Travel buffs are always on the hunt for exciting places to visit. Fortunately for El Paso, Texas, residents, there are plenty of art galleries, historic attractions, and natural wonders in the city that call out to seasoned photographers and aspiring shutterbugs alike. But you don’t have to be a local to tap into your inner paparazzi and explore everything this West Texas town has to offer. Even if you’re just passing through for a few days, make the most of your adventure and book a hotel stay in El Paso within driving distance of these exciting destinations.
Stanlee and Gerald Rubin Center for the Visual Arts
Located at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) campus, the Stanlee and Gerald Rubin Center for the Visual Arts beckons art enthusiasts for a visit. This gallery showcases contemporary art in a variety of mediums, from paintings and ceramics to sculptures and metalworks. Take a self-guided tour across the facility and explore topics such as borders and immigration, power and gender, and culture and heritage. Don’t miss out on regular UTEP student and faculty exhibitions either, and have your camera ready to snap shots of your favorite pieces.
Magoffin Home State Historic Site
Named after its founder Joseph Magoffin, a pioneer for industrial and economic growth in El Paso, this historic home served as a place of residence for his family and generations after for over a century. Built in 1877 out of thick adobe brick, the Magoffin Home State Historic Site is just one example of Spanish architecture inspired by the Southwest borderlands. The late 19th- and early 20th-century-designed rooms, antique furnishings, and art pieces reinforce the home’s historic character, while the outside welcomes guests with lush greenery and towering trees.
Scenic Drive
Next, we head outdoors to the city’s most famous view of Downtown El Paso. Turn onto Scenic Drive from the west via Mesa Street and Rim Road or from the east via Alabama and Richmond streets. During the day, the scenery offers shutterbugs gorgeous panoramic views of El Paso, Cuidad Juárez, Mexico, and the Franklin Mountains, while after sunset a steady glow of lights envelop the city for a truly majestic sight. Parking can be a pain if you’re driving, but Sundays offer a more relaxed ambiance with pedestrian-only access, so that perfect camera shot is never out of reach.
Hueco Tanks State Park
Image via Flickr by VisitElPaso
Hueco Tanks State Park is a must for thrill-seekers. With ample opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, camping, and nature exploring, you’ll never be short on adventure at this El Paso gem. Explore the pictographs and petroglyphs showcasing the history and cultures of early settlers, and take in the various rock formations, broad flat basins, and neighboring mountain ranges surrounding you.
You might even catch a glimpse of the many birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals that call Hueco Tanks State Park home, such as the prairie falcon, desert cottontail, and Texas horned lizard. Don’t overlook the area’s diverse foliage either, which includes everything from rose-fruited juniper and cottonwood trees to prickly pear cacti and flourishing saltbush plants.
El Paso boasts amazing photo ops at almost every corner. With a solid itinerary and camera in hand, you can expertly capture these moments during your West Texas excursion.
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