3-Day Trip to El Paso, TX

El Paso is a city that can easily be explored in 2 to 3 days. You can’t go wrong with 2 to 3 days for a great introduction to El Paso on your first visit. But the city has plenty to offer should you choose to stay longer to delve deeper into its unique history, culture, cuisine and landscape.

2 days: This would be a quick but comprehensive introduction to El Paso. Spend Day 1 downtown visiting the Plaza Theatre, museums, Mission Trail and scenic drives. Day 2 you can focus on the outdoors at Franklin Mountains State Park and shopping at the downtown markets. This itinerary would cover the major highlights but at a faster pace.

3 days: 3 days is ideal for a relaxed immersion into El Paso’s culture, history, food and outdoor activities. The itinerary I suggested above spreads out the sightseeing over 3 days, giving you more time to hike and explore each day. You can also venture further from downtown, for example visiting Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, Wyler Aerial Tramway or Cattleman’s Steakhouse. A 3-day trip allows for a more well-rounded experience of all El Paso has to offer.

Beyond 3 days: If you want an in-depth exploration of the city and surrounding area, plan on spending at least 4 to 5 days in El Paso. This gives you time for day trips to White Sands National Monument, Carlsbad Caverns National Park or Mesilla and Las Cruces in New Mexico. You can also take it slower, with time for more outdoor recreation in Franklin Mountains, browsing the local shops and really soaking in the culture. El Paso has enough activities and attractions to keep visitors entertained for up to a week.

Itineraries

1. Itinerary

Here’s a suggested itinerary for a 3-day trip to El Paso, TX, including favorite restaurants, activities, and must-see sights.

Day 1

Morning:

• Visit the El Paso Museum of Art: This museum has a fine collection of pre-Columbian and Indian art and is one of the top attractions in El Paso.

Lunch:

• L & J Cafe: This restaurant is known for its authentic Mexican food and has been a local favorite since 1927.

Afternoon:

• Explore the El Paso Mission Trail: This trail includes several Spanish Colonial missions and museums, providing a glimpse into the city’s history.
• Visit the Chamizal National Monument: This monument commemorates the peaceful settlement of a century-long boundary dispute between the United States and Mexico.

Dinner:

• Taft Diaz: This restaurant serves both Mexican and American cuisine and has received excellent reviews on TripAdvisor.

Day 2

Morning:

• Visit Franklin Mountains State Park: This state park provides many recreational activities, from epic day walks to mountain biking.

Lunch:

• Zino’s Greek & Mediterranean Cuisine: This restaurant offers a variety of Greek and Mediterranean dishes and has also received great reviews on TripAdvisor.

Afternoon:

• Visit the El Paso Zoo: Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, this zoo is a fun place to visit, especially if you’re traveling with kids.
• Explore Downtown El Paso on a Historic Streetcar: This is a great way to see the city and its many attractions.

Dinner:

• Tacoholics: This former gourmet food truck turned brick-and-mortar serves delicious tacos and burritos.

Day 3

Morning:

• Visit Hueco Tanks State Historic Site: This site is known for its significance and offers various outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing, and bird watching.

Lunch:

• Cattlemen’s Steakhouse: Enjoy a delicious steak at this popular restaurant in El Paso.

Afternoon:

• Visit the Magoffin Home State Historic Site: This historic adobe home features original family furnishings and is a prime example of Territorial style architecture.
• Stroll the San Elizario Historic District: Explore the history and culture of El Paso in this charming district.

Dinner:

• Café Central: This restaurant offers a fine dining experience with a diverse menu.

Remember to follow local guidelines and safety protocols during your visit. Have a great 3-day trip to El Paso!

This is just a suggested itinerary, and you can tailor it to your own interests and preferences. El Paso is a city with something to offer everyone, so you’re sure to have a great time no matter what you choose to do.

