El Paso

This formerly sleepy border town has gone from being known as just a U.S.-Mexican crossing point to a must-see destination in its own right. El Paso is effortlessly cool, with its singular cultural heritage (a mix of Mexican, Texan, American and distinctly El Pasoan influences), incredible restaurants, showstopping natural scenery and dusty, charming Old West vibes. El Paso’s big-city neighbor across the border, Ciudad Juarez, has long been plagued by violence and drug gangs, but thankfully, crime has gone down in Juarez in recent years. In fact, El Paso owes much of its booming arts and culture scene to the connective threads that inextricably tie both cities together. Travelers headed to—or passing through—El Paso who take the time to get to know the city and its intoxicating blend of cultures will be richly, and undeniably, rewarded, and any spot on this list is a great place to start. Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.

The food scene in El Paso often gets overlooked, largely because out-of-towners tend to view this western border town as a place to pass through – and not a worthy destination in its own right. But it’s their loss, because in addition to a plethora of things to do worth staying for, El Paso boasts a truly distinctive foodie culture, not to mention several top-notch restaurants that rival those of any other in the Lone Star state. You can taste the intermingling of Mexican and American cultures practically anywhere you eat, the results of which are usually incredibly tasty. Whether you’re craving unassuming street tacos, rustic Italian cuisine, succulent BBQ or the best breakfast burritos of your life, chances are you can find it in El Paso. Check out our pick of the best eats in El Paso.