EP09 - El Paso Attractions Guide

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. Main office (915) 772-5605, aquatic center (915) 774-8874, golf course (915) 772-7381.

Bob-O’s
3851 Constitution Dr., El Paso, TX 79922
(915) 587-6070
Bob-O’s is El Paso’s place to play! Located on the west side, off Sunland Park Drive, Bob-O’s off ers a entertainment for the entire family. Take a spin on the city’s most exciting go-kart track or test your skills in our batting cages. If you’d like to relax, you are sure to enjoy the 18-Hole Boulder Creek Miniature Golf — voted Best in El Paso. Attractions include: Bumper Boats, Miniature Train and a full-service arcade and snack bar. Try Laser Odyssey, El Paso’s only laser tag. Open every day.

Chamizal National Memorial
800 S. San Marcial St., El Paso, TX
(915) 532-7273.
Commemorates the 1963 Chamizal Convention in which the Mexico/U.S. boundary in this area was solidified after a 100-year dispute. A park here is the scene of multicultural art shows and galleries, a museum, galleries, and live performances.

Concordia Cemetery
3700 E. Yandell, El Paso, TX
(915) 842-8200.
El Paso’s Boot Hill. John Wesley Hardin is buried here along with other infamous gunslingers and heroes of the Old West. Ghost Tours available. Open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. year-round. Located at I-10 and U.S. 54.

El Paso Zoo
4001 E. Paisano, El Paso, TX 79905-4223
(915) 521-1850
Open daily at 9:30 a.m. Jambo El Paso! That means “hello” in Swahili. El Paso Zoo speaks Swahili because it brings Africa to El Paso. See animals from Asia and the Americas. El Paso Zoo is an 18-acre home to about 240 species. About 500 mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds, 700 fish, and 500 invertebrates live in a variety of natural habitat exhibits including a Reptile House, South American Pavilion, Americas Aviary, Cisneros Paraje, Birds of Prey, American Biome, Forest Atrium, Asian Grasslands, Asian Endangered Walk, and an Elephant Complex. The new Passport to Africa expansion will be your ticket to experience the animals of Africa.

Franklin Mountains State Park
1331 McKelligon Canyon Rd., El Paso, TX
(915) 566-6441.
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.

Gene Roddenberry Planetarium
6531 Boeing Dr., El Paso, TX
(915) 881-2499, (915) 881-2489.
Tour the universe at this El Paso Independent School District planetarium with many public shows scheduled throughout the year.

Hueco Tanks State Historic Site
20 miles east of El Paso
(915) 857-1135
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 also offers rock climbing and hiking.

Magoffin Home State Historic Site
1120 Magoffin Ave., El Paso, TX
(915) 533-5147.
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.

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. Main office (915) 851-9997.

Mount Cristo Rey
Christ the King, a 42-foot statue, sits atop Mount Christo Rey. Urbici Soler sculpted it in 1937. It’s possible to hike to the top (some people make a pilgrimage to the top on the last Sunday in October).

Wet N’Wild Waterworld
8804 S. Desert, Anthony, TX. (north of El Paso)
(915) 886-2222.
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.

Wyler Aerial Tramway
1700 McKinley, El Paso, TX
(915) 566-6622.
Located in Franklin Mountains State Park, this cable car carries passengers to the top of 5,632- foot Ranger Peak, offering incredible views.

SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO

Alamogordo

White Sands National Monument
Alamogordo, NM
(575) 679-2599.
A family favorite, 275 square miles of stark-white gypsum dunes create a wonderland of exploration and sand play outside of Alamogordo.

Sacramento Peak National Solar Observatory
3010 Coronal Loop, Sunspot, NM
(575) 434-7000.
Rising 13 stories, this is the premier solar observatory in the nation and it’s open to the public. Includes a museum on solar research.

Three Rivers Petroglyphs National Recreation Area
17 miles north of Tularosa, NM on U.S. 54.
(575) 525-4300.
More than 21,000 rock-art images carved by the Jornada Mogollon people between 900 and 1400. Hiking trails, camping and scenic beauty.

Capitan

Smokey Bear Museum and Grave
118 W. Smokey Bear Blvd., Capitan, NM
(575) 354-2748.
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.

Carlsbad

Carlsbad Caverns National Park
(575) 785-2232.
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.

Living Desert Zoological and Botanical State Park
(575) 887-5516.
This 40-acre park displays Chihuahuan desert wildlife with an easy 90-minute walk through outdoor exhibits.

Columbus

Pancho Villa State Park
35 miles south of Deming via N.M. 11.
(575) 531-2711.
Museum discussed the March 9, 1916 raid by Mexican Gen. Franscisco “Pancho” Villa on American soil, the first and only since the War of 1812, and U.S. Gen. John Pershing’s advance into Mexico to find him.

Deming

City of Rocks State Park
24 miles from Deming northwest on U.S. 180, then four miles north on N.M. 61.
(575) 536-2800.
Surreal volcanic rock formations sculpted by wind and weather. Boulder gardens as high as 50 feet are perfect for exploring and rock climbing. Monthly star parties.

Las Cruces

Aguirre Springs
(575) 525-4300.
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.

Fort Selden State Monument
I-25 Exit 19, 13 miles north of Las Cruces, NM
(575) 526-8911.
Built in 1865, Fort Selden housed the famed African-American Buffalo Soldiers, and was the boyhood home of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Closed Tuesdays.

Lincoln

Lincoln State Monument
12 miles east of Capitan, NM on U.S. 380
(575) 653-4372.
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.

Ruidoso

Ski Apache
(575) 464-3600
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 challenge every ability. It has some of the best warm-weather powder skiing in the world. Full casino, accommodations, and restaurants at tribe’s nearby Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort.

Silver City

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, 3005 E. Camino del Bosque. (575) 388-8201.

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
(575) 536-9461
Fascinating cliff ruins of the Mogollon culture that lived in this lush canyon in the 1200s. Top of NM 15 from Silver City, beautiful, windy drive through the Gila National Forest.

Socorro

The Very Large Array (VLA) Radio Telescope
50 miles west of Socorro, NM on U.S. 60.
(575) 835-7000
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 fascinating worldwide research conducted here.

Sunland Park, New Mexico

Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino
1200 Futurity Dr. Sunland Park, NM 88063
(505) 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 9:30-12:30 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 everyday. Ventanas, our Las Vegas-style buffet, features a daily Lunch Buff et from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Dinner Buff et from 5-9 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 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.

Western Playland Amusement Park
1249 Futurity Dr., Sunland Park. NM
(575) 589-3410.
Amusement park featuring more than 25 rides and attractions. Located across from Sunland Park Racetrack and Museum.

Truth or Consequences

Elephant Butte State Park
120 miles north of El Paso
(575) 744-5421, (877) 664-7787.
Camping, fishing, hiking, boating, and swimming.

WEST TEXAS

Balmorhea State Park
(432) 375-2370
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.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Pine Springs, TX
(915) 828-3251
Dog Canyon Ranger Station, N.M. (575) 981-2418.
Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas at 8,500 feet, offers a spectacular view of the surrounding country. 110 miles east of El Paso on U.S. 62/180. 56 miles from Carlsbad, N.M., via NM 137.

McDonald Observatory
Near Ft. Davis, TX.
(877) 984-7827, (432) 426-3640.
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.

CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO

Basaseachi National Park
(01152656) 16-21-06.
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.

Copper Canyon National Park
(01152656) 16-21-06.
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.

More El Paso Attractions Information »»