Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit In El Paso, Texas

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El Paso splits its days between the Franklin Mountains and a cluster of museums downtown, with the zoo and San Jacinto Plaza filling the hours between. Franklin Mountains State Park covers 27,000 acres and more than 100 miles of trail. Pick a trailhead, not the map. Ranger Peak stands 5,632 feet up. The Wyler Aerial Tramway that used to carry visitors there is closed, so the peak is a walk now. The ground is rock and gravel. Heat sets the schedule here more than opening times do, and mornings cost your legs far less than afternoons.

El Paso is an amazing travel destination in Texas. Here is our list of El Paso, Texas’s top activities and attractions, so you can make the most of your time there. Scroll down for the best things to do in El Paso, Texas, and the best places to visit in El Paso, Texas.

Ascarate Park

You can’t go wrong with Ascarate Park, the biggest recreational park in El Paso County if you’re looking for other destinations to go on vacation.

The largest open-air recreation area in El Paso County, Ascarate Park, is known for sports, picnics, fishing, and other recreation activities.

The complex covers 400 acres, with 280 acres of golf course and 48 acres of surface lake.

You can engage in various activities at Ascarate Park, and there are also plenty of open outdoor areas where you can play.

The 18-hole golf course is 72 par, and there is a smaller 9-hole course called the Delta 9.

In addition, there is plenty of grass if you want to kick a ball around or bring your mitt and ball.

There are numerous fishing options at Ascarate Lake, where you may catch trout in winter and catfish in summer. Fascinating.

Grab your swimmers and head from the lake to the pool since the Aquatic Center has a 50-meter Olympic-sized pool and a kid-friendly smaller pool. 

You can slide away on the four kid-sized slides as well.

When you need a short break from exploring, the park in El Paso, Texas, is one of the most peaceful places to visit.

To fully appreciate the unique nature of it all, bring a picnic basket or simply watch the ducks on the lake.

Address: 6900 Delta Dr, El Paso, TX 79905, United States

Ascarate Park is El Paso County’s public recreation ground rather than a scenic one. An 18-hole golf course at 72 par, the smaller nine-hole Delta 9, a lake stocked with trout in winter and catfish in summer, and a 50-meter pool at the Aquatic Center. The Olympic length is the giveaway. This is where the county swims, not where it sightsees.

The lake end is the quiet end. Bring a picnic and the ducks handle the entertainment.

Chamizal National Memorial

Chamizal National Memorial is one of the top attractions in El Paso, Texas.

The Chamizal National Memorial may sound like a regal El Paso statue. Still, it’s actually a peaceful urban park that’s among the most beautiful sites in Texas to visit this weekend.

With galleries, a theater, and even a museum, it covers roughly 55 acres. It serves as a cultural hub for the El Paso neighborhood.

Now that it is home to unusual plants and wildlife that are particular to this area, the Chamizal National Memorial benefits from its unique border location.

Kids can play to their hearts’ content in the open, lush gardens.

Seasonal activities include concerts and other cultural performances. 

There are events connected to the yearly Siglo de Oro Drama Festival, which honors Spanish drama, and outdoor summer concerts as part of the Music Under the Stars series.

Additionally, the natural trails make for good riding and trekking, with views of the Franklin Mountains as a reward.

The impressive memorial, which houses a museum, a theater, and art galleries, regularly holds festivals and other special events. 

The good news is free entry is offered. You can explore Chamizal National Memorial if you are looking for a budget-friendly location.

Address: 800 S San Marcial St, El Paso, TX 79905, United States

Chamizal National Memorial marks the settlement of a border dispute between the United States and Mexico. It covers roughly 55 acres. Entry is free. Galleries, a theater and a museum sit inside the park, and the yearly Siglo de Oro Drama Festival and the Music Under the Stars concerts are held here.

What is the Chamizal dispute? It was a disagreement over where the border ran after the river moved. The memorial commemorates its resolution, which is why a park rather than a monument stands on the ground.

El Paso Holocaust Museum & Study Center

El Paso Holocaust Museum & Study Center is one of the fascinating spots in El Paso, Texas.

This is among Texas’s most historically significant free activities because there is no admission fee.

For additional knowledge, it was developed by Holocaust survivor Henry Kellen as a way to spread knowledge and awareness about resistance and injustice.

You will see ongoing displays providing knowledge about all aspects of World War II and life in Europe before the rise of the Nazis. 

