tdmort

I have just been invited to El Paso for a few days in January (what will the weather be like) with a friend while she helps her daughter get settled in her new apartment. I have never been to Texas and know nothing about the area. What is there to do in El Paso or within a short drive (1-2 hours). We both love photography, eating good food, and anything that would help us learn the history or culture. I'm not big into hiking but do enjoy the outdoors. Also like shopping (no chain stores). Thanks for your input!

BigRuss

I'd politely decline the invitation. El Paso is not a pretty or culturally remarkable city and at this time, with the gang wars in Mexico spilling over into border towns in the US, it's markedly less safe than the average 600,000 person city.

WhereAreWe

Plenty of things to do, take a look at some of these:

http://www.nps.gov/cham/index.htm

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/f...arks/franklin/

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/f...r_aerial_tram/

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/f...s/hueco_tanks/

http://www.texasmountaintrail.com/index.aspx?page=1404

http://admin.utep.edu/Default.aspx?tabid=59900

http://www.ci.el-paso.tx.us/arch_museum/default.asp

http://www.elpasotexas.gov/history/default.asp

http://www.visitmagoffinhome.com/index.aspx?page=13

http://www.borderpatrolmuseum.com/

http://ysletamission.org/

Maybe take the tramway for scenery/outdoors, visit Hueco Tanks and take a guided tour to see the rock art? And visit a couple museums and/or missions? Just don't cross the border, Ciudad Juarez isn't real safe.

kkukura

I went with my son to West TX- El Paso, Davis Mountains area, Guadalupe Mountains for a week last December. I fell in love with the whole area! El Paso is a very pretty, clean city. We never felt unsafe. Check out the links posted above. I think it is even a place I wouldn't mind living in either!

HappyTrvlr

Safety is an issue. A short walk across any of the bridges takes you to Ciudad Juarez. US Consulate staff and family were killed on one of the bridges. I visited both cities. When I was there a couple of years ago, Mexicans crossed the bridges by foot to shop in El Paso.
El Paso itself is small and has some nice areas. I have no desire, however, to return there.

WhereAreWe

El Paso has consistently been rated one of the safest cities in the country for over a decade. Safer than New York City last year, as a matter of fact.

http://www.kvia.com/news/25870470/detail.html

Ciudad Juarez is not safe.

It's pretty simple, stay on the U.S. side of the border and you're fine.

tdmort

Thanks for all of the awesome links. I know that Juarez Mexico is not safe, thanks for the warnings though. I am from Detroit and know how the media can put a bad spin on a city...not to say that there isn't crime in Detroit, there is if you're places that you shouldn't be. But there's a lot of positives to the city too, and the media never shows that. I find it interesting that some people warn about El Paso not being safe while others are totally comfortable there. Thanks again for the help!

qwovadis

www.visitbigbend.com

Carlsbad Caverns not far away

Cloudcroft and skiapache.com

innofthemountaingods.com for snow and ski

weather good deserty I like it...

Lots of safety issues in Juarez careful there.

I like El Paso especially in winter...

NorthwestMale

Hmmmmmmmmmm, Detroit to El Paso...


By that standard, El Paso will be safe.

I think you should go and explore Las Cruces, on one of your short drives. You could also drive past the White Sands Missile Range, and go to the mountains around Ruidoso. (though consult winter travel info to see if that is do-able)



Central El Paso has plenty of hustle and bustle but the idea of being there doesn't tend to make the heart race as might be the case for New York City or the like.

On the bright side, whatever weather El Paso serves up in January is likely to bring welcome relief to someone from Michigan.

spirobulldog

Statistically El Paso has almost always ranked the 2nd safest large city in American just behind Honolulu. Google it.

I would consider driving to Guadalupe National Park and doing some hiking there. Hike to Guadalupe Peak-tallest point in Texas. Just about an hour from that is Carlsbad Caverns. It is my favorite cave. For a really awesome adventure consider the wild cave tour there. They only offer it to 8 people on Sat and Sun only-Spider Cave and Hall of White Giants. Both are GREAT! Another great option is White Sand Dunes National Monument.