MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens focuses on the natural and cultural history of the northern Chihuahuan Desert, including southern New Mexico, West Texas, and northern Mexico and presents temporary exhibits on themes related to border life and culture. Native plants are displayed in a variety of settings. Museum is open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Tue–Sat, and the gardens from dawn to dusk every day. Parking is available behind the museum, where you will also find elevator access to the building. UTEP Campus at University and Wiggins. 915 747-5565. http://museum.utep.edu
El Paso Museum of Archaeology presents 12,000 years of prehistory in the El Paso-Juarez region. Enjoy diorama scenes of Indian life from Paleoindian mammoth hunters and Pueblo cliff dwellers to the Mescalero Apache Mountain Spirit Dancers of today. See original artifacts of the Jornad aMogollon and Casas Grandes prehistoric cultures illustrating stone tool and fiber technologies such as 800-year-old agave fiber cloth, pottery, and trade items such as shell jewelry. Displayed are a range of pre-Columbian objects from west, central and northern Mexico and the Maya region and cultural crafts of the contemporary Raramuri (Tarahumara). Walk nature trails on the 15-acre site in northeast El Paso. 4301 Transmountain Road just west of Highway 54. Open Tue–Sat 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun noon–5 p.m. 915 755-4332.
http://Elpasotexas.gov/arch_museum
El Paso Museum of Art
From the Italian Renaissance to the contemporary, the museum’s art collection spans several hundred years. Modern sculptures catch the imagination upon entering the galleries. El Paso native Tom Lea’s western art adorns the walls in the first gallery, followed by the Kress Collection, donated by the founder of the famous five & dimes, with its fabulous Renaissance paintings. Other galleries display Federal Period Portraiture, American Impressionism, American Scene, American West, and New Spain (1700-1800). An exciting new gallery features contemporary pieces, incorporating different and unusual media, from artists along the Mexican/American border from Texas to California. Tours available. Open Tues/Wed/Fri/Sat from 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Thurs 9 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sun noon–5 p.m. downtown, corner of Santa Fe and Main, in front of the Convention Center. 915 532-1707.
El Paso Museum of History is a glimpse into the U.S./Mexico border. The El Paso A to Z exhibit includes objects that played a major role in El Paso’s development. An alligator hide from the period when live alligators lived in a pond in downtown El Paso, blacksmithing tools, a very old mule-drawn wooden wagon, various rifles and pistols, an 1872 Singer sewing machine are representations of El Paso’s past. The Changing Pass, another exhibit, is an exploration of the region from its geography and growth to its cultural influences. The railroad, which figured largely in El Paso’s evolution from settlement to city and its undeniable connection to Mexico, is emphasized. A future exhibit is Las Villitas, a discovery of the communities and neighborhoods of El Paso. Traveling and temporary exhibits are also included. 510 N. Santa Fe Street, 915 351-3588, 915 351-4345. http://ci.el-paso.tx.us/history
El Paso Railroad & Transportation Museum
A restored classic American 1857 locomotive is on display as well as exhibits on the history of the EP&SW No. 1 and the building of the second transcontinental railroad through El Paso. There are exhibits about the railroad workers and their jobs and the use of railroads in times of war. Another featured exhibit covers urban transit from the 1880′s mule car through the electric streetcars of the early 20th century to mid-century streamlined art deco streetcars. Tours of historic railroad stations are also available. Free admission. Open Tue–Sat 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sun 1–5 p.m. Closed Holidays. 915 256-4409.
Insights Science Museum
With an emphasis on learning by doing, this science museum has featured fun and exciting hands-on exhibits for children of all ages for over 30 years. Exhibits from around the world and across the centuries change frequently and allow visitors to make learning about science and technology an active experience. Downtown at 505 N. Santa Fe, 915 534-0000. http://InsightsElPaso.org
International Museum of Art, located at 1211 Montana Avenue at the stately Turney Mansion. African, Western heritage, Kolliker, student, Hall of Fame and changing art galleries. Thur–Sun 1 p.m.–5 p.m. 915 543-6747.
Los Portales Museum and Tourist Information Center in Historic San Elizario is open six days a week. Hours: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Closed Mondays. Excellent exhibits, veteran’s room and more. Tours other than during regular hours available by prearrangement. Self-guided walking tours are also available. 915 851-1682.
