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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.

	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.

	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.

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.

	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.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

1. El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau; Fireworks over downtown El Paso; El Paso, TX, USA
2. El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau; Poppies on Franklin Mountain; El Paso, TX, USA
3. El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau; The historic Plaza Theater at the Convention & Performing Arts Center; El Paso, TX, USA
4. El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau; San Elizario Chapel on the Mission Trail; El Paso, TX, USA