Here are some additional tips for your trip:

• The best time to visit El Paso is during the spring (March-May) or fall (September-November) when the weather is mild.
• El Paso is a very walkable city, so you can easily get around on foot. However, if you plan on doing any hiking or exploring the mountains, it’s a good idea to rent a car.
• El Paso is a very affordable city, so you can easily find great deals on hotels, restaurants, and activities.
• El Paso is a very diverse city, so you’re sure to find something to eat that you’ll love. Some popular local dishes include tacos, burritos, and enchiladas.
• El Paso is a very friendly city, so be sure to say hello to the locals and ask them for recommendations. They’ll be happy to help you make the most of your trip.

2. Alternative Trip Plan

Here is a sample 3-day itinerary for El Paso, Texas:

Day 1: Explore downtown El Paso and its cultural attractions

• Start your day with a hearty breakfast at Crave Kitchen and Bar, a local favorite that serves dishes like chicken and waffles, huevos rancheros and chilaquiles.
• Hop on the restored El Paso Streetcar and ride through the historic heart of the city, passing by landmarks like the Plaza Theatre, the San Jacinto Plaza and the El Paso Museum of Art.
• Visit the El Paso Museum of Art, which boasts a collection of over 7,000 works, including a 13th-century Byzantine Madonna and Child, European paintings from the Renaissance to the 20th century, and contemporary art from the Americas.
• For lunch, head to Anson 11, a fine dining restaurant that offers a variety of cuisines, from steak and seafood to pasta and pizza.
• After lunch, walk to the nearby El Paso Holocaust Museum, which was created by local survivors and features exhibits, artifacts and testimonies that tell the story of the Nazi genocide.
• Next, take the streetcar to the First Armored Division & Fort Bliss Museum, which showcases the history and achievements of the US Army’s oldest armored division and its home base in El Paso.
• For dinner, enjoy some authentic Mexican food at L&J Cafe, a family-owned restaurant that has been serving El Pasoans since 1927. Try their famous green chile enchiladas, carne asada tacos or menudo.
• End your day with a drink at DeadBeach Brewery, one of El Paso’s microbreweries that produces craft beers like IPA, stout, lager and ale.

Day 2: Discover the natural beauty and history of El Paso

• Have a light breakfast at Savage Goods, a bakery and cafe that offers fresh pastries, sandwiches, salads and coffee.
• Drive to the Franklin Mountains State Park, the largest urban park in the US, where you can enjoy hiking, biking, rock climbing or wildlife watching. You can also take a guided tour of the park or visit the Wyler Aerial Tramway, which offers panoramic views of El Paso and beyond.
• For lunch, stop by Ripe Eatery, a casual restaurant that serves salads, burgers, wraps and bowls made with local and organic ingredients.
• After lunch, drive to the Ysleta Mission, the oldest continuously active parish in Texas, dating back to 1680. Admire the architecture and art of this historic church, which reflects the Spanish, Native American and Mexican influences in El Paso.
• Next, visit the Tigua Cultural Center, where you can learn about the history and culture of the Tigua tribe, one of the oldest indigenous groups in Texas. You can also watch traditional dances, shop for crafts and sample some Tigua bread.
• For dinner, treat yourself to some Texas barbecue at Desert Oak Barbecue, which specializes in smoked meats like brisket, ribs, sausage and turkey. Don’t forget to try their homemade sauces and sides.
• End your day with some live music at Tricky Falls, a historic theater that hosts concerts by local and national artists. Check their website for upcoming events and tickets.

