from
WorldWeb.com Travel Guide
Although
El Paso has long
since lost its reputation as a Wild West town with shootouts in dusty
cantinas, there's still plenty to see and do in this west Texas
city. A unique mixture of cultures, languages and even geographies combine
to make the city a uniquely cosmopolitan center. Cradled by the shores
of the Rio Grande River, downtown El Paso is just a short walk away from
the Mexican border. This easy access to Mexico, New
Mexico and west Texas make El Paso an ideal location for exploring
the Tex-Mex mixture of the Lone Star State and Mexico's northern border.
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Fireworks
over downtown
El Paso1 |
ORIENTATION
El Paso lies in the westerly extreme of Texas on the Mexican border and
less than 15 miles (24 km) from New Mexico. The Rio Grande River borders
El Paso to the south and divides it from its sister city, Ciudad Juarez,
in Mexico. El Paso is only 38 mi (61 km) south of Las
Cruces, New Mexico, and 226 mi (364 km) south of Albuquerque.
Although usually considered to be deeply rooted in Texan culture, El Paso
is almost as close to Los Angeles,
California, as Houston.
Houston is 750 mi (1207 km) to the east, while Los Angeles is only 800
mi (1287 km) to the west.
HISTORY
In 1598, Spanish explorer Juan de Onate forded the Rio Grande at the
junction of two mountain ranges. He named the site El Paso del Rio del
Norte and it would become the present day El Paso. By the mid-1700s, when
the region was still under Spanish control, the entire El Paso del Norte
area had a population of about 5,000, mostly Spaniards, mestizos—people
of mixed European and American Indian descent—and American Indians.
After the Spanish signed the Treaty of Cordoba in 1821, the area came under
Mexican control. This region was hotly disputed by Anglo-American colonists
in the 1830s and 1840s, with the Mexican-American border not being finally
settled until the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. The
treaty ended the Mexican War and set the Rio Grande as one of the natural
borders between Mexico and the United States.
El Paso's long relationship with the American military began around this
time when the nearby Fort Bliss military post was established in 1854,
but it wasn't until the arrival of the railroads in 1881 and 1882 that
El Paso began growing into a significant border city. Almost overnight,
this dusty adobe village was transformed into a city of 10,000 people
with two major newspapers and a public transit system.
El Paso quickly gained a reputation for vice and lawlessness. Its Wild
West reputation stemmed from its countless saloons, gambling establishments
and houses of ill repute. A reform campaign in the 1890s began to clean
up the town and by the middle of the first decade of the 1900s the most
visible forms of vice had been eradicated. This once rowdy town of gunslingers
has since been recognized as Texas' safest city.
The city's economy has historically been driven by the nearby military
base and the establishment of local industries like copper smelting and
oil refining. In 1986 it was estimated that military personnel accounted
for one-quarter of the city's population and 20% of its economy. El Paso
is also greatly affected by its proximity to the Mexican border. With
over 2 million inhabitants, El Paso and its sister city, Ciudad Juarez,
form the largest binational metropolitan area in the world. The 2000 census
estimated 76.6% of the population to be Hispanic. The special relationship
that has developed between El Paso and its sister city of Ciudad Juarez
means that El Paso's economy is especially sensitive to border disruptions
and the value of the Mexican peso.
|
Month |
Avg.
