El Paso Travel Guide, Texas
You can find El Paso, Texas, in the western part of the state and 617 miles west of Dallas. Its location between two mountain ranges and next to Rio Grande is a scenic one and one that enriched the city’s history. The location was considered perfect by the American Indians who settled there as they saw it as a defense against invaders and Rio Grande the source of water they needed while the Spanish explorers saw the canyon as the ideal north-south trade route and it was so as it became the main trade route known as "Camino Real".
Spain was the first to dominate El Paso and in the 17th century many Catholic missionaries came here, but another era was yet to come when El Paso was ceded to Mexico after the independence was proclaimed, but it seemed like El Paso was destined to pass on to the United States after the Mexican – American war. Even after the war was over the city did not get the desired peace as with the railroad coming in 1881 prostitution and crime flourished and many villains and gunfighters settled here and lead a life of sins in the many brothels, casinos and saloons.
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But in the early 20th century the city began to come to its senses and became an agricultural and international trade centre and the old border disputes that have shadowed the city’s history came to an end, too in the 1960s.
El Paso is Texas’ fourth largest city and the country’s largest border city, at the border with Mexico. This feature gave the city a unique atmosphere and culture, a combination of American and Mexican cultures and traditions making it different from other Texas cities, a bit rough around the edges, but honest and authentic comprising a fascinating history.
El Paso downtown is beautiful with the Franklin Mountains at its border making it different and special from other mountain cities where the mountains ale located at least at the outskirts of town if not farther. And where else could you have seen alligators in the middle of downtown? Here at San Jacinto Plaza they laid undisturbed in a fiberglass fountain for near a century, but eventually they were considered a potential danger and were moved.
The city does not lack entertainment opportunities and you don’t necessarily have to go downtown to find them. The most popular venue that hosts regular performances are the El Paso Performing Arts Center, the McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre, Chamizal National Memorial and the University of Texas. But there are also other venues like El Paso Pro-Musica that features El Paso Chamber Music Festival every January; the Franklin Mountains State Park hosting “Viva El Paso!” from late May to late August; and the El Paso Playhouse that comes up with something new every month.
Children will enjoy watching the fairy tales and other light fare produced by the Kids-N-Co company while the students’ musicals at the El Paso Dinner Theatre will be especially enjoyed by those who like this kind of show.
Those who prefer clubs should head to Club 101, the best in town and one of the oldest with DJs and national rock acts while Xcape features Latin, techno and other. You can also listen to some live country-and-western at Stampede.
If you're out for cultural contrast, diversity, history and beautiful scenery then you must explore the wonders that El Paso has to offer. Start packing your bags for a journey down under to El Paso.
Read our members' reviews about El Paso
Why visit El Paso
review by mohds2 posted more then 30 days ago
The region of El Paso, the sixth largest city in the state of Texas, USA and the chair of El Paso County, is situated at the western tip of Texas on the northern region of the Rio Grande. El Paso's sister city is called the Ciudad Juárez. The culture and the economies of these 2 cities are...
Read our members' travel tips about El Paso
El Paso Zoo
travel tip by Sistazzione posted more then 30 days ago
Though not a huge zoo with lots and lots of animals, the El Paso Zoo has still its charm and can provide a fun or relaxed afternoon for the visitor. There are only a few lions, tigers, some elephants and monkeys, birds and seals to just...
Forti's Mexican Restaurant
travel tip by stef posted more then 30 days ago
A great family-owned restaurant, the Forti's Mexican Restaurant has amazing guacamoles and gorditas and provides service even between the lunch and dinner hours. The staff was super friendly and fast, and because we went in a time...
El Paso Museum of Art
travel tip by Wazling posted more then 30 days ago
Located downtown, the El Paso Museum of Art is small gem of artworks from European, Mexican and Latin-American artists. The best thing about the place is that it is free for the public, though there are some exhibits that might be...
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