El Paso Things To Do

Museums & Cultural Sites   /   Historical Sites   /   Attractions   /   Outdoor Recreation   /   Art Galleries   /   Travel Itineraries

Learn the history of the U.S. Border Patrol from the Old West to the present. Static displays of aircraft and vehicles used by the Border Patrol, surveillance equipment, confiscated items and more. This 10,000 square foot museum is a good stop along with the Wilderness Park Museum next door. Located just west of the intersection of Patriot Freeway and Transmountain Road. Open Tuesday thru Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The museum, on the campus of the University of Texas at El Paso, is a natural and cultural history museum focusing on the Southwest and Mexico. It fulfills its mission by exhibits, education programs, and research.

This memorial recognizes the 1963 amicable resolution of the dispute between U.S. and Mexico over this section of the borderland. A 55-acre park, museum, Los Paisanos Gallery, an outdoor amphitheatre and a 500-seat theater are included. Visitors can see a 20-minute video in the visitors center documenting the history of the border. Home to the annual Siglo De Oro, Chamizal festivals, and Music Under the Stars.

Dioramas and displays of prehistoric American Indians in the region are featured at this archaeological museum. An outdoor nature trail leads visitors to replicas of a pueblo ruin and an Apache brush hut. Call for details. Open Tuesday through Saturday.

The El Paso Museum of Art is the fine arts museum of the city of El Paso and is a major cultural and educational resource for the surrounding region. Located on the boundary of Texas, Mexico and New Mexico, the museum is situated within the world's largest international border community with a metropolitan population of approximately three million people. The museum houses a permanent collection of more than 5,000 works of art, including the Samuel H. Kress Collection of European art from the 13th-18th centuries, American art from the 19th-20th centuries, Mexican colonial art and retablos from the 18th-19th centuries, works on paper and contemporary art from the Southwestern United States and Mexico. In addition to displaying works from its holdings, the museum presents a diverse schedule of temporary exhibitions, films, lectures, concerts and other educational programs for the public. Admission is free. Hours: Closed Mondays and holidays. Tue-Sat., 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Sunday, Noon to 5:00 pm.

This museum displays the colorful history of Indians, conquistadors, vaqueros, cowboys and cavalrymen who played a role in settling the Southwest. Located on the east side of El Paso, I-10 @ Ave. of Americas exit. Open Tue-Sun 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

This museum portrays the rich history of this Army post from its establishment in downtown El Paso in 1848 with a regiment of mounted infantry to its present day status as America’s Air and Missile Defense Center of Excellence. Visitors have the opportunity to learn how air and missile defense has progressed, to see its latest technological developments and advancements, and to glimpse the dramatic changes planned for the 21st century. The musem also houses the Air Defense Artillery Gallery, devoted to the introduction of the airplane as an offensive weapon in World War I, and delves into the general history of this branch of the service as well as chronicles the Army’s unique history here along the U.S./Mexico border. Located in Building 1735, Marshall Road, Fort Bliss. Free admission. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, except New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. (The gates through which you enter Fort Bliss and security measures on post are subject to change. Please call 915 568-6439 for information.)

This museum is located in a re-creation of the Fort Bliss post as it appeared in Magonffinsville from 1854-1868. Visitors experience 1857 life at Fort Bliss through authentic period room exhibits and outdoor displays. Interpretive exhibits tell the story of this important U.S. Army post from its inception in 1849 to present day. Free admission. Open daily 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed on New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Uncover the mysteries and wonders of science from millions-of-year-old fossils to bubbles and marvelous magnets. With an emphasis on learning by doing, all exhibits are specially designed to make learning about science and technology an interactive experience. Take the downtown exit off I-10 and turn left on Santa Fe. Free parking and handicapped accessible. Open Tue-Fri 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun noon-5 p.m. Closed Mondays. Observatory open until 9 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month.

This museum, with its excellent exhibits, veteran's room and more, is located on the Mission Trail in historic old San Elizario. The museum is open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Tuesday through Sunday. To prearrange tours during times other than regular hours of operation, call 915-851-1682.

The Natural History Museum of El Paso fills 30,000 sq. ft. with more than 300 exhibits spanning the wonders of the universe, from the progression of life on earth to the dawn of civilization to today's marvels. Paleomania features the great international fossil collection, Tutankhamun displays treasures from one of the most famous and richest tombs ever discovered, and Starscape illustrates the cosmos with spectacular photography.

Here's one place where the Non-Commissioned Officer gets due credit. Equipment and uniforms used by sergeants and other NCOs through the years are displayed. Admission is free. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays, and noon to 4pm Saturday and Sunday.

This museum is the largest agricultural museum in the country, and has several exhibits on farming and ranching, plus Southwestern art exhibits. The museum offers an insect zoo and wildflower and native plant garden. Domestic animals on site include burros, churro sheep, Longhorn cattle and dairy cows. Milking demonstrations are at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday. Admission is $2 (age 16 and under free).

Tiguas are the oldest identifiable ethnic group in Texas. Visitors to the center experience over 350 years of Tigua Indian traditions displayed through handicrafts, an art gallery, bread baking and weekend tribal dancing. Several shops and a restaurant are on site. Closed Mondays.

Located at the Santa Teresa airport in New Mexico, this unique museum is only 20 minutes from downtown El Paso. The warbirds of World War II and Korea and other historic military aircraft are displayed in a 54,000-square-foot building and the surrounding area. The collection includes the P-51 Mustang, P-38 Lightning, A26 Invader and the German Fieseler-Storch. Among later era aircraft are the F-86 Sabre and MIG-15s. To get there, take I-10 west to the Artcraft exit. Turn left on Artcraft and watch for direction signs to the airport and museum. Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10am to 4pm. Admission: $5; $4 senior citizens & military; free for children under 12.

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