EL PASO AREA
Ascarate Park
This 440-acre facility has a 44-acre manmade lake stocked for year-round fishing. Includes and aquatic center with an Olympic-sized pool and a 21-hole golf course. (915) 772-3941.
Border Patrol Museum
Covers more than 70 years of Border Patrol history. 4315 Transmountain Rd. (915) 759-6060.
Camino Real Hotel
101 S. El Paso St., El Paso, Texas 79901
(915) 534-3000
This time-honored hotel stands and observes the ancient rhythm of the Rio Grande as well as the ebb and flow of international business people from two nations. The Camino Real Hotel is a historic landmark in a 400-year-old city where tradition values only the most outstanding of achievements. This luxury hotel in which people gather and celebrate, a grand hotel in the grandest tradition, was built in a golden age of progress on the border. That age has returned and the Camino Real Hotel has again become what it was always meant to be — the centerpiece of a great international city.
The Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens
History of the region, including pottery, stone tools, and shell jewelry of prehistoric Mexico. UTEP campus. (915) 747-8994.
Concordia Cemetery
John Wesley Hardin is buried here along with other infamous gunslingers of the Old West. Located at I-10 and U.S. 54 (915) 842-8200.
El Paso Museum of Archaeology at Wilderness Park
Artifacts from the area’s ancient inhabitants. Emphasis on preserving El Paso’s past. Dioramas, exhibits, and nature trails. 4301 Transmountain Rd. (915) 755-4332.
El Paso Museum of Art
One Arts Festival Plaza, El Paso, Texas 79901
(915) 532-1707
The El Paso Museum of Art (EPMA) is a major cultural and educational resource for West Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. EPMA, the only accredited art museum within a 250-mile radius, is situated within the world’s largest international border community with an approximate metropolitan population of more than 2.6 million. The museum houses a permanent collection of more than 5,000 works of art and offers permanent and temporary exhibitions, films, lectures, concerts, and other educational programs serving approximately 100,000 visitors per year.
El Paso Museum of History
Four centuries of the history of El Paso and surrounding region. Displays tell the story of Native Americans, Spanish conquistadors, Mexican vaqueros, Texas cowboys, and U.S. cavalrymen. 501 N. Orgeon. (915) 351-3588.
El Paso-Juárez Trolley Co.
1 Civic Center Plaza, El Paso, Texas 79901
(915) 544-0061
El Paso-Juárez Trolley Company gives you a safe, easy, and really fun way to shop and visit Mexico. All-day passes allow you to get on and off as you please at designated stops throughout Juárez. Departs from Civic Center in historic downtown El Paso. Please call for schedule information. Shuttle service available to and from sponsoring hotels.
El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center
Honors the victims of the Holocaust and educates the public as to what happened and its lasting impact in a mission to combat intolerance. 715 N. Oregon. (915) 351-0048.
El Paso Zoo
4001 E. Paisano, El Paso, TX 79905-4223
(915) 521-1850
Jambo El Paso! That means hello in Swahili! The El Paso Zoo is speaking Swahili because it’s bringing Africa to El Paso! Currently, you can see animals from two continents; Asia and the Americas at the zoo. The El Paso Zoo is an 18-acre home to about 240 species of animals. Approximately 500 mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds, 700 fish, and 500 invertebrates live in a variety of natural habitat exhibits including the Reptile House, South American Pavilion, Americas Aviary, Cisneros Paraje, Birds of Prey, American Biome, Forest Atrium, Asian Grasslands, Asian Endangered Walk, and the Elephant Complex. The new Passport to Africa expansion will be your ticket to experience the animals of Africa without ever having to leave the United States. The El Paso Zoo is already a premier destination for residents of the Greater Paso Del Norte region and beyond. Every year, they welcome nearly 300,000 visitors to experience nature in a lush, serene setting. And now they’re excited (furahi in Swahili) about what’s to come as they expand the El Paso Zoo to nearly double its size. Open daily at 9:30 a.m.
Fort Bliss Air Defense/Artillery Museum
The history of U.S. air defense from 1917 to the present. Building 5000, Fort Bliss. (915) 568-5412.
Fort Bliss Replica Museum
Depiction of life at Fort Bliss in 1857 viewed from a bicultural standpoint. Exhibits cover the history of Fort Bliss from 1849 to the present. Building 5051, Fort Bliss. (915) 568-4518.
Franklin Mountains State Park
The Franklin Mountains provide El Paso’s stunning backdrop. It is the largest urban park in the nation, covering nearly 37 square miles, all within El Paso city limits. Picnicking, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, wildflower and nature viewing. Entrance at 1331 McKelligon Canyon Road. (915) 566-6441.
Gene Roddenberry Planetarium
Tour the universe at this El Paso Independent School District planetarium with many public shows scheduled throughout the year. (915) 779-4400, (915) 779-4317.
Hueco Tanks State Historic Site
This area got its name from the huge basin-shaped rocks that catch and hold the area’s scant rainfall which was used by Native Americans here. Rock drawings left by them date to 1500 B.C. The archaeological site 20 miles east of El Paso also offers rock climbing and hiking. (915) 857-1135.
