Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site
Just under an hour’s drive from El Paso, Hueco Tanks State Park feels more like stepping into another world than West Texas. This incredible 860-acre park is renowned for its unique rock basin formations, which capture rainwater and create rare pools and “huecos” (little pools formed at the base of the rocks). These geological wonders have been a site of human habitation for over 10,000 years and contain some of the best examples of Jornada Mogollon Native American cave paintings and rock art in North America. Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Hueco Tanks for some of the best rock climbing and bouldering in the region. With over 700 climbing routes, you’ll find challenges for experts and beginners alike among the park’s stunning cliffs and caves. Non-climbers can explore the park’s 6 miles of hiking trails to discover historical sites, observation decks with magnificent views over the Chihuahuan Desert landscapes, and the park’s three lakes – Tinaja, Bonita, and Myrtle. Make sure you bring your camera for the unforgettable sunsets over the iconic rock formations.
Address: 6900 Hueco Tanks Road No. 1, El Paso, TX 79938
Phone: (915) 857-1135
Adair Margo Gallery & Art District
For an authentic taste of El Paso’s vibrant arts scene, spend an afternoon in the Adair Margo Gallery and El Paso’s flourishing Arts District. This gem housed in El Paso’s historic Cortez Building presents contemporary Southwest art exhibits and plays a vital role in nurturing local artists. Rotating exhibits often highlight paintings, sculptures, mixed media, and installations from Mexican and Latinx artists along with art inspired by the nearby Franklin Mountains and Chihuahuan Desert. But the inspiration doesn’t stop at the gallery doors! Step outside and you’ll find yourself surrounded by colorful murals, art studios, restaurants, and boutiques comprising El Paso’s lively Arts District along West Missouri Avenue. This creative hub comes alive every second Thursday for the Downtown Art Ramble, where patrons can peruse new exhibits while enjoying local food trucks, performers, and more. Park your El Paso Party Bus Company shuttle anywhere along the mile stretch to hop on and off at your chosen spots.
Address: 415 W Missouri Ave, El Paso, TX 79901
Phone: (915) 544-3400
El Paso Streetcar Museums
Did you know El Paso was once home to an entire streetcar system? Today, you can experience this unique part of the city’s history at the El Paso Streetcar Museums. Start your journey at the El Paso Streetcar 1506 on Stanton Street, where this restored 1900s-style streetcar is decorated to transport you back to that era. You’ll find vintage seats, an operator’s booth, and a replica streetcar station waiting to show you what a ride around El Paso used to be like. Next, walk two blocks over to the El Paso Streetcar Museum on Sheldon Court. This small yet fascinating museum recounts how El Paso’s streetcar lines helped shape the city with artifacts, photographs, and interactive exhibits about the trolleys and the people who operated them. After exploring the indoor galleries, head outside to see two more historic streetcars sitting on a section of the original track. Young and old will be amazed to imagine stepping back in time while walking the very streetcar lines from a century ago!
El Paso Streetcar 1506
Address: 1600 Stanton St, El Paso, TX 79902
El Paso Streetcar Museum
Address: 801 Sheldon Ct, El Paso, TX 79902
Phone: (915) 533-1757
El Paso Mission Trail
Embark on a path through the region’s rich cultural heritage by traveling El Paso’s historic Mission Trail. This 9-mile stretch of road connects three magnificent Spanish missions dating back to the late 1600s that you simply must see. Begin your journey at the Ysleta Mission (also known as the Mission of the Purísima Concepción del Socorro de la Ysleta), the oldest mission in Texas. Continuing down Mission Trail, you’ll soon arrive at Socorro Mission (La Misión de Nuestra Señora del Socorro). While this mission was originally established in 1692, the existing church you see was constructed in 1843 and remains an active parish. Finally, wrap up your trail at the San Elizario Mission, known formally as the Presidio Chapel of San Elcéario. This fully restored 18th-century church contains original adobe bricks as well as elaborate hand-carved woodwork and striking fresco paintings. Get a one-of-a-kind glimpse into El Paso’s living history and traditions rooted in the earliest settlements when the Spanish first set foot on these lands.