A gallery of Holocaust survivors from El Paso is also present.

The Holocaust Museum and Study Center is an educational destination that offers thorough knowledge presented through intelligent exhibitions, artifacts, and digital media.

Although certain temporary exhibits are occasionally set up, most pieces on display are part of a permanent collection. So you can still explore them anytime.

Upon visiting, you will see the dining table scene and tributes to those who died during those terrible years.

The Third Reich exhibitions are a further part of the permanent display. It will teach you about its ideologies and atrocities on life under the Nazi government.

Throughout the year, the museum provides educational programs and workshops.

If you’re up on witnessing other impressive things in Texas, book a visit to El Paso Holocaust Museum & Study Center today.

Address: 715 N Oregon St, El Paso, TX 79902, United States

The El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center was founded by Henry Kellen, a Holocaust survivor. There is no admission fee. The permanent collection covers life in Europe before the Nazi government, the Third Reich, and the survivors who settled in El Paso. A gallery is given to them by name.

This is not an hour to slot between the zoo and lunch. Come to it on its own, or come to it first.

El Paso Municipal Rose Garden

Make sure to schedule some free time to visit the aromatic Municipal Rose Garden if you’re planning a trip to El Paso in Texas.

The public was first allowed access to the El Paso Municipal Rose Garden in 1959.

The garden holds more than 1,400 rose bushes across four acres.

The Municipal Rose Garden is also home to over 430 rose varieties, with new roses planted each year after being assessed for their tolerance of the climate here.

Meanwhile, volunteers take great care in caring for the roses, making the garden a welcome respite in the scorching El Paso desert heat. You won’t be disappointed.

Numerous gorgeous and relaxing attractions can be found in the Municipal Rose Gardens.

You will see raised beds that are convenient for viewing, trees, and shrubs that add to the peaceful greenery,

The Koi pond and waterfall also offer surprisingly peaceful serenity. Fascinating.

The tours are among the best things to do while the park is blooming.

Regular seasonal events, such as the family-friendly Kids and Kows festival, are also held, which educates kids about agriculture and development.

In addition, the area is equipped with benches where you can relax for a while or eat lunch. Enjoy.

Address: 1702 N. Copia St, El Paso, TX 79930, United States

The El Paso Municipal Rose Garden opened to the public in 1959 and holds more than 1,400 rose bushes across over 430 varieties, each assessed for whether it can take the desert. Volunteers do the tending. A koi pond and waterfall sit among raised beds built at viewing height.

Benches are set through the garden, so this is a lunch stop as much as a walk.

El Paso Museum and Art

With the abundance of outdoor activities available in Texas, you may want some relief from the sun.

Visiting the Museum of Art is among the top indoor activities in El Paso.

Being the only certified art museum within 250 miles, the El Paso Museum of Art was built in 1959 and is a popular attraction.

The oldest artifacts in the El Paso Museum of Art date back to the 12th century. You will see almost 7,000 impressive things in total. 

The museum will allow you to see and feel the South West’s natural beauty as well as successful and tragic stories.

In addition, there are works by Charles M. Russell, Frank Boggs, Gilbert Stuard, and Henry O. Tanner, among others, that you can see.

The museum’s collection is incredibly unique and includes photographs, prints, posters, drawings, and more.

El Paso Museum of Art will also offer you year-round activities for your enjoyment, including storytelling sessions and exhibitions.

Bring your kids with you because this museum is a kid-friendly destination. It offers workshops and classes as well as other engaging, hands-on activities.

It’s a fantastic place for the whole family, particularly if at least one of you is an art enthusiast.

Address: 1 Arts Festival Plaza, El Paso, United States

The El Paso Museum of Art was built in 1959 and is the only accredited art museum within 250 miles, which tells you something about the distances out here. Its oldest holdings date to the 12th century, and the collection runs to nearly 7,000 works, among them Charles M. Russell, Frank Boggs, Gilbert Stuard and Henry O. Tanner.

It is a genuine collection rather than a regional gallery, but it is not large. Pair it with something else downtown.

El Paso Museum of Archaeology

One of the coolest things to do in this Texas city is at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology.

The El Paso Museum of Archaeology has many exciting things to discover.

You’ll discover how civilization developed from that time forward to our more recent ancestors and beyond.

You will find impressive dioramas and galleries representing life in the area for the previous 14,000 years.

The museum is open to the public and is located on the north side of the city, close to the foot of the Franklin Mountains.

Its auditorium also hosts special lectures, events, and family programs. So you can expect many activities, and you can participate in them.

Also, you can find almost 250 indigenous species of the Chihuahuan Desert throughout the walking trails of the museum.

The El Paso Museum of Archaeology maintains 15 acres of ground surrounding the building.

In the museum, you will also find an Indian Garden, which holds a range of plants and views. Take advantage of it by taking a lot of instagrammable pictures.

Meanwhile, if you are looking for a relaxing place to rest, there’s a perfect spot for you. You will find a lovely gazebo where you can have picnics with your loved ones.

The El Paso Museum of Archaeology has a lot of immersive experiences for you to enjoy.

Address: 4301 Woodrow Bean Transmountain Dr, El Paso, United States

The El Paso Museum of Archaeology sets out 14,000 years of life in this basin through dioramas and galleries, and keeps 15 acres of ground around the building. Walking trails outside carry close to 250 indigenous species of the Chihuahuan Desert. The Indian Garden and a gazebo sit within them.

It stands on the north side of the city, at the foot of the Franklin Mountains, on Woodrow Bean Transmountain Drive. That is the same road as the National Border Patrol Museum, a few numbers along. Two very different museums, one drive.

El Paso Museum of History

Stopping by the El Paso Museum of History after a long tiring day in Texas is a must-try.

The interactive digital wall of the El Paso Museum of History, which is one of only four in the globe and the only one in the United States, is its crowning achievement.

The wall is 35 feet, and you will see an interactive digital archive with movies and pictures of El Paso’s past, present, and culture.

The Museum of History offers excellent educational insights into the city’s multicultural history and the Pass of the North, often known as the border reason.

Programs and displays usually feature interactive features, making them popular with visitors of all ages.

Adult workshops are available as well, so feel free to attend if you don’t have kids.

The Changing Past, For All The World To See, Sixth Wall Of Giants, Drawing On The Past, and Neighborhoods and Shared Memories are a few of the Museum of History’s most fascinating exhibits.

Many exhibitions cover topics including the Civil Rights movement, the city’s history of Fort Bliss, and more.

You might want to take this El Paso history tour after visiting the museum to learn more.

Address: 510 N Santa Fe St, El Paso, TX 79901, United States

The El Paso Museum of History explains the Pass of the North, which is the reason the city exists at all. Its 35-foot interactive digital wall is one of only four in the world and the only one in the United States, holding film and photographs of the city’s past. Exhibits cover Fort Bliss and the Civil Rights movement.

Where should you start if the border is what you came to understand? Start here, before the Border Patrol museum. This one gives you the centuries; that one gives you the agency.

Do the outdoor half first, before the heat takes the decision away from you. The El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens runs to 35 acres, and the African Star Train covers ground that small legs will not, which buys you an extra hour before anyone complains. Then the question comes from the back seat: why is a city here? The answer is a gap. The Franklin Mountains stop just short of the river, and the gap they leave is the pass that named El Paso. The El Paso Museum of History puts that on a 35-foot digital wall, one of only four in the world. Children stay at it. Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino and Western Playland Amusement Park sit in Sunland Park, across the state line. An afternoon there costs a drive each way. Leave San Jacinto Plaza until last. The splash pad fires at random intervals, the ping-pong tables are already netted, and nobody needs telling what to do.

El Paso Zoo and Botanical Garden

A strong option in El Paso, Texas, especially if you’re travelling with kids, is the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

If you are with your family, you may enjoy a fun day at the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens. 

You can visit the exhibits featuring animals from Africa, Asia, and the Americas, each home to several large and tiny animals.

The 35 acres of lush, beautiful greenery that make up this zoo are home to various animal species.

In addition, the zoo offers a variety of habitats, each created to provide the most natural surroundings for the wildlife thriving there.

Tortoises, sea lions, monkeys, and other magnificent species that call this place home regularly interact with tourists up close.

Meanwhile, it will also offer you a variety of activities and unique surroundings.

You can explore its year-round water play areas, a large treehouse playground, and an African Star Train, among other family-friendly activities. 

Your kids will surely appreciate the attractions like the summertime splash pad, the carousel, and the treehouse playground.

Additionally, a water play area, a Wildlife Amphitheater featuring performances, and even seasonal events are all available for you. Fascinating.

For extra fun, you can also experience the adventure in The Hunt Family Desert Spring and Giraffe Encounter.

