthy and booming Houston suburb
    a bridge in fort bend
    New master-planned community coming to wealthy Houston suburb
    By Steven Devadanam
    John Egan: 10,000-acre ranch once owned by Houston-based political giant hopes to lasso $29.75 million
    Quail country
    10,000-acre ranch owned by Houston-based politician lists for $29.75M
    By John Egan
    Steven Devadanam: Houston's newest lagoon community makes a splash with massive beach and crystal-blue water
    life's a beach
    Houston's newest lagoon community makes a splash with beachy living
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Home + Design

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: In-demand Houston interior designer opens door to elegant new showroom in Rice Village
    livable luxury
    Haute Houston interior designer opens elegant new Rice Village shop
    By Steven Devadanam
    Holly Beretto: Galveston showcases 9 beachside beauties in annual historic home tour
    living history
    Galveston showcases 9 beachside beauties in annual historic home tour
    By Holly Beretto
    Holly Beretto: 6 sleek and stunning modern Houston homes open doors for in-person tour
    Modern Marvels
    6 sleek + stunning modern Houston homes open doors for in-person tour
    By Holly Beretto

    SPONSORED BY

  • Innovation

    THE LATEST

    : Houston university goes global with Parisian outpost announcement
    rice en france
    Houston university goes global with Parisian outpost announcement
    By Natalie Harms, InnovationMap
    Hannah J. Phillips: Texas-based Bumble sponsors 50 female athletes to honor 50 years of Title IX
    Big League Bumble
    Texas-based Bumble sponsors 50 female athletes in honor of Title IX
    By Hannah J. Phillips
    Steven Devadanam: Pioneering Houstonian launches Chewy for outdoors with game-changing new site
    a mountainous achievement
    Houstonian launches Chewy for outdoors with game-changing new site
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Travel

    THE LATEST

    Stephanie Allmon Merry: Chip and Joanna Gaines' new Fixer Upper castle is opening for tours in Central Texas
    Hear ye, year ye
    Chip & Joanna Gaines' new Fixer Upper castle soon hosting Texas tours
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Steven Devadanam: Luxurious ranch retreat near Houston tees up lush new 18-hole championship golf course
    acing it
    Luxurious ranch retreat near Houston tees up new 18-hole golf course
    By Steven Devadanam
    : Texas' 10 best water parks for families, thrill-seekers, and everyone in between
    Ride the Wave
    Texas' 10 best water parks for families, thrill-seekers, and more
    By Jennifer Simonson

    SPONSORED BY

  • Sports

    THE LATEST

    : Big golf moves could spark major changes to Astros-backed Houston Open
    tourney turnover
    Big golf moves could spark major change to Astros-backed Houston Open
    By Adam Winkler, ABC13
    : Deshaun Watson settles 20 of 24 sexual misconduct claims against him
    watson settles
    Deshaun Watson settles 20 of 24 sexual misconduct claims against him
    By Greg Bailey, ABC13
    Steven Devadanam: Houston wins bid to host prestigious 2026 FIFA World Cup games
    ole, ole, ole!
    Houston wins bid to host prestigious 2026 FIFA World Cup games
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Charity Guide
  • Tastemaker Awards
Travel Texas Houston
Promoted articles are produced by CultureMap sponsors and not by the editorial staff.
Home » Travel
On the Road
A Bay Area Houston getaway promises 4 times the fun
On the Road
Make a splash in New Braunfels with water parks, river floats + more
LATEST NEWS
New laundry service unfolds in Houston to help tackle those piles
On the Road

Big spirit and a love of the arts thrives in the tiny Texas town of Alpine

Big spirit and a love of the arts in the tiny Texas town of Alpine

By CultureMap Create
Jun 22, 2022, 12:00 pm
Enlarge
Slideshow
alpine music and dance
Find live music in a quirky-fun atmosphere at Railroad Blues. Photo by Michael Howard
alpine mural
Downtown Alpine has more than 40 colorful murals. Photo by J. Griffis Smith
sunrise in alpine
Sunrise at Hancock Hill boasts beautiful views. Photo by Ben Panter
alpine night sky and the desk
Don't miss a trek to "The Desk" on Hancock Hill. Photo by Alex Perez
alpine music and dance
alpine mural
sunrise in alpine
alpine night sky and the desk

If a pilgrimage out west is on your list, Alpine is your picture-perfect stopover point. It boasts some of the best year-round weather in Texas, with dry air and elevation that keeps summers fresh and cool, especially in the mornings and evenings.

And it’s also centrally connected to the most scenic routes in the state, with easy day-trip access to Big Bend National Park, Marfa, Fort Davis, Marathon, McDonald Observatory, and more.

That said, Alpine proper has plenty to see and do, so make sure you carve out some time to stay a while and explore.

