It’s called the Sun City for a reason. If you’re coming from somewhere less-than-sunny that might be reason enough to move to El Paso, but we’ve got a few more tips that might just sway you completely. It isn’t all just cowboys and tacos in this city — though there certainly are plenty to be had… Need a pocket guide to El Paso? Look no further.
El Paso is safe- and walkable
Listed as one of the top three safest large cities in America by Congressional Quarterly every year since 1997, El Paso residents can really get out and enjoy the weather any time of day without worrying about much more than a sunburn. Use the extensive network of sidewalks to get around on foot, getting your exercise and mingling with your new community while you’re at it. El Paso is extremely pedestrian friendly, and with May designated as Bike Month, pretty bicycle-friendly, too.
There are still cowboys and rodeos
Home to one of the oldest rodeos in the country, cowboy boots will likely never go out of style in this city so you’d better find a comfortable pair. The Southwestern International PRCA Rodeo has been a part of El Paso culture since 1930 and has become known worldwide as the pinnacle of rodeo experiences. Music, rides, and of course the bucking steers you love to wince at.
You can find any kind of cuisine
Thought you’d be limited to tacos and Tex-Mex? Think again. El Pasoans have their foodie side, and locally-sourced restaurants and foodie culture are on the rise. Check out Tabla for Spanish-style tapas with a bit of flair, Julia Child reportedly once visited the Delicious Mexican Eatery, and if you’re willing to make the 35 minute trip out of town, you can eat steak at a 32,000-acre cattle ranch called Cattleman’s Steakhouse. That’s some very local steak, served up cowboy style.
El Paso has a mountain. A few, actually
The Franklin Mountains stretch for 23 miles in the Chihuahuan Desert, and El Paso is home to Franklin Mountains State Park. The highest peak in the park is over 7,000 feet in elevation, and recreation seekers of all pursuits can find something to pursue: rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, or touring the park’s historical aspects where you can find pictograms and mortar pits showcasing thousands of years of human impact. If you’re not into mountains, El Paso has a well-established assortment of sports leagues, both indoor and outdoor, to keep you moving. Regardless of your sport, there are plenty of outdoor, active family activities in El Paso.
The education in Sun City is top notch
Three school districts that rank highly mean local families are happy and the kids are getting a solid education. A local medical school? The Paul Foster School of Medicine at Texas Tech University expanded in 2009, bringing an influx of medical students. University of Texas at El Paso has been educating this fair city for over 100 years and continues to provide educational and cultural opportunities to the community. This is a very well educated city indeed. Nearby Plano, TX, ranked highly on our list of top 6 cities for raising a family in 2017, too.
There is culture in El Paso for everyone
Let’s start with Fiesta del Flores (Festival of the Flowers), the oldest Hispanic Festival in the Southwest with Mexican food that’ll knock your socks off. Then there’s the Neon Desert Music Festival, which has been attracting big name musicians to the city every year — when the streets of El Paso become one big neon party. If that’s not your style, try the annual hot air balloon festival called Balloonfest. Not only are there balloons floating across the sky, but the musical lineup is top notch. If you’re feeling a little edgier, maybe a gun show is up your alley — tattoo guns, that is, at the Texas Showdown Festival.
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