Whereas El Paso might not be one of the visited massive cities in Texas, it incorporates a stunning quantity of various and distinctive issues to do this you received’t discover in Dallas, Fort Price, Houston, or San Antonio! For one, El Paso is steeped in southwest historical past, which continues to be alive and on show right this moment. Second, it’s a culturally various metropolis, with shut ties to its southern neighbor, Mexico, in addition to its Spanish and southwestern roots. Thirdly, El Paso is surrounded by mountains. Actually, a number of the tallest mountains within the state are inside a brief drive from El Paso. This makes El Paso one of the rugged and under-rated outside leisure playgrounds in Texas, with an astounding quantity of climbing, mountain biking, mountain climbing, and tenting alternatives.
Location of El Paso
El Paso is positioned within the far southwestern nook of Texas. It resides on the border with Mexico to the south, and the Mexican metropolis of Juarez. Simply to the north is the state of New Mexico. El Paso Worldwide Airport is the closest airport.
Greatest Time to Go to El Paso
The shoulder seasons of spring and fall are the perfect occasions to go to and revel in the perfect issues to do in El Paso. Each spring and fall see gentle and reasonable temperatures and climate patterns. Summer season may be unbearably sizzling, with temperatures averaging within the excessive 90’s levels Fahrenheit, and even triple digits. If you happen to plan to participate in any outside actions in El Paso in the summertime, it’s suggested to begin early and end early, and be ready with loads of water and solar safety. Winters in El Paso are comparatively gentle in comparison with the remainder of the nation, however you should still encounter frigid temperatures, harsh winds, and the occasional freak ice storm.
The Greatest Issues to Do in El Paso
You can find a welcoming mixture of issues to do in El Paso which can be completely suited to numerous pursuits, talents, and itineraries!
#1: Discover Downtown El Paso
Downtown El Paso incorporates quite a few districts and plazas, every with its personal attribute character. There’s the Las Plazas Artwork District, a stylish downtown space for eating and procuring. Then there’s Pioneer Plaza, with extra historic touches like statues, fountains, and iconic buildings. San Jacinto Plaza embraces the pure aspect of El Paso, with its sprawling city park within the middle of downtown. The Union Plaza District is steeped in outdated west and railroad historical past, because it was initially in-built 1905 as the house of the El Paso Union Depot. Now it’s a common leisure and nightlife space, in addition to the house of the Anthony Road Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.
#2: Franklin Mountains State Park
Relating to outside recreation in El Paso, Franklin Mountains State Park is the highest vacation spot within the space. That is as a result of rugged and exhilarating atmosphere the Franklin Mountains have created! Lots of the finest hikes in El Paso may be discovered throughout the borders of Franklin Mountains State Park. These hikes vary in issue stage and distance wherever from simple 1 mile nature walks, to full day strenuous hikes, just like the 8 mile hike to the very best level within the Franklin Mountains vary, North Franklin Peak at an elevation of seven,192 ft. There’s additionally the certainly one of a form El Paso Tin Mines Path, a hike to the one tin mines in america, now deserted. 
One other pastime of tourists is mountain biking, as there are over 100 miles of obtainable multi-use trails to bike. Along with climbing and mountain biking, you can too camp in Franklin Mountains State Park. The campsites right here take full benefit of the stark distinction between the towering mountains and the expansive desert ground, with spacious and secluded websites nestled within the bases of the Franklin Mountains. At evening, you’ll be able to get pleasure from an unobstructed sky, with views overlooking the glowing lights of El Paso and Mexico within the distance. 
#3: Hueco Tanks State Park
Hueco Tanks State Park is among the most unusual state parks in not simply Texas, however your entire southwest United States. It’s most identified for its distinctive mountain climbing alternatives, for anybody from newbie to superior climbers. There are a number of routes and ranging ranges of problem.
Moreover mountain climbing, there are a number of climbing trails to get pleasure from, in addition to the namesake “hueco tanks” to watch. These pure tanks are actually rock basins hewn from the land by the weather, that used to function early water assortment sources.
Guests may take a self guided or guided tour to see the traditional pictographs and rock artwork seen among the many rock partitions of Hueco Tanks State Park.
