You know us… we love a good photo opp, and we’re feeling especially inspired by one of our favorite (and most photogenic) masterpieces: Prada Marfa. In case you haven’t heard, all small Prada Marfa prints are on sale for $99, so now is the time to add this artistic wonder to your walls! We have a long standing love affair with this little art installation in the middle-of-nowhere Texan landscape, and it’s probably easy to see why. Not only does the purpose of this art piece make us think deeply about its meaning and the hyper-commercialism of the modern age, but put simply, it also makes for a pretty incredible backdrop for a photo.
With that in mind, we thought we’d round up 10 Insta-worthy road trip pit stops to add to your bucket list, and Prada Marfa is just one of the amazing stops on our list. Keep scrolling to see the other nine, and make sure to bookmark this post for the next time you hit the open road…
(Oh, and don’t forget to collect all of your favorite small Prada Marfa prints while the sale lasts by clicking right here, or shopping a few of them directly below!)
- The Pink Wall at Paul Smith
If you have an Instagram account, then it’s almost guaranteed that you’ve seen the pink wall. It’s a hub for tourists, bloggers, and general Instagrammers alike, and for good reason—the clean, bubble gum pink paint is sure to make a swoon-worthy backdrop for your next Insta post. Last year, Paul Smith even took things up a notch and transformed the iconic landmark on Melrose in West Hollywood into a mural for the LA Pride festival, resulting in this show-stopper above! If you have a thing for pretty walls like this one, check out Gray’s guide to selfie-worthy walls in Los Angeles, right here.
2. Spiral Jetty
This artwork created by Robert Smithson in 1970 is located on the shore of the Great Salt Lake in Utah, and is comprised of over 6,000 tons of basalt rocks. The salt coil is larger than life, and photographs like something out of a sci-fi movie. Plus, the surrounding crystallized salt seems to sparkle in the sun, making this mineral masterpiece that much more breathtaking.
3. Seven Magic Mountains
Photo via Erika Carlock
Situated just outside of Las Vegas off the I-15, this art installation by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone is a sight to behold, and makes for some serious Instagram-worthy content too. Each pillar stands between 30-35 feet tall, built of locally sourced boulders painted every color of the rainbow—surrounded by miles and miles of desert landscape.
4. Joshua Tree Outdoor Museum
This stop might not look like much on the surface, but the creative re-use of scrap materials and found objects in this outdoor museum makes this a super otherworldly photo opp. The large-scale sculptures were created by the late Noah Purifoy, who was a strong believer that art should be used as a tool for social change. His nonprofit foundation is now dedicated to preserving his works, and educating the public on his life story and mission through art.
5. Salvation Mountain
Photo via Jess Loves This Life
For starters, this folk art masterpiece is covered in hundreds of thousands of gallons of latex paint (!!!). The artist’s goal was to convey a message of love, and it shows on this jaw-dropping manmade mountain situated in Niland, California. This work of art has been in progress for 28 years and counting, and every inch of it is Instagram heaven. Not to mention, you can even camp for free on the land surrounding the mountain if you need to make an overnight stop.
6. Bottle Tree Ranch
Located off historic Route 66 in Oro Grande, California, the Bottle Tree Ranch is one man’s collection of vintage bottles transformed into over 200 makeshift trees. It’s free to visit, pet-friendly, and if you stop at just the right time you might even get to meet Elmore, the friendly artist behind it all.
7. The Neon Museum
Photos via Erika Carlock
Perhaps the most charming thing about the desert oasis of Las Vegas is the reminder of its beginnings. The Neon Museum—also known as the “Neon Graveyard” or “Neon Boneyard”—is a nonprofit organization that collects and preserves the iconic signs that once hung over the early streets of Las Vegas. It’s stunning, to say the least, but make sure to make a reservation if you plan to stop here, as they only offer entrance with a short guided tour.
8. World Famous Crochet Museum
Yep, you read that right! It might sound like a crafty grandma’s grandiose dream, but this little piece of crochet heaven actually makes for a pretty great Instagram post. Located in Joshua Tree National Park, this “museum” is actually just an overflowing collection of crochet animals and knick-knacks, all situated in a vintage One-Hour Fotomat Booth in the middle of the desert. Plus, it’s totally free and open 24/7 so you can stop whenever you please.
9. Urban Light at the LACMA
You may be familiar with the arrangement of antique street lamps (222 to be exact!) that flock the sidewalk of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and we’ll tell you why—they’ve been Instagrammed countless times over the course of their stay at the museum. The sculpture made by Chris Burden is accessible at any hour, but we recommend stopping by at dusk for a dreamy Instagram photo, then staying a while to see the dazzling display of the lamps in the dark.
10. Prada Marfa
Last, but most certainly not least, is Prada Marfa. It’s a well-known fact by now that this isolated installation in Marfa, Texas has our hearts! The little town is known for its “New York chic” meets “cowboy cool” aesthetic, and this art piece created by Elmgreen and Dragset makes for an incredible Instagram shot. By the way, this thought-provoking and oh-so-Instagrammable art piece isn’t the only reason to make a pit stop in Marfa. Click here to see two more reasons why Marfa, Texas deserves a stop on your route, then head to the GM shop to add this destination to your walls, too.
Have you visited any of these Instagram-worthy stops?
Don’t hesitate if you have your eye on Prada Marfa… our sale for $99 small Prada Marfa prints ends today! Shop them all HERE.
Xx Team GM
Photos: Gray Malin, Erica Carlock, Jess Loves This Life