From architectural wonders, to delicious food and drinks, to amazing hotels, you’ll always be close to something intriguing, at Downtown El Paso. Visit the El Paso Museum of History and for local traditions, grab tickets for a show at the Abraham Chavez Theatre, explore San Jacinto Plaza, or enjoy yourself at the trendy and fashionable bars and restaurants near the University of Texas at El Paso.
Theatre
In Downtown El Paso you can glide over to two theaters to catch a performance. One is the Abraham Chavez Theater. This celebrated concert venue is located at 1 Civic Center Plaza, and is a perfect choice for Broadway concerts, children events, and theatrical shows. The building was established in the early 1970s. The venue is well equipped to support 2500 seats all over the hall. The theatre has always been important for art lovers in the city. Several famous stars have performed at its stage. A large number of popular music shows, especially orchestral symphony performances take place within its historic walls. The venue has also seen the alive death of Quinton Stralzburg in the main auditorium.
Built in 1930 and restored to its original atmospheric theater magnificence in 2006, a National Historic Building of Significance, the Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center is the second theatre conveniently located in downtown El Paso-just a brief glide away from the Judson F. Williams Convention Center and the Abraham Chavez Theatre.
The theatre was built with Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and has antique furniture, ornamental metal railings, mosaic-tiled floor, and sophisticatedly painted ceilings. One of the surviving atmospheric theaters in the United States, The Plaza makes viewers feel they are seated outdoors in a Spanish courtyard. The stars on the ceiling reflect the Southwestern sky in June. The Mighty Wurlitzer Blaban III Organ located in this theatre is one of only six ever made. The organ has 1,071 pipes and can act like 15 different instruments.
In addition to the 2,050-seat Kendall Kidd Performance Hall, the Plaza Theatre features the 200-seat Philanthropy Theatre and the Alcantar Sky Garden, a pleasant rental venue for private receptions, business parties and family gatherings.
Magnificent Museums
Be amazed by art from both sides of the border, and immerse yourself in more than 1000 years of the city’s culture at Downtown El Paso’s two first-class museums.
El Paso Museum of History’s Changing Pass: People, Land & Memory, exhibits the different people that have lived in this part of Texas. The museum also has a Digital Wall and temporary exhibits like Neighborhoods And Shared Memories which looks at the historic neighborhood of Manhattan Heights, located in Central El Paso between Alabama Street and Memorial Park; Dolores Huerta: Revolution in the Fields/Revolución en los Campos; Tracks Across The Desert: More than 100 Years of Railroad In El Paso and Low & Slow; and Lowrider Culture on the Border, which features vintage cars and provides history in this context of Mexican-American culture, among others. At the El Paso Museum of Art, you’ll find amazing historical and contemporary pieces. More museums you can visit in the area include: El Paso Holocaust Museum & Study Center, Centennial Museum & Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, El Paso Scottish Rite, and the El Paso Railroad and Transportation Museum.
Alligators in El Paso?
You can go to any of the museums mentioned above and then Glide over to San Jacinto Plaza. The plaza is a popular spot to hangout at night, and is the heart of Downtown El Paso. There, you can get a bite to eat, rent paddles and balls to play table tennis or play a game of chess. During the summer, kids can cool off on the splash pad and in the winter they can enjoy the big Christmas parade and all the festive lights. San Jacinto Plaza is the heart and soul of the downtown area, and a place you’ll want to hang out for a while before you go off to discover what else the area has to offer. The plaza is also home to the alligator statues that represent when the plaza was home to live alligators back in the 1950s and 60s, which is why the plaza was originally called La Plaza de Los Lagartos.
Majestic Murals & Astonishing Architecture
In Downtown El Paso, art is all around you, not only in a gallery or museum. Explore Downtown and you will find many murals, there are more than 100 in town, as well as amazing historical architecture. Although there are lots, there are a couple you won’t want to miss. Contigo illustrates a woman in the midst of cactuses. Ánimo Sin Fronteras is devoted to people on the border who have lived and opposed injustice. The Sister Cities mural is dedicated to the border cities, El Paso and Juarez.
