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 way 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, then you definately’ve handed by way of one of many Southwest’s top hidden gems, but practically 700,000 individuals name it house.
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 common vacationers have lengthy been lacking out on the cultural delights and inexpensive luxurious of El Paso.
Yes, El Paso – the one usually 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 signify 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 properly below the radar besides when speaking heads spew damaging depictions of what is really an superior metropolis to go to.
Even if you have not brushed up on Rosetta Stone classes currently, you’ll be able to in all probability surmise El Paso interprets to “The Pass” in English, and that is largely how El Paso has been visited – only a stayover on to some other place.
But El Paso deserves to be your subsequent weekend getaway, on the very least. If you get pleasure from 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, in contrast to 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, fashionable Texas publication Texas Monthly had the huevos to acknowledge two El Paso eating places with the perfect tacos within the state:
Of course, indulging in native delicacies is nice option 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 respectable Mexican dish below 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 isn’t any higher place to expertise the perfect 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 missed gem, even for locals, is within the subsequent city over, Socorro. Here, you will discover the El Paso Mission Trail house to an immaculately preserved glimpse of the previous, with gorgeous historic Missions taking part in a big position in a former commerce route spanning from Mexico City to Santa Fe.
Make positive 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 fantastic 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 outdated 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 because the pandemic’s ghost city vibes.
As WinterFest lately reworked 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 resort, 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 could wish 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 wish to make your base regardless of the season. With a plethora of upscale resorts and rooftops with sweeping views, you will be shocked by how good El Paso actually might be – a far cry from its popularity as a bland desert city.
My favourite is The Plaza Pioneer Hotel (generally known as “The Plaza”), lately awarded a Michelin Key and might be booked within the low $100s.
These 5 resorts provide inexpensive luxurious in downtown El Paso: (below $150 per night time)
- Hotel Paso Del Norte (take a look at 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 here are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, accredited or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the publish.