El Paso/Juarez Attractions Guide

EL PASO

Border Patrol Museum.
Covers more than 70 years of Border Patrol history. 4315 Transmountain Rd., (915) 759-6060.

Concordia Cemetery.
John Wesley Hardin and other gunslingers of the old Southwest are buried here. (915) 542-1591.

El Paso Star.
Known for years as Sun City, El Paso exhibits a night version of the sun 365 days a year. To have the star lit in honor or in memory of someone, call the El Paso Chamber of Commerce. (915) 534-0500.

El Paso Centennial Museum.
Exhibition pertaining to the history of the region, including pottery, stone tools and shell jewelry of prehistoric Mexico. University of Texas at El Paso Campus, (915) 757-5565.

El Paso Medical Museum.
Displays antique medical equipment in a historical building. Open by appointment only; call (915) 845-3905.

El Paso Museum of Archaeology at Wilderness Park.
Ancient artifacts showing the roots of the community. Emphasis on preserving El Paso’s past. Dioramas, exhibits and nature trails. 4301 Transmountain Rd., (915) 755-4332.

El Paso Museum of History.
Four centuries of the history of the region. Displays tell the story of the Indian, the conquistador, the vaquero, the cowboy and the U.S. cavalryman. Open Fridays only, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 12901 Gateway Blvd. West, (915) 858-1928.

Fort Bliss Replica Museum.
Depiction of life at Fort Bliss in 1857 viewed from a bicultural standpoint. Exhibits in the museum cover the history of Fort Bliss from 1849 to present. Building 5051, Fort Bliss, (915) 568-4518.

Fort Bliss Air Defense/Artillery Museum.
The history of air defense from 1917 to the present. Building 5000, Fort Bliss, (915) 568-5412.

Franklin Mountain State Park.
The Franklin Mountains provide El Paso’s stunning backdrop. The park is the largest urban park in the nation, covering around 37 square miles, all within El Paso city limits. Activities include picnicking, hiking, rock climbing and mountain bike riding. (915) 566-6441.

Hueco Tanks State Historic Site.
This area got its name from the huge basin-shaped rocks that catch and hold the area’s rainfall. Drawings on cave walls date back as far as 1500 B.C. Located 20 miles east of El Paso Hueco Tanks offers excellent rock climbing, plus hiking, picnicking and camping. (915) 857-1135.

Insights El Paso Science Museum.
A hands-on science museum with more than 80 exhibits for young and old alike. 505 Santa Fe Ave., (915) 534-0000.

Magoffin Homestead.
Built in 1875 by pioneer Joseph Magoffin, this 19-room adobe exemplifies territorial-style architecture and is filled with the original furnishings and decorative arts. Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, guided tours available. The Casa Magoffin Companeros (Friends of the Magoffin Home) hosts several annual events. 1120 Magoffin Ave., (915) 533-5147.

Mission Trail.
Three historical churches within eight miles of each other. Spanish and Tiqua Indian refugees from New Mexico founded Mission Ysleta in the 1680s. (915) 859-9848. Mission Socorro was first built in 1682, later destroyed by floods and rebuilt in 1843. (915) 859-7718. San Elizario Chapel was established in 1789 as a Spanish fort to protect the Camino Réal. (915) 851-2333. Mission Trail Association, (915) 534-0630.

Mount Cristo Rey.
Mount Cristo Rey looms above El Paso at the intersection of three states and two nations. Christ the King, a most striking statue, 42 feet high, sits atop the rock-strewn peak. It was sculpted in 1937 by Urbici Soler. Each year, on the last Sunday of October, devotees gather at the foot of the mountain for the pilgrimage to the top, where Mass is held.

Natural History Museum of El Paso.
More than 300 exhibits spanning the wonders of the universe, progression of life on earth and the dawn of civilization. Northgate Center, 9348 Dyer, (915) 759-8585.

Scenic Drive.
Winds around the Franklin Mountains overlooking three states and two nations, providing a panoramic view of El Paso.

Tigua Cultural Center.
Museum covers 350 years of history of the Tigua Tribe. 305 Yaya Rd., (915) 859-7700.

Transmountain Road.
Meandering through the Franklin Mountains, it is one of the highest roads in Texas, with breathtaking scenery. (915) 566-6441.

