El Paso is known for the Tex-Mex cuisine that is made throughout the city. But it has so much more to offer, from the diversity of its citizens to the hot desert climate and year-round sunshine. We list the top 10 things to do in this Texas city.

Franklin Mountains State Park

El Paso, TX, is the place to be if you’re looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The natural landscape of the Franklin Mountains is constantly refreshing, whether you enjoy hiking, rock climbing, or simply taking a look at the history behind the mountains. Seeing the naturally formed hidden elephant on the top side of the mountain is always fun.

Mckelligon Canyon Park

The canyon on the southeastern side of the Franklin Mountains and the surrounding desert is Mckellingon Canyon Park, a popular destination for tourists and El Pasoans. They enjoy running, hiking, climbing, and appreciating natural beauty.

It’s also a great place to escape the Texas heat. Visitors can also enjoy entertainment at the McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater, showing family movies and featuring Viva El Paso, which chronicles the local history and cultural evolution.

Wyler Aerial Tramway

The Wyler Aerial Tramway can be found within the Franklin Mountains and is driven in a gondola at the top of Ranger Peak.

The observation deck allows you to see the beautiful scenery and nature that El Paso has to offer. On a clear day, the tram offers stunning views of every part of the city while offering glimpses of Juarez and New Mexico.

Square Theater

The Plaza Theater is located in downtown El Paso, occupying a special place in the city’s history. It was purchased and redesigned by a creative architect named W. Scott Dunne and completed in 1930.

The elaborate building was designed in the Spanish Revival style with antique furnishings and decorative railings, painted astronomical ceilings, and floating clouds. The theatre is perfect for events such as Broadway productions and musicals.

The Chamizal National Park and Museum

Chamizal National Park is renowned for its stunning scenery, a popular spot for picnics and music. Still, it is also a reminder of the border dispute settlement between Mexico and the United States.

As a result, the monument commemorates the peaceful settlement of the border dispute and border culture. The museum, located on the same grounds as the park, also exhibits many local and international artists.

In West Texas, between the state of New Mexico and Mexico proper, El Paso is a cultural crossroads with a culinary scene to match. From authentic southern steakhouses and Tex-Mex restaurants to inventive new restaurants, get a taste of what this border town offers with our top ten picks.

Cafe Mayapan

A fine restaurant and a worthy cause, Café Mayapán is part of a social enterprise that champions regional Mexican cuisine while providing training and employment to women from underprivileged neighbourhoods in El Paso.

The menu changes with the seasons, offering classic dishes like chilesennogada and mole poblano, made with local ingredients. Special events, such as Semana Santa and the September corn festival, are also held. There are regular workshops and exhibitions exploring Mexican culture and cuisine at the on-site mercado (market).

Café Mayapán is also eco-conscious: everything left over from the restaurant is turned into compost for a community garden project.

Central Cafe

Elegant Café Central opened its doors in 1918 in Juárez, across the border from Mexico. After a series of transformations and relocations, it was established on El Paso’s Oregon Street and has since become one of the best luxury options in the city.

The perfect place to have a drink until late at night is an outdoor terrace, a well-stocked bar and a careful wine list that has won numerous awards in the restaurant. The menu is equally tempting, with standout dishes including cream of green chilli soup and rack roast of Colorado lamb. Cultivated and refined, it offers live jazz on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights between 6.30 and 10 pm.

Zino’s Greek and Mediterranean Cuisine

If you’re tired of Tex-Mex, Zino’s Greek cuisine is a breath of fresh air. One of El Paso’s most beloved restaurants, it’s known for its vibrant salads dressed with herby olive oil and salty feta, lentil soups, and gyros made with fresh pita.

There are also crispy falafels and delicious sauces and appetizers, from hummus to baba ganoush and stuffed grape leaves to calamari. With sticky baklava for dessert, you can tour the Peloponnese in one sitting, just like chef ZinoSouikni did. A great introduction to the culinary culture of Greece, the Zino look will be an El Paso favourite for years to come.

Cattleman’s Steakhouse

Just 20 miles from town, Cattleman’s Steakhouse at Indian Cliffs Ranch is considered one of the best in the country. From the house rib eye to the ‘Cowboy’ tandem, which weighs in at a respectable two pounds, everything is cooked to perfection, with char marks from the grill.

Seafood options include cold-water lobster and shrimp, with sticky grilled ribs cooked in the restaurant’s old-fashioned mesquite wood smoker, a highlight.

The ranch is spectacular in itself and dotted with old wagons, outhouses, and herds of longhorn cattle. Its expansive views of the desert and rocky plateaus have set the setting for several Hollywood productions.

Table

Texan-style tapas sharing plates are the order of the day in this modern warehouse conversion. There’s a clear nod to Spain with dishes like paella and meatballs with chorizo ​​and Manchego cheese. Still, Tabla offers clever combinations, including chickpea fries with chipotle ketchup, Moroccan spices, and ribs with apricot and almonds.

Desserts are equally inventive, from sweet potato doughnuts with maple syrup to arroz con leche (Spanish rice pudding) accompanied by hazelnuts and raisins. In the heart of downtown El Paso, the restaurant is just a short walk from the city’s many cultural centres, such as the Abraham Chavez Theater and the El Paso Museum of Art.