Day 1 You’ll See:
Day 2 You’ll See:
Day 3 You’ll See:
Day 4 You’ll See:
This 4-day trip is jam-packed with entertainment, education, and adventure all along the way! Explore El Paso with your group with this sample itinerary that shows you the best the city has to offer, from local history and archaeology to amusement park and zoo land fun!
1
El Paso Zoo
Welcome to the El Paso Zoo, the 35-acre AZA-accredited facility that features over 220 species within its various habitats. This zoo features African, American, and Asian species, allowing guests to see such animals as the African Lion, Greater Kudu, American Alligator, Galapagos Tortoise, Asian Elephant, Malayan Tigers, and much more. There is a handful of critically endangered species within the zoo as well, such as the Amur Leopard and Aruba Rattlesnake. Be sure to save plenty of time to check out the newest exhibit, Chihuahuan Desert, featuring wild turkeys, peccaries, jackrabbits, thick-billed parrots, and an interactive ropes course.
Chamizal National Memorial
The Chamizal National Memorial is a 55-acre NPS-maintained site that holds an onsite museum, amphitheater, and visitors center. Groups visiting the site can learn more in-depth information about the Chamizal Treaty and the history and culture of the local communities. Visit the Cultural Center to see various educational exhibits, and then head to the Franklin G Smith Gallery to check out the artwork. There are onsite theater spaces that 'share the parks history and borderland culture' through various annual events and programs. Be sure to check out Nuestra Herencia while here as well, the colorful mural sharing the local history and culture of Chamizal.bOf course, you can also enjoy the various trails, wildlife, and scenery while here, we suggest packing a picnic!
International Museum of Art
Housed within a historic residence designed by Henry C. Trost, your group will find El Paso's International Museum of Art, the art museum that contains works from Africa, Mexico, the Southwest, and local artists. Today a visit to the museum will show you many fine permanent collections along with 2 changing galleries. The collections include the Western Art Gallery, Kolliker Gallery, Mexican Revolution, African Art Gallery Red Room, Alan Bean, Carolyn Bunch Collection, Chinese Rubbings, Buddhas, Furniture, and Boehm Birds. There are student art tours and art classes available, as well as general public self-exploration tours.
2
El Paso Museum of Archaeology
Located within Wilderness Park in El Paso at the base of the Franklin Mountains you will find the El Paso Museum of Archaeology, the museum that features exhibits on the ancient history of the Southwest and Northern Mexico. This grand museum presents 14,000 years of prehistory in the El Paso area and greater Southwest through various dioramas and exhibits. Learn all about the lives of American Indians from this area, from the paleo-Indian hunters of the Ice Age to modern descendants and the lives they lead today. The exhibits periodically change to reflect the scope of the museum, but there is always the permanent exhibit Paquime and Casas Grandes Culture to view.
Franklin Mountains State Park
At Franklin Mountains State Park your group can immerse yourselves into 'world-class geology, diverse plants and animals, and colorful human history', the over 24,000-acre high-desert mountain park the perfect place to learn, play, and simply enjoy the local scenery. Enjoy climbing, hiking, camping, geocaching, bird watching, picnicking, and more during your visit. There are over 100 miles of trails for hiking and biking, with an onsite park tour company, GeoBetty, available for more in-depth exploration. There are also various ranger-led programs you can take part in, such as guided hikes, bike rides, and art in the park activities.
3
Keystone Heritage Park
This park contains botanical gardens, wetlands, and the remains of an ancient village, the attraction providing a fun mix of education covering local horticulture, geography, biology, and archaeology. The archaeology site is considered to be one of the largest and oldest of its kind in the United States (National Geographic), a 2-acre site that was first discovered in the 1970s. It is believed that the village and remains found are 4,000 + years old! One of our favorite parts of Keystone Heritage Park is the Desert Botanical Garden, which features several different garden sections that include a Children's Garden, Moonlight Garden, Butterfly Garden, Cactus/Succulent Garden, Sensory and Culinary Garden, Healing Garden, and a Formal Garden. There is also a Xenic Demonstration Garden, showing guests water-wise landscaping methods.
Sunland Park Mall
Home to over 100 stores, this 2-level shopping center offers top retailers like Old Navy, Dillard's, and more. There is a store for every style inside! There are also several extra amenities offered at Sunland, such as regular special events, the Mall Walker Program, a children's play area with kiddie rides, an onsite movie theater bistro, and several different dining options. Enjoy a nice dinner at PF Chang's China Bistro, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, The Greenery Restaurant, or Cinemark Movie Bistro. The Cinemark Movie Bistro features 6 screens and in-theater dining, a popular new cinema concept sweeping the nation.
Western Playland
To let loose and have some good old-fashioned fun while in the El Paso area head to Western Playland, the locally-loved 30-acre family amusement park. Western Playland its technically in Sunland Park, New Mexico, today, it's original 1960s location moved from El Paso. The park features an old-school vibe with classic park concessions, rides, and games. With over '50 years of family fun tradition', it is easy to see why Western Playland is considered to be the#1 park in the southwest area.
4
San Jacinto Plaza
Welcome to El Paso's San Jacinto Plaza, the historic park located on the corner of Oregon and Mills in the heart of downtown. During your visit, you will see 16 different plaques of national, state, county, and local significance throughout the plaza area, as well as public art such as the fiberglass sculpture by Luis Jimenez that honors the city's colorful past. There are museums, entertainment venues, historic hotels, and much more within the plaza area, providing a great place for 'art, discourse, and community'.
El Paso Holocaust Museum
Boasting the title of being the 'only fully bilingual Holocaust Museum and one of only 13 free-standing Holocaust museums in the United States.', the El Paso Holocaust Museum is an excellent addition to your educational El Paso visit. During your visit, you can opt-in for a group tour, offered only to 6th-grade groups and older. The tours last about 1.5 hours and give an in-depth view of the exhibits within and work to start a meaningful group conversation. The various multimedia galleries you will see within the museum, whether on a guided tour or not, chronicle the events of the Holocaust and pay tribute to the millions murdered by Hitler and his regime from 1933 to 1945.
Ascarate Park
Ascarate Park is 'dedicated to sports, picnicking, fishing, and other recreational activities', featuring a 48-acre surface lake and an 18 hole, 72 par golf course onsite. The park is named for the Ascarate family, El Paso-area pioneers who owned a large ranch near the park. Many people consider the fishing here at Ascarate to be the best fishing in the Southwest, with plenty of options to catch trout, catfish, and largemouth bass. You can also enjoy the lake by renting a canoe or pedal boat while here. There is a beautiful lakeside boardwalk to take advantage of, as well as a fully-equipped aquatic center, playgrounds, picnic facilities, and sports fields.