Top 9 Things To Do In El Paso: A Thrilling Mishmash Of Adventures

Searching for the busiest cities in the United States, El Paso will always be on top of the lists. Being a busy city in the country, you will find so many things to do in El Paso. El Paso, which is also Spanish for “the pass” or “the step,” is the county seat of El Paso County in Texas, aside from being a city. It also has the largest Hispanic population share among the main cities in the U.S. Eighty-one percent of its population are Hispanic. 

Sitting on the border of America and Mexico, El Paso used to be a low-key destination. But not anymore. Today, it has been making its own headlines, thanks to former president Trump promoting his border policies, the city is making the news (after all, bad publicity is still publicity, right?) There’s also a construction boom that’s been happening recently, giving downtown El Paso a facelift. Now, it boasts a variety of high-rise hotels, the Chihuahuas baseball team, a restored streetcar line, and even its very own crop of microbreweries. With those being said, what are the best things to do in El Paso? Let’s find out. 

9 Best Things To Do In El Paso, Texas

Get to know the best activities and things to do in El Paso, a fantastic city in Texas. 

1. Explore Downtown El Paso

As you touch down in El Paso, exploring its downtown should lead your things to do in El Paso list. And you won’t need cars to visit the places in this area as downtown El Paso is wonderfully walkable. Take it as your exercise. Many of the attractions here are with an easy stroll from each other. 

For instance, right in the middle of the Las Plazas Arts District is El Paso Street, ever-picturesque and festooned with neon signs and string light. Well, to tell you, the whole Arts District is the perfect place for a warm evening walk. Plus, the area also has several trendy venues to stop in for some cocktails or appetizers. 

Located nearby is Pioneer Plaza, known for its exemplary statues, historic hotels, and of course, the iconic Spanish colonial Revival era-style Plaza Theatre, which also regularly offers live entertainment and even Broadway shows. If you find yourself at the center of this downtown, Pioneer Plaza will be a vibrant spot to lounge and people-watch bicyclists and pedestrians along its sidewalks.

2. Learn About El Paso’s Military Foundations At First Armored Division & Fort Bliss Museum

El Paso has quite a military background, and you can learn about this at the First Armored Division and Fort Bliss Museum. If you are interested to know more about the ties between El Paso and the military, this is one of the most recommended things to do in El Paso for you.

Fort Bliss, being the largest air-defense training center in the Western world, consumes much of the city’s desert northeast, and also trains troops from all nations allied with NATO. Its museum showcases the fort’s history from the 19th century up to the present. But the biggest draw should be the big artillery you can find, from tanks to missiles. 

How about also exploring the mouth-watering things to do in El Paso? Find out the best Mexican foods to try in this city. Click that link for the list.

3. Have You Ever Tried Boot Shopping?

Texas has so much cowboy heritage to be proud of. Like Fort Worth, another city in the state, there’s also so much cowboy culture in El Paso. In fact, it is known as the “boot capital of the world.”

Being so, the city holds a long tradition of hand-making custom cowboys, one which even dates back to the days when El Paso was known as one of the wildest frontier towns in the state. This tradition is preserved until today with a wide array of stores selling boots crafted by local artisans in a way that’s quite incomparable with anywhere else in the world. 

One of the most famous shops would be Rocketbuster Boots, housed in a 1900s brick warehouse in the historic Union Plaza, keeping the world’s largest boosts, according to Guinness, and the most colorful vintage boots on the market. 

If their boots do not suit your preferences (which rarely happens), you can head to CABOOTS, Mingo Boots Company, Cowtown Boots, and J.B. Hill Boot Company. They also offer handmade and custom boots around town. Be sure to add this on your things to do in El Paso itinerary. 

4. Sip Your Beef-Jerky Enhanced Drink While Cheering On The Chihuahuas

El Paso’s locals also love sports, but in a quirky way. They may not be known to have a homegrown NBA team, or a football team, but the city is quite big in baseball. It is the residence of the El Paso Chihuahuas, branded as the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, and playing around 70 home games a year at Southwest University Park, affectionately also referred to as the Big Dog House (it’s one of the best, as you’ll find it difficult to find a nice minor-league ballpark in the country as this). 

The 360-degree concourse wrapping around the baseball diamond will let you see the game from every vantage point on this field, believe it or not. At right field, this concourse is level with the playing field, allowing you to watch the game run up close.

Plus, they won’t leave you with an empty stomach. House favorites like the delicious bacon-wrapped Juarez Dog and the popular Clamato Norteño (both of which have a strong Mexican influence), which is an infamous drink here in El Paso made with tomato juice, olives, clam juice, and a “secret blend of spices.” And that’s not all. It also contains a hearty slab of beer jerky which you will surely love. There’s no point not trying these things to do in El Paso.

We hope you are enjoying the things to do in El Paso so far. Why don’t you keep going and explore other cities in Texas like San Antonio, perhaps? Here’s a guide.

