Guidebook for El Paso
Food Scene
There are tons of eateries in El Paso (both chain restaurants and local family-owned diners). These are some of my favorites.
Great place for a wide selection of american food, great happy hour specials (especially on pints of beer), friendly sports bar/restaurant ample seating and 2 pool tables
Brew Sports Pub East
1441 N Zaragoza RdGreat place for a wide selection of american food, great happy hour specials (especially on pints of beer), friendly sports bar/restaurant ample seating and 2 pool tables
Best wings in town. New location of established El Paso local sports bar/restaurant. Huge patio, neat decor.
The Shack Wings & Brews
1883 N Zaragoza RdBest wings in town. New location of established El Paso local sports bar/restaurant. Huge patio, neat decor.
Best Japanese sit-down food around. Has a "sushi side," which I highly recommend, especially for lunch specials. There is also a moderately priced "Hibachi" side for live cooking in front of you
HAYASHI HIBACHI-El Paso
10501 Gateway Blvd WBest Japanese sit-down food around. Has a "sushi side," which I highly recommend, especially for lunch specials. There is also a moderately priced "Hibachi" side for live cooking in front of you
Huge selection of Chinese and Japanese dishes, surprisingly great sushi, good Mongolian grill
Grand China Buffet
9505 Viscount BlvdHuge selection of Chinese and Japanese dishes, surprisingly great sushi, good Mongolian grill
Amazing Mexican food, right off the freeway. Huge menu and generous portions. Mariachis play every night, which is neat but can be too loud to have conversation
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Andale Mexican Restaurant and Cantina
9201 Gateway Boulevard WestAmazing Mexican food, right off the freeway. Huge menu and generous portions. Mariachis play every night, which is neat but can be too loud to have conversation
China 1
11680 Pebble Hills BoulevardTo-go Chinese food very close to the house. Good lunch specials.
Local bakery with lots of menu options popular in the region. Breakfast burritos are amazing! Within walking distance from the house.
Las Lunas Bakery
3333 Saul Kleinfeld DriveLocal bakery with lots of menu options popular in the region. Breakfast burritos are amazing! Within walking distance from the house.
Huge menu (anyone can find a dish that fits their tastes and diet here), plus a good beer selection from their brewery. Multiple TVs that showcase sporting events, but much more of a "family restaurant" than a "sports bar."
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
11905 Gateway Blvd WHuge menu (anyone can find a dish that fits their tastes and diet here), plus a good beer selection from their brewery. Multiple TVs that showcase sporting events, but much more of a "family restaurant" than a "sports bar."
If you are craving steak, this is your place. Good luck finishing your platter when served free peanuts and sweet rolls, plus 2 sides with your entree. I always get a to-go box!
Logan's Roadhouse
11865 Gateway Boulevard WestIf you are craving steak, this is your place. Good luck finishing your platter when served free peanuts and sweet rolls, plus 2 sides with your entree. I always get a to-go box!
Drinks & Nightlife
El Paso has many bars, most open until 2am, and most serving food until 11pm. These are just some of my local favorites.
Mulligans Spirits & Food
1605 George Dieter DrNice patio, 2 pool tables, darts, small local crowd
Bourbon and Brews Bar & Grille
2931 George Dieter DriveWithin walking distance from the house. Local bar.
Best Bloody Marys in the world! My favorite bar, as it is affordable, friendly, a 5 min drive from the house, and has both a good "bar food" menu and daily specials.
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Cincinnati Bar & Grill
1700 N Zaragoza RdBest Bloody Marys in the world! My favorite bar, as it is affordable, friendly, a 5 min drive from the house, and has both a good "bar food" menu and daily specials.
Entertainment & Activities
There's plenty to do in El Paso; these are just a few recommendations.
Cinemark East Montana and XD
12704 Montana AveClosest movie theater to the house. Serves alcohol.
Very nice zoo near downtown El Paso. Your host (Julie) is an animal handler here, so ask ahead of time if there's animals you are interested in seeing! Expect to spend about 3 hours here
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El Paso dýragarður
4001 E Paisano DrVery nice zoo near downtown El Paso. Your host (Julie) is an animal handler here, so ask ahead of time if there's animals you are interested in seeing! Expect to spend about 3 hours here
Wet 'N' Wild Waterworld
8804 S Desert BlvdWaterpark. Very fun, BYOB (no glass), open summers
Home of our baseball team, the El Paso Chihuahuas! Inexpensive and fun
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El Paso Chihuahuas
1 Ballpark PlazaHome of our baseball team, the El Paso Chihuahuas! Inexpensive and fun
Parks & Nature
Franklin Mountains State Park
Tom Mays Park Access RoadMany trails from easy to moderately difficult
Picnic tables, shelters, hiking trails, also a steep paved trail up to the canyon that is popular for walking/running
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McKelligon Canyon Run
2357-2571 McKelligon Canyon RdPicnic tables, shelters, hiking trails, also a steep paved trail up to the canyon that is popular for walking/running
Smugglers Pass
Starts easy and progresses to very difficult (you can turn back at any time!)