National Border Patrol Museum and Memorial Library is the only Border Patrol museum in the U.S. It is a private, not-for-profit museum, where exhibits cover the history of the Border Patrol from the Old West, Prohibition, and WWII right up to current operations. This history is told through displays of weapons, paintings, documents, equipment, photos, artifacts, videos, and hands-on vehicles, such as the Willy’s Jeep, helicopter, 32-foot Scarab boat, snowmobile and ATVs. There’s even an airplane. Guided tours may be booked in advance by phone. Open 9 a.m.–5p.m. Tue–Sat. Closed Sunday, Monday and major holidays. A gift shop is open during regular museum hours. Free admission and free parking. Handicapped accessible. 4315 Transmountain Road, 915 759-6060. http://Borderpatrolmuseum.com
Stanlee & Gerald Rubin Center for the Visual Arts
This new gallery, located on the UTEP campus on Dawson Drive in a building adjacent to the south end of Sun Bowl Stadium, features both local and national exhibits. Free admission. Open Tue–Wed–Fri 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thurs 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sat. noon–5 p.m. 915 747-6151.
War Eagles Air Museum, located at the Santa Teresa Airport in Santa Teresa, NM (12 miles west of downtown). A collection of 28 fully restored, flyable historic military aircraft of the World War II and Korean Conflict eras. Take I-10 west to Artcraft exit. Left on Artcraft and watch for directional signs to airport and museum. Tue–Sun 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 575 589-2000.
CULTURAL SITES
Chamizal National Memorial, located at 800 San Marcial near the Bridge of the Americas, recognizes the 1963 amicable resolution of the dispute between the U.S. and Mexico over this section of borderland. A 55-acre park, museum, Los Paisanos Gallery, an outdoor amphitheatre and 500-seat theater are included. Visitors can see a 12-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. 915 532-7273.
Concordia Cemetery, located on Gateway West at the Copia exit off I-10, is an historical landmark that includes the actual Boot Hill, where gunfighter John Wesley Hardin is buried.
Fray Garcia Monument, a 14-foot bronze sculpture by John Houser honoring the priest who founded the area’s first mission. Located in Pioneer Plaza at the corner of El Paso and San Francisco Streets downtown.
Keystone Heritage Park
Just a stone’s throw away from downtown El Paso is a little known treasure in the world of archaeology. The Keystone site, discovered in the 1970s and not yet open to the public, is what many consider the most significant of its kind from the Middle Archaic Period. Adjacent to the site and open to the visitors on Saturday and Sunday from 10–2 p.m. is the El Paso Desert Botanical Gardens and Wetlands, an adventure in the flora and fauna of the Southwest and a great observation point for over 200 bird species visible throughout the year. Construction of the third phase of the park, the Chihuahuan Desert Experience, is now under way. This new feature will allow visitors to stroll through twelve major eco-systems of the vast Chihuahua Desert, which stretches all the way from Mexico City to the south to the Mogollon Rim of New Mexico to the north. Tours by appointment are available, and birding tours are conducted the last Sat of each month at 8:00 a.m. Open Sat & Sun 10 a.m.–2 p.m. 4200 Doniphan, 915 584-0563. http://keystonepark.com
McKelligon Canyon Park & Amphitheatre is a 90-acre park, located in El Paso’s Franklin Mountains, is open to hikers and picnickers. A special feature of the park, a 1,500-seat amphitheatre, which is surrounded on three sides by dramatic canyon walls, is used for concerts and other events. Located on McKelligon Canyon Road off Alabama Avenue in northeast El Paso.
Magoffin Home State Historic Site
Closed for a preservation project beginning and due to open in spring 2012. When it re-opens, a visit to this striking adobe homestead, built in 1875, will allow you to explore the authentic art and furnishings in El Paso’s only house museum! Nestled in downtown El Paso, this historic homestead also tells the stories of a multicultural family that influenced the development of the Southwest borderlands. Open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Tue–Sun. All tours are guided and given on the hour with the last tour beginning at 4 p.m. each day. $4 for adults, $3 for children 6–18. Group tours will be available with advance reservations. In the meantime, for more information about the progress of the home’s renovations and repairs, please go to http://VisitMagoffinHome.com.
Mt. Cristo Rey, on the west side off McNutt Road in Sunland Park, N.M. Atop an 800-foot peak stands a magnificent 29-foot statue of Christ by internationally acclaimed Spanish sculptor Urbici Soler, the site of an annual pilgrimage on Easter Sunday. Because of Mt. Cristo Rey’s proximity to Mexico, it’s best to hike up the mountain in a group.
Plaza de los Lagartos, a fiberglass sculpture by Luis Jimenez honoring the city’s colorful past, when real alligators graced San Jacinto Plaza in the center of downtown. Bordered by Mills, Mesa, Oregon and Main Streets.
Tigua Indian Cultural Center
Visitors to the center can experience over 350 years of tribal history in the exhibits at the pueblo museum. Several artists work in gift shops surrounding the grassy plaza, where tribal social dancing exhibitions take place every weekend. You can even smell and taste loaves of fresh bread baked in traditional outdoor ovens or hornos (call for schedule). From I-10, go south on Americas Avenue (Loop 375) and then right on Socorro Road, and it’s just one-half mile to the center. Open Wed–Sun 9 a.m.–4 p.m. 305 Ya Ya Lane, 915 859-7700.
