Sun City

Soak up the sun with a breezy getaway to historic and outdoorsy El Paso

Out in Far West Texas, the city of El Paso experiences more than 300 days of sunshine, making the self-proclaimed “Sun City” the ideal destination for outdoor adventure and experiences.

It also contains thousands of years of history while experiencing unprecedented growth, especially with a focus on the already booming downtown area.

Here's what to check out on your next trip to El Paso:

Vibe with Mother Nature
Towering above the city of El Paso is Franklin Mountains State Park, the largest state park in an urban setting. Here you can hike over 37 square miles of desert wilderness, scrub vegetation, and open space.

From Red Sands to Hueco Tanks State Park and the Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, El Paso offers an impressive number of outdoor and eco-tourism attractions and sites.

At Hueco Tanks, visitors can hike, try rock climbing and bouldering, bird watch, study nature and history, picnic, and stargaze. Also available are guided and self-guided tours to view ancient rock glyphs.

And don’t forget your mountain bike, because El Paso’s 125 miles of multi-use trails and rugged mountain terrains are more than a picturesque backdrop to the thriving international border metroplex.

Step back in time
Take a half-day trip to the historic Mission Trail area on El Paso’s far east side to see three historic churches, originally built during the 1600-1700s. Some are still used regularly for services!

Along the Mission Trail you’ll also find the Los Portales Museum in San Elizario, the Tigua Cultural Center, and Licon Dairy.

Dive into downtown
El Paso is home to more than 10,000 hotel rooms, multiple museums, and countless attractions. Most of these sites — as well as an abundance of restaurants, bars, and sports and entertainment venues — are located within walking distance from one another in downtown El Paso.

Hop aboard the El Paso Streetcar to explore both downtown and uptown, or wander on foot to view Henry Trost’s iconic architecture and local artists’ murals.

Head over to Southwest University Park, home of the El Paso Chihuahuas Triple-A baseball team and United Soccer League team, the El Paso Locomotive FC.

Or take a walk through San Jacinto Plaza where, besides splashing around, you can challenge friends to a game of chess or table tennis, or simply enjoy the public art honoring the park's unique history.

Must-see museums
Dive deeper into El Paso’s history with a tour of the Magoffin Home State Historic Site, or learn about the U.S./Mexico border region at the El Paso Museum of History.

Of course, a guided tour at the El Paso Museum of Art is a must. Catch a special performance at the historical Plaza Theatre in downtown El Paso for even more culture.

Time to dine
Feast on steak, barbecue, and seafood at the cowboy-style Cattleman’s Steakhouse, or opt for Mexican cuisine at Los Bandidos de Carlos & Mickey’s.

Indulge in a wine tasting at Zin Valle Vineyards after testing your cooking skills at a Texas Culinary Institute class.

Where to rest your head
The Plaza Hotel at Pioneer Park, Conrad Hilton’s first high-rise hotel, has been renovated to its original historic beauty. The property offers 131 guest rooms, stunning views of Mexico, two restaurants and bars, one of the area's largest tequila collections, and it is located within easy walking distance of the El Paso Convention Center.

Now reborn as part of the Marriott Autograph Collection, the multi-million-dollar renovation of Hotel Paso Del Norte embodies the spirit of independence, channeling El Paso’s eclectic past through its design with vibrant restaurants, a rooftop bar, pool, and refreshed guest rooms and suites.

Learn more
Explore thousands of years of history and let your imagination run wild in the Sun City. Start planning your trip now.

Photo by Andy Austin

El Paso offers an impressive number of outdoor activities.

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New Parks

Texas to open massive new state park in the Hill Country

Photo from property listing by Icon Global

Silver Lake Ranch adds 54,000 acres to Texas' public lands.

Texans will soon have a massive new state park to explore, second only to Big Bend Ranch State Park in size. Silver Lake Ranch, the 54,000-acre plot of land spanning Edwards and Kinney counties, was owned by the Moody Foundation, and now, largely thanks to a major philanthropic gift, it's headed into public hands.

The Moody Foundation gifted its 87.5 percent ownership interest in the ranch to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), with TPWD purchasing the remaining interest for $11.85 million. The funds come from the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund and Sporting Goods Sales Tax — both approved by Texas voters.

“The Moody Foundation is proud to help preserve this remarkable stretch of Texas Hill Country and make it accessible for generations to come,” said Ross Moody in a press release. “Silver Lake Ranch represents the natural beauty, history, and spirit of our state, and we are honored to make this gift to Texas Parks and Wildlife to ensure it remains protected and enjoyed by all Texans for years ahead.”

The property will officially become Silver Lake State Park, named for the spring-fed 30-acre lake at its heart. Nestled between Rocksprings and Uvalde, the land is home to some beautiful Hill Country wildlife and nature, about two hours from San Antonio.

Currently the park is in its most rugged and undeveloped form: steep limestone canyons drop into rolling hills lined with live oaks and juniper trees, with miles of river frontage tracing the West Nueces River. Several creeks wind through the property, including Sycamore Creek, Lost Creek, and North Spring Creek, along with Blue Waterhole and Dutch Waterhole.

Caves and other landmarks dot the landscape, and wildlife includes white-tailed deer, turkey, javelina, and dove. Portions of the property have even been identified as a potential habitat for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.

According to the press release, this land, previously used for sheep and cattle ranching, will be developed in phases over the next several years, also using the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund. Initially, access to the park might look like guided tours and limited day-use opportunities while planning and infrastructure are underway. Later, trails and basic visitor facilities will be added, and ultimately, the park will include expanded recreational amenities like camping and paddling access.

Now that the acquisition is complete, TPWD staff and private contractors plan to gather feedback from the public and surrounding communities to help map out recreational opportunities. This may take "many months to complete," says the press release. TPWD will communicate any upcoming milestones, including a potential opening date, at TexasStateParks.org

"This is an exciting addition to our state park system, and we are grateful to our partners at the Moody Foundation for their philanthropy and for bringing this slice of the hill country to the people of Texas," TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz says in the press release.

And as folks are pointing out on TPDW's reel announcing the new park: it's "Better than any subdivision."

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