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This winter, take your entire family with you to enjoy the great outdoors of El Paso, Texas. There are plenty of activities that are fun for all ages. Check out these great ideas and enjoy your time in this delightful city! Franklin Mountains State Park For a breath of fresh air, consider a visit to Franklin Mountains State Park, which is located in the north end of El Paso. At the park, the Franklin Mountains are right there in front of you - and they are absolutely stunning. The park is an impressive 27,000 acres and is great for hiking, mountain biking, camping, and rock climbing. There are lots of other fascinating activities available as well, such as wildlife watching, and geocaching. Or you can take in one of the Ranger programs, such as hikes, bike rides, art activities, and more! Your kids can even become Junior Rangers: an activity booklet is available at the park! The El Paso Zoo If you're looking for a great adventure for the kids, then consider taking them to the El Paso Zoo. Here, they’ll be awestruck by the learning opportunities and the connection they can experience with nature. Take your kids to see the African lion, zebra, small meerkats, and stunning giraffes. You can see a Malayan tiger, an orangutan, or even an elephant! American animals include an alligator, wolf, and macaw. There's also a host of programming available during the day as well, such as up-close encounters and shows at the amphitheater. The zoo is located at 4001 E. Paisano in El Paso. El Paso Municipal Rose Garden For a beautiful and fragrant adventure, why not visit the El Paso Municipal Rose Garden? The garden features more than 1,900 rosebushes and 500 different varieties of roses that you can enjoy. The 4-acre garden also features raised beds, a waterfall, trees, and shrubs, as well as a lovely plaza area with a tranquil Koi pond. Winterfest This winter, go on an evening adventure at Winterfest, an annual event on the ice in El Paso. The beautifully lit ice rink is filled with people, and Christmas lights sparkle from the trees. In addition to the rink, there's a holiday cafe, shops, and more holiday surprises. Buy skate passes in advance and get ready for a mind-blowing season! Michelob Ultra Marathon In February, enjoy some exercise and adventure at the Michelob Ultra Marathon in El Paso. Get in shape with friends and family by participating in this annual event, which includes a full marathon, half marathon, kids' dash, 5k walk or run, or a fun team challenge. The marathon gets started at El Paso's eastside and heads through to different parts of the city. You can enjoy the stunning sunrise that comes up over the Hueco Mountains and some great views of the Chihuahuan Desert en route. This holiday season, take time out to explore all that El Paso has to offer. From healthy marathons to ice skating, outdoor retreats to great events, there’s so much to choose from in the city. Get a head start on your planning today! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

Christmas is almost here and now is the time to secure your upcoming holiday celebration plans. Fortunately, there are a lot of exciting Christmas events to look forward to in the El Paso, Texas, area! Winterfest 2019 Each year, the San Jacinto Plaza is transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with an ice skating rink and thousands of twinkling lights. Winterfest 2019 kicks off Nov. 23, 2019, and goes until the first week of January 2020. Come by for the opening ceremony which includes a Celebration of Lights with a nighttime parade featuring your favorite local stores and restaurant floats. Many local community members will also join in on the parade and decorate their classic vehicles. Classic holiday movies will be playing all season long at the Plaza and tickets are free! You can also board the Sun City Express train for a fun Christmas ride. The Annual Living Christmas Tree 2019 Each year, the First Baptist Church of El Paso hosts a live performance of the Living Christmas Tree. This historical performance has become a tradition in many El Paso families' households. In fact, the 2019 performance will mark this event's 55th performance. The Annual Living Christmas Tree 2019 event is scheduled for Dec. 6 and Dec. 8, 2019, with both performances beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are just $6 each for both children and adults. Free childcare is also available for families with younger children who won't want to sit through the whole performance. Merry-Achi Christmas Enjoy a true Southern Texas Christmas celebration with the Merry-Achi Christmas performance on Dec. 20, 2019. You can enjoy your favorite mix of American and Mexican Christmas carols, each performed by a 13-piece Mariachi band. The event is held at the Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center