SCENIC SPOTS
Scenic Drive is Rim Road over the southern tip of the Franklin Mountains. On the west side, take Mesa Street to Rim Road and turn toward the mountains. Rim Road will turn into Scenic Drive. On the east side, take Alabama Street to Richmond and turn toward the mountains. Richmond turns into Scenic Drive.
Transmountain Road, connecting I-10 on the west side of the city to the Patriot Freeway (Hwy 54) on the northeast side.
El Paso Municipal Rose Garden, one of only 134 all-American rose selections (AARS) public gardens in the United States, is highly maintained to achieve certification by the American Rose Society. An AARS designation guarantees that a rose will live in that climate. The society sponsors a spring show, pruning demonstrations, garden tours, a yearly seminar, and advice to the public on the growing and caring of roses. Open Saturday (8 a.m.–1 p.m.) and Sunday (noon–4 p.m.) March–October 31. 1702 North Copia (corner of Copia and Aurora). Information/memberships: 915 541-4331.
AND MORE . . .
Downtown El Paso
Vibrant, historic downtown El Paso is a unique, bustling and energetic blend of Mexican and American culture, where everything is conveniently located, the shopping is great and history abounds. Stores, restaurants, and entertainment are close, the atmosphere is unmatched, and discounted prices provide a shopping experience unlike any other! Over 500 stores offer an extraordinary range of merchandise. A large percentage of these stores comprise the Golden Horseshoe district in southernmost downtown from El Paso Street, starting less than a block from the international bridge, to San Antonio Street and Overland Avenue and back down Stanton Street almost to the border. Merchants who inhabited these stores many years ago gave this U-shaped area this name because it was a very lucrative district with the steady stream of daily shoppers going back and forth across the border. On the cultural side, the downtown area boasts an impressive museum and entertainment district. The fabulous El Paso Museum of Art is next door to the recently restored, expanded and exquisite Plaza Theatre and Performing Arts Centre plus new construction along Mills Street broaden the scope and allure of downtown.
Downtown Walking Tour of El Paso is a 90-minute self-guided walking tour that begins in San Jacinto Plaza, original site of Ponce de Leon’s ranch, winds through El Paso’s downtown historic district and ends on Mills Street at the Kress Building, home of the famous dime store from 1938 to 1997. The tour includes several architecturally identifiable buildings, many of them designed by noted architect Henry C. Trost, the elegant, restored Plaza Theatre with its unique twinkling-star-and-floating-cloud ceiling, the beautifully restored Camino Real Hotel with its stained-glass dome ceiling, and other noteworthy buildings mastering many architectural styles. A walking tour brochure can be picked up at the Convention and Visitors Bureau (or download one from http://visitelpaso.com) and from several hotels and merchants.
El Paso Zoo
Entering the El Paso Zoo is like stepping inside another world! Here you’ll find exhibits representing the Americas, Asia and Africa, with the all-new 8-acre Passport to Africa Exhibit showcasing exotic species, including lions, zebras, giraffes, meerkats, hoof stock and waterfowl. In March 2011 two rare wild stallions from ancient bloodlines, once considered extinct and looking far different from our domesticated horses, join the Asia Grasslands Exhibit. A bit standoffish, these equines are loads of fun to watch. The El Paso Zoo is a thirty five-acre home to 240 species of animals. Approximately 500 mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds and 100 fish live in a variety of natural habitat exhibits, including a Reptile House, South American Pavilion, Americas Aviary, Birds of Prey Exhibit, Forest Atrium, and an Elephant Complex. Daily animal encounter and educational programs are offered. Open daily year-round. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Summer Hours: Mon–Fri 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Sat–Sun 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Winter Hours: 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. daily. Active Military with I.D. $7.50; children under 2 free; 3 to 12 yrs. $6; 13–59 yrs. $10; 60 and up $7.50. El Paso Zoo Society Memberships $75 (reciprocal at many zoos across the country). Member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. 4001 E. Paisano, 915 521-1850. http://elpasozoo.org
Farmer’s Market
Local farmers and artisans sell their finest wares each Saturday morning at Ardovino’s Desert Crossing in Sunland Park, NM, 12 minutes from downtown El Paso and 5 minutes from Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino. Breakfast and lunch are served on the patio, often accompanied by musical entertainment. Market is seasonal: opened late spring through autumn. Call 575 589-0653 for times and details and direction.