World-class bouldering site. Great tours as well. Pristine park that only allows 40 visitors per day, so call ahead for reservations or arrive very early at the front gate
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Hueco Tanks State Historic Site
6900 Hueco Tanks Road No. 1World-class bouldering site. Great tours as well. Pristine park that only allows 40 visitors per day, so call ahead for reservations or arrive very early at the front gate
In Franklin Mountains State Park, many trails. Maps available. Beautiful easy to moderate hikes.
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Tom Mays Park
2900 Imperial Ridge DrIn Franklin Mountains State Park, many trails. Maps available. Beautiful easy to moderate hikes.
Experience the rare and recent gypsum dunes here (you can even bring a sled and go desert sledding down the dunes!)
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Hvítir Sandar Þjóðminjasafn
Experience the rare and recent gypsum dunes here (you can even bring a sled and go desert sledding down the dunes!)
Aguirre Spring Campground
Aguirre Springs RoadRunning streams, picnic areas an casual hiking
Walk, hike, and learn about our desert. Close to my heart (as it is close to my lizard research plots), I highly recommend the 1 hour road trip to see cacti, lizards, birds, and all sorts of cool desert critters.
Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park
56501 N Jornada RdWalk, hike, and learn about our desert. Close to my heart (as it is close to my lizard research plots), I highly recommend the 1 hour road trip to see cacti, lizards, birds, and all sorts of cool desert critters.
Shopping
Cielo Vista Mall station
Nice to walk around on hot days (indoor mall)
Outdoor mall. Cool stores from basic to high-end. Moderate to high-end restaurants. New to El Paso.
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The Fountains at Farah
8889 Gateway Blvd WOutdoor mall. Cool stores from basic to high-end. Moderate to high-end restaurants. New to El Paso.
Tons of local stores (most open 10-5). Great way to experience Juarez-style shopping in the safety of the city. Great for accessories, purses, clothes, shoes, sports gear and local goods.
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Downtown El Paso
201 E Main StTons of local stores (most open 10-5). Great way to experience Juarez-style shopping in the safety of the city. Great for accessories, purses, clothes, shoes, sports gear and local goods.
Biggest Harley store in the US. Huge selection of merchandise (and clearance section!) along with bikes
Barnett Harley-Davidson
8272 Gateway Blvd EBiggest Harley store in the US. Huge selection of merchandise (and clearance section!) along with bikes
Fun outlet mall that offers a free shuttle to and from local destinations
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The Outlet Shoppes at El Paso
7051 S Desert BlvdFun outlet mall that offers a free shuttle to and from local destinations
Arts & Culture
Beautiful University (where your host teaches!) that hosts the Sun Bowl each New Years
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The University of Texas at El Paso
500 W University AveBeautiful University (where your host teaches!) that hosts the Sun Bowl each New Years
Great historic, artsy town next to Las Cruces. About a 75 minute drive. Home of La Posta, one of the top 10 Mexican restaurants in the country, local art, shopping, local foods, winery, great atmosphere.
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Mesilla
Great historic, artsy town next to Las Cruces. About a 75 minute drive. Home of La Posta, one of the top 10 Mexican restaurants in the country, local art, shopping, local foods, winery, great atmosphere.
Plaza Leikhús
125 W Mills AveHistoric theater in downtown El Paso
El Paso Listasafn
1 Arts Festival PlazaSightseeing
Nice man-made lake with fishing, nice paved walking trail around lake, parks, picnic areas
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Ascarate Park
6900 Delta DrNice man-made lake with fishing, nice paved walking trail around lake, parks, picnic areas
Winding drive over the mountain with an overlook of El Paso and Juarez
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Scenic Drive - Overlook
Scenic DriveWinding drive over the mountain with an overlook of El Paso and Juarez
Beautiful view of El Paso and Juarez from high atop Ranger Peak
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Wyler Aerial Tramway
1700 McKinley AveBeautiful view of El Paso and Juarez from high atop Ranger Peak