Say hi to downtown Alpine
With more than 40 murals to see, each picture is worth a thousand words in Alpine. From a historic map and vibrant storytelling renderings to bright pop art, the wall-adorning pieces offer glimpses of local history, folklore, and culture.

If history is your M.O., the town’s self-guided walking tour ventures through 44 different historic stops, including the Ritchey Hotel from the 1880s — one of the oldest commercial buildings still standing in Alpine — along with early 20th-century residences, churches, and more.

Enjoy the small-but-mighty music scene
The town is a certified “Music Friendly Community” and it’s kind of a big deal. There may only be 6,000 residents, but the music scene is major and diverse. On any given week, you can catch a variety of live music performances.

For starters, Old Gringo Coffee & Cocktails has Tuesday open mics as well as a few music performances every week.

The historic Holland Hotel is Alpine’s classic railroad hotel, originally constructed in 1928. Now, it offers frequent live music in a beautiful enclosed courtyard or the elegant lobby.

Railroad Blues hosts notable talent in a funky, fun atmosphere, and Ole Crystal Bar boasts a first-rate outdoor stage. 

All these places also happen to host artists during the Viva Big Bend music festival in July that brings in more than 50 bands to Alpine as well as Marfa, Marathon, and Fort Davis.

Hit the trails — and find The Desk
Hancock Hill
, behind Sul Ross State University, has a small system of hiking trails that feature scenic overlooks of the town and the path to The Desk.

If you haven’t heard the story of The Desk, it goes like this: In 1981, three Sul Ross students carried a desk up Hancock Hill to study. Soon they were spending hours on the hill, enjoying the beautiful surroundings. When one of them left a notebook in a desk drawer and later saw someone had written in it, he replied and soon the tradition of a notebook associated with The Desk was born.

Learn about Big Bend before driving there
Located on the Sul Ross State University campus, the Museum of the Big Bend celebrates the distinctive natural and human history as well as cultures in the Big Bend region. Rotating exhibits include paintings, photography, and more.

And if you love maps, you’ll be fascinated by the historical pieces in the Yana and Marty Davis Map Collection.

Discover more reasons to love this tiny town with a bold spirit at Visit Alpine.

Read These Next
Fourth of July dog
Houston SPCA's 6 tips for keeping pets safe + happy on the 4th of July
fireworks mansfield
Go on an artsy adventure in history-rich Mansfield
Surfer at sunset
Feel the sand in your toes at beachy, beautiful South Padre Island
Fourth of July dog
Houston SPCA's 6 tips for keeping pets safe + happy on the 4th of July
fireworks mansfield
Go on an artsy adventure in history-rich Mansfield
Surfer at sunset
Feel the sand in your toes at beachy, beautiful South Padre Island
  • Latest News
  • Most Popular
  • Beyoncé breaks the internet again with striking new album cover art
  • Houston Zoo eliminates environmentally damaging material in shop
  • Harris County issues milestone one-millionth marriage license
  • Totally lit new installation dazzles downtown with interactive 'reeds'
  • Houston SPCA's 6 tips for keeping pets safe + happy on the 4th of July
    - promoted -
See All Latest News >
  • 'Devastated' widow of ZZ Top's Dusty Hill decries recent estate sale
  • Anthony Bourdain-approved Houston BBQ joint opens new Pearland bistro
  • New master-planned community coming to wealthy Houston suburb
  • Finally! Chris Shepherd opens new location of his signature steakhouse
  • Alley Theatre's home to change name following $25M anonymous gift
Vote Now
Whats Eric Eating
6/30
Beard Award-winning Houston chef dishes on new Galveston hotel project
6/23
Exciting new Vietnamese restaurant freshens up The Heights
6/16
Houston's Top Chef Season 19 star dishes on TV time and new restaurant
Hoffman's Houston
6/27
Hoffman volleys ace questions to Houston's greatest tennis icon
6/20
Ken Hoffman readies for the longest — and sunniest — day in Houston
6/13
Hoffman on the return of a beloved Houston morning radio personality
Where to Eat Houston
6/23
Where to eat in Houston right now: 9 stupendous new restaurants
4/20
Where to eat in Houston: 9 new restaurants for steak, ramen, and more
3/21
Where to eat in Houston: 10 new restaurants from Wild fare to steaks
Home | About Us | News Tips & Suggestions | Submit An Event | Submit A Charity | Advertise | Media Sponsorship | Jobs | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
© 2022 CultureMap LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Be A CultureMap Insider
Get Our Emails
Sign Up

We will not share or sell your email address

Newsletters for exploring your city

Thank you for signing up Please verify your e-mail by following the link we just sent you.
Look for an e-mail from CultureMap <info@culturemap.com>
Galleria-area pub offers can't-miss daily specials