Things to do in Van Horn, Texas -- in pictures


  • El Capitan is the southernmost point of the Guadalupe Mountains. At 2,464 metres above sea level, El Capitan is the eighth-highest peak in Texas and about an hour north from Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Laurence Parent
    El Capitan is the southernmost point of the Guadalupe Mountains. At 2,464 metres above sea level, El Capitan is the eighth-highest peak in Texas and about an hour north from Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Laurence Parent
  • Located at the crossroads of the Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe and Big Bend National Parks, Hotel El Capitan was built in 1930. Holly Aguirre / The National
    Located at the crossroads of the Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe and Big Bend National Parks, Hotel El Capitan was built in 1930. Holly Aguirre / The National
  • The Hotel El Capitan is a historic hotel located in the Van Horn city centre and the jewel of the small town. Photo: Texas Historical Commission
    The Hotel El Capitan is a historic hotel located in the Van Horn city centre and the jewel of the small town. Photo: Texas Historical Commission
  • The entrance to the historic Hotel El Capitan in Van Horn, Texas. Holly Aguirre / The National
    The entrance to the historic Hotel El Capitan in Van Horn, Texas. Holly Aguirre / The National
  • Architect Henry Charles Trost designed buildings all across Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. This is the Hotel El Capitan interior garden. Holly Aguirre / The National
    Architect Henry Charles Trost designed buildings all across Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. This is the Hotel El Capitan interior garden. Holly Aguirre / The National
  • Hotel El Capitan lobby. Holly Aguirre / The National
    Hotel El Capitan lobby. Holly Aguirre / The National
  • Your four-legged friends are welcome at the Hotel El Capitan in Van Horn, Texas. Holly Aguirre / The National
    Your four-legged friends are welcome at the Hotel El Capitan in Van Horn, Texas. Holly Aguirre / The National
  • Hotel El Capitan hallway. Holly Aguirre / The National
    Hotel El Capitan hallway. Holly Aguirre / The National
  • Hotel El Capitan is one of the most popular places to stay in west Texas. Photo: Thomas Millard
    Hotel El Capitan is one of the most popular places to stay in west Texas. Photo: Thomas Millard
  • Van Horn, Texas, is the last stop before the turnoff to Marfa, a tiny artist town put on the map after James Dean starred in 'Giant', which was filmed there in 1956. Holly Aguirre / The National
    Van Horn, Texas, is the last stop before the turnoff to Marfa, a tiny artist town put on the map after James Dean starred in 'Giant', which was filmed there in 1956. Holly Aguirre / The National
  • Located in Van Horn, Texas, Chuy’s boasts an illustrious list of celebrity diners including Harrison Ford, Tom Hanks, the man in black Johnny Cash, singer Selena, country legend Conway Twitty and John Madden. Photo: Thomas Hawk
    Located in Van Horn, Texas, Chuy’s boasts an illustrious list of celebrity diners including Harrison Ford, Tom Hanks, the man in black Johnny Cash, singer Selena, country legend Conway Twitty and John Madden. Photo: Thomas Hawk
  • Put Chuy's Tex Mex restaurant on your must-do list when visiting Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Chuy's Facebook
    Put Chuy's Tex Mex restaurant on your must-do list when visiting Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Chuy's Facebook
  • Vintage sign lovers are sure to enjoy Van Horn, Texas, for its Instragramable moments. Photo: Thomas Hawk
    Vintage sign lovers are sure to enjoy Van Horn, Texas, for its Instragramable moments. Photo: Thomas Hawk
  • Many of Van Horn's closed-up shops and businesses give it a ghost town feel. Holly Aguirre / The National
    Many of Van Horn's closed-up shops and businesses give it a ghost town feel. Holly Aguirre / The National
  • Since Jeff Bezos and Blue Origin came to Van Horn, Texas, there are few single-family homes for sale. Many businesses, however, remain shuttered. Holly Aguirre / The National
    Since Jeff Bezos and Blue Origin came to Van Horn, Texas, there are few single-family homes for sale. Many businesses, however, remain shuttered. Holly Aguirre / The National
  • Van Horn, Texas, was on the radars of hikers and hipsters alike well before Jeff Bezos came to town. Holly Aguirre / The National
    Van Horn, Texas, was on the radars of hikers and hipsters alike well before Jeff Bezos came to town. Holly Aguirre / The National
  • Though it was once an oil and cattle town, Van Horn, Texas, relies heavily on tourism to stay afloat. Blue Origin launches are helping the tiny town of 2,000. Holly Aguirre / The National
    Though it was once an oil and cattle town, Van Horn, Texas, relies heavily on tourism to stay afloat. Blue Origin launches are helping the tiny town of 2,000. Holly Aguirre / The National
  • Another view of the Van Horn city centre. Photo: Thomas Hawk
    Another view of the Van Horn city centre. Photo: Thomas Hawk
  • Hotel El Capitan is not the only game in town. There's also a tidy Motel 6. Photo: Motel 6
    Hotel El Capitan is not the only game in town. There's also a tidy Motel 6. Photo: Motel 6
  • The Ship on the Desert is an early example of 20th-century modernism and sits at the base of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, an hour north of Van Horn. Photo: National Parks Service
    The Ship on the Desert is an early example of 20th-century modernism and sits at the base of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, an hour north of Van Horn. Photo: National Parks Service
  • Hikers visiting Guadalupe Mountains National Park often take a rest in the shady Grotto, which provides a picturesque setting for a picnic and a rest while hiking in McKittrick Canyon. Photo: National Parks Service
    Hikers visiting Guadalupe Mountains National Park often take a rest in the shady Grotto, which provides a picturesque setting for a picnic and a rest while hiking in McKittrick Canyon. Photo: National Parks Service
  • Travellers visiting Guadalupe Mountain National Park often stop in Van Horn for a respite at the historic El Capitan Hotel. Holly Aguirre / The National
    Travellers visiting Guadalupe Mountain National Park often stop in Van Horn for a respite at the historic El Capitan Hotel. Holly Aguirre / The National
  • Vintage neon sign lovers will appreciate the old signage throughout the tiny town of Van Horn, Texas. Holly Aguirre / The National
    Vintage neon sign lovers will appreciate the old signage throughout the tiny town of Van Horn, Texas. Holly Aguirre / The National
  • Lindsey's Cafe dishes out tasty Mexican food in central Van Horn, Texas. Facebook
    Lindsey's Cafe dishes out tasty Mexican food in central Van Horn, Texas. Facebook
  • A full moon rises over the Guadalupe Mountains as seen from downtown Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Steve Lange
    A full moon rises over the Guadalupe Mountains as seen from downtown Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Steve Lange
  • Brewer's blackbirds are protected in the US under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. These birds were found alighting in Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Silvi
    Brewer's blackbirds are protected in the US under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. These birds were found alighting in Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Silvi