What is El Paso best known for?

El Paso is known for the Franklin Mountains, its border culture with Ciudad Juárez, exceptional Mexican and border cuisine, more than 300 days of sunshine a year, and being one of the safest large cities in the United States.

How many days do you need in El Paso?

Three days covers the essentials: one for the mountains and outdoors, one for downtown and the museums, and one for eating and exploring neighborhoods like Kern Place and Mission Valley.

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50 Things To Do in El Paso

The definitive running list of what to see, taste, hike, and experience across the 915 — updated as the city grows.

By The Discover915 Editors · Updated July 28, 2026 · 14 min read

In this guide

Start with the mountains
Eat your way through the borderland
Spend a night downtown
Go where the locals go on Sunday

Start with the mountains

Franklin Mountains State Park is the largest urban park in the United States, and it sits in the middle of the city. Begin at the Tom Mays entrance for wide desert views, or take the Wyler Aerial Tramway for the classic three-state, two-country panorama.

Eat your way through the borderland

Order the stacked red enchiladas with a fried egg, then work through gorditas, machaca breakfasts, and the city's quietly excellent Juárez-style tacos. El Paso rewards the traveler willing to drive fifteen extra minutes.

Spend a night downtown

Downtown has been rebuilt around its historic bones: cocktail bars in century-old buildings, an art museum with free admission, and a plaza where alligators once lived. Park once and walk everywhere.

Go where the locals go on Sunday

Farmers markets, park picnics under cottonwoods, and long family lunches. Sunday in the 915 is unhurried, and joining it is the fastest way to understand the city.

Map

Interactive map coming soon

Frequently asked questions

What is El Paso best known for?: El Paso is known for the Franklin Mountains, its border culture with Ciudad Juárez, exceptional Mexican and border cuisine, more than 300 days of sunshine a year, and being one of the safest large cities in the United States.
How many days do you need in El Paso?: Three days covers the essentials: one for the mountains and outdoors, one for downtown and the museums, and one for eating and exploring neighborhoods like Kern Place and Mission Valley.