Mission Trail
Ysleta Mission: 109 Old Ysleta Rd, El Paso, TX 79907
Socorro Mission: 328 S Tays St, Socorro, TX 79927
San Elizario Mission: 1556 San Elizario Rd, San Elizario, TX 79849
El Paso Scenic Drives
Sometimes the best way to experience a destination is simply to hit the open road and let it unfold before your eyes. El Paso’s unique culture and breathtaking landscapes blend together in three exceptional drives every visitor needs to see:
Scenic Drive: This stunning 24-mile loop showcases some of the most magnificent views of the Franklin Mountains and Chihuahuan Desert Basin. Wind along the road and take in sights like the peak of North Franklin Mountain, rugged cliffs of ancient volcanic rock, and Aztec Cave dwellings from El Paso’s earliest settlers. Hiking enthusiasts will want to stop for a trek through the Franklin Mountains State Park along the way.
Mission Trail: As mentioned above, this 9-mile stretch connects El Paso’s three preserved Spanish missions from the 17th and 18th centuries – the Ysleta Mission, Socorro Mission, and San Elizario Mission. In addition to these captivating churches, you’ll enjoy glimpses into El Paso’s agricultural roots as the road passes by pecan orchards and vineyards.
Transmountain Road: Easily one of the most spectacular drives in El Paso and the entire Southwest! This exhilarating 10-mile route cuts through the Franklin Mountains, granting you unrivaled vistas of El Paso’s cityscape, sprawling deserts, and the rugged mountain ridges. Pull off at designated overlooks to spend some time savoring the one-of-a-kind scenery.
Buffalo Soldier Memorial Park
Few outdoor spaces in El Paso are as poignant or as inspiring as the Buffalo Soldier Memorial Park. This moving tribute honors the brave service and sacrifice of the African American soldiers who bravely protected trade routes and settlers across the Southwest after the Civil War. Dubbed “Buffalo Soldiers” by Native American tribes, these men of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments carved out their own trail of perseverance in the face of discrimination and harsh frontier conditions. Through interpretative trails, exhibits, and striking statues, the memorial park will fill you with awe as you come to understand the courage of the Buffalo Soldiers and their vital role in American history. After exploring the tributes along the walking paths, take a moment to unwind and reflect in the park’s shaded picnic areas. The peaceful setting amid native flora and captivating mountain views offers a serene space to honor unsung heroes.
Address: 3200 Pershing Dr, El Paso, TX 79903
The Glasshouse
There’s no better place to immerse your group in El Paso’s thriving botanical scene than at the beautiful Glasshouse in Memorial Park. This massive glass conservatory houses a lush tropical paradise bursting with palm trees, ferns, orchids, and other fascinating flora from around the globe. Enter the soothing indoor oasis and feel transported thousands of miles away while still being in the heart of downtown El Paso! In addition to wandering through the enchanted rainforest landscape, the Glasshouse hosts special events, exhibits, and programs nearly every week. Budding scientists and nature enthusiasts alike will love the hands-on workshops and lectures themed around urban gardening, conservation, and botanical arts. Check their calendar for activities like “Wine & Sign” nights, succulent planting classes, and themed horticultural showcases celebrating El Paso’s unique Southwest plants and traditions.
Address: 701 N. Mesa Hills Dr., El Paso, TX 79912
Phone: (915) 747-8558
Rio Bosque Wetlands Park
While El Paso may first bring to mind images of deserts, Franklin Mountains, and dusty mesas, the Rio Bosque Wetlands Park shines a light on the hidden waterways, wetlands, and thriving ecosystems found throughout the Southwest. Nestled within the ancient floodplains of the Rio Grande River, this amazing 372-acre nature oasis created in 1997 has quickly become a premier destination for lovers of the outdoors. You’ll find over three miles of accessible hiking trails winding through lakes, ponds, marshes, and fields filled with wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for the hundreds of avian species that make their home at Rio Bosque, including herons, hawks, falcons, hummingbirds, and one of the world’s largest populations of migratory ducks. If you’re lucky, you may also spot beavers, jackrabbits, reptiles, and even larger mammals like deer and coyotes peacefully coexisting amid the restored wetlands. There’s no better way to reconnect with nature than breathing in the fresh air while strolling through this desert oasis.
Address: 10976 Socorro Rd, El Paso, TX 79927
Phone: (915) 791-2244
Plan Your Trip With El Paso Party Bus Company
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