War Eagles Air Museum.
A collection of 28 fully restored, flyable historical aircraft of WW II and Korean War eras. Doña Ana Airport, Santa Teresa, a few miles from El Paso, on the New Mexico side of the border, (505) 589-2000.

Wyler Aerial Tramway State Park.
The tramway has a view of 7,000 square miles, two countries and three states from the 5,632-foot elevation at the edge of the Franklin Mountains. (915) 566-6622.

JUÃREZ

Juárez City Market.
A large two-story building open from sun-up to sundown, displaying a variety of merchandise. Avenida 16 de Septiembre, near downtown.

Museo de El Chamizal de Arqueologia.
This archaeological museum also features a sculpture garden and photography collection. Chamizal, (01152656) 11-10-48.

Museo Historico de la Ex-Aduana.
An architectural jewel once occupied by the Mexican Border Customs, it is now a museum of Juárez history. (01152656) 12-47-07.

Pueblito Mexicano.
This shopping mall re-creates a Mexican village offering crafts. The food is excellent and varied; the music and visual stimulation is delightful. One mile south of the Bridge of the Americas.

FOR KIDS

Adventure Zone.
Features Game Zone, Speed Zone, Bumper Zone and Food Zone. Enjoy games, go-karts, 100,000 gallons of, a small tropical island and top-quality food. 251 E. Redd Rd., El Paso, (915) 585-9663.

El Paso Zoo.
Expanded and improved, the zoo has more than 240 species, including many endangered species, in 18 acres of natural habitat exhibits. The zoo focuses on animals of the Americas and Asia. Don’t miss the new ocean exhibits. Open daily from 9.30 a.m. until late afternoon. 4001 E. Paisano, El Paso, (915) 544-1928.

Putt-Putt Family Fun Center.
Three 18-hole miniature golf courses, go-carts, bumper boats, electronic game room and snack bar. 1885 N. Zaragosa, El Paso, (915) 855-7888.

Western Playland Amusement Park.
This amusement park features more than 50 rides and attractions. Roller coasters, water slides, trains, rides, go-carts and more. Sunland Park, NM, (505) 589-3410 (no need to dial a "1" if dialing from El Paso).

Wet N' Wild Waterworld.
An oasis in the desert! This aquatic amusement park is fashioned around a huge volcanic garden theme, mammoth water slides, shady picnic areas restaurant and snack bar. In Anthony, north of El Paso, (915) 886-2222.

SPORTS

Ascarate Park.
This 440-acre facility has a 44-acre manmade lake stocked with bass, catfish and trout for year-round fishing. The park has eight softball diamonds, a baseball field, an aquatic center with an Olympic-size pool and a 21-hole golf course. El Paso, (915) 772-3941.

El Paso Diablos.
The Diablos are one of the newest members of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. Cohen Stadium in northeast El Paso holds up to 10,000 and is one of the most fan-friendly parks in the country. El Paso, (915) 755-2000, www.diablos.com.

El Paso Patriots Soccer Team.
A USISL select division professional soccer organization since 1990. El Paso, (915) 771-6620.

El Paso Scorpions Rugby Team.
Since 1979, the Scorpions have won 12 Rio Grande Union Championships and have seen many players selected to All-Star teams. El Paso, (915) 845-7825.

Juárez Race Track.
Greyhounds race year-round at the remodeled Hippodrome. If you like to gamble, this is the place. Off-track betting for U.S. horse racing and other sports is available. Ave. Vincent Guerrero, Juárez, (915) 775-0555.

Ruidoso Downs Race Track.
Enjoy quarter horse and thoroughbred racing throughout the summer, including the All American Futurity. Ruidoso, NM, (505) 378-4431.

Ski Apache.
Owned and operated by the Mescalero Apaches, Ski Apache is on the north shoulder of Sierra Blanca Peak, sacred mountain of the tribe. The peak rises over 12,000 feet and has slopes with a challenge for every ability. It has some of the best warm-weather powder skiing in the world. Ruidoso, NM, (505) 336-4356.

Sunland Park Race Track.
Wager on thoroughbreds and quarter horses from around the country competing for the winner’s circle during the winter months (November-May). Sunland Park, NM, (505) 874-5200.

SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO

Aguirre Springs.
About 45 minutes from El Paso, just over the Organ Mountains near Las Cruces, New Mexico, this park features streams that run year-round and shade trees along hiking trails. Camping and picnic sites are available. (505) 525-4300.