Cruise around on your Glide scooter on your mural tour and you’ll also pass by some of El Paso’s amazing downtown architecture. There are many architectural wonders too, but a couple of examples you won’t want to miss are the Alhambra Theater, built in 1914, the only Moorish-inspired structure in the area, and the Cortez Building, built in 1926, the only structure in the area constructed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style.
Paseo de Las Luces
El Paso is full of enchantment at every moment of the day. After sun set, Glide on to Paseo de las Luces on South El Paso Street to engross yourself in El Paso’s culture. You will find open concept shops and boutiques set in lovely historic buildings. The Paseo is lit up at night by arched string lights. Glide along the street and step into the shops that spark your interest. You can view the US-Mexico border from this part of South El Paso Street.
Comfortable and Epoch-Making Hotels
Relax in one of El Paso’s fantastic and notable hotels with a wonderful view of downtown. Two of these are the Plaza Hotel and Hotel Paso del Norte.
The Plaza Hotel is certain to leave an impression with its astonishing architecture and art. Conrad Hilton began his high-rise hotel business with The Plaza, right here in El Paso. It was also once the temporary home of Elizabeth Taylor. Now it is one of the hottest hotels downtown. Treat yourself to some of the finest dining and drinks in town. As a sign of the culinary rebirth of El Paso, Ambar Restaurante, Anson Eleven, La Perla Rooftop Bar celebrate the traditional flavors of México with the distinct heritage of Texas. These are Johnson Studio designs and are world class dining and drinking destinations that attract travelers from far beyond El Paso.
Close by, The Hotel Paso del Norte originally opened in 1912 and designed by Henry Charles Trost, the hotel has seen a long list of famous guests, from Pancho Villa, William Howard Taft, Herbert Hoover, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Bush, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, to Aerosmith and Van Halen. Book either the Governor’s Suite or Presidential Suite, if you really want a treat. The Hotel also has impressive dining options. Take pleasure of a memorable meal at 1700° Steakhouse or have a cocktail at The Dome Bar under a 25-foot Tiffany-style stained-glass dome.
These are only two of El Paso’s historic hotels, grab a scooter and Glide around to make sure you don’t miss any.
Excellent Restaurants
Downtown El Paso is an unmatched stop for food lovers, from five-star restaurants to quick-bite independent cafes. You can find fine-dining eateries and chic spots that serve aged USDA prime beef, lamb and fresh seafood along with a selection of world-class wine, craft beer, and cocktails. Among these are 1700° Steakhouse, Café Central, and Taft Diaz. The coming together of different cultures is renowned here with dishes that combine flavors from both sides of the border. You will find the best spots for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. There’s much more, so plan your visit to Downtown El Paso and go on your very own culinary adventure with Glide.
Craft Beer & Cocktails
El Paso’s downtown is full of trendy places where you can find your favorite cocktail, and they are just a Glide away. If you enjoy craft beer you can choose from a long list of brews from Texas at Craft and Social, where they also have delicious food and wine. If you are looking for somewhere to relax you can find different cocktails at Berkeley Cocktail Lounge. Looking for a younger crowd? The Reagan has live music and mouth watering cocktails. 1922 specializes in delicious craft made classic cocktails prepared by mixologists in a beautiful timeless setting. Tap Bar and Restaurant has everyday Mexican food, beer & cocktails served in a narrow, easy going place with weekly live jazz. Later, Later is another fantastic place to grab a drink. Lost & Found is also a great place full of energy that often brings diverse music producers to town. Not sure if you’re in a mood for coffee or cocktails? Then Capri is the place to go to. These are just a few examples of places to grab a drink in Downtown El Paso, so glide on down and find your favorite.
Something for Sport Fans
At Southwest University Park, you can see the local El Paso Chihuahuas, and future stars of Major League Baseball. Former players of the Chihuahuas are now notable pros. The Chihuahua’s season runs through the month of September. The park is also home to the local professional soccer team, El Paso Locomotive FC, that plays in América’s second division, the USL Championship. The Locomotive’s season runs through the end of October.
Downtown El Paso is a destination that pleases all the senses.