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Located on the border between the American state of Texas and Mexico, El Paso is an intriguing and exciting mixture of the culture of both countries, making it a travel destination like no other.
El Paso is a desert city, but this does not mean that everything is dust and sand. The city has breathtaking Botanical Gardens which displays the colourful blooms of desert flowers (and sells beautiful samples for visitors to take away).
It is also a city of museums and culture. The Centennial Museum highlights the distinctive culture of the border area, while the Archaeology Museum focuses on the ancient history of habitation near the city and the Second Floor Gallery showcases the works of local artists.
Another great historical attraction is the 9-mile (14.5 km) long Mission Trail – which winds around nineteenth century churches, presenting a picture of life on the border as it was lived over 150 years ago.
One of the unique attractions of the border region is the chance to visit the rodeo, and El Paso has one of the most exciting in the United States. See the best horsemen struggling with their steers, and cowboys showing off their skills in a classically American scene.
There are also some sites of astonishing natural beauty near the city. Visitors can easily reach McKelligon Canyon – a beautiful refuge almost at the centre of town. And nobody who rents a car should fail to take the Transmountain Road at night, with the towns of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez spread out beneath them.
The location of the city has also brought big benefits for diners, and there are many enticing Mexican and Spanish themed eateries serving up big plates of chili and tacos. There are also traditional Texan barbecue joints, making for a superb mixture of tastes.
The Texan summers can be pretty intense, with high temperatures and, although this might be to some people’s taste, a visit in April or October would mean milder temperatures and fine weather for hiking and sightseeing. Visitors may want to time their trip to coincide with events like the major rodeo in September or the Sun City music festival in August.
Car rental is by far the best option if you intend to see anything outside the city limits, but the city is working to make the bus network quicker and more extensive. The centre of El Paso is extremely walkable and there is plenty that can be seen by foot alone.