With around 700,000 people calling it home, El Paso, TX, or Sun City as it’s lovingly known, sits right on the US-Mexican border. With a long history, over 300 days of sunshine, and a mix of cultural influences, there’s a lot to love about this city. We discover the best things about living here.
Nature
Nature and outdoor enthusiasts revel in everything the city has to offer. With the Franklin Mountains State Park, the largest state park in an urban setting, towering over the city, adventurers don’t have far to travel. There are over 125 miles of rugged trails among the desert wilderness to explore by foot or bike. It’s also the perfect place for camping and picnicking.
Hueco Tanks State Park is a haven for passionate climbers and is also home to thousands of pictographs, petroglyphs, and other historic artwork, all etched onto the ancient granite. The Chihuahuan Desert Gardens are open all day with no admission charge and is home to over 625 species of local plants and is one of the largest collections of Chihuahuan Desert flora in the world.
Events
The cities events calendar is jam-packed so there’s always something going on, no matter what your interests. Whether it be marathons, festive fairs, art, music, or anything in-between. Taking place each February, the Hueco Rock Rodeo is a three-day event with live music, adventure films, and of course the famous bouldering competition. Comic-Con comes to town every April and brings with it celebrity guests, autograph signings, gaming competitions, Q&A’s and cosplay.
Chalk the Block sees over 200 artists come together to create a diverse environment for people of all ages to enjoy. With the sidewalk chalk art competition, live bands, art, and food vendors, it’s one of the best-loved annual events. There’s also the Franklin Mountains Poppy Fest, Texas Country Music Festival, Dia de los Muertos Festival, The Sun City Craft Beer Festival: really, the list is endless.
History and Culture
Steeped in over 400 years of history, the city we know today has been shaped by Native American, Mexican, Spanish, and Western cultures, creating its own unique flavor. Take a trip to the Museum of History and explore over 16,000 square feet of local history. The Tigua Indian Cultural Centre celebrates more than 300 years of tribal history and at weekends you can watch Indian social dance performances.
The Historic Mission trail can be found in the Lower Valley area and is dedicated to the education and preservation of the 17th-century missions at Ysleta, Socorro, and San Elizario Chapel. For art lovers, The International Museum of Art’s Red Room is devoted to showcasing contemporary local art.
Food
The city is a food lover’s paradise with a delicious blend of Mexican and American food culture. Whether you’re craving gourmet steak, tantalizing street tacos, succulent BBQ, rustic Italian, or breakfast burritos, you’ll find it here. Tacoholics serves up the best Flautas Ahogadas: rolled tacos with fried ground beef and smothered in queso fresco and salsa verde. The L&J Café brings four generations of family tradition with a restaurant that first opened in 1927.
Cattlemans Steak House is a must-visit, the working Texas ranch is located 40 miles east of the city. The cowboy-style chophouse is famous for its steaks which are traditionally prepared by local Rancheros. Chico’s Tacos is a favorite for late-night bar hoppers and Café Central is the place to go for those who want a taste of elegance.
To explore everything the city has to offer you’ll need more than one day! Enjoy the sights and sounds of this diverse city and make amazing new memories today!
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