Location: El Paso
Top Things to do in El Paso
10 Museums in El Paso That You Shouldn't Miss
For an alternative Texas experience, consider El Paso. Located far from the bright lights of Dallas or San Antonio, in the state's western corner along the sparkling shores of the Rio Grande, El Paso boasts a different feel than its eastern counterparts. A true melting pot of American and Mexican culture, the combination is noticeable everywhere. Visit the El Paso Museum of Art and see American works from the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as Mexican colonial art and retablos from the 1700s and 1800s. Restaurants serve authentic Mexican cuisine, Texas barbecue or a little of both. While this fusion of cultures draws some, the rock climbers who descend on El Paso have only one thing in mind: scaling the massive boulders of Hueco Tanks State Park. Those who prefer the ground can wander through the park's interpretive center and see ancient Indian pictographs. Other popular El Paso pastimes include golf, mountain biking and our personal favorite, stargazing.
Restaurants in El Paso
1. Flor De Barro Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Flor De Barro Gallery is a family owned Mexican art gallery in El Paso, Texas. We are the go-to art gallery for Mexican fine art pieces. Our impressive collection of hand-made and hand-painted Mexican folk art is handpicked by our family directly from the artists who make them. Our gallery's mission is to educate our visitors about the artist we support, their processes, and the cultural value they represent. Honorable mentions among our repertoire of Mexican artists are Juan Quezada, Laura Bugarini, Lydia Quezada, and Hector Gallegos from Mata Ortiz, Jesus Guerrero Santos from Jalisco, and Sergio Velazquez from Michoacan. Our collections vary from Day of the Dead pottery, modern Mata Ortiz pottery and Casas Grandes style, hammered copper, Wixarica yarn paintings and beaded works, lithographies, Mexican paper mache, and more. Whether you're looking to invest in a fine art piece or looking for Mexican decor, you will find a little piece of Mexico to fall in love with.
Reviewed By johnmP5038YW - Las Cruces, United States
This gallery is a house-turned-gallery, and from the outside, you would never guess what's inside. The gallery has what I would guess is over 200 pieces of art. They have from high-end to small inexpensive, yet very nice, pieces. Whether you are a collector or starting out, this gallery is worth it. The owners are there, it is family-owned, and they will personally give you a tour and tell you stories about the art and how it's made. I recommend going with about two hours of time to spare, so you don't rush through it. I cannot recommend this gallery enough.
2. El Paso Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 221 reviews
Established in 1947, this museum houses permanent exhibits with more than 5,000 pieces of art, including works by European artists Bellotto, Canaletto and Artemisia Gentileschi, as well an extensive collection of contemporary works by artists from the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Reviewed By jimtZ7231HS - Austin, United States
This a smaller museum with a very good collection of art. We saw a Remington, Toulouse-Latrec, Whistler, Degas, Ansel Adams, and Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington in addition to interesting modern art and special exhibits. We were there on a Friday morning and were treated to a mini-recital of Classical music by a string quartet, which enhanced the experience. And did I mention it's free? Nice gift shop, too.
3. YDSP Tigua Indian Cultural Center and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
This site includes the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Museum, the Alderette-Candelaria House, a gift shop selling crafts of the Tigua Indians, Indian social dances and a cafe.
Reviewed By dxstx7 - New Braunfels, United States
Not only do they perform historical dances, but the site itself also reeks of history! Must try the Gorditas there as they are outstanding. We used almost a day just sightseeing and going through historical data and of course eating.
4. Fort Bliss and Old Ironsides Museums
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 182 reviews
Reviewed By Y2378RAjohnb - Sierra Vista, United States
Stop and tour the displays if you love military hardware. Good layout to wander around, read information and the pieces are well kept. You'll 'tank' me later!
5. National Border Patrol Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 215 reviews
Reviewed By X9241TNrickb - El Paso, United States
This is no ordinary museum. From your first step in you know you are looking at over 100 years of Border Patrol history. Each exhibit is well documented and the artifacts are identified and described much like they are at any Smithsonian Institution museum. They even have a decommissioned patrol helicopter on display. Confiscated weapons and homemade rafts are displayed with explanations of their use and origins. Although small in comparison to other museums, there is quite a bit packed into this museum. Admission is free.
6. El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 175 reviews
Our Mission: to educate the public - particularly the youth of today - about the Nazi Holocaust, as a way of insuring that similar acts of terrorism will not be repeated; to memorialize and pay tribute to those who perished in the Holocaust and to honor those who survived; to fight prejudice an bigotry and to remind the world, through education, of the value and dignity of human life. Admission is Free Donations are greatly appreciated. All tours must begin 30 minutes prior to scheduled closing.
Reviewed By MSEL0105
The museum is beautifully laid out and informative. Of course not everything is discussed but it focuses on the necessary information for the El Paso community. I’m so glad it is here and appreciate the suggested donation. Also, the children’s activity at the end of the museum is really lovely and thought provoking. So glad this museum exists in El Paso!
7. El Paso Museum of Archaeology
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 96 reviews
The El Paso Museum of Archaeology is dedicated to the narration, interpretation and preservation of archaeological and anthropological artifacts through research, exhibits, education, and special programs, with a focus on the prehistory and culture of the El Paso area and the Southwest.
8. International Museum of Art
9. El Paso Scottish Rite Temple and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
10. UTEP Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By Chelsea42
The UTEP campus is stunning, architecture modeled on the Bhutanese style. The Centennial Museum is outstanding. I especially enjoyed the heartfelt exhibit on the art made by the children during their detention at Tornillo as well as the photography of art along the border wall. There was a room featuring the history of El Paso which I found so interesting. I learned a lot.