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
From November until February, tens of thousands of sandhill cranes, snow geese and other migratory birds fly in to rest at this 57,000-acre wetland preserve before continuing their journey north. South of Socorro, (505) 835-1828.

Callahan’s Auto Museum.
The only automobile museum in New Mexico. 410 Cedar St., Truth or Consequences, (505) 894-6900.

Carlsbad Caverns.
The caverns are so huge that four Astrodomes could fit inside. As you descend into this special environment, you will be struck by the awesome displays of stalactites, stalagmites and clear limestone pools of water. In the evening, a million Mexican bats soar out of the cave to forage for food — a spectacle not to be missed. (505) 785-2232.

City of Rocks State Park.
A giant’s playground created by volcanic violence and carved by thousands of years of wind and rain. The rocks, ranging in height from six to 50 feet, are perfect for amateur rock climbing. Thirty miles from Silver City and Deming, (505) 536-2800.

Clyde Tombaugh Museum of Space History.
From the rocket sled at the entrance to the space artifacts inside the International Space Hall of Fame, this museum will amaze visitors of every age. The five-story structure houses technological discoveries and personal stories of those who made space travel possible. Alamogordo, (505) 437-2840.

Deming Luna Mimbres Museum.
This "Smithsonian of the West," holds collections of Mimbres pottery and artifacts. 301 S. Silver, Deming, (505) 546-2382.

Elephant Butte State Park.
Reservoir covering 36,000 acres; the largest body of water in the El Paso region. Camping, fishing, hiking and swimming. On I-25, 120 miles north of El Paso, (505) 744-5421.

Fort Selden State Monument.
Built in 1865, Fort Selden housed the famous black cavalry, known as the Buffalo Soldiers, who protected Mesilla Valley from Indian attacks. It was also the boyhood home of General Douglas MacArthur. Fifteen miles north of Las Cruces, (505) 526-8911.

Gadsden Museum.
A museum dedicated to Colonel Albert J. Fountain containing many local, historical artifacts, including the famous Gadsden Purchase painting. Open by appointment only. 1875 Boutz Rd., Mesilla, (505) 526-6293.

The General Douglas L. McBride Military Museum.
Documents U.S. military history. New Mexico Military Institute, Roswell, (505) 624-8220.

Geronimo Springs Museum.
Local history and mineral exhibits. 211 Main St., Truth or Consequences, (505) 894-6600.

Gila National Forest.
This diverse recreational area covers 3.3 million acres of wilderness. Hunting, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, rock climbing, cross-country skiing, camping and bird watching are available. The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument protects seven caves 175 feet above the visitor's center that were inhabited by Indians around 1280 A.D. (505) 388-8201.

Historic Lincoln.
Site of Billy the Kid's last escape, contains several buildings as well as a visitor center/museum. Lincoln, (505) 653-4025.

Historic Mesilla Plaza.
Exquisite shops housed in adobe buildings dating from the 1860s. (505) 524-3262.

Historical Society for Southeast New Mexico.
Captures the history of Roswell and provides insight into the rich heritage of the early New Mexican pioneers. 200 North Lee, Roswell, (505) 622-8333.

Hubbard Museum of the American West.
Museum exploring humanity’s universal dependence on the horse. One mile east of the Ruidoso Downs race track off Hwy. 70 E., Ruidoso Downs, (505) 378-4142.

International UFO Museum and Research Center.
One of the world’s premier museums on extraterrestrial phenomena and UFOs. 400 N. Main, Roswell, (505) 625-9495.

Las Cruces Museum of Natural History.
Numerous changing exhibits on the Southwest’s natural history. Classes and workshops for children throughout the year and special events for adults. 700 Telshor Blvd., Mesilla Valley Mall, Las Cruces, (505) 522-3120.

Lincoln National Forest.
Rugged, spectacular high country. The White Mountain Wilderness peaks at 11,500 feet at the tip of Sierra Blanca and is home to elk, deer, wild turkey, cougar and many other species. Bonito Lake is famous for fishing and is stocked with trout annually. Many horse trails, shared with hikers, lead to the Rim Trail overlooking the desert floor from an average of 10,000 feet. Alamogordo, (505) 434-7200.

Living Desert Zoological and Botanical State Park.
This 40-acre park displays most of the Chihuahuan Desert wildlife, during an easy 90-minute walk. The park is outside of Carlsbad, (505) 887-5516.

Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park.
A riverside park designed to protect bosque and wetlands habitats and serve as an outdoor classroom on the river ecosystem for area school children. When complete, it will be equipped with visitor and education centers, trails and a picnic area. It is in the Town of Mesilla on the west side of the Rio Grande where NM Highway 359 (Calle del Norte) crosses the Rio Grande.

New Mexico State University Museum.
A journey through time, illustrating the technological and cultural changes in the Southwest. Kent Hall, University at Solano, (505) 646-3739.

Oliver Lee Ranch House.
Restored Dog Canyon ranch house of Oliver Lee, a pioneer of the cattle era. Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, near Alamogordo, (505) 437-8284.

Roswell Museum and Art Center; Robert H. Goddard Planetarium.
Fine art including works by Peter Hurd and Henriette Wyeth. A rocket-science exhibit features the work of Dr. Robert Goddard. 100 West 11th, (505) 624-6744.

Sacramento Mountains Historical Museum.
Local history exhibits from 1880 to present. Hwy. 2, (505) 682-2932.

Sacramento Peak National Solar Observatory.
The 13-story vacuum telescope was designed to cut through the atmosphere. It is perched on the edge of Sacramento Peak. This premier solar observatory is open to the public. Near Alamogordo, (505) 434-7000.

Shalam Colony & Oahspe Mystery Museum.
A small museum presenting the true story of the Oahspe book, a mysterious manuscript that inspired the settlement of the first historical Shalam Colony, the children's "peace utopia," on the Rio Grande. Open Thur.-Sun., noon to 5 p.m. 1910 Calle de Parian, Mesilla, (505) 524-9830.

Silver City Museum.
Trace the history of this area from prehistoric Indians to the present while exploring the beautiful H. B. Ailman Victorian home. 312 W. Broadway, Silver City, (505) 538-5921.

Smokey Bear Museum.
Rumor has it the real Smokey Bear was found by a New Mexico game warden in 1950, an orphaned cub clinging to a charred tree after a 17,000-acre forest fire. Smokey is buried in the Smokey Bear State Historical Park in Capitan, which houses a museum and gift shop. (505) 354-2748.

Toy Trains Depot.
Train depot built in 1898. More than 1,200 feet of operating model railroad, all scales and 2.2 miles of outdoor railroad. N. White Sands Blvd., Alamogordo, (505) 437-2855.

The Very Large Array (VLA) Telescope.
About 50 miles west of Socorro sits the world’s largest radio telescope listening for sounds from deep space. The array has 27 movable 210-ton dish antennas on three 12-mile rails. They are periodically rearranged to cover diverse parts of the universe. (505) 772-4011.

Western New Mexico University Museum.
The multicultural history of southwestern New Mexico, including the largest permanent exhibit of Mimbres pottery in the world. At WNMU, Silver City, (505) 538-6386.

White Sands National Monument.
One of the great wonders of the world, these sparkling white gypsum sands cover more than 275 square miles. The park stays open on full moon nights for special evening programs. (505) 679-2599.

WEST TEXAS

Balmorhea State Park.
On the way to Fort Davis is one of the largest pools in the United States. More than 25 million gallons of refreshing cool water from San Salmon Springs cover the natural rock-bottom pool. You can swim in the pool or snorkel to watch the fish. (432) 375-2370.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas at 8,500 feet, has a spectacular view of everything from mountain terrain to desert. McKittrick Canyon’s blazing fall colors rival East Coast brilliance. (915) 828-3251.

McDonald Observatory.
The University of Texas located this observatory at 6,800 feet on Mount Lock’s summit because the air is so clear that at night the stars seem to be within reach. You can see the astronomy exhibit and several telescopes that range in size from a 30-inch to a 107-inch lens. Near Ft. Davis, (915) 426-3640.

CHIHUAHUA

Basaseachi National Park.
The largest waterfall in Mexico is the key attraction of this park. Magnificent hiking trails are a major feature of Candamena Canyon where, after hiking up the canyon, you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the river. (01152656) 16-21-06.

Copper Canyon National Park.
Tarahumara Indians, the oldest known native residents in North America, live in this canyon that rivals the Grand Canyon in splendor and size. Located in the Sierra Madre Mountains at 8,000 feet, Copper Canyon is heralded as one of the most beautiful in North America. El Paso is the starting point for most organized tours, and trips can be booked from El Paso. (01152656) 16-21-06.