El Paso is one of the largest border towns in the United States, and the influence of its sister city of Juárez, one of Mexico’s most densely populated cities, can be seen in the cuisine and cultural markers of this West Texas city. Tex-Mex is as much of a menu staple here as barbecue, and you’ll find numerous events on the calendar celebrating the city’s Mexican influences. Dia De Los Muertos, for example, takes place in the downtown arts district of Las Plazas, home to the El Paso Museum of Art, the El Paso Museum of History, and the El Paso Museum of Archaeology, all of which participate in this lively honoring of the dead. Downtown El Paso is also where you’ll find the stadium that houses the country’s second-oldest ongoing football bowl game.

El Paso is covered in sunshine most of the year, making it a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking to explore the arid mountain landscapes of nearby state parks. White-water rafting is another popular pastime here, as the Rio Grande flows just west of El Paso.

The best time to stay at El Paso Texas vacation rentals is between the months of March to May and September and November. Temperatures during the spring and fall months are mostly temperate, while the summers bring excessively high temperatures, and surprise cold snaps often happen in the winter.

If you’re traveling in June, you can experience Viva! El Paso, a celebration of the Mexican, Native American, Spanish, and American West cultures that have influenced the city with outdoor dance and musical performances. In October, Chalk the Block is one of the largest free public arts festivals in the Southwest, featuring chalk art competitions, exhibits from local museums, and live dance and theater.

Hueco Tanks State Historic Site

Hueco Tanks State Historic Site was once known as a sacred desert sanctuary. For thousands of years, people trekked to collect rainwater in naturally formed rock basins here, and today you can still see pictographs and petroglyphs left by the land’s ancient custodians 1,500 years ago. Due to the fragile nature of these markings, the park limits the number of people allowed to explore them, and visitors must follow the rules of respectfully experiencing these guarded treasures. While at the park, you can also hike the trails, rock climb, or star gaze at the dark night sky.

Plaza Theatre

As an El Paso landmark, the Plaza Theatre has hosted shows, plays, and concerts since its opening in 1930 and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. A visit to the restored theatre is an experience in itself, from the moment you lay eyes on its Spanish Mission-style exterior to its mosaic-tiled floors, wrought-iron banisters, and pipe organ.

Insights Science Museum

The Insights Science Museum hosts a variety of exhibitions, a good number of which focus on paleontology, including dinosaurs, bones, and fossils, as well as zoology, biology, and astronomy exhibits. There’s an interactive kids’ area here too.