Grab your desert boots and head west to El Paso for some R&R, and of course, great shopping. Sunshine 302 days of the year, a rich culture, and dreamy dining options makes the “Sun City” an impossible getaway destination to beat.
Whether it’s adventure, romance, family time or shopping, El Paso serves up the magic to turn mediocre into memorable! You’ll want to explore all the sights, culture and tastes of this Texas city.
Where to Stay
After soaking up the cool Mexican-American vibe of this unique city, you’ll need a place to rest your head. One of our favorites is the modern and chic Hotel Indigo, which was once home to the 1960s Motor Inn. This boutique hotel combines the architectural ambiance of Mexico with the local art of the city, and also boasts a refreshing fifth floor pool and bar area. With new flexible options, you can now book your stay with no deposit and cancel up to one day before your stay, making it commitment free!
Stanton House is located downtown in a recently renovated historic building. This intimate hotel is an 8-minute walk from the El Paso Museum of Art and is a romantic blend of culture and hospitality, offering 42 guestrooms.
The luxurious Hotel Paso del Norte recently underwent a renovation in 2019 and will be opening late this summer with 351 beautifully appointed rooms. The complete renovation of this historic hotel will slip onto the A-List in Marriott’s Autograph Collection.
Find more hotel options here.
Where to Shop
El Paso is the Boot Capital of Texas. In fact, many of the world’s finest boot makers are here! So now that your trunk is cleared out for shopping bags, start by heading toward Gateway Boulevard to pick up some new boots from one of our Best Stores, Lucchese Factory Outlet. With boots for every occasion to suit every style, you won’t be leaving this store empty-handed.
Hours: Thursday-Monday: 11am-6pm and 11am-12pm for at-risk customers
If you’re up for even more boot browsing, then you definitely need to make an appointment at Best Store Rocketbuster Boots, where you can shop among some of the biggest stars with custom made boots that will fit like a glove! To make an appointment call 915-541-1300.
After you’ve treated your fancy feet, we think you should head to the El Paso Imports headquarters warehouse to pick up a treat for your home. This store has some of the best prices around and an unbeatable collection of home furnishings. Wanna add your own spin to something you see? No problem—they’ve got you covered with custom orders!
Hours: Monday-Friday: 8am-5pm and Saturday: 10am-5pm
For day two of your West Texas shopping adventure, we recommend starting off at GAL Fashion. At GAL Fashion, you will find a quaint selection of some of your favorite brands, along with fashion experts to tell you how great your little black dress would look with that clutch.
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10am-6pm
You can’t leave El Paso without stopping at Whoopee Bowl Antiques, an 11,000 square foot antique mall with everything from old wagon wheels to street lights and everything in between! You can never have too many antiques, and we know you won’t leave this shop empty-handed.
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10am-5pm
At Dave’s A Pawn Shop you never know what you might find! This famous shop is packed full of unique and crazy items that have been known to give people goosebumps. If you’re in El Paso, it is a requirement that you take a stroll around this kooky pawn shop.
Where to Eat
The food in El Paso is worthy of a culinary tour. We just can’t end our summer getaway trip without a list of some of our favorite dining spots:
Breakfast:
- The Kitchen at 150 Sunset: Located in a nursery and features locally grown produce on the menu. The locals call it “an oasis in the desert.”
- Crave Kitchen & Bar: Near the university, be sure to order the famous Chicken & Waffles.
- KiKi’s Café: Order the Machaca plate, a local favorite of eggs, beans, Mexican rice and green chile. Kiki’s has been featured on the Food Network.
- H & H Car Wash: Part car wash, part Mexican restaurant, this El Paso favorite has been featured on the Food Network. Huevos rancheros is the classic Tex Mex breakfast order!
Lunch or Dinner options:
- Cattleman’s Steakhouse at Indian Cliffs Ranch: A 35-minute drive from downtown (and worth it!), this spot serves the best steaks of your life.
- L & J Café: An El Paso “must see.” It’s the oldest family-owned restaurant in El Paso and is THE culinary definition of Tex-Mex. You haven’t really experienced El Paso until you have enjoyed an enchilada and a margarita from L & J.
- Anson 11: This unique two-story restaurant has a bistro on the first floor and fine dining section on the second to suit your every mood.
- Cafe Central: Named one of the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in the Country, this is a chic downtown spot with a diverse selection of dishes.
Brunch:
Check out El Paso’s Brunch Tour
What To Do
Situated in the heart of downtown, San Jacinto Plaza is a historic park that is home to the restored Los Lagartos public art sculpture and offers friends and families a place to relax and relish.
Pick up lunch or dinner to-go from downtown favorites to create a DIY picnic in the park! Anson 11, a mix of bistro and fine dining, is accepting call-in and online orders Tuesday-Friday, 11am-6pm. You’ve also gotta try the local brews and elote from DeadBeach Brewery, offering curbside pickup from 12pm-6pm on Thursdays and Sundays and from 12pm-8pm Friday-Saturday.
Located in El Paso’s Lower Valley, the Historic Mission Trail is rich in history dating back 400 years. Sure to take your breath away, these three adobe churches remain as living testaments to the faith of the Spanish and Indian ancestors.
If you’re up for a scenic drive, there are some additional gems to discover north of the city like the mountains of Ruidoso.
More El Paso Adventures:
