Straddling the Rio Grande, El Paso blends centuries of history—Indigenous, Spanish, Mexican, and American—into a culture all its own. Once a frontier outpost along the Camino Real, today it’s a welcoming desert city crowned by the Franklin Mountains and lit by gasp-worthy sunsets. You’ll taste the region’s story in every bite of red and green chile, and hear it in the mariachi echoing off historic plazas.

The city’s walkable downtown packs in the Plaza Theatre, El Paso Museum of Art, and a resurgent dining scene, while nearby neighborhoods reveal murals, panaderías, and craft breweries. Outdoor lovers can hike from town into a state park, scramble to rock art at Hueco Tanks, or road-trip to gypsum dunes at White Sands. Evenings linger on patios with smoked brisket, regional wines, or a classic margarita.

Practical notes: Summer is hot and dry—carry water, sunscreen, and start hikes early. If you plan to cross to Ciudad Juárez, bring a passport and check current advisories before you go. Renting a car makes day trips easy; rideshare works well in-town. El Paso’s cuisine ranges from heritage Tex-Mex institutions to James Beard–recognized kitchens—arrive hungry.

El Paso

El Paso—aka Sun City—sits where Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico meet, and it shows. In a single day you might admire Bhutanese-inspired architecture at UTEP, hike to a desert cave, then dig into iconic enchiladas at a 1920s roadhouse. Art deco gems, streetcar tracks, and mural-lined barrios tell a living story of the border.

• Top sights: Franklin Mountains State Park (Tom Mays Unit), Scenic Drive Overlook, El Paso Museum of Art, Plaza Theatre, Chamizal National Memorial, Concordia Cemetery, El Paso Mission Trail (Ysleta, Socorro, San Elizario), UTEP Centennial Museum & Chihuahuan Desert Gardens.
• Neighborhood flavor: Downtown for museums and nightlife; Segundo Barrio for murals and pan dulce; Westside for mountain views; Eastside for desert adventure and barbecue.
• Where to stay: Browse trusted stays on VRBO El Paso (casitas with patios, family homes near the mountains) or hotels on Hotels.com El Paso (downtown boutiques, UTEP-adjacent stays, budget airport hotels).
• Getting here: Fly into ELP. Check fares and routes on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: ~1h20 from Phoenix, ~1h45 from Dallas/Fort Worth, ~2h from Denver; roundtrip deals often range ~$180–$450 depending on season.

Day 1: Arrival, Downtown Stroll, and a Borderland Welcome

Afternoon: Arrive at ELP and settle into your hotel or casita (Hotels.com El Paso or VRBO El Paso). Stretch your legs around San Jacinto Plaza—look for the alligator fountain honoring a quirky local past. Pop into the El Paso Museum of Art if time allows for a regional masterworks primer.

Evening: Kick off with modern Mexican at ELEMI (house nixtamal, inventive salsas) or heirloom plates at Café Central (steak-and-seafood stalwart with white-tablecloth polish). For a casual toast, try DeadBeach Brewery—order the Abuela Stout or a seasonal chile beer—and share a brisket sandwich if you’re peckish.

Day 2: Museums, Plaza Theatre, and a Haunted Walk

Morning: Espresso and a pastry at 2Ten Coffee Roasters downtown, then explore the El Paso Museum of History’s interactive “DIGIE” wall to swipe through century-spanning images. Walk the handsome lobbies and facades around the Plaza Theatre; if a guided tour is offered the day you visit, it’s worth it for the chandeliers and backstage lore.

Afternoon: Head to Chamizal National Memorial for exhibits on the shifting U.S.–Mexico border and a peaceful park stroll along the Rio Grande’s historic channel. Lunch at Salt + Honey Bakery Café—think chile-glazed fried chicken sandwiches, bright salads, and excellent lemon bars.

Evening: Join the atmospheric Wraiths of the West Texas Wind: El Paso Ghost Tour to hear tales of outlaws, vaudeville stars, and restless spirits around downtown landmarks.

Cap the night with late tacos at L&J Café, a beloved roadhouse since 1927—order red-chile enchiladas “Montado” style and thank us later.

Day 3: Franklin Mountains Hike, UTEP, and Craft Brews

Morning: Fuel up with a cortado and cake doughnut at Hillside Coffee & Donut Co., then drive to Franklin Mountains State Park (Tom Mays Unit). Hike the Aztec Cave Trail (1.2 miles RT, moderate) into a limestone cave with sweeping views, or tackle part of the Upper Sunset Trail for ridge panoramas. Bring water; day-use fees are modest (about $5 per adult).

Afternoon: Cruise the Scenic Drive Overlook along Rim Road for a postcard vista over El Paso and Juárez. Swing by UTEP’s campus to see its distinctive Bhutanese-style architecture, then visit the Centennial Museum & Chihuahuan Desert Gardens for native flora. Lunch at Ruli’s International Kitchen—housemade pastas and panini with a border twist.

Evening: Sample small-batch ales at Old Sheepdog Brewery in Segundo Barrio, surrounded by vibrant murals. Dinner at Taft-Díaz (inside the Stanton House) for refined Mexican plates—think duck carnitas or charred octopus—paired with a thoughtful agave spirits list.

Day 4: Mission Trail, Art, and Red Sands UTV Adventure

Morning: Breakfast burritos at 2Ten Coffee (Mesa) or a pan dulce stop at Bowie Bakery, then drive the historic El Paso Mission Trail to visit the Ysleta Mission, Socorro Mission, and San Elizario Chapel—some of the oldest continuously active churches in the U.S. In San Elizario, stroll the art district’s galleries and check the small but fascinating jail museum if open.

Afternoon: Snack stop at Licon Dairy (asadero cheese, rustic bites), then gear up for an adrenaline dash at the Red Sands area with the UTV Adventure Tour / Rental.

Expect sandy whoops, yucca-dotted vistas, and a spray of desert dust—wear sunglasses and a buff.

Evening: Eastside dinner at Desert Oak Barbecue (Central Texas–style brisket, jalapeño cheddar sausage, green-chile mac). If you still have energy, catch the sunset glow from the Transmountain Road scenic pullouts before heading back.

Day 5: White Sands National Park Day Trip

Morning: Quick breakfast at Salt + Honey or Kinley’s House Coffee, then drive ~1.5 hours to White Sands National Park near Alamogordo. Stop at the visitor center to rent or buy a sled and wax; then cruise the 8-mile Dunes Drive and walk the Interdune Boardwalk for families or the Alkali Flat Trail for seasoned hikers. Entrance is per-vehicle and valid for several days.

Afternoon: Picnic among gypsum dunes—cool to the touch even in heat—then begin your return, optionally pausing in Alamogordo for a snack. Back in El Paso, refresh at your hotel.

Evening: Downtown dinner at ELEMI if you missed it, or go classic at Rosco’s Burger Inn (griddled burgers, no frills, all flavor). Nightcap with a mezcal flight at Mamacitas (Hotel Indigo) or a quiet glass of wine at Craft & Social.

Day 6: Weekend Wine Tasting in Southern New Mexico

Morning to Afternoon: If it’s a weekend, join the Las Cruces El Paso Weekend Wine Shuttle for tastings at regional wineries—think Tempranillo, Mourvèdre, and off-dry whites framed by Organ Mountains views.

Leave the driving to your host, sip responsibly, and bring a tote for bottles. If it’s a weekday, swap with Day 5 or use today for more hiking or museum time.

Evening: Return to El Paso for dinner at Café Central (tableside flair and a long wine list) or keep it casual with al pastor tacos at Tacoholics (fast-casual favorite) and a gelato stroll around San Jacinto Plaza.

Day 7: Float, Brunch, and Farewell

Morning: Feel the rush without the airplane at El Paso Indoor Skydiving Experience with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate at iFLY—an instructor-led session in a vertical wind tunnel that suits beginners.

Celebrate afterward with brunch at Salt + Honey (chilaquiles with just-right heat) or Café Mayapán (home-style Mexican recipes supporting a social enterprise).

Afternoon: Last-minute souvenirs: pick up local roasted beans from 2Ten, mesquite honey, or a bag of blue cornmeal. Depart ELP in the afternoon—check Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com for updates and options.

Evening: If your flight is later, squeeze in one last view from the Scenic Drive Overlook—watch the desert city flicker to life as the sun dips behind the Franklins.

Optional Add-Ons and Local Gems

• Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site: Guided tours to see ancient rock art require advance reservations; day-use bouldering is limited by permit—plan ahead.
• Concordia Cemetery: Old West history, including the grave of gunslinger John Wesley Hardin.
• El Paso Streetcar: A restored PCC streetcar loops downtown/UTEP on select days—fun and photogenic; check operating hours on arrival.
• Another night tour: Prefer puzzles to phantoms? Try a city scavenger hunt like the Astounding Scavenger Hunt in Sun City for app-led exploring.

  

Where to Eat & Drink (quick list to mix into your week):

• L&J Café: Borderland institution for enchiladas, chile rellenos, and a lively cantina vibe.
• ELEMI: House-nixtamalized tortillas and seasonal salsas—modern, bright, and creative.
• Desert Oak Barbecue: Smoked meats with Southwest sides; good for groups.
• Taft-Díaz: Stylish downtown spot for refined Mexican cuisine and agave-forward cocktails.
• 2Ten Coffee Roasters: Local roaster with multiple cafés—reliable espresso, burritos, and pastries.
• Old Sheepdog Brewery & DeadBeach Brewery: Local craft anchors with rotating taps and food partners.
• Café Central: Date-night favorite; long-running fine dining near the Plaza.

El Paso rewards those who linger: hike at sunrise, wander historic missions by day, and count a thousand city lights by night. Between chile-scented kitchens and wide-open desert, this 7-day itinerary balances culture, cuisine, and adventure—leaving you with stories (and flavors) that linger well after the plane lifts off.