Snapshot: El Paso

This border-crossing town brings two countries together in a delicious way

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Directly on the Mexican border, El Paso, Texas, is an underrated gem, offering a unique fusion of history, culture, and food, of course, that makes it well worth a visit. It’s an ideal stopover on a cross-country road trip or before or after exploring Marfa, the Lone Star State’s artsiest town.

As your radio stations fade to static and switch from English to Spanish, you’ll know you’re getting close. Situated just nine miles from Juárez, Mexico, this bustling border town thrives on cultural unification, offering travelers a taste of two countries in one unforgettable destination.

Day 1: Arts & Culture

Plan to check in on Thursday with an advance reservation for El Paso’s first exclusive agave spirits tasting room at The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park, a 130-room property that holds the only Michelin Key in El Paso. Recently renovated, the 1930s Pueblo Deco-style building is home to Ámbar, the lobby restaurant and bar, and La Perla, the 17th-floor rooftop bar that was once the penthouse suite where both Elizabeth Taylor and Nicky Hilton briefly lived. Best of all, it’s smack in the middle of town, just a minute from the storied Plaza Theatre.

Art lovers should visit El Paso Museum of Art (admission is free), home to an impressive collection of Latin American, European, modern, and contemporary works. Don’t miss acclaimed artist Leo Villareal’s Star Ceiling, a 120-foot LED installation featuring 13,500 ever-changing lights, zero-gravity benches, and native Chihuahuan Desert planters.

For a hands-on experience, head to the newly opened La Nube STEAM Discovery Center, an interactive space for all ages that’s also the first museum to feature nonhierarchical bilingual signage. The permanent exhibit Craft of Resistance by local artist Margarita Cabrera was created in collaboration with migrant workers and represents the monarch butterfly’s centuries-long migration through the border region to Mexico and other parts of Latin America.

Pop into Rocketbuster, where hand-crafted cowboy boots can cost upward of $5,000 a pair. Even if you’re not buying, the showroom (a favorite of artists like Hermanos Gutiérrez and Leon Bridges) is a must-visit for boot lovers and design enthusiasts alike.

From 5 to 6 p.m. once a week, The Agave Room inside Ámbar seats up to 14 guests for a mezcal-paired menu from chef Lawrence Acosta. Expect dishes like corn flan, scallop aguachile, shrimp soup, and spinalis borracho (mezcal-marinated, or “drunk,” ribeye cap), with creative desserts by pastry chef Jakki Rojo.

For a perfect close to the day, wind down with a glass of wine and a bite at Pilón, a cozy and intimate wine bar and bottle shop with a killer natural wine selection.

Day 2: Border Culture and Literary Landmarks

El Paso is a pretty pedestrian-friendly town, so why not explore a bit on foot? Start with a cup of joe at District Coffee or Coffee Box, then grab tacos at Taconeta, a James Beard semifinalist known for its housemade blue corn tortillas. You can walk to Juárez from El Paso (locals on both sides do the commute to work, school, and more daily). Cross the Paso del Norte International Bridge for a drink at the World Famous Kentucky Club & Grill, a century-old bar where history and cross-border camaraderie live on (they also claim to have invented the margarita). If you do decide to spend a few hours in Mexico, you will have to pass through customs on the way into the US, but this can be quick and easy—just don’t forget your passport.

Back in El Paso, wander through historic neighborhoods, take in the colorful murals and one-of-a-kind architecture, and peek into abandoned storefronts that tell the city’s layered story—an experience inspired by Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, a coming-of-age novel by local author Benjamin Alire Sáenz.

End the evening on a high note with dinner at ELEMI, a restaurant celebrating heirloom corn and regional flavors. Head chef Emiliano Marentes was recently named a James Beard semifinalist in the Outstanding Chef category.

Day 3: Nature Outings and a Nearby Getaway

A relaxed breakfast and cafe de olla latte at Café con Leche is always a good idea before heading to Scenic Drive for breathtaking views of El Paso and Juárez. If you’re up for an adventure, take a day trip to White Sands National Park (one hour away) to explore surreal dunes, sled, or hike the Alkali Flat Trail.

Anthony, a city on the Texas/New Mexico border (20 minutes from El Paso), is home to charming wineries like La Viña, the oldest in the area. Or visit Las Cruces, New Mexico (45 minutes away), to stroll the historic village of Old Mesilla, savor green chile dishes, and hike Dripping Springs Natural Area.

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