Day 3: Experience the border culture and cuisine of El Paso

• Start your day with a delicious breakfast at H&H Car Wash and Coffee Shop, a quirky spot that combines a car wash service with a diner that serves Mexican classics like burritos, chilaquiles and huevos rancheros.
• Take a short drive to the Border Patrol Museum, which traces the history of the US Border Patrol from its inception in 1924 to the present day. You can see exhibits of uniforms, vehicles, weapons and equipment used by border agents over the years.
• For lunch, head to Carnitas Queretaro, a popular restaurant that serves carnitas (slow-cooked pork) in various ways: tacos, tortas, burritos or by the pound. You can also order other Mexican dishes like enchiladas, flautas or pozole.
• After lunch, drive to the Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, a 372-acre city park that preserves the natural wetlands along the Rio Grande. You can walk along the trails and observe the diverse flora and fauna that inhabit this ecosystem.
• Next, visit the El Paso Zoo, home to over 200 species of animals from around the world. You can see elephants, orangutans, tigers, leopards and more. You can also feed giraffes, watch sea lion shows or ride a carousel.
• For dinner, enjoy some fine dining at Cafe Central, an elegant restaurant that serves contemporary cuisine with Mediterranean influences. You can choose from dishes like lamb chops, sea bass, duck breast or risotto.
• End your day with some fun at Dave & Buster’s, an entertainment center that offers arcade games, billiards, bowling and more. You can also grab a drink at their sports bar or watch a movie at their cinema.

A panoramic view of El Paso, Texas

3. Alternative Trip Plan

Here is a suggested 3 day itinerary for El Paso, Texas:

Day 1 (Downtown and Culture):

Start your day in downtown El Paso, anchored by the historic Plaza Theatre and San Jacinto Plaza. Walk around the plaza, soak in the Spanish-style architecture and grab breakfast at L&J Cafe, an El Paso institution since 1927.

Then head to the El Paso Museum of Art, which houses a renowned collection of European paintings as well as notable works of art from Mexico and the American West. After that, visit the El Paso Holocaust Museum, a sobering but powerful museum dedicated to honoring the memory of millions of innocent people who lost their lives during the Holocaust.

For lunch, check out The Saddleblanket, a casual Mexican spot known for its margaritas and tasty fajitas. In the afternoon, visit Mission Trail and Ysleta Mission, the oldest permanent settlements in Texas. As night falls, head to Scenic Drive to watch the sunset over the city skyline and Franklin Mountains.

For dinner, make a reservation at Anson 11, a stylish steakhouse with an upscale lounge vibe. End the night by catching a show at the historic Plaza Theatre or a baseball game at the Chihuahuas stadium.

Day 2 (Outdoors and Shopping):

Start your morning in the largest urban park in the US, Franklin Mountains State Park. Go for a scenic drive on Transmountain Road, do some hiking on the many mountain trails or go rock climbing and rappelling. Stop by the Wyler Aerial Tramway, the only tramway in the US located within a state park.

In the afternoon, visit El Paso’s open-air markets for some souvenir shopping – from handcrafted boots, jewelry and pottery at the Downtown Art & Farmers Market to an eclectic mix of Mexican imports at the Union Plaza District’s El Paso Saddleblanket.

For dinner, head to L&J Cafe, a historic diner that’s been an El Paso landmark since 1927. Or try Tacos Don Cuco, a food truck that serves some of the best tacos in town. As the sun sets, find a spot in the Newman Park area to watch the historic Star on the Mountain light up the night sky.

Day 3 (Military and Border History):

Start at the Fort Bliss Museum to learn about the pivotal role this US Army post has played in the region’s history. Then visit the Chamizal National Memorial, a cultural center that commemorates the peaceful settlement of a long-standing border dispute with Mexico.

After that, head to Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, located just across the border in New Mexico. Turf Paradise is open every day of the year for horse racing and features dining and entertainment options as well as slot machines.

For your final meal, dine at Cattleman’s Steakhouse, a ranch-style restaurant since 1927, for a classic steak dinner and live music. Then catch one final El Paso sunset to bid farewell to this unique border city.

I hope this itineraries gives you an idea of what to do in El Paso for three days. There are many more things to see and do in this city that I couldn’t fit in this sample itinerary. If you want more information or suggestions for your trip planning, you can check out these websites:

• https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/texas/el-paso
• https://travel.usnews.com/El_Paso_TX/
• https://visitelpaso.com/