Things to Do in El Paso: Entertainment and Recreation
A local guide to El Paso's best entertainment, outdoor activities, cultural attractions, food scene, and quality of life for new residents and relocating buyers.
Video Transcript
Family and Kids Activities in El Paso, Texas
El Paso is a great city for families. With a median age in the early 30s and most of those residents having young or older children, there's no shortage of activities for kids here. Let's explore some of the best family-friendly things to do in El Paso.
El Paso Zoo
The El Paso Zoo is located at 4001 East Paisano Drive. Here are the hours: Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The zoo is closed Monday and Tuesday. We suggest visiting on weekends so you have more time to explore the full zoo.
The zoo spans 35 acres and houses over 220 species, including the armored leopard and the arupa rattlesnake. The animals are organized by continent and region: the Chihuahuan Desert section, Africa, the Americas, and Asia. There's definitely plenty of new animals to see if you're coming from outside of El Paso.
For the kids specifically, there are tons of fun activities: the African Star Train, the Hunt Family Splash Pad, the Foster Tree House Playground, and the Hunt Endangered Species Carousel. You'll also find plenty of food and concession stands throughout, so you can stay fed and hydrated while exploring.
White Sands National Park
Another fantastic family outing is a trip to White Sands National Park. This park is located in New Mexico, so you're traveling outside of El Paso, but it's only about a two-hour drive at most, which isn't bad. Once you get there, you'll be completely blown away. White Sands covers 275 square miles of nothing but gypsum sand-a completely beautiful and unique experience to share with your family. Even pets love it out here; the wide open space is perfect for them to roam around and run. It's a really wonderful time and a pretty experience you won't forget.
Hiking the Franklin Mountains
One of the best things about El Paso for hiking is how many different trails are available. The reason is simple: we live so close to the Franklin Mountains. If you ever feel the urge to go hiking, just look toward the mountain and head toward it. Chances are you'll find yourself on a nice trail.
The main thing to watch out for while hiking is wildlife like rattlesnakes, tarantulas, or centipedes. Keep an eye out when you're hiking with pets or family. Make sure you bring plenty of water too. El Paso is the sun city and it gets really hot, so stay hydrated and you'll have a fun, beautiful experience.
Skateboarding Parks
El Paso has a pretty large skateboarding scene. To support it, the city has built many concrete parks all around the city and several smaller parks with metal ramps. If you have kids interested in skateboarding, this is a great place to learn. There are lots of friendly people at the parks who are willing to help, and it's just a good time when you roll up to any of them. The parks themselves are well-maintained and accessible across the city.
Local Parks
Don't overlook the simple option of your local parks. There are parks all over El Paso-east side, west side, central, and everywhere in between. You'll find parks with jungle gyms and swing sets for the kids. Many also have tennis courts or basketball courts if you want to try different sports. There's usually plenty of space available for dogs if you want to let them run free and play catch. The parks here are really nice and well-distributed throughout the city, so no matter where you're at, you're going to find a nice park and a fun activity to do there.
El Paso offers plenty of options for families with kids, from world-class attractions like the zoo to outdoor adventures and simple neighborhood parks. Whether you're looking for something structured or just a casual afternoon outdoors, El Paso has something for everyone.
El Paso offers a quality of life that surprises most newcomers - 300+ sunny days per year, a standout food scene driven by proximity to Juarez, the largest urban state park in the U.S. at your doorstep, a resurgent downtown with nationally recognized dining, and a binational cultural identity unlike anywhere else in the country. Here's what residents actually do on weekends.
Outdoor Recreation
Franklin Mountains State Park
At 24,247 acres, the Franklin Mountains State Park is the largest urban state park in the United States - and it's inside city limits. The park offers:
- Hiking: 100+ miles of trails from beginner to advanced
- Rock climbing: Numerous routes on the granite faces of the Franklins
- Mountain biking: The Franklin Mountains is a destination for serious mountain bikers
- Scenic drives: Loop 375 / Trans Mountain Road crosses the park with stunning views
- Entrances in both the Northeast (Tom Mays unit) and West Side
For outdoor enthusiasts, having this park within 15 - 20 minutes of most El Paso neighborhoods is a major quality of life advantage.