in Downtown El Paso, a historic building that dates back to 1930. Tickets begin at just $26.50 each - the Plaza Theatre is also near many exceptional El Paso restaurants, making this a perfect date night event. El Paso Tuba Christmas Celebrate Christmas in a unique way with a tuba performance at the Plaza Theatre on Dec. 21, 2019, at 1 p.m. Tuba Christmas will celebrate its 46th anniversary for the 2019 year. The event was first created by Harvey Phillips and dates back to 1974 to honor his tuba teacher who was born on Christmas Day. While the very first Tuba Christmas took place in the Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink in New York City, it has since expanded to locations all over the U.S. - including one right here in El Paso! The event includes performances from both solo and group tuba players. El Paso tuba players can also show off their skills and join in on the entertainment for a $10 registration fee. Whether you want to celebrate the Christmas season at the ice-skating rink or by enjoying a live musical performance, you’ll find something you enjoy at one of these El Paso events. Each event offers you the perfect opportunity to kick off the holiday season with your family! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

El Paso, Texas, is a popular tourist attraction with many exciting activities to enjoy. Whether you are visiting the area or have lived here all of your life, check out these top-rated suggestions! Plaza Theatre Conveniently located in Downtown El Paso, the Plaza Theatre is a historically important music hub. You will find all genres of live music at the theatre. The theatre itself was built in 1930 and subsequently renovated in 2006. You can still identify many of the historic designs from the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture while enjoying the modern-day luxuries of the theatre. The Kendall Kidd Performance Hall holds 2,050 seats. There is an additional Philanthropy Theatre which holds another 200 seats. Upcoming events you can enjoy at the Plaza Theatre include Zoot Suit and Ronald Dahl's Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. Franklin Mountains State Park While you may be able to catch views of the Franklin Mountains from other El Paso locations, there is nothing like enjoying their beauty from within the Franklin Mountains State Park. This 27,000-acre park offers ample outdoor recreation including hiking, biking, rock climbing, and sightseeing. For breathtaking views of the city and park below, take a ride on the Wyler Aerial Tramway. This sky transportation gives you a 5,632-feet high view of the city. You can also enjoy more time in the park by renting one of the rustic campsites. Younger children will enjoy the Ranger for a Day programs which allow you to experience life as a camp ranger. El Paso Museum of Art Both art enthusiasts and art beginners will enjoy the vibrant design of the El Paso Museum of Art. The museum is home to over 7,000 pieces of artwork across many different eras and genres. You will find pieces of art that date back to the 12th century, as well as art from current local artists. Current exhibits you can enjoy at the museum include the Illuminate: Artworks by EPMA Teaching Artists and Tom Lea and World War II. You can also sign up for an art class with one of the resident art teachers. El Paso Zoo Get up close and personal with the animals of El Paso at the El Paso Zoo. This 35-acre park has been voted one of the best places to take the children. The zoo is home to all species of animals including Kudu, river hogs, giraffe, lions, birds, and tortoises. Sign up for an adventure program to learn more about the resident zoo animals or choose an animal encounter for the opportunity to interact with your favorite animal. In addition to the many animals within the zoo, you can also enjoy a train ride, children's treehouse playground, endangered species carousel, and a Desert Spring splash pad. Get out and enjoy El Paso this weekend at any of these popular attractions. Whether you prefer spending your time outdoors or exploring art history, you will find it in the El Paso area. Image via VisitElPaso | Licensed under CC BY 2.0

