Welcome to El Paso Attractions!

There is so much to do in El Paso. The rich cultural blend that created the heritage of El Paso has given birth to an incredible array of attractions. From zoos, to historical landmarks, to a wealth of museums you will find it all in El Paso. Visit the hundreds of animals at the El Paso Zoo or explore the eight-mile El Paso Mission Trail featuring some of the oldest active historic missions in the United States today. Take a trip to the art museum and see over 5,000 works of art on display ready for your viewing pleasure. When you are through there take a trek to one of the state parks and enjoy some hiking or rock climbing. Capture the kids with a trip they are sure to love, the Western Playland Amusement Park. If sports are more your style El Paso has a professional soccer team, The El Paso Patriots, and a rodeo. And when you are looking for that perfect gift El Paso serves up a big Texas shopping experience. If you are hungry not to worry, Texas restaurants dish up a hearty helping of some of the tastiest Mexican dishes you could ever find anywhere. Let hotelsonline.com show you some of our favorite places to stay and to play.

El Paso Zoo
A stroll through the El Paso Zoo brings guests up-close and personal with animals from around the world. The 18-acre zoo houses 600 animals of 175 species. In recent years, the zoo hatched a rare thick-billed parrot, an endangered species from the Sierra Madre Occidental in Chihuahua and Durango, Mexico. Admission to the zoo costs $4 for adults, $3 for seniors age 62 and older, $2 for children ages 3 to 12, and nothing for children age 2 and younger. The zoo is located at 4001 E. Paisano. Call the zoo at (915) 521-1850 for information about its hours.

Franklin Mountains State Park
Franklin Mountains State Park, with all 24,247.56 acres within El Paso's city limits, is the largest urban park in the nation. The Franklin Mountains, which overlook the Rio Grande, provide a fantastic backdrop for the city. Hiking, picnicking, wildlife viewing, bird-watching, rock climbing, biking, and camping are the top activities at the state park. The park conducts ranger-led tours, for groups of 10 people, on the first and third weekends of every month. The state park's visitor center is located at 1331 McKelligon Canyon Road. Call the visitor center at (915) 566-6441 to make tour reservations and get information about the park's hours and fees.

Hueco Tanks State Historical Park
Hueco Tanks State Historical Park is named after the large rock basins, or huecos, that supplied trapped rainwater to settlers and travelers for millennia. Visitors flock to the park to see the Native American drawings, or pictographs, that represent three distinct cultures. Hueco Tanks State Historical Park is also an excellent venue for wildlife viewing. A variety of animals feed on the seasonal "blooms" of tiny translucent shrimp in the basins. The park's visitor center, a historic ranch house, is located at 6900 Hueco Tanks Road (32 miles northeast of El Paso). Call the park at (915) 857-1135 for general information regarding its hours and fees, (915) 849-6684 for camping or tour reservations, and (512) 389-8900 for day-use reservations.

Viva! El Paso Outdoor Pageant
Viva! El Paso Outdoor Pageant is an outdoor musical drama that celebrates El Paso's 400-year history. It takes place in the scenic McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater, on McKelligon Canyon off of Alabama. Creative sets, period costumes, action sequences, and special effects make the play visually exciting. The outdoor pageant starts the last week in June and runs through the first week in September. Shows start at 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Call the Viva! El Paso Outdoor Pageant at (915) 565-6900 for general information, and (915) 544-8444 to purchase tickets to a show.

Western Playland Amusement Park
Western Playland Amusement park is fun for the whole family. It boasts a large collection of children's rides, such as swirling teacups and a merry-go-round. Tsunami, which consists of a 50-foot drop culminating in a drenching splash, beckons to the older and more adventurous. Once the water rides, bumper cars, go carts, and roller-coasters get exhausting, guests can try their luck at a skill game or snack on concessions. The amusement park is located at 6900 Delta Drive. Contact the park at (915) 772-3953 for information about its various admission packages and seasonal hours.

Wet 'N' Wild Waterworld
Wet 'N' Wild Waterworld's shade trees and water rides provide a respite from El Paso's baking heat. The 37-acre water park is the third-largest of its kind in Texas. Guests can bring their own food and drink into the park and use rental grills. Concessions are also available. To reach Wet 'N' Wild Waterworld, take Interstate 10 West to Anthony Exit O, u-turn onto the access road, and head straight towards the park. Call the water park at (915) 886-2222 for information about its hours and admission fees.

Historical

Chamizal National Memorial
The Chamizal Convention, held in 1963, resulted in a treaty that ended a centurylong border dispute between Mexico and the United States. The Chamizal National Memorial, located at 800 S. San Marcial St., commemorates this event. People venture to the area for its scenic views, special events, concerts, and hiking. Cordova Island Trail, almost two miles in length, encircles the 55-acre urban park. Visitors hiking the trail can view gorgeous mountain and downtown vistas. An outdoor mural, titled Nuestra Herencia, depicts El Paso's history and cultural diversity. Contact the Chamizal National Memorial visitor center at (915) 532-7273 for information about its hours.