Daily Temperature |
Average
Rainfall |
|
Min |
Max |
| Jan
|
33°F
(1 °C) |
57°F
(14 °C) |
11
mm |
| Feb |
38°F
(3 °C) |
63°F
(17 °C) |
10
mm |
| Mar
|
44°F
(7 °C) |
70°F
(21 °C) |
7
mm |
| Apr |
51°F
(11 °C) |
78°F
(26 °C) |
6
mm |
| May
|
61°F
(16 °C) |
87°F
(30 °C) |
10
mm |
| Jun
|
69°F
(20 °C) |
95°F
(35 °C) |
22
mm |
| Jul |
72°F
(22 °C) |
95°F
(35 °C) |
38
mm |
|
Aug |
70°F
(21 °C) |
92°F
(33 °C) |
44
mm |
|
Sep |
64°F
(18 °C) |
78°F
(26 °C) |
41
mm |
|
Oct |
52°F
(11 °C) |
66°F
(19 °C) |
21
mm |
|
Nov |
40°F
(4 °C) |
57°F
(14 °C) |
11
mm |
|
Dec |
33°F
(1 °C) |
77°F
(25 °C) |
20
mm |
|
|
Climate
data from the
Southern Regional Climate Center |
|
CLIMATE
With over 300 days of sunshine per year, El Paso makes a perfect travel
destination for sun worshipers. As one would expect from a city in the
middle of a desert, there is very little rainfall each year. Average annual
precipitation is just 8.65 in (220 mm). It is also extremely warm in El
Paso, with an average daily high temperature of 76.8°F (24.9°C) and July
temperatures topping 96.1°F (35.6°C). Those who thrive in the summer sun
can take advantage of the local parks
and gardens. For those who wilt in the heat, do what the locals
do to stay cool: drink a margarita at one of the local restaurants
and bars, go shopping
for a new pair of cowboy boots in air conditioned comfort or have a dip
in a pool at the Ascarate
Aquatic Center.
TRANSPORTATION
The El Paso International Airport
connects El Paso with numerous cities in Mexico and the United
States. A number of regional and international airlines
service the airport.
The major ground transportation route is Interstate 10 (I-10), which
runs east-west from Jacksonville,
Florida, to Los Angeles.
The I-10 connects with Interstate-25 (I-25) just 40 mi (64 km) to the
north at Las Cruces. The I-25 runs north to Buffalo,
Wyoming, via such cities
as Denver, Colorado,
and Cheyenne,
Wyoming. Amtrak's
Sunset Limited route provides rail service between Orlando,
Florida, and Los Angeles, stopping in El Paso and numerous other cities.
Greyhound
Lines offers bus service between El Paso and almost any destination
in North America.
Getting around El Paso requires a car or public transit, as the city
is spread over a large area and most sights are not within walking distance
of each other. Rental
cars are available at the airport and various locations throughout
the city. El Paso's public transit system services over 10 million passengers
annually. The Sun
Metro operates 58 bus and trolley routes that service every region
of the city.
As a border city, El Paso offers plenty of transportation options for
crossing into Mexico, including a motorcoach/rail tour with the American
Orient Express. Multiple road crossings and a pedestrian bridge
all provide access to Mexico.
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Poppies
on Franklin Mountain2 |
FEATURED ATTRACTIONS
Parks & Recreation
The Franklin
Mountains extend into the city from the north and provide a nice escape
from the hustle and bustle of El Paso.
Franklin
Mountains State Park is the largest urban park in the United States,
sprawling over 37 sq mi (85 sq km). Visitors can go hiking, mountain biking
or even horseback riding through the park's extensive 118 mi (190 km) trail
network. Guided tours of the park with a park ranger are also available.
Those who want to enjoy the view from 5,632 ft (1717 m) above sea level
can ascend Ranger Peak on the
Wyler
Aerial Tramway. The gondola ride to the summit takes four minutes
and offers a stunning view of El Paso to the east. Other recreational opportunities
include rock climbing and hiking at
Hueco
Tanks State Park.
Specialty Attractions
Those seeking something a little more offbeat will not be disappointed
with the Concordia
Cemetery, located on South Meridian Street just off the I-10.
Many famous local political, religious and historical figures are buried
here, including members of the Buffalo Soldiers, the first African-Americans
to serve in the United States Army. The city's gunslinging past is also
represented in the figure of John Wesley Hardin, who is reputed to have
shot more men than Jesse James and Billy the Kid combined. He was shot
by a constable in an El Paso saloon in 1895 and now lies buried at Concordia,
where some have been known to leave tributes of Colt .45 cartridges and
playing cards at his graveside.
On a less morbid note, Sun
Bowl Stadium on the city's west side stands as a Mecca for college
football fans across the country who gather each year to enjoy the second
oldest New Year's bowl game in the United States. The game started in
1934 as an idea by the local Kiwanis Club to sponsor a match between the
El Paso High School football team and a visiting opponent. It has grown
into one of the defining events of the year for college football fans,
hosted by the University
of Texas at El Paso and attracting more than 50,000 spectators.
