A Weekend in {El Paso}
Welcome to Sun City
Words by Sam Lauron Photos Courtesy Destination El Paso
Seeing an average of 302 sunny days per year, El Paso is a welcoming weekend getaway for Texas travelers. Rich in history, steeped in culture, and surrounded by desert scenery, there’s more than meets the eye in this West Texas town.
Friday
After getting settled in following the nearly 9-hour drive from Austin to El Paso, take a ride up Scenic Drive to take in sweeping views of the city. Make your way to the top of the winding road to be greeted with views overlooking El Paso and Mexico. Once back down the mountain, head to Montecillo to grab drinks at craft beer establishment, Tin Man. Tin Man carries local and regional beers and is known for filling up growlers for patrons to take to-go. End the first night in El Paso with some late night grub at Chico’s Tacos. Featured on Food Network, the signature meal at Chico’s is a plate of rolled tacos that are swimming in a red sauce and covered with a generous helping of cheese.
Saturday
Start the morning with a plate of home cooked Mexican food from historic El Paso staple, L&J Café, before heading out for an active day of exploring West Texas terrain. Nearby Franklin Mountains State Park is the largest urban park in the United States, spanning over 24K acres of space to hike, climb, and camp. Adventurers can make the drive out to Hueco Tanks, a park composed of natural rock basins, or huecos, that are ideal for rock climbing and hiking. After a full day of outdoor exploring, get spruced up for dinner at Cattleman’s Steakhouse. The ranch-style restaurant serves up hearty steak dishes with complementing sides like baked potatoes and coleslaw. After indulging, be sure to greet the peacocks that roam around Cattleman’s grounds as well as make a visit to the onsite stables to see the horses and buffalo.
Sunday
No weekend trip is complete without visiting a city’s downtown. Kick off the morning by grabbing a coffee and a light bite at Coffee Box before enjoying a leisurely stroll through San Jacinto Plaza. To see the rest of downtown, embark on more walking or hop onto one of the recently restored street cars. The historic street cars date back to the 1950s and currently make 27 stops around the downtown and uptown areas. To get a dose of art and culture, visit El Paso Museum of Art where guests can discover American, Mexican, and European artwork. Bonus: admission is always free. Before leaving the city, be sure to get a peek at another historic landmark, Plaza Theatre. Originally built in 1930, the venue is designed in the atmospheric theatre style and is currently home to El Paso’s Broadway Series as well as various concerts and shows.
Where to Stay: Downtown El Paso has seen a resurgence over the past few years, as evidenced by the renovation of the historic Plaza Hotel. Set to re-open later this year, Plaza Hotel is a 19-floor establishment that will be revamped to reflect its rich history and will even include the world’s largest tequila collection. In the meantime, a stay at Aloft El Paso Downtown is sure to accommodate with its proximity to the city-center.
