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City in Texas, United States
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
El Paso is the sixth largest city in Texas, with 679,000 residents (2020). It is on the United States-Mexico border. The city on the other side of the border is Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. El Paso is often called the Sun City. Collectively, the city of El Paso and other nearby cities, such as Juarez and Las Cruces, New Mexico are referred to as The Borderland.
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El Paso is near the largest US military installations in the world, which stretches into two states, Texas and New Mexico. It is one of the Department of Defense's largest projects, coming in third after Iraq and Afghanistan. Major construction is under way at Fort Bliss. 80,000 new soldiers and their families are expected to arrive within a few years. Fort Bliss has the first, and biggest of its kind PX anywhere in the world. The area near the base also has a lot of military surplus stores.
Official reception unit for military personnel and their families to report to duty, get checked in and get set up.
Provides information and a lounge for military personnel and their families transiting into or out of the area. They have additional locations at the airport and in other parts of the military base.
A working dairy famous for its Asadero cheese. It has a very unusual petting zoo including camels, goats, zebras and parrots. Visitors can fish for catfish at the small pond inside the petting zoo, which is filled up about weekly.
UTEP
It was founded in 1914. It's easily accessible from I-10. UTEP, pronounced you-tep, has a beautiful campus nestled into rocky hills with amazing xeriscaped gardens.
Chihuahuan desert demonstration gardens and wetlands and remnants of ancient village.
Rose cultivars.
Resting place of gunslinger/Old West icon John Wesley Hardin and John Selman, the guy who took him out, plus buffalo soldiers, Civil War veterans, etc.
Temporary and permanent exhibits. The temporary exhibits feature life, culture and the natural environment of the Borderlands. In many cases, the galleries are made up of contributions of fellow El Pasoans. The permanent exhibits are a natural and social history of the Chihuahuan Desert. The desert garden just outside features over 600 native plant species. At the end of every April, there is a fun event sponsored by the gardens, known as FloraFest. During FloraFest, native plants such as agave, yucca, cacti and other hard to find desert plants can be purchased. For anyone interested in horticulture, especially xeriscaping, this is a must -ee.
Exhibits include artifacts and reconstructions of life in the past, e.g. pottery and Chacoan architecture. The museum also has numerous trails covering fifteen acres of land behind the museum that afford visitors terrific views of the Franklin Mountains and over 250 native plant species, and a border patrol museum next door if that sort of thing interests you.
Locally owned gallery featuring local artists from El Paso and Juarez. Within walking distance from the Double Tree and Holiday Inn hotel. The gallery displays the cultural essence of rising El Paso artists. Private tours are available.
All exhibits are in both English and Spanish.
Museum about border history between the United States and Mexico.
Little dioramas of like tanks moving through the desert and things. Temporarily closed.
Food and theatre (mainly musicals).
Department of Theatre, Dance, and Film
Quality plays are produced throughout the year.
A minor league baseball team, the Triple-A level affiliate of the San Diego Padres, plays at Southwest University Park.
Enjoy an ice-hockey game at the El Paso County Coliseum. The Rhinos play in the North American Tier III hockey league.
Miners football is coached by Dana Dimel. UTEP has a beautiful stadium, the Sun Bowl, that looks as though it was cut right out of the mountain. Every late December the Sun Bowl is played, where two 3rd, 4th, or 5th place teams from either the Pac-10, Big Ten, or Big 12 meet. This is the longest running televised bowl game in the country.
Rodeo events can be seen in El Paso around the months of January and February. Rodeo is a unique cowboy 'sport' where individuals compete in a number of events the most famous of which is bull riding.
Don Haskins changed the way college basketball was played forever in 1966. He led his all-black lineup against the all-white Kentucky team featuring Pat Riley and won the National Championship. Prior to Don Haskins, black players were marginalized in college basketball. Don Haskins has the basketball arena named after him, the Don Haskins Center, that hosts Miner Basketball and concerts.
Home of the UTEP Miners Football team. At other times, the stadium is used as a concert venue. The URL link also includes tickets for other UTEP athletic events.
Large park in the Southern part of El Paso, near the US/Mexico border, established to commemorate the peaceful resolution of a US/Mexico border dispute at this spot. It hosts many events throughout the season, including concerts and dance performances. Information and event schedules can be found at the Chamizal National Memorial website.
The casino is open every day, including holidays and has over 700 slot machines. It is easy to reach by taking I-10 West, away from Downtown. The Casino also hosts live shows and music. Most visitors report good experiences at the casino, with the exception of a few very competitive individuals.
A collection of three historic Spanish missions in the area along the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, dating from the early 17th century. There are also a number of shops on the trail with artwork, crafts, and historic pieces.
There are many ways to enjoy the Franklin Mountains. Ranger guided tours are available by reservation.