#4: El Paso Scenic Drive Overlook
If you’re after epic views with out the climbing, the El Paso Scenic Drive Overlook is the proper addition to your itinerary. This scenic overlook spans all of El Paso and close by Mexico, and it’s an added bonus if you happen to occur to catch a dawn or sundown from this vantage level. There are a number of different nice perks to the El Paso Scenic Drive Overlook. It’s free, simply accessible, and may be loved in a fast go to. Be aware that there’s restricted parking on the overlook, and on weekends it does are usually busier, and parking can replenish. 
#5: The El Paso Mission Path
On the historic El Paso Mission Path, you’ll be able to witness two exceptionally preserved missions and one chapel, constructed within the seventeenth and 18th centuries. The 9 mile lengthy El Paso Mission Path and its buildings are a visible illustration of the connection between the realm’s Native Individuals, Spanish colonists, and early missionaries. The Ysleta Mission, the oldest mission in Texas, was in-built 1682 and continues to be in use right this moment. It additionally stays an essential spiritual website for the Tigua Indian Tribe. The Socorro Mission was in-built 1789, and is an excellent instance of early Spanish architectural affect. The third and last cease on the El Paso Mission Path is the Presidio Chapel of San Elizario, which was initially a navy fortress within the 1700’s. There’s a 4th mission on the El Paso Mission Path, the Guadalupe Mission, however it’s on the Mexico aspect in Juarez. You’ll be able to go to it by crossing the worldwide border.
#6: Go to El Paso’s Museums
El Paso has all kinds of museums to get pleasure from, every specializing in a novel attribute of El Paso’s background and roots:
- The El Paso Museum of Artwork is a free assortment containing hundreds of artifacts spanning from the Byzantine period to trendy occasions. It encompasses American, Mexican, and European artwork, melding collectively the assorted backgrounds that influenced the tradition of El Paso.
- The El Paso Museum of Historical past displays El Paso’s cultural and multinational historical past.
- The El Paso Holocaust Museum options tales from native Holocaust survivors. Among the many dozen Holocaust Museums throughout america, the El Paso Holocaust Museum is the one bilingual one.
- The El Paso Museum of Archeology highlights the tapestry of histories occurring on this area: the historical past of the El Paso space, the southwest United States, and neighboring Mexico.
- The Fort Bliss and Previous Ironsides Museum showcases the historical past of Fort Bliss and the position it performed in El Paso’s navy presence. Fort Bliss performed a job in varied conflicts, together with the Mexican Revolution and World Conflict II. “Previous Ironsides” references America’s navy tank division, of which the museum incorporates a big exhibit.
- The Centennial Museum is the oldest museum in El Paso and a part of the College of Texas at El Paso. Right here you’ll be able to discover each native and worldwide artwork, in addition to the adjoining Chihuahuan Desert Gardens. The Chihuahuan Desert, which encompasses El Paso in addition to areas to the north and south, performs an important position within the historical past of El Paso, and is evidenced in each the museum and the gardens.
#7: El Paso Zoo
The El Paso Zoo is a good vacation spot for households, with its resident animals from all over the world, plus youngsters’s actions like a splash pad, carousel, playground, and practice.
#8: Pattern Genuine Tex-Mex Delicacies
Resulting from its shut proximity to Mexico, and subsequent cultural and culinary influences, guests to El Paso have the chance to pattern a number of the finest Tex Mex delicacies within the southwest! Native favorites embody enchiladas, tacos, chile con carne, road corn, and tostadas. My favourite restaurant in El Paso is Kiki’s. Go right here and order the machaca.
#9: Go to White Sands Nationwide Park, New Mexico
Whereas this Nationwide Park could also be positioned in one other state than El Paso, it is just a 1.5 hour drive north into New Mexico, simply throughout the attain of a day go to from El Paso. Very similar to the environment of El Paso, White Sands Nationwide Park has been formed and molded by the weather of the Chihuahuan Desert. Not like El Paso, the terrain and geology right here tackle a a lot totally different kind than the mountainous area of El Paso. It’s a vivid comparability and testomony to the ability of environmental components.
White Sands Nationwide Park is most beloved for its sand sledding alternatives. Deliver your individual sled, or lease one from the Customer Heart, after which get pleasure from hours of infinite sledding down the dunes. You may also hike the paths in White Sands Nationwide Park, together with quick nature trails, and longer backcountry trails by means of infinite seas of sand.
The place to Keep in El Paso
Lodge Paso Del Norte, Autograph Assortment
If you wish to keep in downtown El Paso that is the place I like to recommend, Lodge Paso Del Norte. Examine charges on Marriott or Expedia.
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