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande runs along El Paso's western border. The Keystone Heritage Park (Upper Valley) preserves riparian habitat and a 4,000-year-old archaeological site. The Paseo del Norte trail along the river is popular with cyclists and walkers.
Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site
About 32 miles northeast of downtown, Hueco Tanks is a world-renowned rock climbing destination and significant Native American pictograph site. Permits required for pictograph viewing areas.
McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater
A natural outdoor amphitheater in the Franklin Mountains foothills - site of "Viva! El Paso" summer pageant and various outdoor events.
Cultural Attractions
El Paso Museum of Art (EPMA)
Free admission. One of the Southwest's finest art museums, with an exceptional collection of pre-Columbian, colonial, and 19th - 20th century American art. Located in downtown El Paso.
El Paso Museum of History
Full coverage of El Paso's history as a border city - from indigenous Pueblo cultures through Spanish colonial period to the present.
Chamizal National Memorial
A U.S. National Park Service site commemorating the peaceful resolution of a 99-year border dispute between the U.S. and Mexico. Theater, events, and cultural programming.
El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center
An important cultural institution documenting the Holocaust and broader themes of tolerance and human rights.
Wyler Aerial Tramway
Cable car ride up the Franklin Mountains to Ranger Peak - spectacular views of El Paso, Juarez, New Mexico, and (on clear days) hundreds of miles in multiple directions.
Food and Dining
El Paso's food scene is driven by its border identity and is one of the city's great underrated strengths:
Mexican and Tex-Mex: El Paso's proximity to Juarez means the Mexican food scene is genuinely world-class. From hole-in-the-wall taquerias on Alameda to upscale Tex-Mex on the West Side, this is a city where you can eat incredibly well every day.
Green Chile: El Paso is at the northern edge of New Mexico green chile country. Hatch chile season (late summer) is a serious event. Many restaurants and home kitchens roast their own.
Downtown revitalization dining: The downtown corridor around El Paso Street and Mills Avenue has seen significant restaurant investment - including award-winning spots drawing national attention.
Craft beer: El Paso has a small but growing craft brewery scene, including Deadbeach Brewery and others.
Cross-border dining: Many El Paso residents regularly eat in Juarez - particularly at the Pronaf area restaurants, which have long been a destination for high-quality Mexican regional cuisine.
Sports and Entertainment
El Paso Chihuahuas (Triple-A Baseball): The San Diego Padres affiliate plays at Southwest University Park in downtown El Paso - one of the best minor league ballparks in the country, with Franklin Mountain views from the seats.
El Paso Locomotive FC (USL Soccer): El Paso's semi-pro soccer team has built a passionate local following. Home games at Southwest University Park.
UTEP Miners: Division I athletics at the University of Texas at El Paso. Football (Sun Bowl, one of the oldest college bowl games), men's and women's basketball, track and field.
Sun Bowl (December): The Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl is one of the oldest college football bowl games in the country - a major annual event in El Paso.
Live music: The Tricky Falls venue, downtown clubs, and touring acts at the El Paso County Coliseum and UTEP's Don Haskins Center.
Day Trips from El Paso
- White Sands National Park (90 miles north) - one of the most stunning landscapes in the U.S.
- Las Cruces / Mesilla, New Mexico (45 miles north) - historic town square, wineries, Organ Mountains
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park (170 miles east) - world-class cave system
- Juarez, Mexico - crossing is easy via international bridges; Pronaf dining district, artisan markets, Plaza de Armas
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there much to do in El Paso?
Far more than its reputation suggests. Most people who move to El Paso from larger cities expect to miss urban amenities but are pleasantly surprised by the food scene, the outdoor recreation, the cultural institutions, and the binational character of the city.
Is El Paso good for outdoor enthusiasts?
It's exceptional. Year-round mild weather (even winter days are often in the 60s - 70s), proximity to the Franklin Mountains, access to White Sands, and surrounding desert landscapes make El Paso a legitimate outdoor recreation hub.
What's El Paso's nightlife like?
Downtown El Paso and the UTEP area have the densest nightlife - bars, music venues, and restaurants. It's not Las Vegas, but it's a real scene, particularly on weekends.
John David Peña | License #0733512 | Peña El Paso Realty Group | Brokered by Home Pros Real Estate Group | Broker License #0483789
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