Concordia Cemetery
Many of El Paso's pioneering families and Western outlaws are buried in Concordia Cemetery. The most famous gravestone in the cemetery belongs to John Wesley Hardin, the fastest gunslinger in the West. John Wesley Hardin admitted to shooting 44 men in gun duals before he was sent to prison at age 25. Upon release, he lived in El Paso and worked as a lawyer - until he was shot in the back of the head. Visitors often place poker hands, colt .45 cartridges, and votive candles by his gravestone. Concordia Cemetery is located at Copia Street and Interstate 10.

El Paso Mission Trail
Visitors should not leave El Paso without exploring the eight-mile El Paso Mission Trail. It features 17th- and 18th-century historic missions that are among the oldest active missions in the nation today. Mission Ysleta, located at 9501 Socorro Road, features an ornate altar, stained glass windows, and Christian paintings and sculptures. Missino Socorro, located two miles east of Ysleta on Soccoro Road, is notable for its Indian-decorated vigas (carved and painted ceiling beams). The San Elizario Presidio Chapel, the third mission on the trail, and the Tigua Indian Cultural Center are two additional must-see stops. The El Paso Mission Trail is located on Socorro Road.

Magoffin Home State Historic Site
The Magoffin Home State Historic Site, built in 1875 for pioneer Joseph Magoffin, is the only historical house museum open to the public in El Paso. The adobe home is a wonderful example of Territorial style architecture - a style that blends adobe materials with mid-Victorian wood trim. The home's 19 rooms feature period furnishings that reflect pioneer life. The Magoffin family lived in the residence, located at 1120 Magoffin Ave., until the late 20th century. Guided tours are available of the home. Call the Magoffin Home State Historic Site at (915) 533-5147 for information about its hours, admission fees, and guided tours.

Museums

El Paso Museum of Archaeology at Wilderness Park
The exhibits within the El Paso Museum of Archaeology explore American Indian lifeways, culture, and art from ancient times to the present. It specifically focuses on the American Indian inhabitants of the El Paso area, the American Southwest, and Northern Mexico. Wilderness Park features 15 acres of nature trails, outdoor exhibits, and native plants. Both the museum and the park are free to the public. Wilderness Park is located at 4301 Transmountain Road, at the base of the Franklin Mountains. Call the El Paso Museum of Archaeology at (915) 755-4332 for information about its hours.

El Paso Museum of Art
The El Paso Museum of Art's permanent collection comprises 5,000 works of art. Its holdings include European art from the 13th to 18th centuries, American art from the 19th to 20th centuries, Mexican colonial art and retablos from the 18th to 19th centuries, works on paper, and contemporary art from Mexico and the southwestern United States. The El Paso Museum of Art is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. The museum is located at 1 Arts Festival Plaza. Admission is free. Call (915) 532-1707 for information about guided tours.

El Paso Museum of History
The El Paso Museum of History delves into the city's colorful past and rich heritage. Its pictures and artifacts explore El Paso's American Indian inhabitants, Spanish colonial days, and border disputes. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays. Admission to the museum is free, but donations are graciously accepted. The museum is located at 12901 Gateway West. Call the El Paso Museum of History at (915) 858-1928 for additional information.

Fort Bliss Museum
The Fort Bliss Museum is an exact replica of the original adobe buildings that existed from 1854 to 1868. Guests can take a self-guided tour of the museum's period rooms and outdoor displays to learn more about Fort Bliss' history. The museum is open every day from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Admission is free, but donations are graciously accepted. The Fort Bliss Museum is located at Building 5054, at Pleasanton Road and Sheridan Drive. Call (915) 568-4518 or (915) 568-6941 for additional information.

U.S. Air Defense Artillery Museum
The U.S. Air Defense Artillery Museum displays anti-aircraft weapons from around the world. It is located at Building 5000 on Pleasanton Road in Fort Bliss. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Call the U.S. Air Defense Artillery Museum at (915) 568-2711 for additional information.

U.S. Border Patrol Museum
The U.S. Border Patrol Museum, located at 4315 Transmountain Drive, educates and demonstrates how the Border Patrol operates in the United States and Puerto Rico. It is the only museum dedicated to the Border Patrol, a federal agency founded in El Paso in 1924. Uniforms, vehicles, documents, and art help illustrate the Border Patrol's history. Highlights of the museum include a Piper Super Cub plane and a Hughes OH-6A helicopter. Admission to the museum is free, but donations are accepted. Call the U.S. Border Patrol Museum at (915) 759-6060 for information about its hours.