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If you’re past the mainstream news (and who wouldn’t be?), there’s a remarkable city that always seems to slip through the cracks as more than just a transit town.
Chances are if you’ve ever taken a road trip on I-10, you’ve passed one of the Southwest’s most hidden gems, yet nearly 700,000 people call it home.
Largely ignored, even by its own state, with locals often mislabeling it as “Mexico” and misinformed characterizations as being bordered by “the wall,” fellow Texans and general travelers have long lacked the cultural delights and affordable luxuries of the country. El Paso.
Yes, El Paso – the area often portrayed as a run-down desert town and an unsafe hub for illegal migrant crossings.
As a former resident, I can confirm that yes, there are occasional border problems, but a small part of a city should not represent the masses when there is amazing nature, proud, friendly residents and an ever-changing downtown. starts buzzing again.
The forgotten city of Texas
Despite breaking tourism records in 2023, El Paso still flies well under the radar, except when talking heads spew negative images of what is actually a great city to visit.
Even if you haven’t caught up on the Rosetta Stone lessons lately, you can probably guess that El Paso translates to “The Pass” in English, and that’s largely how El Paso is visited: just a sojourn somewhere else.
But El Paso deserves to at least be your next weekend getaway. If you like phenomenal Mexican food, ranging from classic hole-in-the-wall and cart vendors to upscale Michelin-worthy eateries, El Paso is the place for you, and it oozes authenticity, unlike that other record-breaking city with Mexican influences.
No offense, San Antonio, but El Paso’s food is second to none, and one hike in the Franklin Mountains will put your “river” to shame.
Despite many Texans pretending the southwestern tip of the Lone Star State doesn’t exist, popular Texas publication Texas Monthly had the huevos to recognize two El Paso restaurants with the best tacos in the state:
Of course, enjoying the local cuisine is a great way to experience any destination, this is just a small sample of El Paso’s cultural delights.
Not just Margs & Tacos: discover historic neighborhoods and major attractions
You’ll find every legitimate Mexican dish under the sun in El Paso, with a special emphasis on Southwestern and Chihuahuan influences given its proximity to Ciudad Juarez.
Texan and Mexican history blend timelines, and there’s no better place to experience the best of both worlds than a plate served in El Paso, but witnessing history itself is another story, and you can do that too.
A gem overlooked even by locals is in the next town over, Socorro. Here you will find the Mission Trail El Paso home to a perfectly preserved glimpse of the past, with beautiful historic missions playing an important role in a former trade route stretching from Mexico City to Santa Fe.
Be sure to check out all three missions, each with their own unique relevance:
- Ysleta mission
- Socorro Mission
- San Elizario Presidio
The great thing about exploring the city’s historic neighborhoods in El Paso is that you never know what you’ll find.
Check out Sunset Heights, Manhattan Heights and my old stomping ground, Segundo Barrio, for rows of streets that exude timeless charm and hidden gems like my favorite restaurant that you would otherwise never know about, Jalisco Café (only open on weekends).
Free public transport and affordable luxury
The downtown area continues to undergo a massive transformation since the ghost town atmosphere of the pandemic.
If WinterFest The center has recently been transformed into a desert version of a winter wonderland, but there are also many new bars, restaurants, cafes and the city’s very first capsule hotel, which is breathing new life into previously barren streets.
It’s easy to get around in El Paso’s beautiful winter weather, but if you plan to visit in the scorching summer, you may want to take advantage of the free Tram connects downtown with the lofty West Side.
Downtown is probably where you’ll want to base yourself regardless of the season. With an abundance of luxury hotels and rooftops with breathtaking views, you’ll be shocked by how beautiful El Paso can really be – a far cry from its reputation as a boring desert town.
My favorite is The Plaza Pioneer Hotel (commonly called “The Plaza”), recently awarded a Michelin key and can be booked for the low $100s.
These 5 hotels offer affordable luxury in downtown El Paso: (under $150 per night)
- Hotel Paso Del Norte (check out the European-esque Dome bar)
- The Plaza Pioneer Hotel
- DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel El Paso Downtown
- Hotel Indigo El Paso Center
- Above El Paso Downtown
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
