Jose MartinezWhen I told my friends I was heading to El Paso, they asked, “What’s even in El Paso?” Well, now I won’t shut up about it.
I went for a quick visit and ended up climbing a mountain (sort of), eating enough Tex-Mex to feed a small village, and somehow finding myself at a desert art museum—on purpose!
Turns out, the attractions in El Paso are way cooler than people give them credit for. It’s a city that’s rich with character, history, and views that make you stop and say, “Woah… and maybe I need better walking shoes.”
So, if you’re curious about what makes this West Texas gem worth the trip, stick around. I’ve rounded up some of the best spots that made me fall for El Paso—blisters and all.
1. Franklin Mountains State Park
– Media Credit: franklinmountains
Website: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/franklin-mountains
Address: 2900 Tom Mays Park Access Rd, El Paso, TX
Contact Details: +1 915-444-9100
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 5 PM
Franklin Mountains State Park is easily one of our favorite places in El Paso. It’s just a short drive away, but once we arrived, we felt miles from city life. This huge park covers more than 24,000 acres of mountains, trails, and desert.
There are trails for every kind of hiker! Our favorite was the Aztec Caves Trail. It took some sweat (and snack breaks) to reach the caves at the top, but the view was worth every step.
Mountain bikers will also have plenty to do here, from easy rides to something that could make them wonder why they left home in the first place. For those who prefer rock climbing, McKelligon Canyon or Sneed’s Cory is the way to go!
(Just remember your gear! Pretending you’re Spider-Man without ropes won’t end well.)
We tried camping overnight at the Tom Mays Unit. It was peaceful, quiet, and dark enough to see more stars than we knew existed. But heads up: campsites here don’t have water or power, so pack extra water bottles unless you really enjoy being thirsty.
Pro Tip:
- Visiting for the first time? Drop by the visitor center! The rangers are friendly, and they’ll give you a map so you look like you know where you’re going!
2. Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site
– Media Credit: huecotanksstatepark
Website: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/hueco-tanks
Address: 6900 Hueco Tanks Road No. 1, El Paso, TX
Contact Details: +1 915-857-1135
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 6 PM
Hueco Tanks State Park in El Paso quickly won us over—it’s officially on our “places we news to visit again” list. The park has stunning views, cool history, and rocks that look like they fell from outer space.
(The name comes from the natural rock basins, or “huecos,” that hold water—nature’s own little cups!)
There’s plenty to do, especially if you’re into outdoor adventures. We saw climbers hanging off boulders like spiders and hikers wandering along trails like the Chain Trail and Pond Trail.
But the best part of our experience was definitely hunting for ancient pictographs on the rocks. Finding those hidden pictures made us feel like real-life explorers!
Now, here’s the catch: Hueco Tanks limits daily visitors, so planning is key. You’ll have to reserve guided tours at least a week early or get permits months in advance for self-guided areas before visiting.
Pro Tip:
- Pay attention to the orientation video! It’s quick, required, and shows exactly how to respect the park’s history and nature. Following these simple guidelines keeps Hueco Tanks beautiful—and keeps the rangers happy@
3. Scenic Drive
– Media Credit: visitelpaso
Website: https://visitelpaso.com/places/scenic-drive
Address: El Paso, TX
Contact Details: (915) 534-0600
One of our favorite things to do in El Paso was cruising along Scenic Drive. It’s a twisty little road along the Franklin Mountains, and it has views so amazing they almost made us forget we’re afraid of heights.
We drove super slow—not just because of all the curves but because we couldn’t stop staring out the windows.
On one side, we saw fancy houses and on the other, the whole city of El Paso and Ciudad Juárez stretched out like a giant postcard, with the Rio Grande running right through the middle.
At the top, there’s a small park that’s perfect for snapping pictures. We took about a hundred—we’re pretty sure our phone ran out of space pretty quick. Sunset was our favorite time to be there because it looked like someone had painted the sky.
After dark, the city lights sparkled like tiny stars—it almost didn’t look real.
Pro Tip:
- There’s no need to hurry! The road has lots of turns and goes up the mountain, so drive carefully. The view gets better the higher you go, so enjoy the drive and take your time!
4. El Paso Mission Trail
– Media Credit: axmilani
Website: https://www.elpasomissions.org/
Address: 9065 Alameda Ave, El Paso, TX
Contact Details: +1 915-292-8516. [email protected]
We spent the day on the El Paso Mission Trail, and it felt like walking through a history book. The trail goes for about nine miles along Socorro Road and takes you to three very old and very cool places: Ysleta Mission, Socorro Mission, and the Presidio Chapel of San Elizario.
