"El Paso: City of Sun and Sharp Contrasts" Top 5 Page for this destination El Paso by TooTallFinn24

El Paso Travel Guide: 213 reviews and 601 photos

Silk Flower Store in the Golden Horshoe District - El Paso
Silk Flower Store in the Golden Horshoe District
El Paso: City of Sun

Nestled as far west as possible on the western tip of Texas, El Paso is a city of contrasts. These contrasts include from very rich to very poor, safe to very dangerous, and scenic to downright disgusting.

We flew into El Paso from Sacramento during early February for a five day stay in the area. The weather was unseasonably warm and the sky was mostly clear. The El Paso International Airport is a modern and well laid out facility. It was easy to navigate to as far as the parking lot. However the street and freeway system took some time to adjust to and after a few wrong turns we finally made it to our hotel.

Statistically, El Paso is the 19th largest city in the United States and the sixth largest in Texas with a population of about 650,000. The Rio Grande River runs through the City and on the other side of the City's south border sits the most dangerous place in North America, Ciudad Juarez. It is located also in the Chihuhuan Desert and the area receives only about 10 inches of rain per year.

El Paso has invested heavily in the arts. There is an art and museum district that contains several outstanding museums. There is also the very unique Golden Horseshoe District that is comprised of over 500 stores in the southern part of town. The City is also home to Franklin Park the largest urban park in terms of gross area in the United States. A tramway also jets you quickly up to the highest point in the City providing some great views of El Paso and Mexico.

There are absolutely gorgeous homes on Rim and Scenic Drives that look down on the city. A Unfortunately there are also some very poor barrios and areas of the city as well.

To appreciate El Paso you must get off the freeway and look at the town. What I think you will find is a city rich in culture and arts with some outstanding restaurants as well.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Culturally Rich with Some Great Restaurants
  • Cons:Hot and Isolated in West Texas
  • Last visit to El Paso: Feb 2012
  • Intro Written Feb 16, 2012
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Reviews (12)

Plaza Theatre - El Paso Plaza Theatre Things to Do (8)

Right smack in the middle of downtown El Paso you wil come across the Plaza Theatre. The big theatre, which opened... more travel advice

Hills of Ciudad Juarez - El Paso Ciudad Juarez: Don't Take the Chance Warnings and Dangers (1)

For years now the press has documented the horrific homicides that take place daily in Ciuduad Jaurez, immediately... more travel advice

- El Paso Sidewalk Shopping Near the Mexican... Shopping (1)

This is not a shop, it is a district. The Golden Horeshoe District is an area of about 500 stores that nestles up to the... more travel advice

- El Paso Murchison Park Things to Do (8)

Murchison Park is operated by the City of El Paso and is located toward the end of the great Scenic Drive in El Paso. It... more travel advice

Comments (3)

  • Reply
    Nemorino's Profile Photo
    Feb 27, 2012 at 2:22 PM

    Interesting tips. My one visit to El Paso was in 1964, because a friend of mine was teaching at UTEP that year. I was on my way to Vietnam and had to wear my army uniform so I could fly for free.

  • Reply
    Feb 24, 2012 at 9:27 AM

    Steven- Some great tips on El Paso. See you on FB.

  • Reply
    CatherineReichardt's Profile Photo
    Feb 16, 2012 at 11:33 PM

    Hi Steve
    Absolutely gorgeous dome!
    Regards
    Cathy

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