If you’re in Texas, you should visit this fascinating spot if you’re nearby.

Address: 4001 E Paisano Dr., El Paso, United States

The El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens runs to 35 acres with animals from Africa, Asia and the Americas, and the habitats are built to suit them rather than the sightline. The African Star Train, a treehouse playground, a carousel and a summertime splash pad are all on site, along with the Hunt Family Desert Spring and the Giraffe Encounter.

The train earns its ticket on a hot day. It covers the ground children stop wanting to walk, which is usually sooner than anyone plans for.

Franklin Mountains State Park

Franklin Mountains State Park is one of the attractions for outdoor enthusiasts.

The Franklin Mountains can frequently be seen in the background of El Paso’s skyline.

Additionally, they provide a much-needed recreational outlet for both residents of El Paso and out-of-state vacationers.

With 27,000 acres under its belt, the Franklin Mountains State Park offers more than 100 miles of hiking, biking, and even rock climbing trails. 

For those who like to rough it overnight, five RV parking spaces and 14 tent sites are available.

There are lots of interesting things to do at this state park near El Paso, Texas.

Go geocaching, search for wildlife to observe, and follow ranger-led activities. Sounds fun.

You can just take full advantage of one of El Paso’s top tourist destinations.

You’ll be impressed by wonderful locations along the road, like the Native American rock sculptures that date back 12,000 years.

Additionally, you can also see and appreciate Ranger Peak, which rises 5,632 feet above the ground.

Numerous opportunities for animal viewing are available, as you shall discover. 

The Franklin Mountains also provide a range of spectacular routes if you are short on time.

Come and join the fun at Franklin Mountains State Park.

Address: Tom Mays Park Access Rd, El Paso, TX 79930, United States

Franklin Mountains State Park runs to 27,000 acres inside the city limits, with more than 100 miles of trail for hiking, biking and rock climbing, five RV spaces and 14 tent sites. Ranger Peak rises 5,632 feet. Native American rock sculptures dating back 12,000 years sit along the road through it.

The park is bigger than a visit. Choose one trailhead and one direction, and treat the rest as somewhere to come back to.

Can you do it without hiking? Yes. Geocaching, wildlife watching and ranger-led activities all work from the road, and Scenic Drive Overlook gives you the long view without leaving the pavement.

Magoffin Home State Historic State

One of the top attractions in El Paso is the Magoffin Home State Historic Site.

It was constructed in 1875 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Magoffin family, a multicultural family that contributed to the growth of America, is the subject of the Magoffin Home State Historic Site.

It’s a fantastic property to explore, with 19 rooms and Territorial architecture.

It also carries a long family history to share, and even dropping by for a while is worth the stop.

They still have a lot of the furniture they used back then, which today is on exhibit and reflects mid-Victorian design choices.

The building has sturdy adobe walls to protect it from harsh weather, and there is even art on display—plenty of paintings, photographs, and textiles.

This magnificent El Paso locale is situated on 1.5 acres of land that the Texas Historical Commission looks after and manages.

Visitor Center first if you want a tour with a guide.

You will discover information about the Magoffin history and the original settlers’ community whether you join a tour or explore on your own.

Address: 1120 Magoffin Ave, El Paso, TX 79901, United States

The Magoffin Home was built in 1875 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Inside: 19 rooms of Territorial architecture, thick adobe walls against the weather, and much of the family’s own mid-Victorian furniture still in place. The Texas Historical Commission manages the 1.5-acre site.

The house is the whole visit, and the guided tour is how you get the family’s story. Turn up planning to wander and you will get less out of it.

National Border Patrol Museum

One of the most unique locations in El Paso, Texas, is the National Border Patrol Museum.

The Border Patrol was established on 28 May 1924 under the Labor Appropriation Act, with 450 Patrol Inspectors on board.

This museum will allow you to have a fascinating look at the past of this significant US government agency.

The inside more than makes up for the building’s relatively uninteresting appearance.

The museum provides a distinctive perspective of the American Border Patrol, which dates all the way back to the days of the Old West.

The timeline of this history continues, taking you through Prohibition, World War II, and up to the contemporary period.

The museum’s exhibit of seized goods is one of its more interesting features.

You can now view the best items that were recovered, which were taken from border crossers who broke the law.

One of the highlights is the extensive collection of patrol vehicles, ranging from simple boats, motorcycles, and jeeps to complex helicopters and other aircraft types.

Exhibits featuring weaponry, uniforms, badges, pictures, and artwork are very fascinating. 

Chamizal National Memorial, a 55-acre location that honors the resolution of issues between Mexico and the US, is another destination well worth a visit.

There is no admission fee, so come and book your trip today.

Address: 4315 Woodrow Bean Transmountain, El Paso, TX 79924, United States

The National Border Patrol Museum traces the agency from its founding in 1924, when it ran with 450 Patrol Inspectors, through Prohibition and World War II to the present. Patrol vehicles fill much of it, from boats, motorcycles and jeeps to helicopters. Seized goods, weapons, uniforms and badges make up the rest. There is no admission fee.

It sits on Woodrow Bean Transmountain Drive, a few doors from the El Paso Museum of Archaeology, so the two pair into one trip up the mountain road.

San Jacinto Plaza

Now is the ideal time to visit Downtown El Paso’s restored San Jacinto Plaza if you haven’t already.

The historic park offers a place to sit and take in the restored Los Lagartos public art sculpture. Still, it also provides a variety of entertaining activities.

The plaza includes activities for everyone, whether you like to splash around, play a challenging game of chess, or practice your serve.

You can also take your dog for a stroll; just make sure your furry friend is on a proper leash.

The splash pad has several water jets that shoot out of the ground, allowing kids and adults of all ages to cool off from the El Paso heat.

The fact that the jets fly out randomly makes the experience even more enjoyable because you never know where the next splash will come from. Don’t forget to pack a towel.

Meanwhile, there are three ping-pong tables with sturdy nets already installed. You only need to bring your own paddles and balls to start a game.

If you are hungry, there are snacks available in San Jacinto Plaza. You can grab burgers, Cuban sandwiches, paninis, hot dogs, tacos, lettuce wraps, nachos, and many more.

Come and join the fun at San Jacinto Plaza.

Address: 114 W Mills Ave, El Paso, TX 79901, United States

San Jacinto Plaza is downtown El Paso’s restored square, built around the Los Lagartos sculpture. A splash pad sends water up from the ground at random, three ping-pong tables stand ready with nets fitted, and there is a chess table for anyone who wants one. Food stalls run to burgers, Cuban sandwiches, panini, hot dogs, tacos and nachos.

Bring paddles and balls if you want the tables, and a towel if the splash pad is running. Dogs are welcome on a lead.

Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino

Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino covers both the slots and its restaurants.

An exciting day out with the family can be had at the Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino. 

The track has live horse racing, a casino, and dining options.

In the most famous casino, you can experience betting on a horse race or just swinging by to catch a show.

Take advantage of more than 700 cutting-edge slot machines and year-round simulcast betting from tracks around the globe.

From December to April, you will find modern slot machine gambling, daily broadcast shows, and quarter horse and racehorse horse racing.

In addition, there are also dining options, including a Las Vegas-style buffet and live entertainment, that are all available at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.

Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino works for families and for groups of friends alike.

You can play games and bet your slot anytime you want.

Make sure to stop by the nearest dining options and food stalls around the area if you are looking for something to eat.

At Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, you will experience many fun adventures. So don’t miss out.

Address: 1200 Futurity Dr, Sunland Park, NM 88063, United States

Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino combines live quarter horse and racehorse racing from December to April with more than 700 slot machines, year-round simulcast betting, a buffet and live entertainment.

It stands on Futurity Drive in Sunland Park, directly opposite Western Playland Amusement Park, which makes the pair a single outing rather than two.

It is over the state line, so this is not an El Paso address despite being minutes from the city. Worth knowing before anyone maps it.

Western Playland Amusement Park

Western Playland Amusement Park is a perfect destination if you are looking for many fun adventures.

The original park started in 1960 and relocated in 2006.

The 25-acre Western Playland Amusement Park is absolutely filled with thrilling and entertaining experiences and rides for the whole family.

Rides are accessible to anyone as young as one year old.

The 30 acres of classic attractions and roller coasters at Western Playland Amusement Park include The Hurricane and the Pharaoh’s Fury.

The Flying Scooter, the Drop Zone, the Scrambler, and the Tilt-a-Whirl are some well-known rides.

In addition, go and have fun in El Bandido. It is a roller coaster with astonishing and heart-racing heights.

The Tsunami is another fun thing you must try. It sends a tidal wave of 70 feet slamming at you.

The park also features attractions for little thrill-seekers, such as Granny Bugs and U-Cars for parents of small kids.

For hamburgers, hot dogs, and a variety of other delectable foods, stop by the food stands.

Visit the Western Playland Amusement Park this weekend with the kids, and you’ll have a blast. 

It’s unquestionably one of the attractions you shouldn’t miss while in El Paso, Texas.

Address: 1249 Futurity Dr, Sunland Park, NM 88063, United States

Western Playland opened in 1960 and moved to its present site in 2006. The rides run from El Bandido and The Hurricane to Pharaoh’s Fury, the Flying Scooter, the Drop Zone, the Scrambler and the Tilt-a-Whirl. The Tsunami sends a 70-foot wall of water at whoever is standing closest. Granny Bugs and the U-Cars cover the small ones, who can ride from age one.

Food stands handle burgers and hot dogs, so the day does not need a break in it.

Wyler Aerial Tramway

Closed since September 2018. Texas Parks and Wildlife shut the Wyler Aerial Tramway after an engineering assessment found it had passed its life expectancy, and the department states that the tramway and grounds are closed on safety grounds, with access allowed only during guided programs. Everything below describes how it worked when it ran. For the current position, see Texas Parks and Wildlife’s tramway updates.

On the rocky mountain and rock formations on the east side of the Franklin Mountains, the Wyler Aerial Tramway is located in Franklin Mountains State Park.

Half the fun is in driving the paved road that winds up the east side of the Franklin Mountains from the McKinley and Alabama streets crossroads. 

Meanwhile, you will see a parking lot at the height of 4,692 feet. Fascinating.

The gondola ran on a 2,600-foot steel cable from the tramway station to the peak of Rangers Peak.

The journey took about four minutes, and a cabin attendant narrated it, pointing out cacti, wildlife and bird life on the way up.

You may take in the view over 7,000 square miles, encompassing three states and two countries, from the Peak of the Peak, which is 5,632 feet above sea level.

The ride was the part children remembered, and tickets covered both directions.

Scenic Drive Overlook, on the same side of the mountain, is open and carries much of the same view over the city.

Address: 1700 McKinley Ave, El Paso, TX 79930, United States

The tramway carried passengers 2,600 feet of steel cable to the top of Ranger Peak, 5,632 feet up, and the view from there took in 7,000 square miles across three states and two countries. That view is still there. The way up is not, so reaching Ranger Peak now means walking or driving Scenic Drive instead.

It sits inside Franklin Mountains State Park, on the east face, at the top of the paved road that climbs from the McKinley and Alabama crossroads. The park itself remains open; the tramway site does not.

So what is worth doing here now? Scenic Drive Overlook. It sits lower on the same mountain, it is open, and the view is most of the reason people came up in the first place.

Frequently asked questions about El Paso, Texas

Is the Wyler Aerial Tramway in El Paso open?

No. The Wyler Aerial Tramway in El Paso, Texas has been closed since September 2018, when Texas Parks and Wildlife shut it after an engineering assessment found it had passed its life expectancy. The tramway and grounds remain closed on safety grounds, with access only during guided programs. It used to run to Ranger Peak at 5,632 feet, over a view of 7,000 square miles taking in three states and two countries. For that view today, Scenic Drive Overlook is open and sits on the same side of the mountain.

What is on show at the National Border Patrol Museum in El Paso?

The National Border Patrol Museum in El Paso, Texas holds patrol vehicles, seized goods, weapons, uniforms and badges, and charges no admission fee. The vehicle collection runs from boats, motorcycles and jeeps up to helicopters. If the border is the reason you came, this and the El Paso Museum of History cover it from two directions.

How much of Franklin Mountains State Park can you take in without a long hike?

Franklin Mountains State Park in El Paso, Texas covers 27,000 acres with more than 100 miles of trail, so a short visit means choosing one trailhead rather than trying the park. The Wyler Aerial Tramway used to be the gentle way up to Ranger Peak, but it is closed, so Scenic Drive Overlook is the low-effort option now. Native American rock sculptures lie along the road. Geocaching and ranger-led activities need no distance at all.

Are Western Playland and Sunland Park Racetrack actually in El Paso, Texas?

No. Western Playland Amusement Park and Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino both sit in Sunland Park, over the state line from El Paso, Texas. The drive is short, but it is a drive. An argument for pairing them is that they stand on the same street, so one trip covers both.

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