You don’t have to be a history expert to enjoy it, but if you are, bring tissues—you might cry happy tears.
We kicked things off at Ysleta Mission, the oldest active church in all of Texas. The mission has been knocked down by floods and burned up by fires more times than we can count, but it keeps coming back.
Socorro Mission was next. The ceiling beams are hand-painted and older than the country (let that sink in). It somehow looks both ancient and fresh at the same time–honestly, it’s holding up better than most of us.
San Elizario was our last stop, and it felt like time hit the pause button. The chapel is pretty, but the whole town square was even better. We saw an old jail, popped into some art show, and imagined what it was like when horses, not cars, ruled the roads!
Pro Tip:
- Try to visit during feast days like Our Lady of Mount Carmel in mid-July because these days are extra special! Aside from church, people celebrate with music, dancing, food, and sometimes a bazaar or parade!
5. El Paso Zoo & Botanical Garden
– Media Credit: elpasozoo
Website: https://www.elpasozoo.org/
Address: 4001 E Paisano Dr, El Paso, TX
Contact Details: +1 915-212-0966
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Admission Cost: $13.95 (Adult – Resident); $15.95 (Adult – Non-Resident); $8.95 (Child aged 2 to 12 – Resident); $10.95 (Child aged 2 to 12 – Non-Resident); $10.95 (Teens – Resident); $12.95 (Teens – Non-Resident)
We spent a full day at the El Paso Zoo & Botanical Garden and had a blast. It’s not the biggest zoo out there, but it’s got a lot of charm—and a whole bunch of animals. It covers 35 acres, which sounds fine until you’re halfway through chasing a sugar-hyped kid across it.
We saw lions napping, giraffes snacking, and even made eye contact with a tiger!
The Foster Tree House Playground was like a jungle gym on steroids. There are five tree houses connected by tunnels and ropes, and one of the treehouses is 16 feet high, which sounds exciting until your kid gets up there and realizes they’re afraid of heights.
The splash pad was a lifesaver because the El Paso sun is no joke. Water shoots out of the ground, sprays from towers, and the kids were drenched in two minutes flat and couldn’t stop laughing.
The Copper Canyon Challenge ropes course was a big adventure. It climbs three stories high and gives you a view of the whole zoo. Our bigger kid tried it while we stayed safely on the ground and protected the snacks. (We all played our part!)
Pro Tip:
- Think about getting a membership. If you live in El Paso or plan to visit more than once, the family membership is totally worth it. After just a couple of visits, it pretty much pays for itself.
6. El Paso Museum of History
– Media Credit: epmuseumofhistory
Website: https://epmuseumofhistory.org/
Address: 510 N Santa Fe St, El Paso, TX (in Digital Wall)
Contact Details: +1 915-212-3150
We didn’t think a history museum would be one of the highlights of our El Paso trip—but here we are, still talking about it. The El Paso Museum of History surprised us in the best way. It’s free, it’s friendly, and it’s filled with stories that make you feel connected to the city.
Inside, it’s bigger than it looks. The exhibits cover everything from El Paso’s early indigenous communities to more recent stories, like the city’s music scene and Chicano culture.
One of our favorites was “Musica sin Frontera,” which showed the history of music in the region. There was also a section on local neighborhoods that made us feel like we were walking through someone’s photo album.
Signs are in both English and Spanish, and some even have braille, which is super thoughtful. There’s lots of space to move around, and benches if you get tired. The exhibits are easy to follow, not too wordy, and even kids would enjoy most of it!
Pro Tip:
- The museum is super accommodating for families and sensory-sensitive visitors! Got a stroller or need a quiet spot to breastfeed? No worries. The layout is open, easy to get around, and designed with all kinds of visitors in mind.
7. El Paso Museum of Archaeology
– Media Credit: elpasomuseumofarchaeology
Website: http://epmarch.org/
Address: 4301 Woodrow Bean Transmountain Dr, El Paso, TX
Contact Details: +1 915-212-0421
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 9 AM to 5 PM; Sunday, Monday – Closed
We found the El Paso Museum of Archaeology on a sunny afternoon, right at the foot of the Franklin Mountains. We thought we’d just take a quick peek, but we ended up hanging out way longer than planned. This place may be small, but it’s full of cool stuff!
