Experience Cultural Delights & Affordable Luxury In The Southwest’s Most Underrated City
If you are over mainstream information (and who would not be by now?), then there’s one exceptional metropolis that all the time appears to slide by means of the cracks as greater than only a pass-through metropolis.
Chances are, in case you’ve ever taken a highway journey on I-10, you then’ve handed by means of one of many Southwest’s top hidden gems, but practically 700,000 individuals name it residence.
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 normal vacationers have lengthy been lacking out on the cultural delights and reasonably priced luxurious of El Paso.
Yes, 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 symbolize the lots when there’s astounding nature, prideful, pleasant locals, and an ever-changing downtown district starting to buzz once more.
The Forgotten City Of Texas
Despite breaking tourism records in 2023, El Paso nonetheless flies effectively beneath the radar besides when speaking heads spew adverse depictions of what is really an superior metropolis to go to.
Even if you have not brushed up on Rosetta Stone classes these days, you possibly can most likely surmise El Paso interprets to “The Pass” in English, and that is largely how El Paso has been visited – only a stayover on to someplace else.
But El Paso deserves to be your subsequent weekend getaway, on the very least. If 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.
Despite many Texans pretending the Lone Star State’s southwest tip would not exist, common Texas publication Texas Monthly had the huevos to acknowledge two El Paso eating places with one of the best tacos within the state:
Of course, indulging in native delicacies is nice technique to expertise any vacation spot, that is solely a tidbit of El Paso’s cultural delights.
Not Just Margs & Tacos: Discover Historic Neighborhoods & Important Landmarks
You’ll discover each reputable 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 is no higher place to expertise one of the 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. Here, you will discover the El Paso Mission Trail residence to an immaculately preserved glimpse of the previous, with gorgeous historic Missions taking part in a major position in a former commerce route spanning from Mexico City to Santa Fe.
Make certain 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 will discover.
Check out Sunset Heights, Manhattan Heights and my previous 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 & Affordable Luxury
Downtown has continued to endure a mass transformation for the reason that pandemic’s ghost city vibes.
As WinterFest not too long ago remodeled 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 in case you plan to go to within the scorching summer time, you might need to make the most of the town’s free Streetcar connecting downtown to the excessive West Side.
Downtown is probably going the place you will need to make your base irrespective of the season. With a plethora of upscale lodges and rooftops with sweeping views, you will be shocked by how good El Paso actually may be – a far cry from its fame as a bland desert city.
My favourite is The Plaza Pioneer Hotel (generally known as “The Plaza”), not too long ago awarded a Michelin Key and may be booked within the low $100s.
These 5 lodges supply reasonably priced luxurious in downtown El Paso: (beneath $150 per evening)
- Hotel Paso Del Norte (try the European-esque Dome Bar)
- The Plaza Pioneer Hotel
- DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel El Paso Downtown
- Hotel Indigo El Paso Downtown
- Aloft El Paso Downtown
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed below are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, accepted or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the put up.