5. Take An Off-Road Adventure In The Red Sands Area Of Eastern El Paso

If you think the things to do in El Paso discussed earlier are not thrilling enough for you to keep your heart pumping, you might want to take an off-road adventure visiting the Red Sands area of eastern El Paso. Now Red Sands is one of the special destinations Just west of Hueco Tanks, this place features sand dunes, small hills, and amazing views. Off-road adventures are best done here. In this tour, a professional guide will lead you, but they will be riding a separate buggy so you can enjoy commanding your own. This is an experience like no other. You better try this now.

6. Or, How About A Haunted Cowboys And Outlaws Tour?

Cowboys and outlaws are quite huge in El Paso, as with in other destinations in this part of the country. But perhaps you haven’t experienced a haunted cowboys and outlaws tour, have you? If the answer there is yes, look no further than taking this tour. 

This tour will transport you back in time as you visit places of historical significance that did not make the history books. The role El Paso’s home state, Texas, played in the formation of the entire United States is so significant that it is also shrouded in mystery. 

Educational and engaging, this tour takes you on a trip through centuries of not only history, but also hauntings. Featuring places like the San Jacinto Plaza, El Paso City Hall, The Reagan, and Plaza Theatre, this will tell you about Texas’ history not taught in your school. 

What’s even more eerie is that the tour’s research team has personally uncovered true and terrifying accounts of unexplained activities that range from spirit sightings, to strange voices and sounds, to being touched by unidentified beings. This may not be for the faint of heart, but it is one of the most unforgettable things to do in El Paso. See for yourself.

The things to do in El Paso are just as exciting as the things to do in Houston, another city in Texas. Discover the best photography spots in Houston. Click this link for the story. 

7. Hike Through Franklin Mountains State Park

For a more relaxing experience, hike through the Franklin Mountains State Park where you’ll be treated to sweeping mountain vistas that will linger in your senses. Things to do in El Paso are different here, since you’ll be worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the town. 

Here, there are over 100 miles of hiking trails across roughly 27,000 acres, not to mention rock climbing opportunities and several campsites for those who wish to stay longer and camp. The park also offers range programs that include bike tours, guided hikes, and art activities. Plus, if you wish to see some wildlife, the place is frequented by birds and mountain lions, too, among other animals. 

8. Look Back At The City’s Complex History Along The El Paso Mission Trail

Being an area once occupied by Spanish colonists and missionaries, El Paso has a lot of story to tell in this regard, and you can learn all about it along the El Paso Mission Trail. 

The El Paso Mission Trail is a nine-mile stretch along the United States-Mexico border, passing by two mission churches and a presidio chapel. Each location tells its own history and also details the complex relations among the region’s Native Americans with Spanish colonists and missionaries. 

The closest mission to El Paso is the Ysleta Mission. It has been in continuous use since as far back as 1682. Today, the Tigua Indian Tribe holds this religious site dearly. It also has a cultural center nearby where you can visit a museum that teaches about the tribe’s history. If you are open to learning some history, this is one of the things to do in El Paso you should go for.

9. Enjoy San Jacinto Plaza

Just north of Pioneer Plaza is San Jacinto Plaza, a charming urban park that features fountains, sculptures, and concessions. If the things to do in El Paso are becoming too complex and confusing for you, you can take a breather and relax in this park. 

Groups of families and friends are often found in this plaza, which was also recently refurbished to now include game tables, a splash pad, and a cozy open-air café. Ordering the specialties in this café is recommended, which include cucumber lemonade or agua fresca de pepino, cucumber spears dusted with chile or pepinos con chile, and rolled tacos in red sauce.

Plus, here’s a little trivia for you, and you should not forget dropping by this place we’re going to talk about. One of the fountains in this plaza features a sculpture that commemorates the alligators that once called the park’s pond home and were a popular attraction in the early 1900s.

Did you enjoy those things to do in El Paso? They’re the best activities while you’re here in this city, so you must include them on your list. Here’s another related story you should read: Best Photography Spots In Austin

Things To Do In El Paso: Getting Around In This City

For certain, you won’t be able to enjoy the best things to do in El Paso to the fullest if you are not guided on how you can get around this busy city. So to help you during your trip, we’re providing the most pertinent details about how to get around in El Paso. 

• Car rentals
• Charter buses
• Limousine services
• Shuttle services
• RVs 
• Taxis 
• Car hailing apps like Uber and Lyft
• The El Paso Streetcar, traveling 4.8-mile route in two loops through the city’s uptown and downtown

You Better El Paso Up!

While Texas cities like Dallas, Houston and San Antonio may get more of the hype, El Paso still has a number of features that can make your trip here one of the most unique you’ll ever experience. The city’s tourism slogan, “You Better El Paso Up,” will speak for itself. 

A location right along the United States and Mexico border, an Old West vibe, a mountainous setting, and with so many things to do in El Paso – they all help to make the city stand out among the other destinations in Texas.