El Paso Texas, Cloudcroft New Mexico and White Sands
Sometimes when you travel your destination may be surrounded by other points of interest that are nearby enough to take a visit. This can truly be said for the city of El Paso Texas. This city sits on the westernmost part of the state where Texas, New Mexico and Mexico meet. Do you want to know of things to do in El Paso Texas?
El Paso the city is rich in history, culture and food. If you ever go there you must visit the downtown museum row and the nearby mission churches as well. El Paso is the sixth largest city in Texas, United States. The city of El Paso and other nearby cities, such as Juarez and Las Cruces, New Mexico are referred to as The Borderland. El Paso, nicknamed “Sun City” is also said to be the home to children of the Spanish Conquistadors. Want to really know what to do in El Paso Texas?
What to do in El Paso Texas is an open ended question since your options are limitless. Most visitors are not able to see and experience the New El Paso experience in even a full week visit. That is why visitors often return to enjoy the El Paso culture year after year.
Many visitors to downtown El Paso often stay in the mid-century modern hotel called Hotel Indigo which has views of the downtown area. This entire downtown area is widely known as El Centro and has a bicultural identity. The El Paso downtown Arts District which is known for its exhibitions, concerts, festivals and museums. The El Paso Museum of Art has free admission and a unique collection of modern contemporary Mexican and American art.
Another must see is the historical missions in El Paso dating back to 1660. The El Paso Mission Trail Association is dedicated to the education, promotion and preservation of the missions at Ysleta, Socorro, and the San Elizario Chapel. These three historical landmarks are listed as the oldest churches in the state of Texas.
You will notice that right across the border is Ciudad Juarez in Mexico. One of the neighborhoods closest to the Mexico border is called Sunset Heights. It’s an older neighborhood but is slowly being reinvested it again to be prominent part of Old El Paso. El Paso is one of the largest ports of entry on the US-Mexico border and it’s a major centre for manufacturing and international trade. In fact it’s the 16th largest trading centre in the United States. It’s also interesting that El Paso’s primary sectors of manufacturing include automobiles and electronic components. Passing the border is an everyday occurrence for many people here in this region of Texas with almost 20,000 pedestrians a day and 35,000 cars.
The entire El Paso region is located on the Chihuahuan Desert. Annual rainfall here is very scarce but it’s more prominent in the summer months. The best views of the city is when you take the scenic drive overlook where you can see the Rio Grande Ciudad de Juarez and surrounding mountains called the Franklin Mountains of Texas that are a small range of mountains that extend from El Paso into New Mexico. The highest peak reaches 7,192 feet.
While in the El Paso area, you must take a trip into New Mexico one and a half hours north to the White Sands National Monument. It’s more like a national park that you have to see to believe. As you come upon White Sands from a distance, it resembles a snow covered white sand winter wonderland.
White Sands National Monument is the largest gypsum dune field in the world. This unique sand gypsum is a mineral that dissolves in water and tends to get washed away but in this one arid region, the climate is dry enough so that the gypsum sand has spread over a 275 square mile area.
The environment here in White Sands is very dramatic and constantly changes with the wind. The White Sands National Monument is the perfect place for locals and visitors alike to do hiking, photo shoots or sledding if you like these beautiful sand dunes
Also about 108 miles by car from El Paso is Cloudcroft, New Mexico. The elevation here is 8,668 feet above sea level and you often get snowfall up here during the winter months.
Cloudcroft is somewhat of a touristy classic 1860’s western timber town with lots of fun things to do and see. The thing you will notice first is the quick change from the high desert below to a mountainous rocky terrain with ponderosa pine everywhere.
My brother Bob and his wife Patty recently visited Cloudcroft, New Mexico with friends and had a fabulous time. They said they were busy all day long visiting the various shops, restaurants and points of interest all over town. Just to let you know, Bob is a snow lover but wore his shoes during most of their visit there.
Cloudcroft’s local museum is filled with the logging and railroad history of the area. Cloudcroft showcases unique events all year long. Summertime temperatures in Cloudcroft at this altitude typically stays in the cool 70 degree range as locals and visitors really enjoy it. During the winter season, it’s all about ice skating, skiing and inner tubing that everyone loves.
Bottom line it’s adventurous to visit the entire El Paso region with New Mexico, Mexico and other attractions being so close. Things to do in El Paso Texas alone will keep you entertained and quite busy all week long day after day so enjoy your stay and welcome to the New El Paso.
Fun, food and adventure in the desert starts here!
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