El Paso

On the banks of the Rio Grande, across the border from the Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez, El Paso is Texas' westernmost city. At the cusp of the two nations, El Paso's local culture is a harmonious blend of Texan and Mexican traditions, best showcased at the El Paso Museum of Art and the city's many restaurants where authentic Mexican fare is served alongside the smokey, delicious Texas-style barbecue. What the city is best known for is its stunning outdoors, right from rock climbing at the Hueco Tanks State Park to the hiking trails of the Franklin Mountains State Park, one of the United States' largest urban greenspaces. For illuminating experiences indoors, there are museums like the Museum of Archeology, the Museum of History and the National Border Patrol Museum. Meanwhile, the El Paso Zoo is a great place to explore with the kids. For those who favor the arts, the Plaza Theater is a beautifully restored historic movie palace that now hosts concerts and live performances as well as film screenings. With its very own baseball team, the El Paso Chihuahuas, and the growing influence of the Monticello entertainment district, El Paso is a sleeping beauty that is awakening to modern times.