With 300-plus days of sunshine, the largest urban state park in the nation, and some of the best Mexican food in the United State, El Paso, Texas, is a must-visit for travelers of any age. Here are the top 10 ways for group tours to experience El Paso.
1. Let Loose Downtown
Thanks to a half-billion-dollar investment, Downtown El Paso is growing like never before. You’ll find an award-winning Triple-A ballpark/United Soccer League stadium, art and history museums, a restored motion picture palace, great nightlife, amazing restaurants, downtown trolley … the list goes on. Plus, brand-new downtown hotels have doubled the number of rooms in the historic city center! And last but not least, coming in 2023 is the all-new Children’s Museum and Science Center.
2. Unearth Ancient Secrets
Hikers, bikers, boulderers, campers, and explorers scour the rocks of Hueco Tanks all year. Explore the caves or follow a ranger and uncover the secrets of ancient pictographs from A.D. 1150. However you decide to explore, make sure you climb to the top and soak in the panoramic view.
3. Get Crafty
Tap into El Paso’s craft beer scene and see what the buzz is about. Local microbreweries make some uniquely El Pasoan brews, and award-winning bars, gastropubs, and cantinas serve them up. Wine aficionado? Check out the multiple wineries and vineyards in the area and taste the magic that this special Southwest geography conjures. Whether you’re a craft-beer freak or wine geek, El Paso has something for everyone to toast to.
4. Be Artistic
Check out the El Paso Museum of Art—the only accredited art museum in a 250-mile radius. You can also visit the University of Texas at El Paso campus for a trip to the Rubin Center, where art inspires active dialogue. Or take a walking tour and see the hundreds of hand-painted murals throughout the downtown.
5. Become a Festival Fanatic
Summertime in El Paso means sunny skies and festivals you shouldn’t miss. Music. Art. Movies. Mariachis. Ice Cream. Awesome festivals like these and more are held all summer, and the crowds are growing, so snag your tickets and hotel rooms early!
6. Unleash Your Roar
You’ve seen baseball and soccer, but you haven’t lived it like El Pasoans. The El Paso Chihuahuas and El Paso Locomotive FC play exciting matches all summer long, and they’re not something you’d want to pass up. Come do the wave with nachos in hand and cheer on as fireworks fill the downtown sky.
Credit: Visit El Paso
7. Get Cultured
Three missions and the tribal home of the Tiguas make for a memorable afternoon. Taste the clay-oven-baked bread on Saturday mornings and feel the beat of the tribal drums raise the hair on the back of your neck.
8. Add Some Spice
Add some flavor to your trip with jalapeño, habanero, poblano, chile de árbol, chipotle, serrano, or Hatch green. The list could go on, but you get the idea. And that’s just the chile. El Paso considers itself the Mexican food capital of the United States. Come earn some bragging rights.
9. Hit the Dunes
Credit: Visit El Paso
Rent some all-terrain vehicles and take on the dunes of Red Sands! The 21 square miles of beautiful red sand dunes are the perfect backdrop for an afternoon adrenaline rush or a nighttime bonfire.
10. Rule the Rocks
Franklin Mountains State Park boasts 40 square miles of serene canyons, towering peaks, and scenic views—and it’s right in the center of town. With mountain biking, cave exploration, mine tours, paragliding, and everything else under the sun, the Franklin Mountains will satisfy even the most adventurous of thrill-seekers. Take on the 100 miles of trails and bring a camera, because views of three states and two nations from 7,000 feet above sea level are spectacular.
For more information on El Paso, go to visitelpaso.com.
Lead image:
Take on the 100 miles of trails at Franklin Mountains State Park.
Credit: Visit El Paso