We saw all kinds of things—old pottery, baskets, tools, and even some very stylish moccasins. The big life-size displays made it easy to picture what life looked like thousands of years ago.
We loved the outside. Behind the museum, there are 15 acres of trails with more than 250 desert plants. We saw tiny birds, wildflowers, and way too many cactus plants we weren’t supposed to touch (but someone did anyway).
The mountain views were amazing—Instagram couldn’t even do it justice.
The museum also puts on free events. We missed the archery class, but we’ll be back for it. They even have a spring poppy festival that sounds like a great reason to return and pretend we’re into flowers. Best part? It’s all free!
Pro Tip:
- Go in the morning or late afternoon if you plan to walk the trails! The desert sun doesn’t mess around, especially at midday. Early or later visits mean cooler temps, softer light for your photo, and a better chance of spotting wildlife without melting.
8. National Border Patrol Museum
– Media Credit: borderpatrolmuseum
Website: http://www.borderpatrolmuseum.com/
Address: 4315 Woodrow Bean Transmountain Dr, El Paso, TX
Contact Details: +1 915-759-6060
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 9 AM to 4:45 PM; Sunday, Monday – Closed
The National Border Patrol Museum in El Paso was one of those surprise stops that turned out way cooler than we expected. It’s the only museum in the whole country that’s all about the U.S. Border Patrol.
We walked in and were greeted by friendly staff, no ticket line, no crowds—just a laid-back space full of gear and history. The museum covers everything from the Wild West days to modern times. Old uniforms, badges, radios, and some pretty clever tools made for some fun moments.
There’s even a Jeep from forever ago, which we tried to sit in. Key word: tried. That thing was not built for comfort—or adult knees. Then we spotted the helicopter. A full-sized one. Inside the building.
There’s also a memorial wall that honors Border Patrol agents who lost their lives. It’s quiet and moving, and it gave the whole place a little extra meaning. (We took a moment there, and we’re glad we did.)
Pro Tip:
- There’s no café or snack bar inside, and the outdoor picnic area isn’t very shaded or scenic. It’s best to grab a bite before heading up the hill.
9. El Paso Museum of Art
– Media Credit: elpasomuseumofart
Website: https://epma.art/
Address: 1 Arts Festival Plaza, El Paso, TX
Contact Details: +1 915-212-0300
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Saturday – 10 AM to 6 PM; Sunday – 11 AM to 3 PM; Monday, Tuesday – Closed
We had a few hours to spare in downtown El Paso and figured, why not pop into the art museum? It was close, it was free, and if we’re being honest—we needed a break from the sun.
The place is clean, quiet, and way more interesting than we expected. The halls are big enough that we didn’t feel like we were going to knock over something,
The art inside was way more impressive than we expected. We saw pieces dating all the way back to the Byzantine era, and somehow they managed to mix in stuff from painters like Botticelli and Van Dyck and modern work by local artists without making it feel random.
One room had powerful pieces about border life that made us stop and really look. Another space was all about younger artists in El Paso—full of color and not boring.
Pro Tip:
- This place is about a 10-minute walk from most downtown hotels, so it’s an easy stroll that can give you a nice break from the heat and the usual sightseeing!
10. The Plaza Theater
– Media Credit: elpasolive
Website: https://elpasolive.com/venues/plaza-theatre
Address: 125 W Mills Ave, El Paso, TX
Contact Details: +1 915-231-1100
We went to The Plaza Theatre in downtown El Paso, and it felt like walking into a fancy movie from the past. This place was built way back in the 1920s, got a full makeover in 2002, and still looks amazing.
The place is called the “Showplace of the Southwest,” and in our opinion, that’s not just marketing! It feels fancy inside. There’s even a giant Wurlitzer organ that rises yot of the floor like it’s making a dramatic entrance.
Mean Girls had a show there (yes, it was so fetch), and the show was a blast. Great cast, a great crowd, and great sound. The only thing not-so-great? The seats. Let’s just say if you’re tall, you might need to fold your knees like origami.
There’s also a smaller splot inside called the Philanthropy Theatre. It felt intimate, like a theater night at a school where you can be close to the stage and the productions are smaller and more chill.
The staff at the venue were friendly and helpful–even giving tips on which bar lines were shorter!
Pro Tip:
- The Plaza has a strict clear bag policy, so leave big purses and backpacks at home. A small clear bag or zippered pouch will get you through security quickly—and make it easier to find your phone in the dark.
