Free guide
El Paso Visitor Guide
Everything a first-time visitor needs, on one page — what to see, where to eat, where to stay, how to get around, and how the border actually works. Print it, save it, or take it with you.
Quick facts
- Population
- 678,815 — 2020 U.S. Census
- Location
- Far West Texas, across the Rio Grande from Ciudad Juárez
- Climate
- High desert climate; hot summers, cool winters and seasonal monsoon storms
- Drive times
- Travel times vary by destination, traffic and border queues
- ZIP codes
- 79901, 79915, 79912, 79936, 79938, plus Upper Valley 79932
- Getting around
- Sun Metro buses, Brio and the Streetcar; a car helps for outlying destinations
See & do
- •Rio Grande paths — check access and choose cooler morning hours
- •El Paso Zoo — wildlife exhibits and family activities
- •Downtown El Paso — the walkable historic downtown
- •Hueco Tanks — rock formations and guided cultural tours
- •Franklin Mountains State Park — mountains on one side, calm bay on the other
- •Scenic Drive — sweeping views of El Paso and Ciudad Juárez
Eat & drink
- •Mariscos at lunch — aguachile, ceviche tostadas, shrimp cocktails
- •Al pastor at night — look for a visible trompo and a line
- •Pan dulce from a local panadería in the morning
- •Borderland favorites: burritos, enchiladas and chile-based dishes
- •Independent breweries and coffee roasters downtown
Stay
- •Downtown — historic hotels, convention center and arts venues
- •I-10 corridor — the value play, minutes from everything
- •Westside & Far East — quiet, family-friendly, near the trails
- •Franklin Mountains & Hueco Tanks — check camping rules and reservations
Get around & cross
- •Streetcar: Downtown and UTEP area; check current service
- •I-10, US 54 and Loop 375 connect major parts of the city
- •Check downtown meters and garage rates; park once and walk
- •Check pedestrian crossing hours and CBP wait times before leaving
- •Passport or passport card required to re-enter the US
Plan by the day
Live local pages worth checking the morning of your trip: sunset and golden hour times, trail and river conditions, air quality, border wait times, freeway drive times, and the cheapest gas in the city.
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Weekly digest
The week in El Paso, in one email
Every week we send the top 5–7 events with a short "what not to miss" summary — plus the current deal of the day. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
Details change. Confirm hours, prices and border requirements with the operator before you travel.