'The Tom Mays Unit
The road is small. This road eventually leads visitors on a winding tour of the canyon. It is truly beautiful, with many plants and colorful hills. There are picnic facilities, a park store and steep trails into the wilderness. It is very quiet and peaceful, a desert oasis in the middle of the city. Many runners and bikers enjoy the challenge of the winding, rolling roads in the canyon. Pets are allowed on leash and there are also mountain biking trails. Map of the trails are available on the website.
Taking 375 the through the Franklin Mountains at night is a wonderful experience. The entire city of El Paso and the city of Juarez are both lit up like a galaxy of stars. There are many places to pull off and watch the artificial stars. During the day, take Transmountain Road and stop at any of the hiking areas. These places have donation boxes for hikers who are supposed to provide $3 for the use of the trails. These trails are very steep and surrounded by native cacti, yucca and agave. Travelers may also see hummingbirds, large spiders and lizards. If the trails seem too chancy for you, pull over at the small picnic and viewing areas located throughout the Eastern half of the road. The view is amazing and you can see far off into Mexico and New Mexico. Be aware that Transmountain road can be closed due to inclement weather.
Twisting its way across the Franklin Mountains just like the Transmountain Road but further to the south, this thoroughfare provides unparalleled views of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez beyond.
Specializing in hefty burgers and green chiles.
There are 3 locations of these barbecue joints slash bars on the East and Northeast part of El Paso. The inside of the Pit Stops aren't much to look at, but the food is great. Again, vegetarians forget about it. All of the food is starch and meat, with the exception of cole slaw.
An old downtown El Paso bar that serves unpretentious Mexican food. The nachos are especially good, and the crowd is a mixture of blue-collar workers and college students.
Is an El Paso Tradition. There are 5 different stores in El Paso serving these unique rolled tacos. These tacos are unlike either the "Taco Bell" tacos many Americans are familiar with, or those served in an authentic Mexican taquería. Resembling flautas more than tacos, a single order of tacos will not cost you more than $2 and provide you with three tacos. A "double" or "triple" order will fill up those who are more hungry. The tacos are served with a red sauce and piled high with cheese. They don't look appetizing, but the consensus is you either love them or hate them. Chico's Tacos also serves delicious hamburgers, El Paso-style hot dogs (sliced franks served on a hamburger bun with chili), grilled cheese sandwiches, and burritos. Chico's is a treasured El Paso tradition. Open late, cheap and always quick service.
A historic family owned restaurant, often wins citywide food and service awards. Owned and operated by four generations of the Avila family, often occupied with fiercely loyal patrons. The enchiladas and tacos are highly recommended, but the Chile con Queso is the signature dish of the restaurant. The average total meal costs about $10, with lunch specials for $5.25.
A steakhouse in the middle of the desert in the city of Fabens, East of El Paso. Go for dinner to enjoy a fine steak with a gorgeous sunset view. An outdoor balcony is available to bring your cocktail while your food is being prepared. They do not serve food or drinks in the balcony area. "The Cowboy" is their 2-pound T-bone steak--a must for the first time.
Cafe Central is the perfect place to go to enjoy fine dining with a Southwestern flair. Originally opened in Juarez in 1918, Cafe Central moved to El Paso after Prohibition ended. This fancy restaurant is led by Chef Armando Pomales and his team. Service here is nearly perfect, but it is the food that will have you seeing stars. A true "fancy restaurant" for those looking for a place to take a date, celebrate an anniversary, eat an amazing lunch, or hold a business lunch/dinner.
A mid-price restaurant and piano bar located just barely above the border. The price is comparable to that of a lot of mediocre Mexican restaurants elsewhere, but this food blows theirs out of the water. The fajitas are perfectly seasoned, the carnitas are amazing, and the margaritas are not to be missed. Fresh homemade tortillas complete the meal. Be sure not to binge on the chips and salsa as the meals are large.
Hotel features spacious suites, some with full kitchens, exercise facilities, video cassette players and on-site guest laundry and valet service.
A renovated downtown hotel, promises to bring back the original luxury from when it opened in 1912.
Fine Southwest rugs, furniture, jewelry and folk art.
By car
By bus
S. and from multiple places in Mexico through Ciudad Juarez.
By train
Amtrak serves El Paso with the tri-weekly Sunset Limited, running between Los Angeles (16 hr) and New Orleans (29 hr), and the Texas Eagle from Chicago (48 hr).
By car
This may be the easiest way to see what El Paso has to offer. Since many sites of interest are quite far apart from one another, renting a car may afford visitors the most flexibility.
By taxi
Must be called for pickup in most areas.
By bus
Public transport is provided by Sun Metro which offers an extensive bus network. Most major routes offers departures every 30 minutes or less.
By streetcar
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El Paso · International · ELP
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