True coffee enthusiasts know that a good cup of coffee is delicious, energizing, and soothing. Whether you enjoy grabbing a cup of coffee on the way to work or spending hours catching up with a friend, El Paso has a coffee shop for you. Check out a few of the top coffee shops in the El Paso, Texas, area. BLDG 6 Coffee Roasters After trying the coffee at BLDG 6 Coffee Roasters, you will quickly learn why it has become a local favorite. Each coffee bean is carefully chosen and freshly micro-roasted to ensure you get the best flavor possible. Try the #6 blend or the Yirgacheffee, which is sourced from Ethiopia. BLDG 6 Coffee Roasters uses coffee cherries and green coffee beans to give you a unique and tasty cup of coffee. You can also buy your favorite BLDG 6 Coffee Roasters flavors online. Coffee Emporium The Coffee Emporium has been in the El Paso area for over 30 years. They have a large coffee selection, but a few of the most popular flavors include the cinnamon frappe and the chocolate macchiato. You can also purchase a bag of your favorite coffee beans and brew them at home. If tea is more your thing, the Coffee Emporium has a large selection of tea available. Make sure you check out the gift shop which includes coffee, coffee-related gifts, chocolates, teas, souvenirs, and jewelry! Kinley's House Coffee & Tea If you are looking for a relaxing environment where you can enjoy a fresh cup of coffee and delicious food, then check out Kinley's House Coffee & Tea. The quiet and modernly-designed dining room is great for studying or catching up with a friend over a fresh cup of coffee. Many locals rave about their frozen coffees and their freshly made crepes. When the weather is nice, you can enjoy an outdoor table on the patio. They also have a drive-up window so you can enjoy your Kinley's House coffee even when you are in a hurry! Perks Coffee Once you visit Perks Coffee and try one of their frozen, colored coffees or fresh pastries, you’ll be making a daily stop there! The staff is friendly, the drinks are tasty, and the snacks are affordable and filling - what more could you want in a coffee shop? Perks Coffee is also in a unique location, tucked away inside a church. But, don't let that stop you from visiting. Enjoy a cup of the almond bliss and pair it with a blueberry scone. Bring a few friends and enjoy one of the board games! If you are tired of the same boring coffee from your local chain, then you’ll definitely want to check out one of these local coffee shops! Bring a good book, catch up with a friend, or just grab a coffee-to-go on your way to work. Either way, you won't be disappointed with the coffee scene in El Paso! Image via jking89 | Licensed under CC BY 2.0

Taking a trip to a museum is a great way to have fun with friends and family, while also learning! Exhibits that are painstakingly curated from around the world have a lot to teach you and they can be very entertaining to explore. El Paso has a thriving museum community that you should check out, especially if you are looking for a good family adventure or you are still in school. Here are four excellent museums in El Paso, Texas. El Paso Museum of Archaeology The El Paso Museum of Archaeology is located at 4301 Transmountain Road near the National Border Patrol Museum. The Museum of Archaeology focuses on the archeology of the southwest region of the U.S. Many of the exhibits were recovered from areas around El Paso and represent different cultures that inhabited the area. It is a great way to learn about the history of the southwest. The museum also hosts events for local artists as well as classes on different types of artwork. El Paso Museum of Art Located at 1 Arts Festival Plaza in downtown El Paso, the El Paso Museum of Art is devoted to creating an arts community in the area. Admission is free, so you can easily enjoy a world-class art collection. Aside from art, the museum hosts music events, art events, and other cultural events on a regular basis. Plus, the museum rotates art exhibits regularly so that you can get a good look at artwork from around the world. The museum also hosts classes so that you can learn about art history as well as how to make different art forms. El Paso Museum of History The El Paso Museum of History is located at 510 North Santa Fe St. The museum has exhibits from El Paso's past as well as other places around the border region. It focuses on showing how the region played an important part in history and how it affects present-day El Paso. The museum hosts summer camps to help kids learn new things and have a place to go during the summer. You can also rent the museum for events. El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center If you are studying a specific period in history, consider the El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center. It is located at 715 N. Oregon. There are only 13 unaffiliated holocaust museums across the country, and the one in El Paso is the only one that is bilingual. It collects and displays artifacts from the Holocaust in order to help prevent future atrocities. The museum has a video archive of survivors and other Holocaust-related interviews. The museum makes these videos available on a rotating schedule so that you can learn about the Holocaust in greater detail. In El Paso, there are many more museums dedicated to different subjects, each one with its own special blend of historical artifacts and modern presentation. You could learn a lot by touring the museums around El Paso. Image via VisitElPaso | Licensed under CC BY 2.0