La Viña Winery is New Mexico’s oldest winery. The vineyard provides Estate Bottled New Mexico wines with a new complexity. Plantings of Italian and Rhone varietals complement production of Cabernet, Zinfandel and Chardonnay. Come by the tasting room and patio Thurs–Tue (closed Wed) from noon to 5 p.m. to enjoy New Mexico’s finest wine tasting for $5. A tour by appointment is offered at 11:30 a.m. (includes tasting) for $10. 4201 S. Highway 28, La Union, NM, 575 882-7632. http://lavinawinery.com
Zin Valle Vineyards
Fans of driving New Mexico Highway 28 are raising their goblets and cheering even louder now that there are two well-established wineries on this back road. Zin Valle is actually located inside the Texas state line in the former country residence of Mexican singer Juan Gabriel and is just three miles south of the La Viña Winery. Selections include ten different wines all priced between $15 and $25. The tasting room is open for free wine tasting Fri–Mon from noon to 5 p.m. and Tue–Thurs by appointment. The winery is also available for private affairs, and Zin Valle wines can be found at some of El Paso’s best restaurants and wine retailers. Zin Valle is located at 7315 Highway 28, near milepost 1, 915 877-4544. http://zinvalle.com
Western Playland Amusement Park, a tradition for family fun for more than 50 years, is located across the street from Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino. The amusement park is opened from mid-February through October and is located on 25+ acres full of fun and excitement. This is the #1 amusement park in West Texas and southern New Mexico with over 30 rides and games for all ages. Experience the Tsunami, the extremely popular, exciting and drenching downhill water ride that the kids absolutely love. Also try the other exciting rides like the roller coaster El Bandido, The Drop Zone, The Miner Kids Coaster, and family rides like Pharaoh’s Fury, Bumper Cars, Yo-Yo, Tilt-A-Whirl, Flying Skooters, and the Scrambler. For a great time at an affordable price, you can’t beat Western Playland Amusement Park. Great food, games, and rides. From I-10, take Sunland Park exit 13 and head south to 1249 Futurity Drive.
Wyler Aerial Tramway offers a view of 7,000 square miles, two countries and three states from the 5,632-foot elevation at the southern edge of the Franklin Mountains. The ride takes 4.5 minutes, climbing 940 feet. The summit at Ranger Peak includes observation deck, gift shop and exhibit panels. Adults $7, 12 and under at $4. Call for hours. Take Alabama to McKinley Ave and turn toward the mountain. McKinley ends at the base of the tram. You can reach Alabama from the Fred Wilson exit off U.S. 54 (head west and Fred Wilson turns into Alabama) 915 566-6622.
ALL IN A DAY
Franklin Mountains State Park
Most of the Franklin Mountain range visible from El Paso lies within the boundaries of the park. It’s a great place for hiking, mountain biking and picnicking. There are also primitive campsites available. Accessible from Transmountain Road north of El Paso. Call 915 566-6441.
Scenic Highway 28
Tour the Upper Valley on the road between El Paso and Old Mesilla. Visit orchards, vineyards and shops, all just 20 minutes from downtown El Paso. Some of the highlights include La Viña Winery, where a daily tour ($10) by appointment is offered at 11:30 a.m. and sales and tasting from noon to 5:00 p.m. daily, except Wednesday. Bring a picnic and relax on the grounds. Call 575 882-7632. Fans of Highway 28 are raising their goblets higher and cheering even louder now that there are two well-established wineries on this back road. Zin Valle Vineyards, which is actually located inside the Texas state line, is just three miles south of La Viña. The tasting room is open Fri–Mon noon–5 p.m. and Tue–Thurs by appointment. Call 915 877-4544. Both beautiful wineries are available for private events. There are also several small stores and restaurants along the way. Keep your eyes open!
Hueco Tanks State Historical Site
Just a 45-minute drive east from downtown El Paso, Hueco Tanks, one of the most historical sites in Texas, because of its pictographs and its use as a stagecoach stop along the old Butterfield Trail, is a haven for rock climbers from around the world. Climbing, hiking, rock art, and birding tours are held regularly. Camping is available. Access is limited to control crowd size, and reservations are strongly recommended even for daytime visits. 915 857-1135; reservations: 915 849-6684.
Mission Trail
The nine-mile corridor in El Paso’s Lower Valley from Ysleta to San Elizario, Texas, is a hidden gem full of history, culture, art and delicious food. Hop on a shuttle at one of the hotel pickup locations or at the Mission Trail Visitor Center (9065 Alameda, 915 790-0661) for a ride down the Mission Trail and a tour of the area. You can also drive your own vehicle but stop at the visitor center first to pick up brochures or to ask questions. Learn about old west outlaws, the oldest building in Texas, the first public school in Texas, the Tigua Indians and more! Visit the famous Licon Dairy and petting zoo, watch a Native American social dance, and listen to some music while you spend a relaxing day shopping at the galleries and gift shops. The trail can be seen on the map included in the story “Follow The Trail” in this issue. If driving, exit I-10 at Zaragosa (exit 32) and go south to the visitor center across the street from the Ysleta Mission. http://ElPasoMissionTrailAssociation.com
