Museum of the Big Bend: Located off Hwy 90 on the Sul Ross University campus, The museum has been collecting and exhibiting artifacts of the vast Big Bend region for more than 70 years. The exhibits of the museum capture and contrast the history of the various inhabitants of this area and encompass the contributions of the Native Americans, the Spanish, the Mexicans, and the Anglo-Americans. Numerous temporary exhibits and a Discovery Center for children presents visitors with new experiences with every visit. In addition, visitors can tour the Chihuahuan Desert Cactus Garden at the museum's entrance. Self guided tours of the cactus garden introduce visitors to many species of native cacti and other plants of the Big Bend region. Today at the Museum of the Big Bend, both adults and children enjoy experiencing and learning about yesterday in Texas' Last Frontier. Admission free; donations accepted. Visitors are welcome Tuesday-Saturday, 9-5 and Sunday 1-5 p.m. (432) 837-8143.
Historic Downtown: A walking or windshield tour of downtown Alpine will take you back in time. Alpine's historic buildings date back to the late 1800's and early 1900's, offering a diversity of
architectural styles of the period and a glimpse into the border culture that has played such an important role in Alpine's history. Click here to view online details of Alpine's historic buildings. Be sure and stop by the Alpine Chamber of Commerce information center when you arrive in town and pick up a copy of the Historic Alpine Walking / Windshield Tour Guide.
Railroad Blues: Big Bend's Premier Live Music Venue. Located near downtown Alpine, Railroad Blues offers live music entertainment every Friday and Saturday night (with occasional week night performances thrown in for good cheer), covering a broad range of musical styles and some of Texas' best performers. Choose from one of the largest selections of beer in West Texas while enjoying a friendly attitude and fun atmosphere.
Woodward Agate Ranch: Source of famed Texas agates (red plume, pompom, and a rainbow of other types), colorful jasper, labradorite feldspar, calcite, precious opal, and other minerals. Hunt and collect on over 3,000 acres; guide service available (fee). Grading help by ranch experts. Lapidary shop. Open year-round - 18 miles south of Alpine on Texas Highway 118 Please call the ranch for more
information. (432) 364-2271.
Special Events: Alpine is host to several fun and exciting annual events. We have a colorful balloon festival over Labor Day weekend, Cowboy Poetry Gathering and Trappings of Texas during the 1st weekend of March, Alpine's Gallery Night on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, an exciting Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks Display on July 4th, and many others.
Performing Arts: Big Bend Players and Theatre of the Big Bend, Alpine's two major stage groups, perform a wide variety of entertaining dramas, comedies and musicals throughout the year. During the summer, enjoy the outdoor theatre, under the stars, on the stage at Kokernot Park. Alpine also boast many special local and visiting performers during the year. Once a year, near the end of February or early March, the famed Cowboy Poetry Gathering occurs, attracting hundreds of visitors. Please view our online events calendar for more details.
Kokernot Field and Park: Located in the heart of the city with unobstructed views of the surrounding mountains. Adjacent to a nine hole golf course, it is one of the city's main tourist attractions. The park includes:
20 acres
large swimming pool
walking & jogging trail
"Wrigley-Style" baseball field
picnic facilities
260 trees
Sul Ross State University: Established in 1920 as Sul Ross Normal College, SRSU is the cultural and educational center of the region. The University is named after Lawrence Sullivan (Sul) Ross, a soldier and educator who also served two terms as Texas governor between1886 and 1891. Sul Ross has a reputation for producing top-quality teachers and its location provides a natural laboratory for Chihuahua Desert studies in biology, geology, and range management. Birthplace of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, the University annually sponsors the NIRA rodeo. Call (432) 837-8191 for cultural events schedules or other information.