Hopeful fans are encouraged to buy tickets early, as the game is always
sold out well in advance.
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The
historic Plaza Theatre at the
El Paso Convention & Performing Arts Center3 |
|
Cultural Attractions
El Paso's many museums and art venues give visitors a taste of the
city's cultural flair. Fans of the performing arts are advised to head
to the
El
Paso Convention & Performing Arts Center. The center consists
of multiple venues, including a 2,100-seat theater, a rooftop garden and
a convention center. The venues play host to festivals, art exhibitions,
trade shows and the
El
Paso Symphony Orchestra on a year-round basis.
Visitors can experience
some of El Paso's rich archaeological history at the Museum
of Archeology at Wilderness Park. The museum features dioramas
and exhibits that display the history of the peoples of the El Paso area,
including artifacts like wood carvings, ceramics and stone tools. Those
interested in exploring the artistic output of the region can head to
the El
Paso Museum of Art, which displays contemporary and historical
artwork by southwestern American and northern Mexican artists. The museum
also has a collection of works by European masters from the 13th through
18th centuries.
The importance of
the nearby Fort Bliss military base can also be explored at area museums.
Comprised of four separate military museums, the Fort
Bliss Museums offer free admission to exhibits that explore the
base's history and involvement with major military operations since Fort
Bliss was commissioned. The National
Border Patrol Museum provides another perspective on the city's
institutional importance, presenting the history of the federal agency
which was founded in El Paso in 1924.
Cuisine
El Paso's history, culture and heritage are deeply influenced by the
city's location on the Mexican border. This is perhaps most evident in
the city's cuisine. One does not have to go very far to find a restaurant
serving that unique blend of Texan, southwestern and Mexican cooking known
as Tex-Mex. Tex-Mex cooking is defined by its reliance on beef, beans
and spicy peppers, specifically jalapenos, chipotles and chiles (the local
spelling of chilies). With dishes like nachos, chili con carne and fajitas
available seemingly at every corner, the city is a delight for those who
like their food with a kick.
Of course, even the biggest fan of spicy salsas and sauces can get a
craving for something different. If this happens, El Paso has a significant
(and growing) number of regional and international culinary options. Dining
options include enjoying a famous Texan barbeque dish in a local steakhouse.
Other choices reflect the true ethnic diversity of El Paso, including
Chinese,
Thai,
Vietnamese,
German
and Italian
restaurants. Smokers should beware, though; smoking is not permitted in
El Paso's dining establishments.
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San
Elizario Chapel on the
Mission Trail4 |
Day Trips
Travelers
looking for a half-day pedestrian excursion in the hot Texan sun should
make their way to the city's east side for a stroll down
The Mission Trail. It leads its way past numerous sites of religious
and cultural significance, including three churches, a cultural center
and a dairy. Highlights along the way include
Ysleta
Mission, the oldest continuously-used church in the country and
the
San
Elizario Chapel, which was built in 1877 to service the fort town.
A little further up the trail lies the
Tigua
Indian Cultural Center which includes a museum portraying the
history and culture of the Tigua tribe. The center hosts gift shops, traditional
dance performances, bread making demonstrations and more.
Lastly, a trip to
El Paso would not be complete without a visit to Ciudad Juarez across
the Rio Grande in Mexico. Adventurous visitors may opt to make the trip
themselves, either by renting a vehicle and driving across one of the
four bridges spanning the international boundary or by using the pedestrian
bridge to stroll straight from El Paso into Mexico. For the less confident
travelers, numerous tour companies offer guided trips over the river,
including trolley
tours and guided walking tours. This border city offers visitors
Mexican culture, dining and shopping, just minutes from downtown El Paso.
Of course, as with any international border crossing, visitors planning
on making the trip should check with the Consulate
General of Mexico in El Paso for current visa and entry requirements
beforehand.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau; Fireworks over downtown El
Paso; El Paso, TX, USA
- El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau; Poppies on Franklin Mountain;
El Paso, TX, USA
- El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau; The historic Plaza Theater
at the Convention & Performing Arts Center; El Paso, TX, USA
- El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau; San Elizario Chapel on the
Mission Trail; El Paso, TX, USA
