Lone Star Exploration

Discover a weekend getaway made for you in El Paso

Spring break is right around the corner, and the ideal destination may be closer than you think.

A weekend in El Paso blends desert adventure, vibrant culture, and unforgettable flavors into one seamless getaway. Framed by the Franklin Mountains and rich in borderland heritage, the city offers a dynamic mix of outdoor exploration, artistic discovery, and standout dining, all anchored by welcoming places to stay.

The Great Outdoors
Outdoor enthusiasts find no shortage of ways to explore the Chihuahuan Desert landscape. Franklin Mountains State Park rises dramatically within city limits, offering miles of hiking trails with panoramic views that stretch across Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico.

Just outside the city, Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site draws hikers, climbers, and history lovers with its striking rock formations and ancient pictographs. For travelers craving high-energy adventure, Red Sands delivers wide-open terrain ideal for ATV riding, creating an exhilarating contrast to the serenity of mountain trails.

Arts & Local Culture
Back in the city center, El Paso’s arts and culture scene reveals the creative heartbeat of the region. Downtown walking mural tours transform city streets into open-air galleries, showcasing colorful works that reflect local stories and border-town identity. The Mexican American Cultural Center celebrates heritage through exhibitions and performances, while La Nube STEAM Discovery Center invites visitors of all ages to engage with interactive science and technology experiences.

Art lovers can explore rotating exhibitions at the El Paso Museum of Art or trace the region’s past at the El Paso Museum of History. Evenings often lead to the historic Plaza Theatre, where concerts, Broadway productions, and live performances bring energy and elegance to the downtown stage.

Eat Your Heart Out
Dining in El Paso captures the city’s diverse culinary spirit. Menus range from inventive modern cuisine to beloved neighborhood institutions. Taconeta highlights bold flavors and fresh ingredients in a lively atmosphere, while Cattlemen’s Steakhouse serves classic Texas fare in a memorable ranch setting.

L&J Cafe remains a local favorite for authentic border-style comfort food. For elevated dining, Cafe Central offers refined dishes in a polished setting, and Acca delivers contemporary cuisine with artistic presentation. Each restaurant adds a distinctive layer to a weekend defined by discovery and indulgence.

Relax and Stay Awhile
And what would the ideal destination be without comfortable accommodations? In the heart of downtown, the Plaza Hotel, Hotel Paso Del Norte, Stanton House, and Hotel Indigo place guests steps from major attractions, dining, and nightlife. Across the city, a wide range of flagship hotels and boutique properties ensures options for every style and budget. Luxury amenities, locally inspired design, and convenient locations make it easy to settle in and explore.

Destination El Paso Welcome to hotel IndigoPhoto courtesy of Visit El Paso

Photo courtesy of Visit El Paso

Taconeta

Planning a trip is straightforward with resources designed to simplify every step. Transportation guidance, hotel recommendations, curated trip ideas, and digital visitor tools help shape an itinerary filled with memorable moments. With so much to see and experience, a single weekend often sparks plans for a return visit.

El Paso stands as a destination where desert landscapes meet cultural richness and culinary creativity. A well-planned weekend reveals a city that invites exploration, rewards curiosity, and delivers experiences tailored to every traveler.

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out to sea

Carnival opens bookings for new showstopping cruise ship from Galveston

Carnival Tropicale begins sailing in 2028

Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Tropicale will begin sailing from Galveston to destinations in the Caribbean, The Bahamas, and Mexico in 2028.

The Carnival Tropicale, Carnival's newest cruise ship that will set sail from Galveston, is now accepting reservations for its maiden voyages to destinations throughout The Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Mexico, beginning in 2028.

Carnival Tropicale is the fifth and final Excel-class ship that will be offered from the cruise line, and it will be able to accommodate over 6,000 passengers. It is named after MS Tropicale, Carnival's original "Fun Ship" from 1982, but the new luxury liner promises showstopping experiences inspired by Las Vegas' "golden era of show business."

Four-to-eight-day cruises are now available to book with departure dates as early as April 15, 2028. Six destinations in Carnival's Paradise Collection are on the itinerary, including Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico; Isla Tropicale in Roatan, Honduras; and Nassau, Bahamas. Eight-day cruises will include stops at Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, two private islands owned by Carnival.

"From innovative attractions and dining to unforgettable destinations throughout the Caribbean, The Bahamas, and Mexico, Carnival Tropicale will bring an exciting new vacation option to Texas when she debuts in 2028," said Ben Clement, EVP of maritime and new builds at Carnival Cruise Line, in a release.

These are the cruise options passengers can book on the Carnival Tropicale starting in 2028:

6-Day Western Caribbean Cruise to Cozumel and Isla Tropical, Roatan – 26 dates from April 15, 2028 to April 29, 2029
8-Day The Bahamas Cruise to Nassau and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay – 26 dates from April 29, 2028 to May 6, 2029
8-Day The Bahamas Cruise to Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay – April 21-29
5-Day Western Caribbean Cruise to Cozumel and Progreso, Yucatán – December 23-28 and December 28-January 1, 2029
4-Day Western Caribbean Cruise to Cozumel – January 2-6, 2029

Major attractions on the new Carnival Tropicale include Sunsation Point, a top deck "family fun" entertainment zone, and Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, an all-ages water park with six waterslides and splash pads for kids.

Other family-friendly attractions include multiple sport courts — including a redesigned Fairway 66 Mini Golf course inspired by Route 66 — a Treehouse Adventure Trail, new arcade spaces, and to-be-announced "new entertainment experiences and exclusive spaces."

Carnival Tropicale Grand Central Atrium A rendering of the Grand Central Atrium. Courtesy of Carnival

Carnival Tropicale will also feature three new dining concepts that highlight "flavors from around the world," including one in partnership with famous chef Emeril Lagasse.

"Guests will be able to enjoy Uku Lei Lei, offering Hawaiian-inspired cuisine with Asian influences; Fetaccine, blending Greek and Italian flavors; and Emeril's Coastal Seafood, showcasing seafood dishes inspired by America's coastlines and created in partnership with Carnival's Chief Culinary Officer Chef Emeril Lagasse."

Carnival Tropicale cruises departing from Galveston can be booked on the Carnival website . Rates vary depending on the duration of the trip and accommodation preference.

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