Experience Cultural Delights & Affordable Luxury In The Southwest’s Most Underrated City
In the event you’re over mainstream information (and who would not be by now?), then there’s one outstanding metropolis that at all times appears to slide by way of the cracks as greater than only a pass-through metropolis.
Likelihood is, if you happen to’ve ever taken a highway journey on I-10, you then’ve handed by way of one of many Southwest’s top hidden gems, but almost 700,000 folks name it dwelling.
Largely ignored even by its personal state, with locals generally mislabelling it as “Mexico” and misinformed characterizations because it’s lined by “the wall”, fellow Texans and basic vacationers have lengthy been lacking out on the cultural delights and inexpensive luxurious of El Paso.
Sure, El Paso – the one typically portrayed as a run-down desert city and unsafe hub for unlawful migrant crossings.
As a former resident, I can attest that, sure, there are occasional border points, however one small sub-section of a metropolis should not characterize the plenty when there’s astounding nature, prideful, pleasant locals, and an ever-changing downtown district starting to buzz once more.
The Forgotten Metropolis Of Texas
Regardless of breaking tourism records in 2023, El Paso nonetheless flies properly beneath the radar besides when speaking heads spew damaging depictions of what is really an superior metropolis to go to.
Even when you have not brushed up on Rosetta Stone classes currently, you’ll be able to in all probability surmise El Paso interprets to “The Cross” in English, and that is largely how El Paso has been visited – only a stayover on to elsewhere.
However El Paso deserves to be your subsequent weekend getaway, on the very least. In the event you take pleasure in phenomenal Mexican meals starting from basic hole-in-the-walls and cart distributors to high-end Michelin-worthy eateries, El Paso has you lined, and it exudes authenticity, not like that different record-breaking Mexican-influenced metropolis.
No offense, San Antonio, however El Paso’s meals is unmatched, and one hike within the Franklin Mountains places your “river” to disgrace.
Regardless of many Texans pretending the Lone Star State’s southwest tip does not exist, common Texas publication Texas Monthly had the huevos to acknowledge two El Paso eating places with the very best tacos within the state:
After all, indulging in native delicacies is nice option to expertise any vacation spot, that is solely a tidbit of El Paso’s cultural delights.
Not Simply Margs & Tacos: Uncover Historic Neighborhoods & Vital Landmarks
You may discover each respectable Mexican dish beneath the solar in El Paso, with a particular emphasis on Southwestern and Chihuahua affect, given the shut proximity to Ciudad Juarez.
Texan and Mexican historical past mix timelines, and there isn’t any higher place to expertise the very best of each worlds than a plate served in El Paso, however to witness the historical past itself is one other story, and you are able to do that too.
One neglected gem, even for locals, is within the subsequent city over, Socorro. Right here, you may discover the El Paso Mission Trail dwelling to an immaculately preserved glimpse of the previous, with beautiful historic Missions taking part in a big position in a former commerce route spanning from Mexico Metropolis to Santa Fe.
Be sure to take a look at all 3 missions, every with their very own distinctive relevance:
- Ysleta Mission
- Socorro Mission
- San Elizario Presidio
In El Paso correct, the great thing about exploring the town’s historic neighborhoods is you by no means know what you may discover.
Try Sundown Heights, Manhattan Heights and my outdated stomping grounds, Segundo Barrio, for rows of streets oozing timeless allure and hidden gems like my favourite restaurant you’d in any other case by no means find out about, Jalisco Cafe (solely open on weekends).
Free Public Transit & Inexpensive Luxurious
Downtown has continued to bear a mass transformation because the pandemic’s ghost city vibes.
As WinterFest lately reworked downtown right into a desert’s model of a winter wonderland, there are additionally many new bars, eating places, cafes, and the town’s first-ever capsule lodge, respiratory new life into previously barren streets.
Getting round in El Paso’s splendid winter climate is straightforward, however if you happen to plan to go to within the scorching summer time, you could need to reap the benefits of the town’s free Streetcar connecting downtown to the excessive West Aspect.
Downtown is probably going the place you may need to make your base irrespective of the season. With a plethora of upscale motels and rooftops with sweeping views, you may be shocked by how good El Paso actually could be – a far cry from its popularity as a bland desert city.
My favourite is The Plaza Pioneer Resort (generally known as “The Plaza”), lately awarded a Michelin Key and could be booked within the low $100s.
These 5 motels provide inexpensive luxurious in downtown El Paso: (beneath $150 per night time)
- Resort Paso Del Norte (take a look at the European-esque Dome Bar)
- The Plaza Pioneer Resort
- DoubleTree By Hilton Resort El Paso Downtown
- Resort Indigo El Paso Downtown
- Aloft El Paso Downtown
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Opinions expressed listed below are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, accredited or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the put up.