Insights 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 Home State Historic Site
Built in 1875 by pioneer Joseph Magoffin, this 19-room adobe is an excellent example of territorial-style architecture. Contains the original furniture and art. 1120 Magoffin Ave. (915) 533-5147.
Mission Trail
Three historic churches lie within eight miles of each other in the Lower Valley. 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.
Mount Cristo Rey
Christ the King, a 42-foot statue, sits atop Mount Christo Rey. It was sculpted in 1937 by Urbici Soler. It’s possible to hike to the top, and people make a pilgrimage to the top on the last Sunday in October.
Tigua Cultural Center
The museum covers 350 years of history of the Tigua Tribe/Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and explains their relationship to the Tiwa-speaking tribes of northern New Mexico. 305 Yaya Rd. (915) 859-7913.
Railroad & Transportation Museum of El Paso
Learn about the history and importance the Iron Horse had to life in El Paso. 400 W. San Antonio. (915) 422-3420.
Wet N’Wild Waterworld
An oasis in the desert. This aquatic amusement park is fashioned around a huge volcanic garden theme, water slides, picnic areas, and restaurant. Open May to September. 8804 S. Desert in Anthony, Texas, north of El Paso. (915) 886-2222.
Wyler Aerial Tramway
Located in Franklin Mountains State Park, this cable car carries passengers to the top of 5,632-foot Ranger Peak, offering incredible views. 1700 McKinley. (915) 566-6622.
SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO
Aguirre Springs
Less than an hour from El Paso in the Organ Mountains near Las Cruces. Features streams that run year-round and shade trees along hiking trails Camping and picnic sites available. (575) 525-4300.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Incredible underground formations in caverns so large that four Astrodomes could fit inside. More than 300 caves have been identified within the park boundaries. One million Mexican freetail bats fly out of the cave each evening to hunt insects. (575) 785-2232.
City of Rocks State Park
Surreal volcanic rock formations sculpted by wind and weather. Boulder gardens as high as 50 feet are perfect for exploring and rock climbing. 30 miles from Silver City. (575) 536-2800.
Deming Luna Mimbres Museum
Contains excellent collections of Mimbres pottery and artifacts from the area’s history. 301 S. Silver in Deming. (575) 546-2382.
Elephant Butte State Park
Reservoir covering 36,000 acres. Camping, fishing, hiking, boating, and swimming. 120 miles north of El Paso. (575) 744-5421, (877) 664-7787.
Fort Selden State Monument
Built in 1865, Fort Selden housed the famed African-American Buffalo Soldiers, and was the boyhood home of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Fifteen miles north of Las Cruces. (575) 526-8911.
Gadsden Museum
Indian and Spanish artifacts from the region in charming Mesilla. N.M. 28/Bouts Rd. in Mesilla. (575) 526-6293.
Gila National Forest
This recreational area covers 3.3 millions acres of wilderness, making it the largest wilderness area in the country in addition to being the first. Headquarters in Silver City. (575) 388-8201.
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Fascinating ruins of the Mogollon culture that lived in this lush canyon in the 1200s. (575) 536-9461.
Hubbard Museum of the American West
This museum celebrates the horse and Western art, as well as showcasing Old West artifacts from the region’s history. 841 W. U.S. 70 in Ruidoso Downs. (575) 378-4142.
Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino
287 Carrizo Canyon Rd., Mescalero, NM 88340
(800) 545-9011, (575) 464-7777
The Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino offers 273 luxury rooms and suites, Vegas-style gaming, a championship golf course, 40,000 square feet of meeting space and four restaurants. It is located on the 463,000-acre Mescalero Apache Reservation in the Sacramento Mountains of Southern New Mexico. The resort is owned and operated by the Mescalero Apache Tribe. Other tribal enterprises include Ski Apache, Casino Apache and Travel Center, Mescalero Forest Products, and more. Today, three Apache sub-tribes make up the Mescalero Apache Tribe — Mescalero, Lipan, and Chiricahua. There are currently more than 4,000 members of the Mescalero Apache Tribe.
International UFO Museum and Research Center
The mothership of UFO data and theories housed in Roswell, made famous by the 1947 Roswell Incident, when a UFO was allegedly recovered by the U.S. military. (575) 822-3545.
Las Cruces Museum of Natural History
Changing exhibits on the Southwest’s natural history. 700 S. Telshor Blvd., Mesilla Valley Mall in Las Cruces. (575) 522-3120.
Lincoln State Monument
William Bonney, Jr. became Billy the Kid here, and made his last escape from the Lincoln Jail, killing two deputies. The entire town is now a state monument, and preserved much as it was during the infamous Lincoln County War. (575) 653-4372.
Living Desert Zoological and Botanical State Park
This 40-acre park displays Chihuahuan desert wildlife with an easy 90-minute walk through outdoor exhibits. (575) 887-5516.
New Mexico Farm and Ranch Museum
Exhibits on farming and ranching, Southwestern art. 4100 Dripping Springs Rd., Las Cruces. (575) 522-4100.
