El Paso trips and vacations
Straddling the US-Mexico border, this once-sleepy West Texas town has blossomed into a modern city with a thriving art and restaurant scene. The best trips to El Paso take full advantage of the colliding cultures. Explore mural-filled neighborhoods, edgy museums and a world-class crop of taco joints and microbreweries. And with 300 days of annual sunshine, it’s always a good time for rock climbing and hiking in the nearby Franklin Mountains.
El Paso vacation highlights
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Boots made for walking
El Paso is the boot capital of the world, home to all manner of Western footwear, from vintage and traditional to colorful and quirky. Head to one of the city’s famous outlet stores on your vacation to El Paso, or treat yourself to a custom-made pair from an El Paso shoemaker. With so many retailers in town, be sure to comparison-shop before you buy.
Outdoor adventures
With the Franklin Mountains running right through the middle of the city, El Paso is a perfect base for outdoor adventures. Hike or cycle one of the several trails in town. Warm up on an easy trail around the city parks, or head into Mount Franklin National Park for easy, moderate and difficult routes. You’ll also find a few great spots for rock climbing and bouldering.
Where to stay
Downtown is where the action is in El Paso. You’ll find plenty of hotels, restaurants, bars and attractions in this vibrant, highly walkable neighborhood. Go shopping after dark at ‘Paseo de las Luces’ (Walk of Lights), visit the museums in the Las Plazas Arts District or simply stroll the streets and take in the historical architecture.
El Paso: Know before you go
Language
English
Currency
United States dollar ($)
Time zone
UTC-7 (MST) and UTC-6 (MDT)
High season
June – July
Low season
January – February
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Caption
Photographer name
Things to do in El Paso
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Take in the culture
The streets of the El Segundo Barrio feel like an art museum come to life with dozens of colorful murals reflecting cultures from both sides of the border. For a traditional museum experience, check out the interactive El Paso Museum of History, which documents 1,000 years of border life. And don’t miss the El Paso Museum of Art, a free space with over 7,000 works of modern art.
Places to eat
Some of the best restaurants in El Paso specialize in Tex-Mex favorites like tacos, fajitas and enchiladas — not to mention burritos and huevos rancheros for breakfast. Try L&J Cafe, a fourth-generation eatery operating since 1927, famous for their green chili chicken enchiladas. And it wouldn’t be Texas without barbeque. You’ll find a healthy selection of grills and saloons in El Paso too.
Shopping
Break in your new boots while browsing the malls and markets in El Paso. The Downtown Artist and Farmers Market (open Saturdays) and the Upper Valley Artist and Farmers Market (open Sundays) are the places to go for fresh food products, handmade arts and crafts, and tasty treats. Check out The Outlet Shoppes for reduced prices on favorite brands, or find treasure at The Whoopee Bowl Antique Mall.
FAQs about El Paso vacations
A long weekend is enough time to see the main sights and enjoy a bit of shopping and dining. To explore some less-visited neighborhoods and the surrounding mountains, extend your trip to El Paso to four or five days.
Many conversations will be in English. Mastering a few local greetings and phrases can be a good way to break the ice and make connections during your city break in El Paso.
The warmest month in El Paso is June, which sees highs of 97ºF.
Your city break in El Paso can vary in price based on anything from your trip length to preferred hotel. To score a great deal on El Paso flights and hotels, try to have flexible departure dates and look out for sales and discounts.
With an average rainfall of 1.3 inches, September is the rainiest month to go on an El Paso vacation. When the skies open up, venture indoors and make the most of the city's restaurants, shops, museums and more.
Organize your El Paso trip for January and you'll be there when conditions are at their coolest. 32ºF is as cold as it gets.
For sunny skies and comfortably warm days, spring and fall are the best times for trips to El Paso. If you don’t mind temperatures below 50°F, winter is the ideal time to get cheap flights and hotels to El Paso without the crowds.
While on your trip to El Paso, you'll be using the United States dollar (USD) for all your purchases. You may want to carry a mix of cash and cards to avoid any issues with payments.
Whether you're interested in history, food, or anything else, there's no shortage of things to do in El Paso. Franklin Mountains State Park and Wyler Aerial Tramway are just scratching the surface of what this city has to offer.
With the city’s low crime rate and community safety commitment, vacations to El Paso are safe for tourists. Take care with your belongings in big crowds, and don’t leave valuables unattended.
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