On the Road

El Paso

Blazing through the Sun City

A girl on a mountain looks out over El Paso
Written by Kiley Pettit, Image courtesy of Visit El Paso

On the western tip of the Lone Star State, sandwiched between the towering Franklin Mountains, sun-scorched Chihuahuan Desert, and roaring banks of the Rio Grande, stands the vibrant city of El Paso, Texas. Its fitting name, "Pass Of The North" reveals its location between the U.S.- Mexico border, allowing the city to seamlessly blend historical traditions and colorful cultures with a dynamic modern twist. With over 300 days of year-round sunshine, the “sun city” is a hotspot for road trips, outdoor adventures, and diverse activities.

Explore the streets of Downtown El Paso from the doorstep of the city's finest hotels—Hotel Paso Del Norte, The Plaza Hotel, and Hotel Indigo. Hop on a vintage 1950s El Paso Streetcar and roam 4.8 miles of the city like the tourists of half a century ago. These free, mint green, tangerine-striped vehicles stop at must-sees in the downtown area such as legendary San Jacinto Plaza, El Paso Museum of Art, and the famous Plaza Theatre, one of the only operating historical atmospheric theaters in the United States. Hop off at Southwest University Park to cheer on a home run with the El Paso Chihuahuas or wander the trendy Las Plazas Arts District—the host of iconic El Paso Street—where entertainment and cuisine are plentiful. With nightfall, end the evening back at Hotel Paso Del Norte, seated in their elegant Dome Bar, sipping on some of the state's finest cocktails.

Take advantage of the blazing El Paso sun by hiking up to the Scenic Drive overlook in the early morning to discover sweeping panoramic views of the mountain-lined horizon into neighboring Ciudad Juarez. If you have time, trek to the Hueco Tanks State Park, a barren rock formation covered in ancient pictographs that has borne the scars of time. Before biking or camping through the 27,000 acres of mountain peaks and canyons in the Franklin Mountains, stop at Casa Pantera or the infamous L&J Cafe to indulge in world-famous Tex-Mex cuisine and a refreshing margarita—El Paso is the birthplace of the margarita, after all!

Rooted in a profound history, El Paso is the perfect place to immerse yourself in an authentic, cultural blend. Find yourself journeying through the historical Mission Trail, where testimonials of ancestral Native Americans and Spanish settlers tell the stories of the past. The cultural crossroads, lively people, and sunset-painted vistas are a testament to the profound nature of El Paso, Texas, where the mountains have stood in silent witness to the world for hundreds of years.

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