New Mexico Museum of Space History
Featuring all things space, from a history of the country’s nascent rocket program at nearby White Sands Missile Range to NASA equipment, satellites, and even a Space Shuttle fight simulator. Top of Highway 2001 in Alamogordo. (575) 437-2840, (877) 333-6589.
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, the father of modern rocketry who experimented near Roswell. 100 West 11th St., Roswell. (575) 624-6744.
Sacramento Peak National Solar Observatory
Rising 13 stories above the ground, this is the premier solar observatory in the nation and is open to the public. Includes a museum on solar research. (575) 434-7000.
Silver City Museum
Trace the history of the area from prehistoric Indians to the present while exploring the beautiful H. B. Ailman Victorian home. 312 W. Broadway, Silver City. (575) 538-5921.
Ski Apache
Owned and operated by the Mescalero Apaches, Ski Apache is on the north shoulder of Sierra Blanca mountain. The peak rises more than 12,000 feet and its slopes can challenge every ability. It has some of the best warm-weather powder skiing in the world. (575) 464-3600.
Smokey Bear Museum and Grave
Smokey Bear was found as a singed cub near here after a forest fire in 1950, and has become a national symbol for fire prevention and forest management. Smokey is buried at this museum dedicated to him and the U.S. Forest Service. 118 W. Smokey Bear Blvd., Capitan. (575) 354-2748.
Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino
1200 Futurity Dr.,Sunland Park, NM 88063
(575) 874-5200
Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino is the Southwest’s premier entertainment venue. The casino features state-of-the-art slot machines and is open daily 9:30 a.m.-12:30 a.m. with extended hours until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Live horse racing season runs from December to April with simulcast wagering available every day. Ventanas, our Las Vegas-style buffet, features a daily lunch buffet from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; dinner buffet from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. If you are looking for something light, try one of our two snack bar areas. Franklin’s lounge opens daily at 10 a.m. with live entertainment Tues., Thurs., Fri., Sat., and Sun. nights. Mariachis perform Sunday afternoon. Take I-10 to exit 13, then head one mile south. Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino — Where the Winners Play!
Toy Trains Depot
Housed in a refurbished train depot, this museum is a model railroader’s dream. Included 2.2 miles of outdoor scale model railroads. 1991 N. White Sands Blvd., Alamogordo. (575) 437-2855, (888) 207-3564.
The Very Large Array (VLA) Radio Telescope
Made famous by the movie Contact, these 27-dish antennas do important, real-life work by gathering naturally occurring radio waves from space to learn about the universe. A museum explains the world-wide research conducted here. 50 miles west of Socorro. (575) 835-7000.
War Eagles Air Museum
Museum dedicated to preserving fighter aircraft from WWII and the Korean War. The collection includes a P-51 Mustang. 8012 Airport Rd., Santa Teresa. (575) 589-2000.
Western New Mexico University Museum
This newly renovated museum explains the multicultural history of the region and contains the largest permanent collection of Mimbres pottery in the world. (575) 538-6386.
Western Playland Amusement Park
1249 Futurity Dr., Sunland Park, NM 88063
(575) 589-3410
Western Playland Amusement Park has been a tradition for family fun for more than 48 years! Western Playland has moved to a new location. It is now across the street from Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino. The amusement park opens from mid February through October and is located on 25+ acres full of extreme family fun. This is the Number One amusement park in the Southwest area and is packed with great family thrill rides and attractions. Experience the Tsunami, the new ride for 2008. Also try other rides like the popular steel roller coaster El Bandido, The Drop Zone, The Miner Coaster, and family rides like Pharaoh’s Fury, Bumper Cars, Yo-Yo, Tilt-A-Whirl, Flying Skooters, and the Scrambler. For a great time at an affordable price, you can’t beat Western Playland. Great food, games, and rides. From I-10, take the Sunland Park Exit 13 and head south to 1249 Futurity Dr.
White Sands National Monument
A family favorite, 275 square-miles of stark white gypsum dunes create a wonderland of exploration and sand play outside of Alamogordo. (575) 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, offers a spectacular view of the surrounding country. McKittrick Canyon is a blaze of color in the fall. (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. There’s an exhibit that features telescopes as large as 107-inches in diameter. Near Ft. Davis. (432) 426-3640, (877) 984-7827.
CIUDAD JUÁREZ
Juárez City Market
A two-story building open from sunup to sundown displaying a variety of merchandise for sale. Avenida 16 de Septiembre, near downtown.
Museo de Arqueología del Chamizal
Sculpture garden and photography collection. Chamizal, (01152656) 11-10-48.
Museo Histórico de Cd. Juárez Ex Aduana
An architectural jewel once occupied by the Mexican Border Customs, it is now a museum of Juárez history. (01152656) 12-47-07.
CHIHUAHUA
Basaseachi National Park
The largest waterfall in Mexico is the key attraction of this park. Magnificent hiking trails are a feature of Candamena Canyon where, after hiking up the canyon, you can cool off with a swim in the river. (01152656) 16-21-06.
Copper Canyon National Park
Deeper than the Grand Canyon, Copper Canyon is home to the Tarahumara Indians, the oldest known native residents in North America. Located in the Sierra Madre Mountains at 8,000 feet. (01152656) 16-21-06.
